The BA (Hons) Event Management goes beyond logistics, blending professional event management with experience and design thinking so you create audience-focused events with social, cultural and economic value. It begins with a foundation year designed for students from non-traditional academic backgrounds, covering academic writing, research and an introduction to business, finance and management for the creative industries. Degree-stage learning centres on live projects, leadership, budgeting, risk management and stakeholder engagement, with practitioner input and an industry patron scheme. Teaching is blended, using lectures, seminars, workshops and the Canvas online learning environment. Full-time weekday study is listed at Derby, Salford (Manchester) and Sunderland. AF Education gives UK home students free help applying and with Student Finance England.
Key facts
- Award / level
- BA (Hons) (Bachelors)
- Study mode
- Full time
- Schedule options
- Weekday
- Location
-
- the Derby campus
- the Salford campus in Manchester
- the Sunderland campus
- Upcoming intake
- September 2026
- Application deadline
- 4 Sep 2026
- Foundation year
- Yes — included in this course title
- Awarding university
- Arts University Bournemouth
- Partner pathway
- UKMC
Who this course is for
This suits mature students and career changers drawn to events and live experiences who want a foundation year before degree study.
Entry routes for mature students
Every applicant attends a Prepare for Foundation assessment day and must complete it successfully to receive a final offer. The academic route asks for two A-levels at DD, a BTEC or T Level pass, 48 UCAS points or an Access to HE Diploma. Without qualifications, you can apply through the non-academic route, showing your experience, goals and motivation during the assessment day.
Funding with Student Finance England
AF Education is a free service for England-resident UK home students — not international applicants. For eligible courses, a Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to the university and a Maintenance Loan is paid to you for living costs. Eligibility depends on residency and previous study; use our free eligibility checker before you apply.
Check your Student Finance eligibility — free, takes about 2 minutes.
How often you study
Full-time weekday study is listed at Derby, Salford and Sunderland. Most courses AF Education supports need 1 to 2 campus days a week, usually about 2 to 4 hours a day, so many students keep working. Your exact timetable is confirmed before you enrol.
Career and progression
Graduates are prepared to design and deliver live experiences across the events and creative industries, supported by a professional portfolio built from live projects. AF Education does not guarantee jobs.
Course overview from Arts University Bournemouth
This programme prepares students to become creative, confident professionals capable of designing and delivering impactful live experiences across the global events and creative industries. The course uniquely blends professional event management with experience and design thinking, enabling students to move beyond logistics to create meaningful, audience-focused events with social, cultural and economic value.
Learning is firmly rooted in real-world practice, with students working collaboratively on live projects that reflect industry conditions and support the development of strong professional portfolios. Core skills in leadership, communication, budgeting, risk management and stakeholder engagement are embedded throughout. A strong emphasis on inclusivity, sustainability and ethical practice ensures graduates understand the wider impact of events on communities and society. Interdisciplinary collaboration and close industry engagement, including practitioner input and an industry patron scheme, ensure the course remains current and professionally relevant.
The Foundation Year provides a supportive and accessible introduction to higher education, particularly for students from non-traditional academic backgrounds. It is designed to build confidence and prepare students for successful progression to Level 4 study.
Students develop core academic, analytical and communication skills, including academic writing and research, alongside an introduction to business, finance and management principles relevant to the creative industries. Learning is delivered through a problem-based, project-led approach that encourages creative thinking, collaboration and reflection.
Throughout the year, students explore different perspectives, ethical approaches and real-world creative and commercial contexts, supporting their personal, academic and professional development as they prepare for undergraduate study.
Teaching is delivered through a blended learning approach that includes lectures, seminars, workshops and project-based learning. Learning activities are interactive and practice-focused, supporting the development of professional skills alongside academic understanding.
Students are supported through the Virtual Learning Environment (Canvas), where learning materials, assessment briefs and feedback are accessed. Teaching emphasises collaboration, reflective practice and applied learning aligned to professional event industry contexts.
BA (Hons) Event Management with Foundation Year is available at Derby, Manchester, Sunderland. Campus details and map links are below.
Available Campuses for BA (Hons) Event Management with Foundation Year
-
Derby
41 Cornmarket, Derby, DE1 2DG
View on Google mapsUpcoming intake Sep 2026Application deadline 4 Sep 2026 21 days overdue -
Salford
17 Carolina Way, Quays Reach, Salford, M50 2ZY
View on Google mapsUpcoming intake Sep 2026Application deadline 4 Sep 2026 21 days overdue -
Sunderland
1 Grayling Court, Doxford Intl. Business Park, Sunderland, SR3 3XE
View on Google mapsUpcoming intake Sep 2026Application deadline 4 Sep 2026 21 days overdue
Campus locations on the map
Entry Requirements for Arts University Bournemouth
Entry onto Foundation (Level 3):
All applicants regardless of the entry route, academic or non‑academic, all applicants are required to attend the PFF and must successfully complete it in order to receive the final offer.
Academic Route
Applicants are expected to have achieved either a minimum two A Levels at grade DD/Equivalent;
or BTEC
or T Level Pass;
or A combination of qualifications totalling 48 UCAS points minimum.
or Access to HE Diploma
Non Academic Route
You will be required to attend and pass a compulsory Prepare For Foundation assessment day where you will take part in a variety of activities which will assess your suitability for the course.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate, through activities, and written description of their previous experience and study/career goals, or other admissions processes such as interview for the course.
The applicant should demonstrate a genuine commitment and motivation for higher education study in this subject.
For Students applying without academic qualifications, applicants must have studied or demonstrate appropriate experiences a minimum of two years post GCSE level.
Mature Students
It is expected that some applicants will be mature students with work experience, who wish to further their career development. These applicants will be processed through the Awarding University’s standard admission procedures, which may involve an interview as part of the process, or request of other documents such as detailed above.
PFF/PFD Information
The Prepare for Foundation (PFF) and Prepare for Degree (PFD) Day is a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate an applicant’s suitability and potential to succeed in a ‘With Foundation Year’ degree programme. It provides an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their skills, motivation, and readiness for higher education beyond academic qualifications alone.
PFF/PFD Day Itinerary
Applicants are expected to arrive at campus between 9:00 am and 9:30 am. Complimentary tea and coffee will be available upon
arrival.
• Check Ins – (9:30am-10am): Pre-Activity Task, ID Check
• Sessions 1 – (10am – 11am): Introduction & Identifying barriers
- Welcome and introductions and Ice-breaker activity
- Group Activity with a group feedback/ break
• Session 2 – (11am -12pm): Support & Tour
- Overview of UKMC facilities and support for students
- Campus Tour with Q/A feedback/ break
• Lunch Break - (12pm – 12:30pm)
• Session 3 - (12:30pm – 2 pm): Research & Communication
- Pre-task Activity Reflect/Discussion
- Group Activity
• Sessions 4 - (2 pm – 4 pm): Final Reflection
End of the PFF DAY
Please be aware that following values will be monitored throughout the whole session of your PFF Day:
- Punctuality
- Communication skills
- Knowledge regarding your course
- Engagement and Participation to the activities
How AF Education helps
AF Education support is 100% free for students. We help you check eligibility, choose a suitable course and campus, prepare documents, and submit your application — with clear next steps for Student Finance England where relevant.
FAQs about this course
What is the Prepare for Foundation day?
A compulsory assessment day with group activities, a campus tour and research and communication tasks. You must complete it successfully to receive a final offer.
Can I apply without A-levels?
Yes, through the non-academic route, where you show your experience, study goals and motivation during the assessment day.
Where is it taught?
Full-time weekday study is listed at Derby, Salford (Manchester) and Sunderland.
What does the foundation year cover?
Academic writing and research, analytical and communication skills, and an introduction to business, finance and management in the creative industries.
Can I get Student Finance England for this course?
AF Education gives England-resident UK home students (not international applicants) free help applying for Student Finance England on eligible courses. Check your eligibility free before you apply.
Register your interest
Register your interest in under 2 minutes. 100% free — we never charge you anything. A dedicated advisor will contact you to check eligibility and guide you through enrolment for BA (Hons) Event Management with Foundation Year.
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- 02 Advisor calls you back
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