BA (Hons) Events Management

aBerDeen Business sChool

UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2013

o t e M i t ne i h s

t s n t e n M e ev naGe Ma

Events Management What and when: course overview …and course detail

2 10 12

How will I be taught?

Key facts What next?

18 19 20

Choosing a course isn’t straightforward.

There’s lots of detail you need to know. Where will I study?

What topics are covered?

How will I be assessed?

You also want to gain a ‘feel’ for things – directly from some current students and graduates.

In this brochure we’ve combined hard facts about the degree with real views of students and graduates. We have also kept things short and clear, so you don’t get more information than you need.

Our aim is to give you a quick, genuine and useful insight into our courses. If there’s anything more you’d like to know, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

events ManaGeMent BA (Hons) UCAS N820

f l e s r u e o r y u t t pu e pic h t in n o i t c u d o r int

2

Chloe scamps BA (HONS) EVENTS MANAGEMENT

“The Events Management course offers a superb range of opportunities for new students, including a fieldwork placement.

My week-long placement was in Barcelona – assisting at an event involving 1,200 conference delegates. It was an awesome opportunity and I loved every minute of it.

“RGU appealed to me because of the fantastic reviews that the university receives, and because it was voted the top modern university in the UK.”

“In working on this placement, and throughout the course, I’ve gained experience and confidence in organising different types of events.

I really enjoy planning and seeing the end result of all the work involved. I’m certain that the hard work I’ve put into this course will pay off.”

3

events ManaGeMent BA (Hons) UCAS N820

: s t C e p pros

“Would you relish getting involved with events such as the Edinburgh Festival?

This degree is excellent preparation for students with the ambition, drive and determination to become part of a dynamic and growing industry.�

Shona Byrne Head of Sales and Marketing Aberdeen Performing Arts 4

Is your dream career to secure and manage the line-up at T in the Park?

Or to be Corporate Events Manager for the Eden Project? Community Events Manager for BP? Sponsorship Liaison Officer for the next Mountain Bike World Cup? Whatever your dream, this course can help you achieve it.

The events industry is huge.

Events dominate the media, fill transport systems, hotels and venues, meet business objectives and motivate communities. Consider the national importance and potential economic and social impacts of the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, Offshore Europe, the Ryder Cup, MOBO Music Awards and Formula 1.

opportunit ies

> The Edinburgh Festival (the world’s biggest programme of arts festivals) brings £135m to Scotland’s economy and supports 2,900 full-time jobs > T in the Park (Scotland’s largest music festival) brings over £18m > Business tourism is worth over £22bn to the UK, through wider spending on travel, entertainment, shopping and pre and post conference tours > Over the past decade, there’s been a 53% growth in all business trips This rapid growth is creating new business opportunities, diverse careers and a genuine need for quality and professionalism within this industry.

That’s where you come in.

to relish

5

events ManaGeMent BA (Hons) UCAS N820

: s t pec

s o r p

e h

t

6

e g a t s

Career options Your prospects are wide-ranging and diverse.

Areas to consider include: > Business events (conference/ meetings industry; exhibitions; incentive travel; corporate hospitality) > Music festivals and cultural events > Community events, concerts, theatres and performance arts > Sporting and spectator events > Charity and fundraising events > Party and wedding planning events

sophie Davidson BA (HONS) EVENTS MANAGEMENT

“Of all the universities I visited when considering my study options, RGU was my favourite because I loved the campus – especially Aberdeen Business School – and everyone was really nice and helpful. I was also aware that RGU is the best for graduate employment.

As this is a new course, we don’t yet have any direct examples of graduate jobs. However other recent ABS graduates have secured roles such as: > Conference & Banqueting Manager at a national visitor attraction (UK) > Events Co-ordinator at a private golf and country club (USA) > Cultural Arts Director at a children’s international camp (USA) > Conference Manager at a business venue (UK) > Head of Sales & Marketing at a business venue (UK) > Events Manager at a historic visitor attraction (UK) > Senior Events Manager at an international hotel chain (UK) > Events Co-ordinator at a convention bureau (UK) > Events Manager at a PR and events company (UK) > Events Co-ordinator at a radio station (UK)

“I really enjoy the classes where we work together to come up with great ideas for events.

It’s fantastic that we do many of the same modules as other business students, such as those in marketing and accounting, but we’re also able to do eventspecific modules, and which makes studying more fun.”

“I love being a student in Aberdeen because it’s fun, the people are great and you can have a brilliant night out.”

7

events ManaGeMent BA (Hons) UCAS N820

plaCeMents:

MaKe a

8

“As the events industry continues to become an ever more professional sector, the desire from employers in this field to employ people with a formal events degree increases.

Events are now well established mechanisms to drive multiple aims, objectives and targets for cities, countries and industry. A degree in events management is also a very flexible degree as it has many transferable skills within it and solid management principles at its core.”

Joe Aitken Head of Major Events Glasgow City Marketing Bureau

r p M i D o o G

Giving you real exposure to the events industry is our priority.

As an innovative alternative to a block placement, we offer the Industry Experience Portfolio.

Right from the first year of your degree, you build up a portfolio of work experience. By the end of the fourth year, you’ll have completed 400 hours (or 200 hours for advanced entry students) of work experience.

This experience carries credits towards your degree award.

This approach to industry experience allows you to apply your learning continuously to the practical environment, and – of course – make contacts and network from day one.

We plan for you to gain experience across the corporate, cultural and leisure/sporting events sectors, with the potential opportunity to specialise in your final Honours stage.

n o i s s e

9

EVENTS MANAGEMENT BA (Hons) UCAS N820

what & when: COURSE overview…

YEAR 1 This course is the perfect blend of core management and specialist events management modules.

Throughout your studies, you will develop key professional skills including: >> Communications >> Handling and evaluating information >> Information technology >> Project management >> Time management >> Teamwork >> Critical research approaches >> Independent learning These are all core skills valued by employers within this industry – and indeed others.

You will be introduced to core business modules including: >> Marketing >> Professional Communication Skills >> Introduction to Management Accounting Knowledge and understanding of these subjects forms an excellent foundation for a successful career in events management.

In this year you also start your first specialist modules: >> The Events Industry >> Event Operations These introduce you to the world of events, discussing their value and impact on businesses and countries.

You will also learn how to scope and design an event, from articulating an event vision through to planning and executing the event itself.

You’ll also start building your practical understanding of the events industry by commencing the Industry Experience Portfolio.

10

YEAR 2

You further develop management knowledge by studying Organisational and Consumer Behaviour.

The marketing and PR aspects of events are explored in more detail in the Advertising Communication and Public Relations modules.

The following modules will enhance your specialist knowledge: >> Corporate Events Management involves in-depth study of business events, including conferences, meetings, corporate hospitality, incentive travel and trade-fairs >> Managing Risk and Security in the Events Industry highlights key issues within the ever-expanding events industry, and includes identifying and managing risk, crowd behaviour and control, and contemporary threats to security (consider terrorism and pandemics) and their appropriate management You’ll continue your practical experience within the events industry by undertaking your second Industry Experience Portfolio module.

YEAR 3 The blend of management and specialist subjects continues, further developing your business knowledge and skills to complement your growing specialist knowledge.

Areas unique to this course include: >> Event and Venue Sustainability considers the growing need for venues and events to be sustainable, staging carbon neutral events for example >> Live Music Management is an innovative module testing all the practical skills you have developed. Your team will plan, manage, produce and evaluate a live music event in Aberdeen city centre in competition with your other classmates >> Event Tourism: Legacy and Impact is a module focusing on the role events play in the economies of cities and nation states. Students will consider policy and planning in relation to a range of events from small community-based cultural activities to sporting megaevents, examining their ability to regenerate and reshape destinations and communities

YEAR 4

You undertake a significant piece of independent research (Research Project) into a specific aspect of the industry, guided and supported by an allocated supervisor.

Specialist modules include: >> Future Forecasting within the Events Industry strengthens your ability to read the market, analyse trends, understand consumers and predict the industry’s direction >> Event Sponsorship and Fundraising analyses the relationship between events and sponsorship, identifying funding, brand affiliation and developing event sponsorship strategies >> Corporate Social Responsibility within the Events Industry highlights key concepts including community engagement and involvement, and displacement You’ll continue to gain industry experience via the Industry Experience Portfolio 4 module, ideally choosing your specialist sub-sector of the events industry.

General modules at this stage include: >> Personal Selling and Sales Management >> Research Methods >> Managing Projects You’ll further strengthen your industry experience by studying Industry Experience Portfolio 3.

11

EVENTS MANAGEMENT BA (Hons) UCAS N820

…& COURSE detail YEAR 1

Please note that the course structure is reviewed each year and may be subject to change.

Semester One >> >> >> >>

Events Operations Marketing Professional Communication Skills The Events Industry

Semester Two >>

>> >>

>>

Digital Media Platforms and Practices Industry Experience Portfolio 1 Introduction to Management Accounting Managing Design and Creativity

YEAR 2 Semester One >> >> >> >>

Advertising Communication Brand Management Corporate Events Management Organisational Behaviour

Semester Two >> >> >>

>>

Consumer Behaviour Industry Experience Portfolio 2 Managing Risk and Security in the Events Industry Public Relations

If you left now, you’d have…

If you left now, you’d have…

Certificate of Higher Education Events Management

12

Diploma of Higher Education Events Management

YEAR 3

Semester One >>

>> >> >>

Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship: Foundation Ethics and the Consumer Event and Venue Sustainability Research Methods

Semester Two >>

>> >> >>

Event Tourism: Legacy and Impact Industry Experience Portfolio 3 Live Music Management Managing Projects

If you left now, you’d have…

BA Events Management

YEAR 4 Semester One >>

>>

>>

>>

Corporate Social Responsibility in the Events Industry Future Forecasting in the Events Industry Lifestyle Consumption and Experience Economies Research Project

Semester Two >>

>> >> >>

Event Sponsorship and Fundraising Industry Experience Portfolio 4 Research Project Strategic Marketing Management

If you left now, you’d have…

BA (Honours) Events Management

13

spreaD Your winGs enJoY new horiZons

BYe, au revoir, Ciao anD see You soon

What could possibly be better than studying at Robert Gordon University?

Good question!

How about studying here – but also getting a chance to spend some time studying abroad!

Going abroad to study or work could be one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of your course. The experience, new friends, a different country, climate, culture and language: these, and many other factors, make it an unforgettable time – wherever you go!

Well that’s entirely possible.

Most undergraduate programmes at Aberdeen Business School include the opportunity for a period of study abroad with one of our carefully chosen international partners – both in Europe and beyond.

Our Study Abroad programmes offer additional educational and cultural experiences – but all as part of your accredited qualification with RGU. Many employers like to have graduates with some international experience, so it’s your chance to enhance your CV and widen your employment opportunities.

14

And where you go – will depend on the course you study. Each participating course has its own partner institutions in different countries. Most of the courses have more than one partner institution, so you can choose which institution or country is most suitable for you.

So if we say that you might need a phrase book and sunglasses when you come to Aberdeen, we are being serious!

15

Go N

Ort

16

H, B

e HA

ppY

thinGs are looKinG up, up north

scotland at its best. aye, that’s right!

A great Scottish location and brilliant career opportunities; Robert Gordon University gives you lots to smile about...

Aberdeen is pretty unique in the UK with its cosmopolitan culture, rich heritage and fantastic scenery. It’s got everything you’d expect from a major city – pubs, clubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and art galleries – but there’s lots more than that!

Consistently named “best modern university in the UK” by leading University Guides and “top in the UK for graduate employment” (HESA, 2012), Robert Gordon University is the ideal place to start your career.

What’s more, Aberdeen was recently named the “sunniest city in Scotland” (Bank of Scotland Quality of Life League, 2011). So it’s time to get yourself up north, where things will be good for you too!

Like the miles of beach boulevard – loved by skaters and surfers – and the wild mountains right on the doorstep: Aberdeen is home to three superb ski and snowboarding slopes, plus some of the best hillwalking in Scotland and loads of great places for canoeing, kayaking and sailing!

17

? t h g u a t e ow will i b

h Through varied class sizes, diverse lecturing styles and a range of assessment techniques.

This degree is taught in two semesters. Each semester has a block of 12 weeks of teaching.

In the classroom You’ll take four modules per semester. Each module involves around three hours of class teaching per week. While this differs from module to module, most have: > Two hours of lectures delivered to the whole class (between 30 and 250 people, depending on your subject). Lectures tend to focus on a formal session, where the lecturer provides and discusses key topics, models and authors

Outside the classroom

Before classes start…

In addition to lectures and tutorials, you‘ll spend time outside of class working on your own.

You’ll attend an induction week to help you prepare for University life.

This includes sessions on study skills, teaching methods, module content, assessments, your timetable and IT resources, plus using the library and other support services.

For example doing the prescribed reading, preparing responses, undertaking research and writing up coursework.

Assessment We use a diverse mix of assessment methods.

These include individual and group presentations, live risk assessments, poster presentations, industry interviews, reports, live event organisation, work-based learning and running seminars.

This ensures you enter the workplace with a set of strongly relevant skills and experiences.

> A further one hour tutorial taught to a small group of about 15–20 students. These investigate and discuss the ideas presented in lectures in more interactive and informal ways You’re also likely to be involved in field trips, industry conferences, guest lectures and masterclasses.

Enterprise Skills: The Charles P Skene Enterprise Programme Enterprise skills are critical in every 21st century career; they not only boost your employability, but can also be the key to survival when selfemployed. Which is why, at RGU, we now offer all our students real-life experience and tuition in entrepreneurial skills.

The Enterprise Programme introduces all students to enterprise skills through a series of lectures, workshops and master-classes. In addition, it provides access to many other exciting activities including a unique business incubator designed to help students transform embryonic ideas into fully fledged business opportunities.

To find out more visit www.rgu.ac.uk/business-incubator

18

KeY FaCts Alternative qualifications Equivalent overseas qualifications and some access programmes will be considered. Entry to year 3 with relevant HND qualifications may be considered.

Degree link programme Entry to year 3 may be possible if you’ve completed an HND in Event Management at one of our partner FE Colleges.

Study options Full-time: 4 years Placement Your exposure to the events industry and the opportunity to gain real experience during the degree is a priority for the course management team. From Stage 1 onwards, you will build an Industry Experience Portfolio (IEP), where you will complete 400* hours (4 year programme) or 200* hours

(advanced entry students) of work experience. This allows you to build a portfolio of experience, apply your learning continuously to the practical environment and build your network from day one. It is proposed that you will gain experience across the corporate, cultural/arts and leisure/sporting events sectors. * indicative only Study Abroad In years 2 and 3, there may be opportunities to study with partner institutions in Europe as part of the Erasmus Programme. This is dependent on similar programmes being offered by partner institutions.

19

what neXt? The next thing to do is talk to us.

We can answer any questions you may have. Simply call us on 01224 262728 or email UGOffice@rgu.ac.uk We also provide a range of opportunities for you to visit us – so you can see what we can offer you first hand.

20

This course guide is intended as a guide for applicants for courses delivered by Robert Gordon University.

In compiling it the University has taken every care to be as accurate as possible, and the information in this course guide is correct at the time of going to print, but the course guide must be read as subject to change at any time and without notice. The University undertakes to make every reasonable effort to provide the teaching and academic facilities necessary for applicants’ programmes of study. However the University reserves the right, if such action is considered to be necessary, to make variations to fees and/or to vary the content or delivery method of any course at any time. In addition, the University may, at its sole discretion, discontinue or amalgamate any course(s). In these rare cases the University will notify applicants as soon as possible and reasonable steps will be taken to provide a suitable alternative to a discontinued course.

Open Day

Applicants’ Day

We organise two annual open days in October and November each year. It’s a perfect opportunity to visit us, meet the academic staff, experience the first-class facilities and talk to current students.

When you apply for any course at ABS, you’ll be invited to one of our course-specific Applicants’ Days.

For full details of dates and times, and to see a full programme please see www.rgu.ac.uk/openday.

Open Days 3 October 2012 3 November 2012 Applicants’ Days 2 March 2013 20 March 2013

We realise there’s a lot involved in making your final choice, so we hope to give you all the insight and information you need.

For full details of dates and times, and to see a full programme please see www.rgu.ac.uk/ absapplicantsday.

Visit Afternoons We hold monthly Visit Afternoons.

The visit includes a talk by an Education Liaison Officer, a tour of the facilities and a chance to speak to a lecturer about the course you’re interested in.

Aberdeen Business School Robert Gordon University Garthdee Road Aberdeen AB10 7QE Talk to us.

We can answer any questions or queries you may have.

Simply call us on 01224 262728, email UGOffice@rgu.ac.uk or visit us at rgu.ac.uk Daniel Turner Course Leader Email: d.turner@rgu.ac.uk Tel: 01224 263845

www.facebook.com/AberdeenBSchool www.twitter.com/AberdeenBSchool www.twitter.com/rguevents

www.rgu.ac.uk/eventsmanagement

tbp! | bebetter.co.uk

www.youtube.com/robertgordonuni