Event Management

Studying Event Management at degree level in Ireland equips you with the skills to plan, coordinate and deliver a wide range of events, from corporate conferences and trade exhibitions to music festivals and sporting occasions. You will explore event logistics, venue management, marketing, budgeting and risk assessment, alongside modules in hospitality operations and tourism. Practical work is central to the course; most programmes include a professional placement of several months with event companies, hotels, venues or conference centres, and some institutions offer Erasmus exchange opportunities in Europe. In a typical week you might attend lectures on sponsorship strategy, work in small teams on a live event project, and meet industry guest speakers. By graduation you will have built a professional portfolio of real events you have helped organise.

Entry is normally through the CAO, and competitive points for this course are generally in the moderate range, though this varies by institution and year. You will need to meet the standard minimum Leaving Certificate requirements, typically six subjects including English and Mathematics, with a number of subjects at higher or ordinary level as specified by each institution. While there are no fixed higher-level science requirements, subjects such as Business, Accounting, Geography or a modern language are considered useful preparation. If you do not come through the Leaving Certificate route, QQI Level 5 or Level 6 FET awards in Tourism, Hospitality or Business from a College of Further Education provide a recognised progression pathway onto the degree. Mature applicants aged 23 or over may apply directly through the CAO mature entry process, and HEAR and DARE schemes are available for applicants from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds or with disabilities.

Demand for event management graduates in Ireland has recovered strongly following the disruptions of the early 2020s, and the live events and conference sector continues to grow. Ireland's status as a European base for many multinational corporations sustains consistent demand for corporate event professionals, particularly in Dublin. Starting salaries for graduates typically range from around €26,000 to €32,000 per year, with experienced event managers in senior roles earning €45,000 to €60,000 or more. Those who build specialist expertise in areas such as large-scale festival production or international conference management can command higher salaries and work across global markets.