INTERNATIONALLY AND INDUSTRY RECOGNISED
Highly Practical with Extensive Face-to-Face Training and 1-2-1 Career Mentorship
Dive into the heart of the events industry with our industry immersive programme, a hands-on and highly practical diploma course. Experience real-world event planning, as our curriculum goes beyond theory, equipping you with essential practical skills needed for immediate success in this vibrant field. Benefit from extensive face-to-face classes and experiential learning at the heart of London's event scene. Learn directly from industry professionals and build a strong foundation in events management, all while networking and creating career-defining opportunities and rounding off with a 1-month internship.
HIGHER DIPLOMA IN EVENT MANAGEMENT
START DATES & DURATION
Start Date:
Start 12 January 2026
Enrolments are closed
Duration:
1 Year
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Age:18
UK & International
Competent English Language Skills, 2 A-Levels or Level 3 Certificate (e.g. BTEC) or Baccalaureate or High School Certificate
We may consider other qualifications or work experience, please contact us for advice
RECOGNITION
Internationally & Industry Recognised
IDEAL FOR
School Leavers looking for a highly practical programme that supports entry into the event industry
Gap Year students who want to undertake personal, professional and career development during their time off
Graduates wanting to build on their existing qualification with a specialism and extensive practical application
FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING
With so much of our lives now spent online, our full-time students prefer an 'in-real life' learning experience. And at the start of your career, the personal and professional growth that in-person interaction offers is invaluable.
That's why our programme offers extensive face-to-face training with
three days a week from 10am-4pm
STUDENT FINANCE
Confirm your course place with a £1,000 deposit.
Then pay your remaining fees one month prior to course start date. UK students can ask for a payment plan. Or check for available scholarship places
ASSESSMENT
Apart from a few short knowledge based quizzes, your assessment will take the form of assignments, reports, portfolios, practical and observations.
HIGHLY PRACTICAL
The event industry is highly practical - and so are our full-time courses! Vocational Education is all about learning by doing and our programmes are designed around experiential learning principles.
COURSE STRUCTURE
CORE EVENT
PROGRAMME
16 Units
These are your core event management subjects
SPECIALIST ELECTIVES
Choose Six Electives
Tailor your programme to suit your interests, learning and career goals with specialist electives
1-2-1 CAREER
MENTORING
To ensure you receive personalised care when it comes to exploring and deciding on future career paths, you'll have a dedicated Career Mentor. They'll focus on your specific career development, interests and goals. .
1-2-1 ACADEMIC
TUTORING
You'll have a personal Academic Tutor to support your studies and assessment planning
PRACTICAL
TRAINING
Extensive practical training
supports and reinforces theory
We love to get hands-on in our own venues and with our industry partners. Whether it's attending an industry event to build product knowledge or learning how to floor-plan and create room lay-outs, we think the more practical the better!
PLAN & DELIVER
A LIVE EVENT
Your class will plan, deliver and evaluate a live event.
Because we believe the best way to learn how to plan events from start to finish is to do it!
INDUSTRY
ENGAGEMENT
Industry Engagement Opportunities
Flexible options are available. Students are encouraged to blend options in order to gain exposure to a range of event types and organisations.
INTERNSHIP
PLACEMENT
One Month Internship
An internship aids in skill development and serves as a gateway to building a robust professional network establishing connections that can open doors to future opportunities.
COURSE CONTENT
Tailor your programme to suit your personal learning and career goals with specialist electives.
Choose 6 electives to make your programme unique to you!
D001. The Event Industry, Trends and Best Practice
This module provides a comprehensive overview of the global events industry, offering students the knowledge and skills to analyse industry structures, market trends, and best practices.
Students will learn how to:
-
Understand the structure of the events industry
-
Analyse emerging trends in live, hybrid, and virtual events
-
Interpret sustainability and ethical considerations
-
Evaluate industry best practices through case studies .
-
Utilise information sources for professional development
Provides an understanding of the events industry sectors and fields, equipping students with the knowledge to interpret trends, evaluate best practices, and stay informed about key industry developments.
D002. Event Planning Components and Processes
This module develops students' knowledge of the foundational processes and components that contribute to successful event management.
Students will gain the skills to:
-
Understand basic event requirements
-
Summarise event component needs
-
Develop structured work schedules (timelines, itineraries)
-
Integrate a range of considerations into their planning
Provides a base understanding of how events are structured, managed, and executed within professional industry frameworks.
D003. Venue & Vendor Search and Coordination
Selecting appropriate venues and coordinating suppliers is crucial to successful event delivery. This module provides students with the expertise to assess, compare, and understand venue and vendor selection processes.
Students will gain knowledge in:
-
Venue sourcing and selection criteria
-
Contract negotiation and legal considerations
-
Vendor management and procurement processes
-
Site inspections and selection criteria
Ensures students have a fundamental understanding of the venue and vendor landscape within the events industry.
D004. Event Risk Management and the Regulatory Environment for Events
Health, safety, and risk management are integral to professional event management. This module explores how to ensure compliance and mitigate risks in various regulatory environments.
Students will gain skills to:
-
Understand health and safety legislation in event management
-
Assess and evaluate risk factors
-
Explore risk assessment methodologies and strategies
-
Examine security and emergency planning protocols
-
Understand crowd management, security procedures, and emergency response frameworks.
Provides a detailed understanding of how professionals ensure events are safe, secure, and compliant with the applicable standards and regulatory environment.
D005. Event Consumer Experience
Successful events depend on strong stakeholder relationships and audience engagement. This module focuses on strategies used to enhance attendee experience and optimise stakeholder interactions.
Students will learn how to:
-
Identify key stakeholders in events
-
Examine approaches used by event professionals to manage relationships and expectations.
-
Analyse techniques for enhancing audience experience
-
Explore methods used to create immersive, impactful event experiences.
-
Measure consumer and stakeholder satisfaction
Provides a strong theoretical foundation for understanding audience engagement and stakeholder relationship management in the events industry.
D006. Professional Practice 1: Event Attendance, Reflection, and Evaluation
Gaining industry exposure is essential for understanding real-world event dynamics. This module encourages students to critically evaluate events.
Students will develop the ability to:
-
Attend industry events and observe professional practice – gain exposure to real-world event environments.
-
Critically analyse event structures and execution – evaluate how different events operate and the strategies behind their success.
-
Write professional event evaluations – learn how to document observations and provide structured assessments.
-
Apply insights to professional development – use industry exposure to refine career goals and deepen industry knowledge.
Assists students bridge academic learning with practical industry insight, enhancing their ability to assess and analyse events professionally.
DO7. Event Planning and Operations
This module develops further the skills and knowledge needed for professional event management roles and services. Learners will learn how to appraise operational practices required in the
staging/implementation of an event and outline post-event evaluation and legacy considerations.
Students will learn how to:
-
Analyse the operational practices involved in event production
-
Analyse the operational practices involved in event facilities management
-
Analyse the importance of staff/ volunteer training
-
Assess the importance of service quality and the implications of poor quality
-
Analyse the operational practices involved in event services management
-
Understand the importance of post-event evaluation
Emphasis is placed on strategic planning, attention to detail, and effective teamwork to deliver high-quality, memorable events that meet client objectives.
D008. Leading Work Teams
This unit aims to develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of key
concepts and theories relating to team working and leadership. Learners
will also assess their own contributions as a team member, together with
their leadership behaviours and skills.
Students will learn how to:
-
Understand the importance of teams and team roles
-
Understand the concept of team leadership
-
Understand effective leadership behaviours and skills
D009. Event Proposal Development: Feasibility and Design
This module explores the strategic elements involved in developing impactful and feasible event proposals.
Students will learn how to:
-
Develop event proposals
-
Balance creativity with feasibility
-
Analyse logistical, financial, and practical considerations when developing event proposals.
Students will gain insights into how to effectively develop an event proposal in response to a client brief.
D010. Event Promotions
Effective promotions are essential to the success of any event. This module provides an understanding of promotional strategies used to attract attendees and enhance event reach.
Students will gain knowledge in:
-
Understanding event audience dynamics
-
Utilising multi-channel promotional strategies
-
Maximising event branding and messaging
D011. Professional Practice 2: Live Event Planning and Delivery
This module integrates the elements of event management, allowing students to apply their skills through involvement in the planning and execution of a live event.
Working on a live event students will develop the ability to:
-
Contribute to live event planning and delivery processes
-
Engage in event delivery gaining first-hand exposure to live event operations.
-
Reflect on professional growth and industry readiness
This module ensures students graduate with live event planning experience for their CV or professional portfolio.
D012. Contemporary Issues in Events Management
This module explodes a range of contemporary issues affecting the event sector. Students will also explore how technological advancements affect the promotion distribution and delivery of an event.
Students will be able to:
-
Understand the complex nature of issues which affect the events sector
-
Understand how external factors influence events management, including economic, legal, political, environmental and socio-cultural issues
-
Recommend ways of managing the influence of external factors on events
-
Understand and analyse how changes in technology have affected events management
D012. Visitor (Attendee) Management
This module develops learners, knowledge and understanding of the nature of visitor/attendee management and the techniques employed to effectively manage visitors.
Students will learn to
-
Understand the nature of visitor management
-
Understand strategies and techniques for managing visitors and appraise techniques for controlling visitor numbers, modifying visitor behaviour and producing visitor management plans
-
Understand crowd risks and crowd management techniques and evaluate the effectiveness of crowd management techniques employed at large scale events
D013. Sustainable Events Management
This module aims to develop learners knowledge and understanding of the characteristics and importance of sustainable events management.
Students will be able to:
-
Understand the characteristics and importance of sustainable events management
-
Understand sustainable events and management practices and techniques
-
Assess the benefits of gaining sustainability certification
-
Develop an event sustainability plan
-
Understand legacy planning benefits and activities
D014. Service Marketing Management and Public Relations
Develop knowledge of the principles and practices of service marketing and the challenges presented to marketeers due to the characteristics of the service offer. Appraise the role of public relations in service organisations and techniques applied.
Students will be able to:
-
Understand the complexities of the marketing function and the need for an extended marketing mix for services
-
Understand the challenges faced by people marketing services and the techniques adopted to overcome these challenges
-
Understand the role of public relations (PR) for service organisations and the use of PR techniques
D015. Corporate Hospitality for Events
Corporate hospitality plays a strategic role in elevating guest experience, strengthening stakeholder relationships and enhancing the overall value of an event. This module examines the purpose, components and operational considerations of corporate hospitality, enabling future professionals to design and deliver high-quality hospitality experiences that align with organisational goals.
Students will gain skills to:
-
Understand the role of corporate hospitality - Learn what corporate hospitality is and how it supports business objectives, client engagement and brand positioning at events.
-
Identify key components of corporate hospitality - Explore the essential elements that shape hospitality experiences, including catering, hosting, premium seating, entertainment, environment, and tailored guest management.
-
Assess corporate hospitality needs for different events - Develop the ability to analyse an event’s objectives, audience profile and client requirements to determine the scale, style and scope of hospitality provision.
-
Plan and source corporate hospitality providers - Gain insights into researching, evaluating, selecting and contracting hospitality partners, suppliers and venues that meet performance and brand standards.
-
Collaborate effectively with hospitality providers - Understand how to build productive relationships, manage expectations, coordinate service delivery and ensure premium-level guest experiences.
D016. Professional Practice 3 - Internship*
A structured internship provides an essential bridge between academic learning and professional practice. This module offers students an immersive four-week placement within an events-focused organisation, enabling them to apply their developing skills in a real working environment while gaining invaluable industry insight and confidence.
Students will gain skills to:
-
Understand professional workplace expectations - Learn about industry standards, organisational culture and the behaviours required for effective professional conduct during an internship.
-
Apply event management knowledge in practice - Translate classroom learning into real-world tasks
-
Develop workplace competence and technical skills - Gain experience using industry systems, tools and processes
-
Engage with industry professionals - Build relationships, observe professional practice and gain insight into different roles, structures and career pathways within the events sector.
-
Reflect on professional development - Evaluate personal performance, identify strengths and development needs, and produce reflective evidence that supports future employability and career planning.
Unlock Your Event Management Potential
With Live Event Practice, Industry Excursions and Networking
During your course your class will plan, deliver and evaluate a live event. You'll gain valuable hands-on-experience planning an event from start-to-finish. Plus you'll visit and experience multiple events, ensuring you gain exposure to a range of event and venue types to enhance your CV and portfolio.
You'll also attend relevant events, symposiums and trade shows to learn from industry speakers and exhibitors. Past events students have attended include: The Event Production Show, International Confex, International Food & Drink Show, Event Sustainability Live, Event Technology Live, The Meeting Show, MICEBook Expo, Taste of London & more!
And your Higher Diploma programme includes a one-month internship or role shadowing placement to further develop your practical skills, industry networks and employability potential.
GAIN REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE
As well as the event practice included in your programme, we'll pass on a range of additional and optional opportunities to enhance your experience or to earn as you learn.
INDUSTRY EVENTS
& NETWORKING
All Students
Our management and teaching team are well connected in the industry and we offer students regular opportunities to meet and mix with event industry professionals.
Attending exclusive industry symposiums and events develop our students social and personal development, as well as professional networking and communication skills. Ideal attributes to support your competitiveness in the job market.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
PAID WORK IN EVENTS
UK Students
Work in events. Students have access to our online "Opportunities Board" where we post
part-time opportunities for paid work during the course, and full-time opportunities for post course employment.
We also offer guidance and mentoring during tutorials on CV preparation, LinkedIn profiles,
job search and interview skills.
VOLUNTEERING, INTERNSHIP
& WORK EXPERIENCE
UK Students
Gaining hands-on experience and exposure to industry ways of working is one of the benefits of studying in London.
We share industry experience opportunities with our students including:
- work experience
- workplace observation
- volunteering
- internships
COURSE VENUES
Training in Venues on London's Royal Victoria Docks, London E16 1AA
Closest Station: Custom House
On the Elizabeth Line or DLR
Main Theory Venue: Novotel London Excel
TERMS & BREAKS
Our one-year programme is made up of three terms and two term break.
Start in January
Easter Term Break
Summer Term Break
Finish in November
ATTENDANCE PATTERNS
In-person classes are generally scheduled 3 days per week, from 10am-4pm
Face-to-Face Classes are supported by:
+Venue Showcases & Site Tours
+ Networking & Industry Excursions
+ One-to-One Career Mentoring
+ One-to-One Academic mentor
+ Supportive Online Materials
+ Live Event Planning and Delivery
+ Industry Practice
+ One Month Internship
