BBA (HBA) Specialisation in Event Management

Event management is a growing and dynamic profession that allows you to mastermind everything from a small business conference to a major music festival. A degree in Business Administration specialised in Event Management will introduce you to this exciting industry.

At Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences all students in the BBA Hospitality Business Administration pathway complete a series of broad business modules to complement their chosen specialisations. Those who follow the Event Management pathway are schooled in the academic study of event management and the practical development of management skills.

Although event studies is a relatively young academic subject, the HBA-programme in Event Management at Wittenborg is informed by ongoing research to ensure that the content of the course reflects contemporary issues and debates in the events industry. This includes questions such as how technology continues to impact the industry. Teaching is underpinned by our academic team’s expertise and first-hand experience of the sector.

With a combination of theoretical and practical modules, the IBA in Event Management will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to professionally manage events in a variety of sectors.

The syllabus is informed by the idea that event managers have a range of creative and technical responsibilities that can shift with each project and the fact that they are in charge of research, planning as well as overseeing execution, often in minute detail.

The IBA in Event Management will take either three or four years to complete, depending on your academic progress and drive. The compulsory work placement module offers you a great opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the field which will improve your employment prospects following graduation.

Core modules include:

• Event Operations and Project Planning
• Event Marketing and Communication
• Market Research in International Events
• Media Technology (Events Management)
• Corporate Entrepreneurship
• Final Project

Event management is a multimillion-euro industry and, in the case of large organisations, often forms part of a company’s marketing strategy. It is foreseen that the increased nature of global business will make the demand for events even higher. Though technology shrank the world, face-to-face meetings as a way of networking are still highly valued. 

Events can be roughly categorised in the following way:

• Leisure: This includes big sport events like the FIFA World Cup, festivals like the Glastonbury music festival in the UK or fashion shows.
• Personal: Planning personal events like weddings and anniversaries in a highly organised way rather than ad hoc has become commonplace.
• Organisational: This includes small business events from breakfast meetings to huge conferences attended by thousands of delegates. Also falling under this category are fundraisers, NGO and public sector events.
• Cultural: This includes heritage celebrations, like France’s Bastille Festival, which is celebrated all over the world, as well as traditional ceremonies.

To survive in the event industry you need good public relations skills to manage your clients and their needs, creativity to come up with novel ideas, as well as  patience and the ability to keep an eye on the smallest details without losing sight of your bigger goals. Lastly the industry thrives on the shoulders of personal networking and you must have the ability to recognise, utilise and expand it to your advantage.

There are a number of opportunities for graduates looking to build a career in event management. In addition to a salary, some companies will even award their employees with commissions for a job well done.

• Charity organisations – Working for charity organisations that arrange funding and other events to promote their work is considered a good learning ground for those wishing to enter the events industry. 
• Conference organisers – Conferences have become a lucrative part of the event management industry, not only for the private sector with its different service providers, but also for the public sector as cities vie to host big, international conferences. In both sectors opportunities resides for young, eager graduates wishing to learn the tricks of the trade.
• Marketing and Event Manager
• Exhibition Coordinator
• Facility and Venue Manager
• Event Administrator
• Conference manager
• Banqueting Manager
• Producer in an event organisation
• Wedding planner
• Public relations manager

Do keep in mind that the event industry does not only consist of event managers and their assistants. There are also plenty or supporting personnel which on the surface look like their roles have nothing to do with the event industry yet they play a crucial role, such as IT experts, product developers and financial managers.

Entry Requirements - Bachelor Programmes
High School Diploma or final certificate, equivalent to the Netherlands HAVO or MBO level-4 diploma / UK AS & A-Level or BTEC. Please contact the Admissions Office to receive High School diploma comparisons. Advanced Placement / Credit Transfer Possible - please see Credit Transfer & Accreditation of Prior Learning at WUASfor more information.

English Language Requirements
IELTS 6 or TOEFL equivalent. Click here for an overview of the equivalent scores.
TOEFL Code of Wittenborg is 4889.

Not got the English level requirements? Find out about our Foundation Programme here.