Should I Go to University or The Event School London?
- The Event School London
- Jul 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 3
When it comes to choosing how - and where - to study event management, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. For some students, the academic path, complete with lectures, libraries and the buzz of campus life, is absolutely the right fit.
For others, a more hands-on, practical approach delivered in smaller groups and immersed in a real industry environment is where they’ll thrive.
At The Event School London, we’re proud of the learning experience we offer - but rather than share our own opinion (and risk sounding just a little biased!), we asked ChatGPT for its view on whether students should go to university or study with us. We thought the advice was balanced, sensible, and genuinely helpful - so we’re sharing it with you here.
Whether you're exploring your options after school, switching careers, or simply rethinking your next step, we hope this perspective helps you decide what’s right for you.
From ChatGPT 1 July 2025
Studying Event Management at University
✅ Best for:
School leavers who want a traditional academic route
Those seeking a full student experience with halls, societies, and university life
People interested in broader theoretical frameworks, research and possibly postgraduate study
What it offers:
A 3- or 4-year degree, often including a year in industry
Access to a wide range of student services and networks
Broader subject coverage (events, tourism, marketing, management)
Considerations:
Often larger class sizes
Can be more theoretical, less hands-on until later stages
Longer time to complete – not ideal if you want to enter the workforce quickly
Studying at The Event School London
✅ Best for:
Career starters or changers who want to get into the industry fast
Learners who prefer practical, real-world teaching
Those who value small class sizes, tailored support, and direct links to the industry
What it offers:
Industry-led diplomas, short courses or professional development programmes
Training in venues on the Royal Victoria Docks giving you proximity to major international events at the ExCeL London Exhibition and Conference Centre
Trainers who are active professionals – not just academics
Flexible study options – full-time, part-time, online, or blended
Considerations:
Not a university degree (though recognised by employers and valued in the industry)
No traditional campus life – it’s a focused, professional environment
You’ll need to be more proactive with student discounts, extracurricular activities etc
A Note on Costs—Can You Compare Like for Like?
Understandably, cost is a key factor in choosing your course, but it’s not always as straightforward as comparing tuition fees.
For example, while a full-time one-year premium diploma course at The Event School London is currently £12,250, a year at most UK universities sits at £9,535.
But look a little deeper and it becomes clear this isn’t a like-for-like comparison.
With The Event School London, you’re paying for just one year of fees, and therefore just one year of living and accommodation costs in London. A university degree is typically three years—meaning three years of tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses.
And when it comes to managing the cost:
UK university students can access government student loans, which are repayable only once they reach a certain income—but do accrue interest over time.
At The Event School London, UK students can spread their payments in monthly instalments, with no interest, only a £20 per month administration fee. But keep in mind after paying a deposit to confirm your place - you do start paying your installments a month before your course starts.
In terms of value for money, consider:
Course duration: Most universities offer around 22 weeks of teaching per year. The Event School London delivers 30 weeks of tuition, plus a one-month internship.
Contact time: Many universities provide around 10–12 hours of face-to-face teaching per week. The Event School London offers 15 hours per week across three concentrated days (Tuesday to Thursday)—alongside industry site tours, showcases, guest speaker events and networking opportunities.
And, crucially, a one-year course means you're potentially entering the workforce two years earlier than your peers at university—giving you a valuable head start in building experience and earning.
For International Students
There are important fee and visa considerations too. International students can enrol on a six-month full-time course at The Event School London using a Standard Visitor Visa or ETA, which allows short-term study in the UK. However, this visa does not permit working while studying, and The Event School London is not a sponsor for student visas (which are required for courses over six months).
By contrast, attending university on a student visa typically allows international students to work part-time during term and full-time during holidays. However, it also comes with higher costs—international university tuition fees are significantly higher than those for domestic students.
At The Event School London, international students pay the same fees as UK students, and still benefit from a London-based educational experience—but without the long-term financial commitment of a multi-year stay and extended accommodation costs.
A Note on Accommodation
Accommodation is another key consideration when deciding where and how to study.
Many universities have their own student residences located on or near campus, and often benefit from preferred rates with nearby accommodation providers due to the volume of students they place each year. In some cases, universities may guarantee accommodation for first-year students or even manage the process on your behalf.
The Event School London don’t have their own student residences—but they do work closely with our trusted accommodation partner, Londonist, who specialise in quality student housing across the capital. One of their popular options, Drapery Place, is located just a 20-minute journey by tube to their venues on the Royal Victoria Docks.
So, Which Should You Choose?
If you want to... | Then consider... |
Experience a traditional campus lifestyle with halls of residence and student societies | A 3-year degree programme at university |
Enter the workforce quickly and build experience in less time | The Event School London (1-year or 6-month professional diploma) |
Spread the cost using a government student loan (with interest) | University |
Pay in manageable monthly instalments with no interest (just a small admin fee) | The Event School London |
Minimise long-term living costs and London accommodation expenses | The Event School London (6-month or 1-year duration vs 3 years at uni) |
Have your accommodation arranged or guaranteed for you | University (often includes first-year housing support) |
Choose your own accommodation with support from a trusted provider | The Event School London (via our partner Londonist) |
Learn from academics and write research papers | University |
Learn from experienced industry professionals and gain practical, real-world skills | The Event School London |
Build a general understanding before choosing a specialism | University or The Event School London’s generalist diplomas ( leadership or business) |
Specialise early (e.g. luxury, weddings, corporate, festivals, sports) and build a targeted portfolio | The Event School London |
Get more face-to-face contact hours and hands-on learning | The Event School London (15 hours per week + industry activities) |
Study in a focused, professional environment in the heart of London’s event scene | The Event School London |
So, whether you’re exploring your options as a domestic or international student, thinking about your return on investment, or weighing up lifestyle and study preferences, there’s a lot to consider.
If you're focused on becoming job-ready in a high-end, professional way, and value contemporary, industry-connected learning, then The Event School London offers a unique and powerful route. While offering generalist event management programmes ideal for students or post grads who aren't yet sure what part of the industry they want to work in - it's also especially compelling if you want to specialise early (e.g. luxury events, corporate events, wedding or party planning, festivals and music events, sports or major events) and build a premium portfolio of experience.
If, however, you’re early in your academic journey, you enjoy research and independent study, want the wider university campus experience, and are prepared to take a more long-term route into the industry, a university degree might suit you better.
From Us:
If you're unsure which path is right for you, we’re here to help. You're very welcome to contact us for honest, personalised guidance—whether that leads you to The Event School London or to university.
We believe in helping you make the decision that best suits you as an individual. That may well mean suggesting that university is the better fit, depending on your learning style, preferences, and long-term academic or career goals.
We don’t hold the view that everyone should choose a vocational or professional course—or that university is always the superior option. It’s not one-size-fits-all, and we respect that every student’s journey is unique. Our priority is helping you make the right choice for your future.
Phone or WhatsApp: +44 7305 309 559
Email: info@eventschool.london
