MA Event Festival and Exhibition Management (Professional Placement)

at Birmingham City University

COURSE IN DEPTH

Modules

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 140 credits):

 

The Events and Exhibition Industry
20 credits

 

The module will explore and evaluate new developments in industry, particularly relating to technology as well as investigate current industry trends and methodologies reflecting best industry practice. The module will also consist of a continuous assessment process whereby you will reflect on your own skills and capabilities required to be an effective event manager. During this first module you will be encouraged to develop several skills required in the industry such as time management, research and planning, communication skills and networking skills. You will develop a variety of research and evaluation methodologies such as SWOT analyses, research event profiles, and develop demographic, content and event and exhibition audience profile analysis methodologies.

 

Events and Exhibition Production
20 credits

 

This production module contributes to the overall programme philosophy and aims by focusing on the organisation of a live event or exhibition and stakeholder perspectives. You will study exhibitions from every level from the perspectives of venues, organisers, exhibitors, suppliers and consumers. In this module you will develop a critical understanding what factors affecting each of the stakeholder groups in any event or exhibition in order to maintain a competitive advantage in the industry. You will test and deploy theories, research-based knowledge and analysis to inform and lead practice in the event and exhibition industry. The key theme of this module is competition because to be successful in any aspect of exhibitions you need to know how to be competitive.

 

Research in Practice
20 credits

 

The module is intended to help you develop and consolidate your ideas for your MA Major Project. By providing a common module that comprises of all MA Media cohorts, Research in Practice aims to facilitate a shared skillset that aids the successful completion of the MA Major project, as well as the potential for routes into PhD progression beyond. It is also designed to encourage interdisciplinary discussions across MA awards.

 

Work Placement
20 credits

 

The purpose of this module is to enable you to develop professional attributes and subject skills through experience in the work place, and to critically reflect upon your learning in that context. You will normally be expected to arrange your own placement, with support from academic staff and BCU Careers. It is also possible to fulfil this module via a shorter placement duration and a linked ‘live’ project set by the employer.

 

Major Project (Dissertation)
60 credits

 

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. It is important that we can support you appropriately, so you will be guided towards choosing a research topic which is relevant to your discipline and in which your lecturers have expertise. The outcome may take the form of a written dissertation or a practical outcome with accompanying reflective, critical and contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be relevant to your programme and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.

 

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.

 

Narrative: From Media to Interactive Media
20 credits

 

Within the context of media integration and convergence, Narrative: from media to interactive media aims to help students to build a flexible skillset that provides a basis to critically adapt to both new and developing storytelling technologies.

 

Social Media as Culture and Practice
20 credits

 

This module is intended to give an overview of the current state of scholarly research into the use of social media platforms as a communication tool and also enable students to develop as social media practitioners who can develop innovative solutions to communications problems and develop their expertise at using social networking platforms in sophisticated ways. To that end, the module combines engagement with academic texts through lectures and seminars, with a series of practicebased workshops. The module explores the role of social media as an aspect of everyday communications, examining the technologies and practices that are put to use by citizens, activists, media producers and others, examining the range of practices that are emerging and their social and cultural role and character.

 

Live Events and Festival Management
20 credits

 

This module offers an extension to the other modules on the MA Events, Festivals and Exhibitions Management pathway. Whilst being an integral part of the pathway the module also works as a standalone optional module for those students on other pathways who can apply the key learnings to their own specialism.

 

Film Festivals, Marketing and PR
20 credits

 

This module provides an in-depth look at a major crux for the film industry: film festivals. Film festivals play a part in the financing, distribution and marketing of independent films and therefore the study of them is a core part of the overall. The present module will give students an understanding of the importance of film festivals to the industry, and give them insight into the skills needed to mount a successful marketing and public relations strategy at a festival.

 

Strategic Communication for Social Change
20 credits

 

This module develops a sophisticated understanding of the processes and outcomes of planning a communications strategy for a range of organisations that strive to bring about social change. Throughout the emphasis is on the communication challenges facing activist, not-for-profit, charity, and public sector organisations and developing persuasive messages to explain complex issues to a range of stakeholder groups.

 

Researching Media Cultures
20 credits

 

This module explores the current state of international academic knowledge and debates based on the research interests of staff and students involved with the Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research. It will provide you with a systematic understanding of approaches to researching media cultures and the opportunity to develop your insights through an area of interest, connected to your MA project.

 

Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.

Essential Requirements

 

You should have a 2:1 or higher in a related discipline from any UK university.

You may also have one to three years of relevant industry experience, supported by references and any industry qualifications.

IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MA Starting: Sep 2022
Full Time 18 months (including Professional Placement - see below*) £17,930 in 2022/23

Enhancing your employability skills

With core theoretical knowledge of how to approach events and exhibitions, you will be set up for a successful career in the industry. You will have an understanding of professional techniques and the current intellectual challenges you will face in a role in events and exhibition management.

 

As there is a focus on both independent learning and teamwork to produce and manage events exhibitions, you will be prepared for a variety of ways of working. You will be prepared to innovate by applying traditions of research and enquiry to deal creatively with complicated issues.

 

Your critical evaluation skills and knowledge of research traditions and current scholarship leave you equipped to communicate ideas to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

 

These communication skills, depth of knowledge of the industry, and both theoretical and practical skills aim to make you a highly desirable employee with a wide range of marketable abilities. You will complete the MA in the perfect position to either kick-start your events and exhibition management career, or take your role to the next level or in a new direction entirely.

 

PLACEMENTS

Placements can be part of the course (depending upon module option choice) and gaining work experience is greatly encouraged throughout the academic year. These can be combined with master's projects that take place from June to September. In the past, students have worked on events such as The Good Food Show, The Gadget Show, Gardeners World as well as working on client led, professional briefs.