So what’s the answer? A recognised and fully accredited Diploma in Event Management from Event Academy could be just the thing!
The traditional understanding is that a diploma usually denotes a shorter duration of study at a more general, rather than specific level, whilst a degree tends to offer a more specific academic focus and can take around three to four years.
Although achieving a degree can bring the additional benefits of the kudos of success at university level study and the depth (and specialism) of knowledge this involves, it does mean a significant period of study before earning (study which takes even longer if the need to earn means it can only , as a part-time course).
However, as the National Careers Service Qualifications Table for UK qualifications demonstrates, diploma level studies equate favourably with the depth of are of foundation degrees and postgraduate diplomas, whilst also offering the same vital learning experience and all-round qualification route.
But how do the two compare cost-wise?
It always pays to sort out the finances before committing yourself to your chosen qualification route. Whether you’re aiming for full time study or part-time learning whilst earning, knowing exactly what your financial situation is will ensure you make informed decisions and are less likely to be distracted from your studies by unforeseen money worries.
Most traditional (university) degree routes involve tuition fees of up to £9,000 per year. Loans to cover tuition fees are generally available to UK students, whilst maintenance loans to cover the costs of living and are dependent on household income, so if you need to give up work to concentrate on studying, it’s possible to loan the money to live on. Maintenance loans become repayable at the same time as tuition fee loans, once earnings exceed approximately £21,000 per year. Which? offers extensive information about traditional degree costs and repayments to help inform your choices if finances are a significant factor.
An Event Academy Diploma in Event Management offers level 4 (undergraduate) study, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing to offer an internationally recognised qualification and costs less than £2,000.
The other significant aspect of a traditional degree route (and reason why it can work out so expensive) is the amount of time it takes. A degree can take up to four years of full-time study, which can be a four year delay before earning because you’re learning.
In contrast, an Event Academy Diploma, part-time over three months, followed by a six-month full-time Postgraduate course, can mean a chance to be earning postgraduate level pay grades within a year of starting your event management studies.
It’s often said of traditional degrees that they offer a significant amount of theoretical and academic learning, without less focus on practical aspects of learning – hence why would-be teachers need to add to their subject degree with a practical teacher-training qualification, on some courses.
For an all round sector-specific qualification, experiential learning and professional practice are essential but of course, practice does need to be informed by and understood at theoretical levels – there’s no point in knowing how to write a risk assessment without knowing how public liability and health and safety are relevant, after all.
As such, Event Academy Diploma routes usually offer a good compromise because they offer modules which embrace both theory and practice, offer activities which allow candidates to demonstrate the depth of their theoretical understanding and how this translates into everyday practice in event management.
With traditional degree routes, spending time in a relevant industry usually means extending the duration of the degree by a term or even a whole year with time “in industry.” Although this is a full-time enrichment to the degree, with the time it adds on to the overall studying, it’s an expensive way to learn about the prospective profession.
By contrast, Event Academy Diploma courses include work experience and volunteering opportunities as integral to the course, whilst practical training is gained from planning actual events as part of the modules studied. These aspects of course content and activities not only enhance the learning experience but also provide opportunities for:
Finally, one thing which traditional degrees and diploma courses for event management have in common is that training providers should be reputable and respected within their field. Although many universities offer prestigious degrees, these remain an expensive route for qualification.
On the other hand, Event Academy Diplomas are highly regarded as an internationally recognised qualification, for a fraction of the cost of a degree but with an equally rich learning offer and reputation.
* Source: Which?
