Program Overview

MSc International Event Management (with Advanced Practice)

Overview

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.

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 module 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.
  • 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 both online and 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 2025
• January 2026

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.

Standard entry conditions

• 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.
• English Language Requirements: 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 Tier 4 visa purposes.
• Exemptions and transferability: Do you have another qualification awarded by Ulster University or by another university or other educational institution, or have evidence of accreditation of prior learning?

Careers & opportunities

• Career options: 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.
• Work placement / study abroad: By choosing the Advanced Practice option, you will complete either an internship or an applied consulting project, working with an industry sector partner. This will enable you to apply your knowledge and skills in a real life organisational setting providing you with invaluable work experience.

Professional Recognition

• Institute of Hospitality (IoH): 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).
• 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.

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’.
• ‘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’.
• "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."