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Hospitality and Event Management

The hospitality industry offers a range of career opportunities within the three key work areas: 

  • accommodation: hotels, self-catering establishments, holiday centres.
  • food and beverages: catering, restaurants, coffee shops, pubs, bars, nightclubs.
  • leisure and events: leisure attractions, conference management, corporate events, entertainment and sporting events, exhibition management, fundraising, weddings, and parties. 

Although there are hospitality management graduate schemes many roles do not require a Degree level qualification. However, they do offer opportunities to gain customer service and potentially management/supervisory experience. Examples of companies offering graduate schemes in the hospitality industry include: 

Additionally, companies within the hospitality sector recruit graduates for diverse head office functions, including: 

The hospitality industry in the UK is composed of many small and medium-sized businesses with fewer than 250 employees (SMEs), particularly independent hotels and restaurants. Most pubs and bars have fewer than ten employees. 

The event industry has varied career opportunities, such as working for a management firm, a venue, or a supplier. Large companies, such as hotel chains and business caterers also employ event managers. Additionally, some major charities have fundraising jobs that involve event planning. 

There are also opportunities for self-employment such as working as a freelancer in the events industry, running your own independent pub, or joining a franchise. 

Some of the leading event management companies in the UK include: 

Skills employers look for

Every employer is different, so this list is meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in the person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for. 

  • a people-centred approach and excellent customer service skills
  • clear, concise written and verbal communication skills
  • confidence, a persuasive approach
  • cultural sensitivity
  • excellent organisational skills
  • flexibility and stamina with a willingness to work unsocial hours
  • language skills are a plus
  • leadership and responsibility
  • politeness, empathy and professionalism under pressure
  • sustainability awareness
  • the ability to work in a team 

Prospects have noted some additional skills in their job profiles - Hospitality and events management job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk. 

To develop these skills, remember Career Zone offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications. 

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from part time work, volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to build relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in: 

Volunteering:  is a great way to build experience and explore the sector further. You might like to consider the following opportunities: 

  • Venue Volunteering: Museums, theatres, galleries, and hotels often need volunteers for hosting or front-of-house support.
  • Charity and not-for-profit organisations: Many host fundraising events, community dinners, or charity races.  You can find useful links in the Charities, NGOs, Development Work and International Relations sector page.
  • University Involvement: gaining relevant experience while at university is one of the best ways to stand out in hospitality and event management. Consider the following practical and effective opportunities you could get involved in:
    • Student Societies - Organise social events, trips, or conferences and roles like events coordinator, president, or treasurer.
    • University Events - Help at open days, graduation ceremonies, alumni events, or conferences. Paid and voluntary roles often available on campus, including; hospitality, ushering, event setup and guest services  

University of Exeter Employability Schemes

  • Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be extremely useful, so try and get relevant vacation work or placements
  • Exeter Award: The Exeter Award will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university
  • The Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience.

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before visiting the sites below, you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

Reach Out Directly

Email local event companies, hotels, or wedding planners offering your time to gain experience. Tailor your message when reaching out, briefly explain your interest in gaining practical experience and be flexible. 

Finding part-time work  

The sector offers many opportunities to gain experience through part-time work during term time and vacations including Bars, restaurants, hotels, catering companies, or event venues. 

You could also have a look at Handshake, our vacancy database with employers who are targeting University of Exeter students.

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.

  • Prospects.ac.uk – Lists internships and grad roles by sector.
    • Try: Graduate jobs > Hospitality and events management
  • TargetJobs – Offers sector insights and job listings.
  • Explore Hospitality, sport, leisure and tourism” section for internships and grad schemes.
  • GraduateJobs.com – Filter by “Hospitality & events management”.
  • Hospitality Jobs UK.

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page. 

Graduate Schemes and Internships 

Some of the larger companies offer graduate schemes in areas such as hospitality management/ operations or head office functions such as finance, marketing, IT, HR, and retail. 

Hospitality employers include: 

Many employers, including international hospitality chains, offer graduate schemes that can launch your career globally. Advertised vacancies can also be found in local newspapers, recruitment agencies, and professional networking sites like LinkedIn. 

Search for Event Management roles including Event Coordinator / Manager, Event Producer, Meeting Planner, Conference Organiser, Venue Manager, Trade Show Coordinator, Event Assistant, Event Marketing Associate 

Employers include: 

 Also explore specialist recruitment platforms including:   

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal.

For help with making speculative applications you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to build their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

While postgraduate study in hospitality, and event management is not necessary, it can be helpful as it demonstrates your commitment to the field. Employers in this sector recruit graduates from any discipline for most jobs, and experience in similar roles is more important than a related degree.  Search for postgraduate courses in tourism, hospitality and event management.  

Use the Prospects website to search for postgraduate courses in fields such as FindAMasters.com and mastersavenue.com offer comprehensive databases of postgraduate Masters courses, featuring a wide range of Master’s degree programmes from universities in the UK and across the globe. 

For more information on continuing onto further study (taught programmes and research degrees) visit the Prospects website, or the Target Postgraduate site. 

Advice 

If you would like to pursue postgraduate study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.  

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.