Event Management with Foundation Year

Event management is the discipline that brings together project management, marketing, logistics and creative thinking to plan and deliver everything from corporate conferences and music festivals to sports competitions and trade exhibitions. The events industry is one of the most dynamic and resilient in the creative and business economy, dependent on professionals who can manage complex projects under pressure, work collaboratively across large teams and deliver exceptional experiences for diverse audiences. This four-year programme at the University of Derby includes a foundation year, giving you the academic preparation and professional confidence you need before progressing into the full degree.

The foundation year allows you to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence with extensive support before advancing to stage one of your honours degree, making the programme accessible to students who are making a career change or who want to build their grounding in a new subject area. You will develop project management, marketing, operational planning and financial management skills alongside an understanding of the specific contexts, from public events and festivals to corporate and sporting events, in which professional event managers work. A placement year gives you direct professional experience, and a year abroad adds an international dimension to your formation.

Work placement opportunities are integrated throughout the programme.

Event management graduates work across a genuinely diverse range of contexts. Festival and live music production, corporate events, conference management, sports events, charity fundraising events, hospitality and venue management are all common career destinations. Many graduates build careers in the cultural sector, working with arts organisations, museums, galleries and heritage sites to deliver public programming.

Others move into marketing and communications roles where event management skills are directly applicable. Postgraduate study in events management, marketing or business administration is a further option for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.