BA (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management

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UCAS Code:
N840
Institution:
B50
Delivery:
Sandwich (Thick) out of college.

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Complete University Guide Top 10 Hospitality, Recreation & Tourism logo

We are one of the top universities in the world for the study of tourism and hospitality, ranked 3rd in the UK for hospitality, event Management and tourism in the Guardian League Table 2019, 2nd in the UK (8th in the world) for hospitality and leisure management according to the QS University Rankings 2018 and 2nd in the UK (12th in the world) for hospitality and tourism management according to the Shanghai Rankings of Academic Subjects 2018.

Underpinned by our long-standing and internationally recognised research in tourism and hospitality, this degree is suitable for those with career aspirations related to global hospitality and the wider travel and tourism industry. It will provide you with an understanding of the origins, development and organisation of the tourism and hospitality industries, and the opportunities and challenges facing organisations operating in and across the various sectors.

The accommodation sector continues to grow rapidly. Year after year, global revenues and occupancy rates have continued to increase, as have international passenger arrivals. Helping to sustain this growth means that many new jobs – as well as small and medium-sized enterprises – have been created in the accommodation, food and drink, transport, visitor attractions and travel distribution sectors.

Social and technological changes have created new opportunities in these markets, many of which are threats to the existing organisations. In order to succeed, businesses need managers that understand how to compete and collaborate with others in a dynamic and diverse group of industries.

You will graduate with the skills those businesses are looking for. Through studying a combination of tourism and hospitality with a specific focus on international issues, you’ll know what is needed not just to survive in such an environment, but to thrive in it.

You’ll have an opportunity to learn a new language; French, Spanish or Mandarin as well as residential fieldtrips. You can also expand your horizons and spend some time studying abroad with one of our 40 partner institutions in the USA, Australia, Europe or Asia.

In year three you’ll gain vital experience during your 30-week work placement in the UK or overseas which will give you the opportunity to turn theory into practice and build a network of professional contacts to help you secure a management-level position after graduating.

This course is taught by tourism and hospitality specialists who are actively involved in research that informs the future of these industries; as well as notable experts who share their expertise during regular guest lectures.

88% of our final year students who study Tourism, Transport and Travel courses agree our staff are good at explaining things – join us on live chat now to find out more, or register to meet us at an Open Day.

Further information about studying with us is available on the Department of Tourism and Hospitality webpages.

All statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats, Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE), BU institutional data and Ipsos MORI (National Student Survey) unless otherwise stated.

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Key information

Next start date:

September 2019, September 2020

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

4 years including a minimum 30-week work placement

Accreditations:

The Institute of Hospitality, Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing (IDM); The Tourism Management Institute

Required subjects:

All subjects considered

Entry requirements:

For 2019 entry: 104 - 120 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM. For more information check out our 2019 entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent. For more information check out our international entry requirements.

Accredited by:

Course details

It will provide you with an understanding of the origins, development and organisation of the tourism and hospitality industries, and the opportunities and challenges facing organisations operating in and across the various sectors.

Contact hours and assessment

Details of the assessment methods and contact hours for each unit of the course can be found in the programme specification.

Download the programme specification (pdf 224kb)

Year 1

Core units

The Tourism & Hospitality Industries: Covers the origins, development and organisation of the tourism and hospitality industries, and the opportunities and challenges facing organisations operating in and across the various sectors.
Marketing for Tourism & Hospitality: Develop your knowledge and understanding of marketing as an essential function for tourism and hospitality management, this unit will provide you with an understanding of the concepts, functions and processes of marketing as practiced in the service industries.
Financial Reporting for Hospitality: This unit introduces and develops core business skills in accountancy and business analysis, to prepare you for the demands of financial and management accounting functions in performance analysis and decision making.
Food Systems: The food systems debate goes beyond the production and delivery of sufficient food for all (quantity), to include the provision of safe and nutritious food for healthy and sustainable diets (quality). This unit will develop your understanding of the food systems debate in the context of eating out, and help you recognise the relationship between food and health, and food and the environment.
Global Hospitality: This unit reviews the social, cultural and environmental influences which impact upon business operations and the people/ resources used within hospitality organisations. You will understand where these influences originate, the impacts they can have and the responses available to organisations of various sizes.

Option units (choose one)

Geography of Tourism Destinations: Considers the importance of place, space and the environment in tourism, tourism resources and mobilities, selected impacts of tourism, and the development of tourism in urban, rural and coastal environments.
Languages (beginners - French, Spanish or Mandarin): Build the confidence needed for a range of occupational and social situations. You’ll learn how to interact with people in professional and social contexts, to read written materials and to express yourself in writing.
Tourism, Wildlife & the Environment: You will study the interactions between nature, wildlife and tourists in natural and semi-natural sites/ settings, and examine a range of global threats to biodiversity as well as the issues relating to the conservation of individual species and their natural environments.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Year 2

Core units

Managing People in Tourism & Hospitality: Helps you to develop awareness and understanding of the complexities associated with managing people in tourism and hospitality contexts, by introducing you to the principles and practices of contemporary Human Resource Management.
Research Methods for Tourism & Hospitality: Provides training in quantitative and qualitative research methodology that will enable you to prepare and interpret data for business and research projects
Consumer Experience & Behaviour: Provide an understanding of the individual and social processes underlying and influencing human behaviour. You will develop the ability to evaluate and apply theories, concepts and models to the experience industries of food and hospitality.
Tourism Operations & Technology: Develops your awareness of the principles of intermediation and distribution in the tourism and hospitality industries, and explores the digital ecosystem (including travel review sites, bed banks, price comparisons, discounters and other internet intermediaries) as well as trends such as the growth of independent holidays, the emergence of the sharing economy in the accommodation sector and the impact of low-cost carriers on air transport.
Hospitality Resources & Revenue Management: In an increasingly technological world, where a lot of business is done electronically, it’s vital to have a basic understanding e-commerce and how this works in the hospitality industry. In this unit, you’ll analyse facilities management theories and apply them to hotel, catering and hospitality management.

Option units (choose one)

Destination Development & Management: An opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of the issues involved in tourism destination development and management. You will be aware of the roles tourism can play in meeting development goals and approaches to planning for tourism, for different stakeholders and in a variety of destination settings.
Languages (intermediate - French, Spanish or Mandarin): Combines the skills acquired in the first year so that your confidence is built to be able to use the language effectively in a range of occupational and social situations.
Talent Management You’ll develop an understanding of where you sit in relation to the wider talent pool and how you can manage yourself and others to fit the demands of the present and future labour markets. The unit provides a forum in which you can analyse theories and concepts of professionalism, individual leadership and management, and tests your individual response to situations in which you might encounter or use such approaches.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Placement year

A (minimum) 30-week supervised work placement in the UK or overseas which gives you the opportunity to turn theory into practice in a business environment. You’ll gain practical experience that could help you secure a management-level position immediately after graduating.

There’s a variety of placement opportunities, ranging from high-street catering, hotels and licensed retail outlets to leisure centres, theme parks and large-scale event management.

Final year

Core units

Dissertation OR Consultancy Project
Dissertation: A piece of independent work that involves collecting, interpreting and analysing data. You’ll share your key findings through a sustained and balanced argument. The dissertation will develop your analytical and problem solving skills. You’ll develop a critical attitude to research methods, and the ethical issues associated with researching.
Consultancy Project - Working to a brief set by one of our industry partners, both as an individual and in teams, you will develop awareness, understanding and appreciation of the principles and practices of business decision making and the ability to consult within the tourism and hospitality sector, as well as vital project management, analytical and interpersonal skills.
Strategy & Leadership in Hospitality: You will develop your ability to review and analyse inter/ national hospitality businesses and organisations and the rationale and logic behind the strategic and tactical decisions that they take.
Tourism Issues and Futures: We will examine a range of critical and contemporary issues that you may not have encountered previously, with the aim of broadening your horizons and understanding of tourism. You will be challenged to think critically about issues that you may have previously taken for granted, and be encouraged to reflect critically on your own experiences and practices as a tourist.

Option units (choose two)

Conference & Events Management: The conference and events sectors are a big part of the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries, and vital to many a country’s economy. This unit will develop your understanding of the economic and operational challenges facing these industries, and important issues in the day-to-day management of events and conferences.
Digital Marketing: This unit will equip you with technical skills and the conceptual understanding of how to engage effectively in digital marketing, which has evolved to the extent that it has become the dominant form of marketing in the majority of organisations.
Entrepreneurship & SME Management: You will learn how to recognise and analyse internal and external factors likely to affect the success of small hospitality and tourism businesses, and will develop the skills necessary to conceive, research and communicate a business proposal/ idea to secure the necessary external resources for a business start-up.
Financial Management: This builds on your earlier studies in finance and accounting. You’ll develop an appreciation for how organisations make financial decisions within the context of corporate strategy, and an understanding of the role(s) of financial management in organisations.
Food, Culture & Travel: You will explore the complex relationships between food, culture and travel within an international context, and from commercial and social perspectives, reflecting on aspects of critical food studies and debating a wide range of relevant topics.
International Human Resource Management in Hospitality & Tourism: This unit addresses current human resource management opportunities and challenges such as talent management, mobility and staff retention, which shape the international hospitality and tourism industries and organisations. It provides a forum in which you can critically analyse and reflect on relevant issues and their impact on business and your own management career.
Languages (advanced - French, Spanish or Mandarin): Develop and practise language skills for social and professional contact at home and overseas, building on your previous learning and engaging with a range of occupational situations and strategies for effective business communication.
Managing Crises & Disasters: This unit develops your understanding of concepts and theories of crisis and disaster management and their relevance for the travel and tourism, hospitality and events sectors. You will participate in several disaster simulation exercises, providing insights into the conduct of disaster management.
Sport Tourism: You’ll develop an understanding of the nature and diversity of and changing demands for sport tourism, and of supply structures and sport and tourism providers.
Tourism & Hospitality Design: This unit addresses the role and significance of design in and for the Tourism and Hospitality Industries. You will develop the skills necessary to appraise design in relevant real-world contexts, with an emphasis on creative thinking and practice.
Transportation for Tourism: Focussing primarily on the rail, commercial aviation and cruise industries, you’ll develop an understanding of a range of contemporary transport-related issues that are analysed and set primarily within a public policy and economics context.
Visitor Attractions Management: This unit will explore the factors and issues that influence the development and management of visitor attractions in the UK and other countries. It aims to develop your awareness, understanding and appreciation of the principles and practices relating to the development and management of visitor attractions.
Wildlife & Ecotourism: You will evaluate a diverse range of management approaches and strategies adopted to conserve and protect the natural environment, and appraise the philosophy and practice of wildlife tourism, nature-based tourism and ecotourism, which have emerged and expanded in both developed and developing countries in recent decades.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of BU’s taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Placements

At BU, we recognise that placements are extremely valuable and can give you a head start when it comes to your future career; therefore we now offer every new student the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of their course.

We will provide a great deal of support to help you find the most appropriate work placement for the subject you’re studying and the career you’re interested in, which means you could be based anywhere in the UK, or even overseas.

Find out about BU students’ experiences on placements All you need to know about placements

How placements benefit you

A placement should be a highly rewarding experience for you and the employing company and we do our best to ensure that everyone involved feels that they have got the most that they can from the experience.

Placements provide a great opportunity to make your first career steps and enhance your employability while you’re completing your studies. You’ll get the opportunity to:

Put the theory learnt throughout the course into professional practice
Enhance your study and help you decide on subject options (where appropriate)
Learn a wide range of skills such as time management, problem solving and team work (all of these are important to succeed in any career)
Make contacts, as it is not uncommon for our students to be offered permanent positions to return to after graduating
Gain a real insight into how the industry operates in roles that would be almost impossible to achieve for an outsider
Many of our students, during their placement, are given responsibilities normally associated with graduate trainees.

How long will your placement be?

What support will be available?

The faculty running your course will offer the support of a Placement Coordinator.

They’ll help you plan your placement so make sure you get the right experience for you. That includes offering help and support if you need to move to another part of the UK – and even another country – to get the most out of your time.

We’ve also built close industry links over the years – so our network of employers that are keen to work with placement students is always growing. Or if you’d prefer to arrange your placement independently, we can offer advice on how to do that too.

Our placement students have previously worked with

Your application

For this course will suit applicants who have:

Both intellectual and creative abilities
Good written and oral communication skills
Potential for a career that puts the consumer centre stage
The ability to think logically and organise your work
A real interest in people and places.

How to apply

What we’re looking for

We are looking for passionate, eager students who are going to make a real difference to the course they are studying. Our students learn from each other, as well as their academic staff, so it is really important to us that you can show us how much you care about the course you are interested in.

Your UCAS personal statement is a great place to do this. Tell us about your personal achievements or any relevant work experience you have done, and show us how they make you the ideal candidate for a place on the course.

Selection methods

How we’ll assess your application

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, predicted grades, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview/selection test.

If you meet one or more of our contextual data indicators for educational disadvantage (such as being in care, living in a low participation neighbourhood or in an area with less advantaged socio-economic characteristics), your offer could be between 8-24 points below the published tariff.

Our offer making process

Our offer making will typically be based on your most recent graded qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications on the UCAS tariff tables when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) and the rest of the application to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will still confirm your place.

Our Unconditional Offer Scheme (2019 entry)

Applicants who are predicted to achieve strong academic results will be eligible for BU’s Unconditional Offer Scheme in recognition of their academic performance and potential to succeed at university. If you are selected for the scheme and commit to us as your firm choice of university, then we will match this commitment by making your offer unconditional, which will guarantee your place at BU.

You will receive a standard conditional offer based on the entry requirements for your course via UCAS Track and your offer letter – it will advise that you are eligible for the Unconditional Offer Scheme. We will then update your offer to unconditional should you choose BU as your firm choice on UCAS Track. We believe that unconditional offers reduce pressure on applicants who will continue to strive to achieve the best grades possible. If you achieve ABB or above at A-level or equivalent, you’ll also be eligible for our Academic Excellence Scholarship.

Visit our Unconditional Offer Scheme FAQ page

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff points

We use the UCAS Tariff to show our entry requirements and will accept a combination of grades from your qualifications. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to tariff points.

For 2019 entry: The entry requirements for this course are 104 - 120 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM

GCSEs: This course requires a minimum of GCSE English and Mathematics grade C (or grade 4 in the reformed GCSE grading) or equivalent qualifications.

Numeracy and literacy: We need to be sure that you can express yourself in written English and have basic numeracy skills. We look at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework, which includes GCSEs, iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills Level 2. If you do not have formal qualifications to this level or have alternatives, we may still be able to consider your application – please contact the Future Students Enquiry Service to find out more.

Other qualifications: We have outlined below other qualifications that we consider for this course. If you are studying a qualification that is not listed, please contact the Future Students Enquiry Service – it may be that we can still consider it.

Access courses: 102 - 118 tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit, Pass grades.

BTEC qualifications:

Extended Diploma: This course requires Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 tariff points)
Diploma: 104 tariff points (Grade D*D)
BTEC National Foundation Diploma/ 90-credit Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by A-levels or equivalent.
BTEC National Extended Certificate/ Subsidiary Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by A-levels or equivalent.

Cambridge Pre-U Diploma: 104-120 tariff points including 2 principal subjects.

Cambridge Technical qualifications:

Extended Diploma: This course requires Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 tariff points)
Diploma: 104 tariff points (Grade D*D)
Subsidiary Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by an A-level or equivalent
Introductory Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by an A-level or equivalent

International Baccalaureate (Diploma): 28-31 points overall including grade H5 from 2 Higher Level subjects.

Scottish Higher: 104-120 tariff points from Scottish Highers.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by an A-level or equivalent.

Extended Project Qualification: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by 2 A-levels or equivalent qualifications.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with the Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if it’s included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider applicants for deferred entry.

International entry requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component of writing, speaking, listening and reading or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course. Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement, without the need to re-take IELTS.

Academic entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

We offer a number of preparatory programmes through the Bournemouth University International College. These courses offer you progression from High School in your home country to a Bachelor’s degree at BU.

Options include:

Careers

The tourism and hospitality industries are constantly evolving, as travellers look for ever more ways to enjoy their time away from normal life. There are a wealth of opportunities in this exciting sector and this degree will prepare you for a range of roles.

90% of our students who study Tourism, Transport and Travel courses are working or studying within six months of completing their course.

Among the organisations that our graduates have worked for are Astral Holidays, Costa Cruises, Explore Worldwide, Flight Centre, Hills Balfour, Quay Holidays, Senate Grand Prix, STA Travel, Thomson, TUI Group and Zenith Holidays.

Typical starting roles

Industries worked in

Further study

Costs and fees

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course. You can find full information about funding your studies and paying your fees in our undergraduate fees and funding section. That’s also where you’ll find information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer – including unlimited Academic Excellence Scholarships for UK, EU and International students.

Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise, and we’re committed to ensuring there are no hidden extra costs while you’re at university – that’s why we’re clear about what you can expect us to cover, and what your cost of living will be. You’ll also find you could benefit from a range of discounts as a student.

Find out more about budgeting and living expenses

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

One set of study-related consumables such as a memory stick/ DVD
Materials for laboratory and field-based teaching activity
Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
Disability and additional learning support
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website
Optional fieldwork travel, outdoor wear and footwear (where applicable)
Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.

Repeat units

Our staff

Richard Ward – Programme Leader

Richard research evolves around young adults and alcohol and on food allergen management within the hospitality industry. He is an external consultant/qualification developer to City & Guilds of London for hospitality management, food & beverage supervision and food safety qualifications.

He is also Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and Member of the British Institute of Innkeeping.

View Richard Ward’s staff profile

Dr Philipp Wassler – Lecturer

Course changes

Changes in 2018

Date	Changes to this course
05/06/2018	Where the change was made: Programme specification Change: The languages units (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) have changed assessment from 100% exam to two in-class tests, marked at 50% each, both of which need to be passed. Previous text: N/A

Changes in 2017

Date	Changes to this course
14/11/2017	Where the change was made: Fees Change: After an annual review of the placement year tuition fee, a price increase in line with current inflation, equating to 3% has been introduced. Previous text: £790
06/09/2017	Where the change was made: Key facts and 2018 entry requirements Change: 2018 entry requirements have changed to 104 - 120 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM. Previous text: The entry requirements for this course are 104-120 tariff points from 3 A-levels. BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM.
06/09/2017	Where the change was made: 2018 entry requirements Change: 2018 GCSE entry requirements have changed to This course requires GCSE English and Mathematics grade C (or grade 4 in the reformed GCSE grading) or equivalent qualifications. Previous text: This course requires a minimum of 4 GCSEs grades A* - C (or grade 4 or above in the newly reformed GCSE grading) including Maths and English or equivalent qualifications.

BA (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management

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Key information

Next start date:

Location:

Duration:

Accreditations:

Required subjects:

Entry requirements:

International entry requirements:

Accredited by:

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Planning your future

Course details

Contact hours and assessment

Year 1

Year 2

Placement year

Final year

Programme specification

Placements

How placements benefit you

How long will your placement be?

What support will be available?

Our placement students have previously worked with

Your application

What we’re looking for

Selection methods

How we’ll assess your application

Our offer making process

Our Unconditional Offer Scheme (2019 entry)

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff points

International entry requirements

Careers

Typical starting roles

Industries worked in

Further study

Costs and fees

No hidden extras

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Repeat units

Our staff

Richard Ward – Programme Leader

Dr Philipp Wassler – Lecturer

Course changes

Changes in 2018

Changes in 2017