Program Overview

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MSc International Event Management (with Advanced Practice)

Overview

Make your career eventful.

Summary

Ever wonder what goes into creating large scale events such as the Olympics or Glastonbury? Or how businesses run cutting edge digital conferences and hotels put on unique experiences for guests? Do you want to be part of a team that delivers unforgettable experiences from concept to delivery? The MSc International Event Management will give you the skills and confidence to successfully manage events anywhere in the world. From hotel functions to mass sporting events or business trade shows you can help make these happen.

Ulster University is ranked 1st in the UK for Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism (The Guardian University Guide 2025). Accredited by the Institute of Hospitality, this qualification is recognised worldwide for international employment.

With international event management, you will have the opportunity to position yourself in a wide range of sectors from business and non-profits to sport, arts, music, cultural events, festivals and hospitality this degree will open the door to a wide range of diverse roles.

As the event sector evolves and the local industry transforms, innovative, creative and professional people are needed to drive it forward - this could be you. Working in partnership with industry experts we have created an extremely relevant and practical course meaning you will graduate industry ready with the skills employers are looking for. Our modules encourage collaboration and forward thinking with the opportunity to share ideas and experiences with a diverse network of international students.

With all assessment coursework based, you will cover topics such as event management, strategic marketing, managing and leading people, business sustainability and innovation as well as exploring external factors to be aware of within the sector.

About this course

About

Course modules include:

Year One

Semester 1

• Event Management This module introduces students to the events industry. The nature and scope of events are investigated together with the event planning process. It will provide students with a sound basis on which to plan, manage and evaluate an event.
• Strategic Marketing The module examines and applies the principles, concepts and theories of strategic marketing management including managing the marketing mix, strategy formulation, strategic decision making and evaluation of marketing performance. Moreover, the module provides students with an understanding and knowledge of a range of analytical models and tools which can be applied to marketing planning, implementation and control.
• Managing & Leading People The significance of leadership in achieving results is well established in research with findings highlighting that leadership behaviour is often responsible for the difference between success and failure in organisations. Management is essentially concerned with getting things done through people by exercising sound leadership. This module examines the key concepts of management and leadership with specific reference to the role of the Line Manager and the need for effective Leadership. Furthermore, it examines the critical role of the HR Function and Line Management when managing people within the international service industries.

Semester 2

• Critical Event Studies This module presents students with an opportunity to critically examine the impact of events and discuss the external factors that event organisers must contend with. It encourages students to look beyond the operational aspects of event management and appreciate the wider environment in which event organisers must plan their event. Through this critical lens students will develop a more balanced understanding of 'event planning' and recognise what is good and bad practice. This in turn will allow them to make better informed decisions as event managers.
• Business Sustainability & Innovation The module examines a range of theoretical and practical issues surrounding business sustainability and innovation. The use of case studies to apply business models develops an understanding of key business concepts including entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity, value creation and value capture. The development of business model use by student teams will immerse students in key methods of innovation and value propositions, which are relevant for contemporary managers as well as aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Research Methods This module will develop, enhance and assess the student's ability to design appropriate research, propose suitable methodologies and evaluate research philosophy, researcher positionality and research ethics. The module is designed to equip students with the technical skills to collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data, using ICT packages. The module serves as a precursor to the MSc research dissertation.

Year Two

Semester 1

• Advanced Practice This involves a 12 week period in Industry or developing a Business Project.

Semester 2

• Dissertation The module element will enable students to undertake a Dissertation at postgraduate level, building on knowledge and skills gained through the course, including in particular the Research Methods module.

Attendance

The course starts with a 3-day induction period to introduce you to your new network of students and staff.

All modules are taught in 3 day blocks (usually Wed-Fri 9-5) so you can fit your learning around your lifestyle. Classes are taught at the Belfast campus.

One module is delivered approximately every 4 weeks during each semester (4 semesters in total) with three half day Learning Sets (tutorial learning support) per module to allow you to meet with your tutors and student groups to develop your assessed work.

The calendar of scheduled teaching will be made available to you prior to you starting the course.

You can choose to exit with a PgCert after successful completion of 3 taught modules or alternatively exit with a PgDip after successful completion of 6 taught modules.

You will progress onto this advanced practice pathway on completing the six taught modules prior to the Dissertation.

The MSc IEM (with Advanced Practice pathway) is available in full-time mode only. You will complete the course in 21 months across 5 semesters: this equates to 2 semesters to complete the six taught modules; a summer semester break; 1 semester to complete the Advanced Practice Pathway (either the Internship & Professional Development or Applied Consultancy Project) and 1 semester to complete the Dissertation.

Start dates

• September 2026
• January 2027

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Teaching & Learning:

A range of teaching methods will be employed, including traditional lectures, case studies, business simulation gaming and one-to-one tutor session videos. We also arrange a number of field trips to hospitality and tourism venues and live events where possible. Guest speakers are invited from industry.

Assessment:

Assessment includes written essays, short synopsis, personal reflections and peer reviews, case studies, objective tests, business reports, computer modelling, individual and group presentations.

Academic profile

You will be taught by academics who are highly qualified and experts in their fields.

All of the teaching colleagues in the department have achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and seven of these team members have Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must normally have gained:

• A second class honours degree or better from a recognised university of the UK, Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
• An equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved professional qualification or other qualification; and
• Provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English to GCSE grade C or equivalent. Non-English speakers must demonstrate that English ability is appropriate for studying at this level and provide evidence of English competence to IELTs 6.0.

Applicants do not have to hold their primary degree in a cognate area, but prior knowledge of studying tourism and/or hospitality at an undergraduate level or relevant work experience may be beneficial.

In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

An interview may form part of the selection process.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for UKVI purposes.

Ulster University recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Careers & opportunities

This internationally recognised course will provide you with the diverse knowledge and skills needed to operate across the industry within a vibrant and diverse range of sectors from business and non-profits to sport, arts, music and hospitality.

You could find yourself working within event management companies, in-house for an organisation or freelance organising large or small events ranging from personal events like weddings and parties, through to business to consumer (B2C) events like festivals and business to business (B2B) events like conferences and exhibitions.

Whether you are currently working in the industry and want to progress your career to management level or are a recent graduate who wants to enter the sector for the first time the knowledge and skills learned will equip you for working in a diverse range of job roles.

The Advanced Practice will give you the opportunity to work with industry teams developing your practical skills and getting you one step ahead when it comes to employment. Graduating both with a degree and demonstrable practical experience this advanced study will develop your global citizenship, analytical, presentation, entrepreneurial and evaluation skills – what employers are looking for in both the business and leisure event sector.

Professional Recognition

Accredited by the Institute of Hospitality that academic, vocational and professional standards achieved are appropriate and programme content and delivery meet international Institute of Hospitality benchmark standards.

Fees and funding

10% Alumni Discount

Are you a graduate of Ulster University? Did you know you could be eligible for a 10% fees discount.

Tuition Fee Loans Available

Students domiciled in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UK students can apply to Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan of up to £6,500 (subject to eligibility).

2026/27 Fees

Postgraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.

See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2025/26 entry.

Scholarships, awards and prizes

The highest performing student in the module 'Event Management' will receive the Belfast City Council Award - a voucher to spend from a local retailer.

An opportunity is available for the highest performing student in the module, 'Managing and Leading People' to receive the Titanic Hotel Award 'Talent for Success'.

Testimonials

‘Committing to the MSc. International Event Management programme was a decision I considered carefully as I had been working professionally for several years. However, I can confidently say that the professional and personal benefits of returning to post-graduate study have been advantageous. The International Event Management programme provided a platform to demonstrate my current highest academic potential through the challenge of post-graduate study. Throughout this experience, I was afforded the opportunity to forge events industry contacts who continue to support my progress in the Event Management field. Within a few months of graduating with Distinction, I was successful in my application as Programme Officer at Culture Night Belfast – one of the largest events in the NI event calendar. For those inspired by the potential of furthering a career in events and tourism industry, I cannot recommend this programme highly enough’.

Claire Leonard, Programme Officer with Culture Night Belfast and Cathedral Quarter Trust Projects

‘Studying the Event Management programme was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Having enjoyed my undergraduate degree in Events Management, I was delighted to return to the University of Ulster to undertake a Masters in International Event Management. The course inspired me from the beginning as it provided me with an interesting mix of subjects to help me learn and grow as an individual academically and professionally. All these acquired skills help me daily in my role as Event Manager for the Belfast City Marathon and Belfast City Half Marathon’.

Claire O’Reilly, Belfast City Marathon

"I would highly recommend the Master’s course, particularly to anyone already practising within the field of event management. Development of the events industry continues apace, and this course is so tapped in that it has become hard to imagine how I practiced effectively without the insights gained through the Master’s. At every stage, I have found the course useful in my work an Event Management Consultant, and reciprocally, my field experience has enhanced my studies. Every module and lecture is relevant in some way to practical application while simultaneously providing academic context, and this makes it interesting. It has made me think differently, and work more efficiently. The lecturers are approachable, the lectures are stimulating and the three-day teaching block format is especially helpful for balancing full-time work and study. Best of all though, is the sense of confidence and personal achievement it imbues.”

Judith Rowan, Event NI