This course allows you to pursue a career in both the hospitality and festival and event industries. With international hospitality management at the core, it has been designed to meet the current needs of the industry.
Similar to our BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management, you’ll study the principles of hospitality management, specialising in festival and event. We teach our students in an applied way, which means that you will be able to put your learnings into practice. You’ll apply this knowledge to practical situations on an industry-based work placement or live project, preparing you for a career in the hospitality and festival and event industries.
Alternatively you can choose to study abroad through our international exchange links in Europe and the USA.
This course is studied full-time over four years. You’ll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and independent study. There is a work placement option in Year 3.
We offer tuition that is supported by highly experienced teaching staff and strong industry links.
Lead Academics
Dr Gavin Urie is a Lecturer in Hospitality Management and the Programme Leader for BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management. He specialises in food and beverage management, accommodation management, sustainability, experience design, business skills and the development of alternative economies within hospitality provision. Gavin completed his undergraduate degree (BA (Hons) Community Arts) and postgraduate degree (MSc International Hospitality & Tourism Management) at the University of Strathclyde before moving to Edinburgh Napier University to complete his PhD. Gavin’s research focused on the growth of network commensality (pop-ups, supper clubs, etc.) and how these experiences contribute to alternative economies of hospitality. He also looked at the social interactions, use of space, understanding of tradition, background and upbringing in creating memorable meal experiences from both a guest and host perspective. Gavin has appeared at a number of internationally recognised conferences and contributes to various academic publications.
Dr Ahmed Hassanien's professional experience includes both practical and academic roles in the tourism industry. He has more than 22 years of teaching experience at a number of international Universities. He has reviewed many academic articles for international academic periodicals. In 2004, he won the 'Teacher of the Year' award from the University of Wolverhampton. Also, he was awarded the 'Caparo Prize' for the most outstanding piece of pedagogic research in 2006. He is currently an associate editor of the International Journal of Customer Relationship Marketing and Management and is on the editorial board of The International Journal of Human Capital and Information Technology Professionals. Ahmed has published widely in international refereed conferences and periodicals. Most of his research work is done in collaboration with international colleagues and research students.
Dr Pauline Gordon is an experienced academic and educational leader, currently serving as Lecturer and Deputy Head of International (Partnerships) in the Business School. She has extensive experience in supporting diverse student cohorts, particularly international and articulating students, and has played a key role in shaping inclusive and transition-focused educational practices within the School.
Dr David Jarman has research interests have primarily focused on cultural festivals and the broader festival economy. In recent years this has involved the use of social network analysis, which is a methodology that has seen relatively little application in this field. I completed my PhD in September 2022 with Tilburg University, in The Netherlands. The work was titled "Social network analysis and festival relationships: personal, organisational and strategic connections".
How will my degree reflect sustainability and sustainable development?
The Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) – established under the UN Global Compact – places a clear onus on Higher Education to ‘transform management education and develop the responsible decision-makers of tomorrow to advance sustainable development’. The Business School is a PRME signatory, and we seek to influence professional practice and policy nationally and internationally, helping to drive key societal, economic and environmental impacts.
Our mission is ‘to empower communities to apply business knowledge for positive societal impact’ and we work constantly to embed practical actions into our curriculum, to promote sustainability and relate these to the key ideas of sustainability, as reflected in the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes now reflect one or more of the SDG, and our research is targeted to solve real world problems, mapped against the criteria used in the Times Higher Education’s Impact Ranking.
The most recent annual league table for Sustainability - compiled by People & Planet, the UK’s largest student campaigning network - again places Edinburgh Napier in a top 3 position among Scotland’s 19 universities. This reflects their assessment of our performance across a range of environmental and ethical considerations, which include carbon reduction and management, and education.
What is distinct about equality, diversity and inclusion?
Edinburgh Napier University is enriched by the diversity of perspectives, cultures and backgrounds brought by all within our global community. We are committed to a positive environment where diversity and inclusiveness is celebrated and everyone is treated fairly regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, age, ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status or whether pregnant or on maternity leave. We commit ourselves to providing a learning, working and social environment that is free from discrimination, prejudice, intimidation, stigmatisation and all forms of harassment and bullying.
The Business School's vision: 'To be the Business School for empowerment, enterprise and employability for all'.
Our mission statement: 'Empowering our communities to apply business knowledge for positive societal impact'.