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Undergraduate Course
FdA Events Management
Overview
The details
Events Management
N889
October 2026
Full-time
What is FdA Events Management?
FdA Events Management is a two-year foundation degree designed to build practical and professional skills for careers in event planning and management.
This foundation degree offers a blend of hands-on experience and academic study. Through applied learning opportunities in real event settings, you will gain the core competencies required to organise and support a wide range of events, including weddings, conferences, corporate functions and festivals. Completion also provides a pathway to progress into a full honours events management degree. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Why this course
The events industry is fast moving and global in scope, offering careers in areas such as festivals, corporate events, weddings and public events. This foundation degree equips you with practical event planning experience and essential industry knowledge.
You will study key topics such as event planning and logistics, business innovation, cultural and festival events, contract proposal design, human resources, and digital marketing. The curriculum is grounded in practical applications that reflect current industry expectations. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
A distinctive element of this programme is the direct exposure to real event environments, where you will work alongside experienced practitioners and engage with live event operations. This helps bridge the gap between theory and practice and supports your transition into professional roles. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Who should apply
- Students interested in building a practical foundation in event management
- Those who enjoy planning, coordination and delivering experiences
- Individuals seeking industry-relevant work exposure as part of their studies
- Anyone looking to progress to a full honours events management degree or related careers
What you’ll learn
- Event planning fundamentals: Core techniques in scheduling, logistics and vendor coordination
- Business and innovation skills: How event organisations operate and adapt in competitive markets
- Customer experience: Understanding attendee needs and creating memorable event environments
- Cultural and festival events: Exploring diverse event types and their societal roles
- Digital marketing for events: Building skills to promote events and reach audiences online
- Human resources and team supervision: Leading people and managing teams effectively
Your learning experience
- Work-based exposure: Gain real experience by working within active event or hospitality settings
- Industry insight: Learn from lecturers with hands-on professional experience in events and related sectors
- Applied project work: Engage in practical event tasks that reflect industry practice
- Professional development support: Build interview, CV and workplace skills through structured activities
- Progression pathway: Option to continue into a full honours level degree on successful completion
Careers and outcomes
Completing a foundation degree in Events Management prepares you for entry-level roles across the global events sector, including:
- Event assistant or coordinator: Supporting planning and delivery of events
- Venue operations support: Assisting in the running of event spaces and facilities
- Festival or conference support staff: Working on large-scale event logistics
- Client service roles: Helping manage customer and stakeholder relationships
- Marketing and promotions support: Assisting in event marketing and audience engagement
Employers of graduates from this course
Graduates from this foundation degree go on to work with a wide range of organisations in the events, hospitality and leisure sectors, including event management companies, corporate event departments, festivals, venue teams and creative agencies.
Why we're great.
- Our lecturers have international industry experience to support your learning and development
- Edge Hotel School graduates go onto careers all over the world
- You will gain experience alongside your studies in a real 4* hotel to boost your employability
Course content
Components and modules explained
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
| Status | What this means |
| Core |
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Core with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Compulsory |
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Compulsory with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Optional |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
| HR | 100 | 4 | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History. |
The module number. |
The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification. |
The term the module will be taught in.
|
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
Finance for Events Business
(15 CREDITS)
This module introduces you to the regulatory frameworks for corporate bodies in the UK and sets the key financial documents into context (such as profit and loss, cash flow and balance sheets). Financial ratios and comparative measures are described and analysed in the context of micro-economics both internally and industry wide.
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
The Event Business Environment
(15 CREDITS)
This module will enable you to analyse the macro, micro and internal business environments in which international hospitality and events businesses operate. A comprehensive understanding of the environments that an organisation operates in will enable you to interpret situations and allow you to make decisions that add value for stakeholders. The focus of the module is on the external and internal influences on organisations and the effect these have on business practices and internal aspects of organisational life. Contemporary business issues will be studied as they arise.
COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY
Marketing and Customer Behaviour
(15 CREDITS)
This module will introduce you to the importance and centrality of the customer experience as fundamental to all activity within hospitality and event businesses. You will understand the different types of customer and factors that will influence their behaviour and expectations. The module will identify the components of effective customer relationships enabling you to develop the knowledge required to effectively deliver customer excellence.
View Marketing and Customer Behaviour on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY
Food and Beverage Management
(15 CREDITS)
The module aims to develop your understanding of gastronomy as well as current trends in food and beverage and how culture, societal expectations and consumer demands influence the food and beverage offerings of events, restaurants, hotels and other food establishments. It will provide you with an understanding and insight into food and beverage commodities, how they are created and used as well as the processes used in the sourcing, purchasing, production and service of food and beverage within the events and hospitality industry.
COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY
Delivering Event Operations and the Customer Experience 1
(30 CREDITS)
This module will introduce you to the concept and importance of the centrality of the customer experience as fundamental to all activity within a hotel business. The module will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on and take part in delivering customer excellence within the various functions of the hotel operation.
View Delivering Event Operations and the Customer Experience 1 on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY
Event Operations
(15 CREDITS)
This module will provide you with an understanding of the operational characteristics of a high quality event business and the importance of effective teamwork in delivering excellent customer service. You will be introduced to the legal and regulatory context in which events operate, understand and use basic financial and costing skills and utilise relevant technology to enhance business performance.
COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY
Weddings and Festivals
(15 CREDITS)
This module will introduce you to the concept of cultural events, weddings and festivals in society. The module will provide the origins and impacts of events in this genre and will consider a range of ethnic, religious, sociological and cultural viewpoints.
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
Management and Leadership
(15 CREDITS)
This module will equip you with a range of management and leadership skills to support your career development in the hospitality and event industries. You will identify how reflective practice enhances the effectiveness of managers, and assess your own skills set, identifying areas for development. You will show appreciation of the types of management skills that are transferable from academia to the work of hospitality and event managers, building on from the skills outlined within the Continual Professional Development module studied at level 5, for example team working, delegation and self-management.
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
Sustainability in Events
(15 CREDITS)
This module offers a broad overview of sustainability concepts as they apply to the tourism, hospitality, and events sectors, with consideration of social, economic and environmental perspectives. The module requires you to experientially engage with debates by devising, presenting and carrying out a meaningful project, which relates to sustainable practices in the tourism, hospitality and events sectors. It promotes key sustainability competences by encouraging you to critically reflect on your project and its impact on stakeholders. These projects may take a wide range of forms and pursue diverse goals, encouraging you to address real-world sustainability needs within these sectors. The module will cover an array of topics and activities across the sessions. Each session includes essential and recommended readings to support your preparation and extend your learning. Please note that the schedule may be updated during the module to ensure it continues to meet the learning objectives. This module is built around a group project that focuses on identifying and addressing a specific social, economic, and/or environmental issue. Working collaboratively, you are required to design, implement, and complete a small-scale sustainable project.
COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY
Digital Marketing and Revenue Management
(15 CREDITS)
This module will develop your understanding of the underlying themes and forces acting on an organisation relating to its digital business, and in particular e-marketing. This is an evolving and growing aspect of modern marketing and you will research different strategies used throughout all industries to gain customers and improve brand recognition. You will learn about revenue management and the use of data to inform decision makers when maximising revenue in hospitality and events.
View Digital Marketing and Revenue Management on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY
Continual Professional Development
(15 CREDITS)
The purpose of this module is for you to consolidate your professional and personal learning and to focus on the development of techniques and strategies for self-management of your continuous professional development. You will develop critical self-reflection skills as well as provide an understanding of the role and relevance of research for managers in decision making. The module will also provide opportunity to develop a range of skills to prepare you for career advancement and employment opportunities.
View Continual Professional Development on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY
Live Events Design and Supervision
(15 CREDITS)
This module provides an in-depth exploration of events designed to raise funds and awareness for a charitable cause. You will work collaboratively with other students to conceptualise, plan, deliver, and critically evaluate a live charity event. Building on knowledge developed in other modules, you will apply key principles of event project management within a real-world context, ensuring sustainable and ethical practices. The module emphasises practical implementation, allowing you to translate theoretical understanding into professional practice. As an autonomous learning experience, this module allocates dedicated time for individuals and teams to independently plan and organise their events. You will develop advanced knowledge of operational events management including budgeting, risk assessment, logistics, stakeholder engagement, marketing, on-the-day coordination, and post-event evaluation. In addition, you will explore the role of data and technology in event management. This includes exploring and analysing event industry trends, measuring team performance, and evaluating event outcomes, impact, and legacy. Through adopting digital and technological tools, these methods will enhance meaningful and memorable event experiences that effectively support a chosen charitable cause. By the end of this module, you will have strengthened leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and professional practice skills, preparing them for employment within the events industry.
View Live Events Design and Supervision on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY
Contemporary Issues in the Event Industry
(15 CREDITS)
This module will enable you to analyse current contemporary issues that impact on management, staff, operations and customers within the events industry. Contemporary management practice will be studied within changing organisational, consumer and environmental contexts to enhance your understanding of factors that impact on competitive positioning within the industry.
View Contemporary Issues in the Event Industry on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY
Delivering Event Operations and the Customer Experience 2
(30 CREDITS)
This module will introduce you to the concept and importance of the centrality of the customer experience as fundamental to all activity within a hotel business. The module will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on and take part in delivering customer excellence within the various functions of the hotel operation.
View Delivering Event Operations and the Customer Experience 2 on our Module Directory
Entry requirements
UK entry requirements
- GCSE: Mathematics and English C/4, or equivalent. We can consider OFQUAL regulated Level 2 Functional Skills in Numeracy as equivalent to GCSE Maths C/4. We are able to consider a range of equivalent English language qualifications, including OFQUAL regulated level 2 Functional Skills, Key Skills level 2, literacy units taken as part of the Access to HE Diploma, or a demonstration of the use of English through essay-based subjects at either GCSE or A-level equivalent. Advice on acceptability can be provided, please contact Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
- 64 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels.
- IB: 24 points or 64 UCAS points to include a minimum of 1 Higher Level subject.
- We accept A-levels, AAQs, BTECs, Access to HE Diploma, T-levels and most other qualifications that hold UCAS tariff points. Acceptability of some non A-level qualifications (such as BTECs) may depend on the subject studied and units taken.
Plus one of the level 3 qualifications below:
You can calculate your UCAS tariff points on the UCAS website.
Whilst International A-levels and BTECs aren't on the UCAS tariff calculator, we assign them the same tariff points as their UK counterparts.
More information about our requirements and how to apply is on our undergraduate application information page
Additional requirements
All applicants must be aged 18 or over by 31 October 2026 for October 2026 entry.
Subject to satisfactory academic and professional assessment, candidates will have the opportunity to progress to the BA (Hons) degree after 2 years.
Unfortunately if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK this course is not suitable for you. This is due to the high percentage of work placement which exceeds the amount permitted in the Student Visa regulations.
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Undergraduate Admissions team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in an equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£9,790 per year
International fee
£21,500 per year
Fees will increase for each academic year of study.
If your course has the option to include a placement year or study abroad, and you choose to do so, you will pay the following:
Placement year
20% of your standard tuition fee for that year
Study abroad
Full year abroad
15% of your standard tuition fee for that year
Single term abroad
Standard tuition fee
Scholarships and financial support
There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.
Fees and funding guide
What's next
Open Days
Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer. You have the chance to:
- tour our campus and accommodation
- find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
- meet our students and staff
Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.
2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)
Applying
Applications for our full-time undergraduate courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full details on how to apply can be found on the filling in your UCAS undergraduate application web page.
Our UK students, and some of our EU and international students, who are still at school or college, can apply through their school. Your school will be able to check and then submit your completed application to UCAS. Our other international applicants (EU or worldwide) or independent applicants in the UK can also apply online through UCAS Apply.
The UCAS code for our University of Essex is ESSEX E70. The individual campus codes for our Loughton and Southend Campuses are 'L' and 'S' respectively.
You can find further information on how to apply, including information on transferring from another university, applying if you are not currently at a school or college, and applying for readmission on our How to apply and entry requirements page.
If you receive an undergraduate offer to study with us in October 2026 and live in the UK, you will receive an email invitation to book onto one of our Open Days. These events provide the opportunity to meet your department, join interesting taster sessions, tour our campus and accommodation, and chat to current students. You can visit our Open Days event page for more information, including terms and conditions.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
Virtual tours
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.
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