As Event Management students, we have had the opportunity to study at Queen’s Park Campus, an award-winning Business School in 2018. In the Department of Experience Economy there are four main areas of study – events, tourism, hospitality, and creative and cultural industries. The variety of module options within these courses allow you to explore different areas of the industry and tailor your degree to your future career aspirations. All lecturers across the Business School are fully committed to supporting their students, both academically and personally. The Head of Department for Experience Economy is Maeve Marmion, an ex-student from the University of Chester, and the Programme Leaders for Event Management and International Tourism Management are Tim Brown and Martin Metcalfe, who have all had a big influence in helping us to achieve our desired grades.

When studying a Single Honours degree in Events Management, there is still the opportunity to experience marketing, tourism and business-related modules. We believe a combination of these different areas of study, as well as the practical elements of organising and managing events, has definitely widened our range of knowledge and prepared us for working in the industry.

Jasmine:

“Throughout the first year of university we had opportunities to study a wide range of modules, and when progressing into my second year I chose the option of undertaking modules relating to the tourism industry. One of the standout moments from my time studying at Chester Business School came in third year, when I began the Tourism & Events in the Third Sector module. At the time I was aware of the third sector, however I had never considered it as a viable career option. Having guest lecturers, who are actively working within the third sector come in and tell us about the industry, as well as having opportunities for us to volunteer, opened my eyes to the industry from a new perspective. As a result of that module I went on to volunteer with many charities and was lucky enough to be offered an internship as a Fundraising Officer, where I developed many skills and found a love and passion for an industry I was largely unaware of a year prior.”

Chloe:

“During the second year of university there are opportunities to take on Work Based Learning placements, which allow you to put the skills and knowledge you have learnt into practice in a working environment. I took on a placement at a community centre in Chester, and working in a community environment allowed me to see the impact of the work I was doing through the events and activities we ran. This motivated me to want to make a difference to people’s lives and gave myself something to aim for when finishing university. The relationships I have built over my three years at the University of Chester have allowed me to take on many volunteering opportunities. One of the most exciting roles was at Community EDGE CIC, where I was able to take ownership of a range of projects in the community, helping to make a positive difference to local people in the Cheshire area. I would never have been able to challenge myself or be involved with such a large range of organisations if I didn’t have the support and guidance from the staff at Chester Business School.”

Top Ten Tips

1. Accommodation

There is a range of student accommodation on and off campus, so make sure you look around to find the best deals and what suits your needs when moving to Chester.

2. Financing

Most students get caught up with financing a university degree, however from personal experience we did not think about our debts at all over the three years. Student Finance have lots of information regarding student loans and the process of repayment, which when you start researching, you come to discover it should not affect your decision to move to university.

3. Societies

There are a range of diverse societies to meet everyone’s interests including sports, degree related subjects and individual hobbies. You can sign up to taster sessions during Freshers’ Week to see what societies you would like to be involved in.

4. Volunteering

There are a range of volunteering opportunities for Event Management students including the Christmas Lights switch on, Chester Racecourse, Storyhouse, second year Live Events and many more around the North West. All courses across the University look for Student Ambassadors; we have taken on these roles by helping out at Open Days and would definitely encourage students to help out from the beginning, to allow you to get the most out of your student experience.

5. Internships/Placements

There are many opportunities to do a placement year or internship, both in the UK and abroad. The University of Chester has great contacts with Yummy Jobs, providing unique opportunities to work in Disneyland Florida, as well as the Royal Caribbean International, allowing students to gain invaluable experience for the future. These opportunities both help students to build connections and gain first-hand industry experience with the support of lecturers at the University.

6. Academic/Support Staff Relationships

The relationships students are able to build up with the lecturers at the Business School is amazing and very beneficial when settling into university life and completing assignments. Although we have finished university and will be graduating in November, the lecturers have shown they are always willing to help with anything we’ll need in the future, which is incredibly valuable to us. The support staff including Wellbeing, Careers and Employability and Study Skills, are fully dedicated to all students and are able to provide professional advice to anyone who needs it at the University.

7. Student Relationships

Freshers’ Week is a busy and exciting time for all new students.  This time will allow you to get to know both your new housemates and course mates, and build friendships which will last a lifetime. Make the most of the activities at the Students’ Union and during Induction Week to get to know everyone.

8. The City of Chester

Chester is a heritage city that is small enough to travel between campuses, but also provides easy transport routes to larger cities in the North West such as Liverpool and Manchester. It is a safe city with a diverse culture and has a range of tourist attractions which are easily accessible.

9. Social Life

Chester is full of hidden gems in terms of bars and restaurants, however, you have to be savvy and do your research on student offers and apps (STUNII). Each venue will have different events taking place throughout the week, all offering a different experience. The most popular nights students go out on are Mondays (Cruise), Wednesdays (Rosie’s) and Fridays (Students’ Union Bar). There are also a wide variety of cocktail bars and restaurants, with some of the best places to visit being situated on Bridge Street and Watergate Street in the city centre.

10. General Advice for First Years

Creating a foundation for your time at university is key. We advise that you are open to all new experiences and opportunities given to you in first year, as this is when you have the most free time available. Mastering the basics in terms of referencing is also important, this will save you time in second and third year when more time must be dedicated to practical assessments, exams and dissertations.

The University of Chester has been an outstanding place to learn and call home for the past 3 years. We are both very excited for our future careers and to continue to live and work in the city. We are so grateful to everyone we have met and who have been a part of our journey. It has been an unforgettable experience that will continue to have a positive impact on us for the rest of our lives.