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Global Events Management

MSc

Find out more about our courses by joining a live master’s webinar

Start dates: January 2025 / September 2025 / January 2026 / September 2026

Full time: 1 year or 2 years in sandwich mode which includes one year's full-time paid supervised work experience (a work placement).

Part time: 24 months for UK students (teaching normally provided on one day or two half days each week during semesters.)

Location: Abingdon & Witney College, Headington

Department(s): Oxford Brookes Business School

Overview
Course details
Careers
Entry requirements
How to apply
Tuition fees

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Overview

Famous festivals. Mega sporting competitions. Global meetings and congresses. On our Global Events Management MSc, you’ll unlock opportunities to take the lead organising large-scale events like these around the world. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got experience in this area – we’ll give you the know-how you need.

Responsibility, sustainability, and inclusion are at the heart of this course. You’ll also benefit from a global programme of guest speakers. Hear from experts from all corners of the globe and learn about current issues for the industry such as event accessibility, and sustainability.

Take your learning beyond the lecture theatre with our practice focused electives. You can deliver a real-life event – with our Planning and Delivering the Sustainable Event module. Pick the Dark Tourism module and you’ll design a new experience for an attraction in this area. All these experiences will boost your employability and prepare you for success.

Ranked 3rd in the UK & 24th in the world – Hospitality and Leisure Management Programmes, QS World University Rankings 2023

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Why Oxford Brookes University?

  • Unique approach

    We’re the only course in the UK which offers a holistic overview of global events.

  • Exciting electives

    Oxford, with its rich cultural heritage and reputation as an innovation hub is the perfect backdrop for immersive field-based electives such Dark Tourism and Planning and Delivering the Sustainable Event.

  • Unrivalled support

    The Bacchus Mentoring and Leadership programme focuses on boosting your employability by providing you with access to senior leaders from your industry, who can help you chart your career path.

  • Industry placement

    We’ll help you find a paid placement with organisations such as Richmond Creative Events and Entertainment Technology Partners so you can apply your skills and boost your employability. 

  • Global guest speakers

    Hear from experts in global events from across the world, from Singapore to Sydney.

Course details

Course structure

Events, tourism, and hospitality depend on each other. That’s why you’ll start by looking at the global visitor economy and how these areas interact. You’ll then look more specifically at the organisation behind global events and the impact of events on nations, discussing major events like the World Cup and the Olympics.

Understanding the role of digital marketing will be key to your success. You’ll look at consumer experience, different platforms used to connect with customers, and the importance of social networking sites and other applications for events.

Then it’s up to you to shape your study with optional modules. What we offer sometimes changes but you’ll have the choice of exciting areas like tourism innovation and entrepreneurship and revenue management.

You’ll apply everything you’ve learnt to a final project. This might be a dissertation which can be on anything from online events to the impact of a certain event. Or perhaps you’d prefer to do a client project instead.

Group of students talking

Learning and teaching

Teaching and learning on the MSc Global Events Management is guided by student study plans for each module which consist of in-class, face-to-face teaching, field visits, guest lectures, experiential learning,  online tutorials and other online activities, guided and self-study activities geared towards completing coursework assignments and suggested enrichment activities. Enrichment activities are optional activities which are optional but meant to enhance the teaching and learning experience.

Assessment

You will be assessed on individual and group coursework and your final project.

Field Trips

The International Business in Practice Study Trip module allows you to experience ideas and practices of global business. During the trip you will have direct interaction with management executives and practices. You will: attend presentations from local management executives and experts and go on site visits to major corporations and agencies. This study trip is voluntary and you will need to fund all costs associated with the trip. It is not linked to university assessments in any way.

We also run a study trip to Chengdu, China. If you choose the study trip (which runs in July), we will give you all the details by March so that you can make your decisions ahead of the trip in July.

If you successfully complete this non-credit bearing module, it will be recorded on your transcript as P58335 International Business in Practice: Study Trip.

As an example of costs, the fees in 2020 varied between £350 - £1500 and included: accommodation for seven nights, insurance, company visits and group transportation for all activities. This fee did not include international airfare, visa application fee (if relevant), dinners and activities during your free time.

There are also field trips within the for credit modules taught within the semester, which seek to acquaint with the city of Oxford and its unique attractions.

Start this course in January or September

You can start this course in January if a September start doesn't suit you or is not currently offered for this course.

If you start in January you will study a range of modules between January and May. During the summer months of June, July and August you will study further modules and begin work on your dissertation. Between September and December you will complete your final modules and focus on your dissertation.

Find out more about January entry

Study modules

Be industry ready when you graduate

By undertaking an optional work placement you can gain valuable and relevant industry experience and develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, networking and problem solving. A work placement can help you decide on your long-term career objectives and may lead to a job offer after graduation (would require visa sponsorship for international students).

The WAVES (Work and Voluntary Experience Service) or Careers Office will provide you with support and advice to get ahead in your career, and help you with your CV and applications. The team has access to a wide range of small, medium and large employers that offer postgraduate student work placements.

If you wish to pursue a placement at a particular company, our WAVES team can support you in making an approach to the company. Our Careers Office can also provide you with advice on how to use professional social media channels to pitch yourself to prospective employers.
 

Taught modules

Compulsory modules

  • Global Event Operations

    This module aims to provide students with a broad overview of the core competencies required to lead the complex organisational structures involved in global events management and to develop ethical values such as responsible management, sustainability and inclusivity so that students can contribute to development of sustainable event legacies.

  • Global Events and Society

    The module focuses on three themes: the social and cultural contexts in which events take place; the various stakeholders who affect and are affected by events; and the social, cultural, environmental, economic and political impacts of events for states, regions, organisations, groups and individuals. 

  • Global Visitor Economy

    You will be introduced to the visitor economy and look specifically at the sectors of tourism, hospitality and events. You will develop knowledge and understanding of how these sectors work together in contemporary societies.

  • Digital Marketing and Consumer Experience

    You will explore the nature of digital marketing in the global visitor economy and how it is transforming tourism, hospitality and events. You will develop a digital marketing plan using an omni channel approach for different cultures.

  • Mentoring and Leadership Development

    You will develop an in-depth understanding of leadership theory and practice. Your understanding of leadership theory will develop by engaging with contemporary debates on leadership in the hospitality, events and tourism industries, with a particular focus on ethical leadership. You will develop your professional competences and understanding of leadership practice through participation in the school’s Bacchus Mentoring Programme. This programme gives you support from a mentor from the international hospitality, events or tourism industry.

  • Research Methods in Hospitality, Events and Tourism Management

    This module is geared towards the preparation for, and successful completion of, high quality, rigorous and systematic hospitality, events and tourism management research. It underpins the range of capstone modules offered by the Business School and is of general relevance to the successful completion of coursework.

Optional modules

Dark Tourism

This module aims to introduce students to the context and practice of dark tourism within the hospitality, tourism, and events industries. Students are introduced to the conceptual and practical development of dark tourism; its scale and scope, which includes a wide range of international case studies of dark visitor attractions, dark accommodations, and dark festivals and events; as well as the underpinning issues and challenges relating to the management of dark tourism experiences, including ethical concerns, authenticity, and experience design.

Film-induced Tourism

This module aims to introduce students to the context and practice of film-induced tourism within the hospitality, tourism, and events industries. Students are introduced to the conceptual and practical development of film-induced tourism; its scale and scope, which includes a wide range of international case studies of film-induced tours, visitor attractions, accommodations, restaurants, and events; as well as the impacts film-induced tourism has on destinations and local communities.

Planning and Delivering the Sustainable Event

The module is based on ISO 20121 Sustainable Events Management; this is a global industry standards framework, and focuses on key principles and concepts of international events management to the delivery of a real world event.

Revenue Management

This module introduces students to concepts such as capacity management, dynamic pricing and creative product development by developing a deep understanding of revenue management. To fully understand how to apply revenue management, students need to be aware of elements which influence customer purchase decisions and to evaluate the complex relationship between price, cost, volume and profit.

Final project

Compulsory modules

  • Research Project

    This module allows you to demonstrate a wide range of skills such as research, critical thinking, project planning, problem-solving and writing/oral skills. You could choose to complete an extended piece of independent research typically described as a "dissertation". Alternatively you may choose a "client project", which is a piece of research undertaken on behalf of an organisation to solve a real-life problem.

Work Placement

Optional modules

Enterprise Work Placement

You'll expand your enterprise skills in the context of the workplace. The focus will be on building your intrapreneurial mindsets during your placement, helping you to develop the curiosity, creativity, vision and resilience to be successful in a variety of organisations. You'll draw on the OBBS Golden Thread and Brookes attributes embedded within your degree, for you to be a change agent on your placement, so you drive innovation in one or more of the following areas: ethical business behaviour, inclusivity, responsible management, sustainability, digitalisation and internationalisation. Drawing on on your research skills you'll propose evidence based innovative solutions to your placement organisations’ challenges.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Research

Our research staff publish in prestigious top tier internationally rated journals including Annals of Tourism Research, Tourism Management, International Journal of Hospitality Management, Event Management, The Service Industries Journal, European Journal of Marketing, Journal of Services Marketing, International Small Business Journal and Journal of Small Business Management.

Careers

A future in global events management is full of opportunities, challenges, and amazing experiences. You’ll understand the issues facing the industry and be ready to work anywhere in the world. 

Armed with a degree in this area, you’ll be ready for roles in:

  • global meetings,
  • conferences and exhibitions,
  • mega sporting events,
  • live music tours,
  • major music festivals,
  • carnivals and parades, 
  • sales events hosted by global brands.

Former graduates who have qualified in events management are currently working as:

  • conference and banqueting coordinators for hotels,
  • marketing and events specialists for the National Health Service (NHS),
  • museum event managers, 
  • freelancers and entrepreneurs running their own event businesses.

After you graduate, you might decide to continue your research with a PhD. A PhD helps you become a subject matter expert, become a consultant, or teach the next generation of global event leaders.

Our Staff

Dr Hugues Séraphin

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Dr Rosa Codina

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Dr Hugues Séraphin

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Dr Rosa Codina

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Related courses

Related course
International Hospitality, Events and Tourism Management
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Entry requirements

International qualifications and equivalences

How to apply

Application process


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Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£11,150
Home (UK) part time
£5,575
Home (UK) sandwich (placement)
£2,100
International full time
£17,650
International sandwich (placement)
£2,100
Home (UK) full time
£11,950
Home (UK) part time
£5,975
International full time
£18,350

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Tuition fees

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£11,150
Home (UK) part time
£5,575
Home (UK) sandwich (placement)
£2,100
International full time
£17,650
International sandwich (placement)
£2,100
2025 / 26
Home (UK) full time
£11,950
Home (UK) part time
£5,975
International full time
£18,350

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.

The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

International Student Scholarship - CAS ready

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.