'Once in a lifetime opportunity' at BRIT Awards

Students had a “once in a lifetime opportunity” at the BRIT Awards serving stars like Harry Styles, Declan Rice, and Laura Whitmore.

The 30 undergraduates from Edge Hotel School had incredible views of the musical showcase – working with nominees Lewis Capaldi, Sam Ryder and Aitch.

This year’s showcase was watched by more than 3.9 million people with the Events Management and Hospitality Management students serving household names front-of-stage and VIPs in the corporate boxes in London’s prestigious O2 Arena.

This is the fifth year in a row that the partnership has given students the opportunity to enjoy the pinnacle of British music and gain game-changing real-world work experience.

Events Management student Charlotte Carter, from Colchester, Essex, said: “Working at the BRIT Awards was extremely important, and I gained some incredible insight into my future industry.

“Being front and centre at a high-profile event in a landmark venue just shows the trust Edge Hotel School has in us and the quality of the training we get here."

The 20-year-old added: “Working at the BRIT Awards was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it’s not every day you can say you stood next to Harry Styles!”

Edge Hotel School is a world-leading hotel school - offering valuable, practical hands-on experience in a fully-commercial hotel.

Based in the stunning Wivenhoe House, a striking 4* country house hotel on the University of Essex Colchester campus, students are trained to be industry-ready and routinely work at top events and venues alongside their academic studies on the Bachelor of Arts degree courses.

Senior Lecturer Philip Berners said: “We have evolved a partnership with the organisers at the BRITs because there is nothing better for an events management student than to experience the massive BRIT Awards in the landmark venue that is the O2 Arena.

“For a graduate to have that on their CV is a game-changer for employability.”

As one of British music’s largest and most revered awards ceremonies, the BRIT Awards 2023, saw performances from Stormzy, Wet Leg, Sam Smith and Lizzo.

Since their inception, the BRIT Awards has raised more than £22 million and donated in excess of £25 million to the BRIT Trust.

The Trust sets out to encourage and educate young people through music and supports organisations such as Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and The BRIT School.