Course Level:Undergraduate
Next Start Date: October 2023
Duration: 3 Years
Campus Location: University Square Campus, Luton
Attendance: Full-time | Part-time day
UCAS Code:N845

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

Our International Tourism with Hospitality Management students gave 100% satisfaction ratings for the course being intellectually stimulating and useful for the future.

The campus where this course is taught

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

  • Applied Numeracy For Business (AAF020-1) Compulsory
  • Beginning Your Professional Business Journey (MAR026-1) Compulsory
  • Managing People In Tourism And Aviation (TAL038-1) Compulsory
  • Sustainable Business In Tourism And Hospitality (TAL037-1) 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.

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

The University of Bedfordshire warmly welcomes students from all over the world.

To ensure a smooth application process, we have dedicated pages with detailed information about country-specific requirements. You can find information on our generic entry requirements too, if your county is not listed.

International Foundation Year

For those who do not have a qualification that allows for direct entry to an undergraduate degree, we offer our own International Foundation Year program to enhance your English language and study skills and help you bridge any knowledge gaps before starting your degree. The program is taught on our campus by University of Bedfordshire staff and offers pathways into nearly all of our undergraduate degrees.

English Language

The English Language requirement for this course is 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in any subtest) in IELTS, or an equivalent SELT. Have a look at our webpage for a list of English language qualifications we accept. If you do not have the required level of English for your chosen degree, we offer pre-sessional courses to enhance your language skills before commencing your studies.

We are committed to supporting you every step of the way, so please do not hesitate to reach out to our international admissions team for further assistance. We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant academic community.

Clicking this card will take you to https://www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

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


The University of Bedfordshire warmly welcomes students from all over the world.

To ensure a smooth application process, we have dedicated pages with detailed information about country-specific requirements. You can find information on our generic entry requirements too, if your county is not listed.

International Foundation Year

For those who do not have a qualification that allows for direct entry to an undergraduate degree, we offer our own International Foundation Year program to enhance your English language and study skills and help you bridge any knowledge gaps before starting your degree. The program is taught on our campus by University of Bedfordshire staff and offers pathways into nearly all of our undergraduate degrees.

English Language

The English Language requirement for this course is 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in any subtest) in IELTS, or an equivalent SELT. Have a look at our webpage for a list of English language qualifications we accept. If you do not have the required level of English for your chosen degree, we offer pre-sessional courses to enhance your language skills before commencing your studies.

We are committed to supporting you every step of the way, so please do not hesitate to reach out to our international admissions team for further assistance. We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant academic community.

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.

See www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

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 £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.

See www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

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.

See www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

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 £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.

See www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

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

Find out more about additional costs while studying at Bedfordshire. Click here.
Clicking this card will take you to /howtoapply/money/extra-costs/

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