THE University of South Wales (USW) is delivering a second undergraduate course in partnership with The Celtic Collection.
The three-year BA (Hons) International Events Management degree course, which will include a period on placement, will start this September, and will be run in a similar way to the Hotel and Hospitality Management course that has been successfully operating from USW’s Newport Campus for the past three years.
Delivered in partnership with The Celtic Collection, including the new International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales), the course will combine events management theory with the opportunity for students to develop practical industry experience and to complete events-relevant qualifications during their degree.
As part of the course, students will not just learn event and project management, they will also be taught wider business and management principles, strategy and growth, and how to apply industry best practice. As part of this, they will be exposed to a range of events at ICC Wales, Celtic Manor Resort, and other properties in The Celtic Collection.
The students will also have the opportunity to undertake field trips and work placements within The Celtic Collection, or work for other businesses in course-related sectors in the UK and overseas.
“The event industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, playing a fundamental part in economic development locally, nationally, and internationally,” said Dr Dominic Page, head of the USW-based South Wales Business School.
“The sector is now worth an estimated £42.3bn in the UK alone, and offers diverse and exciting career opportunities around the world.
“As the first programme of its kind in the UK, the degree has inherent local, national, and international appeal, and offers a unique opportunity for students to experience the events industry from a range of perspectives throughout their study.”
The new degree will utilise a range of skills developed at USW, which specifically aim to give students experience of the real-life world of work.
“The course is designed in partnership with The Celtic Collection and other organisations, so will clearly address the needs of the industry and will be developed to reflect trends within the sector,” Dr Page said.
“It will give students all the skills they need for roles in a range of sectors, particularly in an international context.
“This is what USW excels at. Giving our students the right training, experience, and confidence to flourish in their chosen career.”
The Celtic Manor Collection Vice President, Operations, Matthew Lewis, said: “We have enjoyed a very successful partnership with the University of South Wales, delivering the Hotel and Hospitality Management degree course over the last three years, and this new course is a reflection of that success and the desire to expand and offer our expertise in another area.
“The Celtic Collection has won numerous awards for its staging of conferences and events, including high-profile occasions like the 2010 Ryder Cup and the 2014 NATO Summit.
“We look forward to hosting even more of the most prestigious international events following the opening of ICC Wales last September, and this course is another fantastic opportunity for students to learn from our experienced and talented management teams while working on exciting events in venues that are best in class.
“We will provide the hands-on training to complement the university classroom theory and the aim is to develop the next generation of event management professionals.”
