About the course
Open doors to an exciting career in a rapidly evolving industry incorporating all aspects of world travel from airlines and hotels to visitor attractions and eco-tourism. This globally focused course develops your understanding of tourism while giving you the practical skills you need to take on a management role in the sector.
Alongside the development of your business and management skills, your studies focus on global issues such as the development and management of sustainable tourism; the impact of new technology on travel, tourism and mobility; and the environmental, economic and social impacts of tourism. Our approach places the business of tourism within an ethical framework, which is essential in an industry whose prime attractions include the natural environment and local cultures.
The course is practice based, with theory put to the test in real-life scenarios from within the international tourism industry. You also benefit from field trips to tourist destinations and attractions, and have the opportunity to take a year in industry in the UK or abroad.
The University of Bedfordshire is a member of The Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE). ATHE is the subject association for tourism in higher education in the UK. It represents universities that are leading providers of tourism programmes.
Why choose this course?
- Study theory and practice in different branches of tourism, including hospitality, visitor attractions, heritage and sustainable tourism
- Gain knowledge of the strategic management of tourism-related businesses
- Benefit from regular guest speakers from industry, providing insight into your chosen career
- Develop your skills in analysing and interpreting complex information, ready for employment
- Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry (see below), gaining experience, developing your language skills and building your CV
- If you need to step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year (see below), which guarantees you a place on the degree course
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Units
- Business Of Tourism And Hospitality (TAL031-1) Compulsory
- Business Practice Explored (BSS005-1) Compulsory
- Consumer Behaviour (MAR022-1) Compulsory
- Intercultural Competence In Business (MAR013-1) Compulsory
- Understanding Tourism And Hospitality (TAL021-1) Compulsory
- Using Data To Build Business Practice (BSS004-1) Compulsory
- Career In Practice (MAR027-2) Compulsory
- Cultural Tourism And Heritage Management (TAL045-2) Compulsory
- Events And Destination Marketing (TAL046-2) Compulsory
- Intercultural Management In Tourism (TAL036-2) Compulsory
- Tourism And Society (TAL049-2) Compulsory
- Travel And Tourism Law (TAL034-2) Compulsory
- Continuing Professional Development (MAR027-3) Compulsory
- Critical Issues In Tourism And Hospitality (TAL030-3) Compulsory
- Research Methods (TAL034-3) Compulsory
- Research Project (TAL035-3) Compulsory
- Tourism And Sustainable Development (TAL037-3) Compulsory
- Tourism Destination Development (TAL015-3) Compulsory
In line with the Business School's commitment to practice-based education, a large part of the assessment will relate to your demonstration of your ability to synthesise class room learning with real life scenarios within the international tourism industry. We will want to see that you understand the theory and have developed critical thinking skills which help you evaluate the relevance of what you have learned. To assess this range of integration of theory and skills into sound practice, we use a range of methods. You will be expected to complete one or two assessments per unit, which depends on the number of credits allocated to the unit. You will encounter many different kinds of assessment methods, for example: written exams, written assignments, portfolios, reports, individual or group oral presentations and practical skills assessment. All of which will enable you to gain valuable experience to use within the workplace.
Reasons to study in the Bedfordshire Business School
- A BSIS school - Business School Impact System
- Holder of the Bronze Award among 21 Business Schools in the country for start-up and business growth advice
- CIPD approved
- Professional body exemptions, ACCA, AIA
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 96 points with 80 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 96 points with Merit Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction Distinction in the BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 96 points with 80 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 96 points with Merit Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction Distinction in the BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
How will this course improve my career prospects?
The course opens up diverse career opportunities with companies like tour operators; destination management companies; airlines; and major hotel chains. You can find roles in areas such as international tourism development; tour operations; air transport management; destination management; business development and marketing; ground handling; and tourism marketing.
You can also choose to study at postgraduate level in related areas such as our MSc International Tourism Planning and Management.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Extra costs for this course
Throughout your course there are opportunities for extra-curricular activities and learning experiences.
These activities are optional but are an important part of the learning experience.
The events are available to both our undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The Department of International Business, Marketing & Tourism support and fund the majority of these activities but there is some need for students to make contributions.
The extra costs are normally £20 - £50 for local events and £75 - £200 for overseas events.
Extra Costs
The Business School facilities
We believe that our estate impacts how our students learn and engage. To support this belief we have invested heavily in our facilities to shape the physical and intellectual environment of learning.
Business Pods
Our specially created teaching spaces are designed like modern offices rather than a traditional classroom, including brain storming and boardroom areas, an IT suite and a social area.
Moot Court
Our Moot Court was opened in October 2009 after extensive refurbishment work and the installation of the latest electronic equipment. Reserved exclusively for use by law staff and students, the room routinely hosts lectures and seminars, and is designed to enable communication and group work in class.
Reuters Finance Room
The Thomson Reuters Eikon facility provides trading information for all listed companies around the world. It gathers the essential news, data, analytics, commentary and insights in one place.
Here we use it in making case studies on companies and for building students' portfolio of investment.
Luton Campus Library
The modern library at the Luton campus has everything you would expect from a world-class university – and more.
Opened in summer 2016, its seven storeys building is a landmark for the Luton campus, offering students silent-study rooms, group-work areas, presentation-practice rooms and a café.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
