Undergraduate Course
International Tourism and Hospitality Management BA (Hons)
Give yourself the opportunity to embrace careers all over the globe, learn to work in different cultures and adapt to the unique local attractions in the Tourism and Hospitality industry.
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Tourism and hospitality are among the world’s biggest industries. On this degree you will study them from business and management perspectives. If you want a career that lets you travel the world and discover new cultures then this is the degree for you.
York campus
- UCAS code – N8N2 (N830 with placement year)
- Duration – 3 years full time, 4 years full time with placement year
- Start date – September 2024, September 2025
- School – York Business School
Minimum entry requirements
104 UCAS Tariff points
3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.
Tuition fees
UK 2024 entry £9,250 per year full time
International 2024 entry £11,500 per year full time
Discover Tourism and Hospitality Management
Dr Brendan Paddison, Associate Dean at York Business School, introduces us to Tourism at York St John University.
Course overview
You will discover how businesses operate and learn to apply these principles to the tourism and hospitality sectors. As you progress through the degree your learning will become increasingly specialised as you delve deeper into the issues and challenges surrounding these industries. You will learn about the importance of tourism and hospitality in global economic development, as well as focusing on issues of sustainability and ethical practice within the industries.
Being based in a city which is popular with both domestic and international tourists opens up lots of unique opportunities. We will take you beyond the lecture theatre to explore some of York’s cultural and heritage tourism sites. We have close links with organisations across the city and there will be opportunities to get involved in work experience placements with some of these partners.
You will also have the chance to take part in field trips to tourism and hospitality venues in various locations. The experiences, visits and perspectives specific to your course will be applicable to your studies and career, while also creating memories with your fellow course mates that will last you a lifetime.
Although this course is designed to prepare you for the tourism and hospitality industries, the skills and knowledge you gain will be transferable to other business management roles. This means you will have many career options when you graduate.
This course is accredited by the Tourism Management Institute. You will also have the option to gain professional qualifications from the Chartered Management Institute alongside your degree.
As with all of our Business courses, you have the option to go on a placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree. You can also choose to study abroad for a semester at one of our partner universities.
As a Business School we are passionate about social responsibility and sustainability. These values and this commitment will be embedded throughout this course. We are a Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) signatory for the United Nations. Our mission is to develop your potential so that you can make a difference in society.
Course structure
Year 1
Our academic year is split into 2 semesters.
In your first year, you will study:
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 1
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 2
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will examine the nature of business enterprise, its relationship with wider society and what it means to be a responsible business. We will explore ideas including:
- Stakeholder theory
- The triple bottom line
- Corporate social responsibility
- Business ethics
- The role of the state
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module we will introduce you to the service and tourism industries, along with associated industries such as leisure. You will examine how tourism services are produced, provided and consumed and will explore the public, commercial and not for profit sectors of tourism provision. You will investigate the nature and extend of tourism and leisure by looking at key local organisations and their influence.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will explore the different sectors of hospitality and their value to the economy. You will learn about key terminology of hospitality and how drivers of demand in the sector have changed. You will investigate consumer behaviour and why people make certain choices. We will cover areas such as:
- Definitions and terminologies of hospitality
- The inter-relationship between hospitality and wider sectors
- The nature of demand and consumer behaviour
- Evaluation of consumer demand and buying behaviour
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
In the age of Big Data, analytics is becoming a necessity in all areas of business. It is an essential tool to drive managerial decisions and sustain competitive advantage. You will consider the importance of visualising and understanding data, and representing data so it can be used for decision making. You will also examine the importance of big data in today’s business environment and the increasing significance of Blockchain.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Modern consumers are increasingly looking for heightened experiences rather than simple material products and transactions. It is important for hospitality and tourism organisations to constantly strive to enhance the customer experience. On this module you will explore customer requirements and expectations. You will examine the methods used by organisations in the hospitality industry to measure customer satisfaction and ways to improve the customer experience.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will examine the origins, development and organisation of tourism industries. You will also explore the challenges facing organisations that operate across different sectors in tourism. You will explore the development of mass package tourism and consider the social, economic, and environmental consequences of these developments in particular places. We will encourage you to form opinions on how tourism can develop and be managed, both now and in the future, in order to achieve sustainability in economic, social and environmental terms.
Year 2
In your second year you will study:
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 1
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 2
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Whatever industry you go into, you will always find the management of people is a key element in any business structure. On this module you will study the management of people in sports, tourism, hospitality and events businesses. You will appreciate the evolution of HR management and explore the processes of recruitment, selection, training and development. You will also investigate theories of motivation and the factors that influence group dynamics and performance.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will investigate planning, developing and marketing events to attract tourists and promote a destination's image. Event Tourism studies the approaches that cities, regions and destinations of all sizes implement to create a competitive advantage. You will look at tourism strategies associated with new, major, hallmark, regional and local community events. You will also consider what issues can arise when planning, marketing and managing such events.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Operational excellence is critical for success in hospitality and service industries today. It is especially important due to deregulation, global competition, and fast evolving digital technology. On this module you will develop the skills needed in complex business environments involving hospitality service operations. You will explore the challenges that a hospitality manager will face, including design, planning, control, and quality issues.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Organisations need to understand how and why data is acquired, and have the ability to collect, analyse and interpret it. On this module you will learn about quantitative and qualitative research methods and how to use them to your work. We will help you develop skills in data collection, analysis and reporting your findings. You will also develop your project planning and management skills as a way to manage the research process.
Credits: 20
Optional module
Enhance your future employability by experiencing the workplace. We have designed this module to help you develop your skills, knowledge and understanding in different areas related to your career. You will engage with issues such as:
- Career decision making
- The recruitment cycle
- Applying for jobs
- Interviewing
As part of this module you will embark on a work placement or business project in a group, or individually.
Credits: 20
Optional module
This module aims to develop you into a confident, enterprising and creative graduate who will be able to cope with the ever changing business environment, recognise opportunities and to take responsible and measured risks. This is a very practical module. Starting with an initial idea, you will explore and assess a business opportunity and present a feasible business concept. Working alone or in groups, you will develop skills in collecting, analysing and organising ideas and information.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Cultural and heritage tourism is a growing sector of the tourism industry at an international level. It is also a major attraction for the City of York and its region. It's an important factor in connecting our city to the international tourism industry. You will explore the impact of:
- Historical buildings and sites
- Event management
- Museums and galleries
- Food tourism
- Festivals and sport
- Local traditions and customs
Year 3
In your third year you will study:
- A compulsory dissertation or business creation project module across semesters 1 and 2
- 2 compulsory modules in semester 1
- 2 compulsory modules in semester 2
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Optional Placement Year
As with all of our Business courses, you have the option to go on a placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree. If you choose not to do a full year, you can do a shorter placement module in Year 2. You can also choose to study abroad for a semester at one of our partner universities.
Modules
Credits: 40
Compulsory module
This module is your chance to plan and conduct a piece of independent research. You will be able to choose from the following projects:
- Traditional dissertation: Plan and conduct a piece of independent research. Present your findings in a writing.
- Business Research Project: Complete a small scale piece of individual research work.
- Consultancy Project: Work with industry professionals and investigate a business project and produce a research based report.
- Business creation project: Develop a full business proposal and plan. Use primary and secondary research to support your work
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will examine the hospitality industry in detail and the issues facing hospitality managers. We will evaluate the services and products within this industry and the ways in which they can optimise management and business performance. You will analyse the strategic, operational, and financial decisions which affect the success of the hospitality industry. We will explore:
- Customer needs
- Role of accommodation and revenue managers
- Managing the link between departments
- Sales strategies
- Quality control and legislation
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will explore the psychological, social and cultural processes that influence consumer behaviour in the tourism industry. You will look at the nature of tourists, the roles they play, their motivations and their behaviour. You will draw on ideas from the psychology, sociology and anthropology of tourism. Once you understand tourists as consumers, you will explore how to identify target customers, understand their needs and develop products that meet them.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Tourism is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries that has the potential to bring huge economic benefits. However, it also involves diverse stakeholders such as local communities, tourists and public and private sectors. This means it has political implications. On this module you will study sustainability in tourism and what being responsible means for tourists and all its other stakeholders.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module we will explore the range of issues facing hospitality organisations across the world. The following are examples of contemporary issues in hospitality that we may look at:
- Demographic trends and demand
- Business environments and sustainability
- Emerging technologies and distribution
- Social and cultural change
- The increasing role and influence of the media
- The changing nature of tourism
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
All of your modules will be delivered using a variety of different teaching sessions. This includes:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Guest speakers
- Workshops
- Events
Each module has 3.5 hours of contact time a week. This consists of a 1.5 hour lecture and a 2 hour seminar. 1 to 1 time can be booked through our tutorial booker system.
You will have regular individual tutorial sessions with your academic tutors to support your learning. You will also have opportunities to gain work experience through modules which take your learning beyond the classroom and into the city.
Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.
Assessment
We use a wide variety of assessment types, which help you to develop skills relevant to the workplace. This includes:
- Written assignments
- Individual and group presentations
- Practical activities
- Professional skills through collaboration with industry
We encourage you to extend your learning through Continuing Professional Development as you study. The university’s Launchpad services provide extra events, short courses and opportunities to help you make the most of your degree. The academic and professional skills you develop through this will help to boost your employability when you graduate.
Professional skills
We encourage you to extend your learning through Continuing Professional Development as you study. Our Success Lab provides extra events, short courses and opportunities to help you make the most of your degree. The academic and professional skills you develop through this will help to boost your employability when you graduate.
Career outcomes
Your future with a degree in International Tourism and Hospitality Management
This course will give you versatile skills which can be applied across the tourism and hospitality industries, as well as other business management roles. These include problem solving, communication, team work and project management.
This degree could be the first step toward your career in:
- Destination management
- Hotel management
- Tour management
- Travel agency
- Catering management
- Sales and marketing
Discover more career options on Prospects careers advice pages.
Whatever your ambitions, we can help you get there.
Our careers service, LaunchPad provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:
- Employer events
- LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
- Workshops on application writing and interview skills
- Work experience and volunteering opportunities
- Personalised career advice
This support doesn't end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain experience and confidence to succeed.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
104 UCAS Tariff points
3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.
Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
International students
If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.
This course is available with foundation year
If you do not yet meet the minimum requirements for entry straight onto this degree course, or feel you are not quite ready for the transition to Higher Education, this is a great option for you. Passing a foundation year guarantees you a place on this degree course the following academic year.
Mature Learners Entry Scheme
If you have been out of education for 3 years or more and have a grade C GCSE in English Language or equivalent, you are eligible for our entry scheme for mature learners. It's a scheme that recognises non-traditional entry qualifications and experience for entry onto this course. Information on how to apply can be found on our dedicated page.
Advanced entry
Considering transferring to join us in year 2 or 3 of our Business Courses? Please see our Advanced Entry page for information on the courses available and how to apply.
Terms and conditions
Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.
Fees and funding
To study for a degree with us, you will need to pay tuition fees for your course. How much you pay depends on whether you live inside the UK, or internationally (outside the UK). Tuition fees may be subject to inflation in future years.
UK 2024 entry
The tuition fee for 2024 entry onto this course is £9,250 per year for full time study.
This price applies to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.
You can find out more about funding your degree by visiting our funding opportunities page.
Placement year funding
If you choose to take a placement year, and your course offers it, you can apply for the Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan for your placement year. How much you are awarded is based on the type of placement being undertaken and whether it is a paid or unpaid placement. The tuition fee for your placement year will be reduced.
Tuition fees
UK 2024 entry £9,250 per year full time
International 2024 entry £11,500 per year full time
International 2024 entry
The tuition fee for 2024 entry to this course is £11,500 per year for full time study.
This price applies to all students living outside the UK.
Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a Student Visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.
Find out more about funding your degree.
Additional costs and financial support
There may also be some additional costs to take into account throughout your studies, including the cost of accommodation.
Course-related costs
While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include a DBS check, purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
Study Abroad
For more information on tuition fee reductions and additional costs for studying abroad, please visit our study abroad pages.
Accommodation and living costs
For detailed information on accommodation and living costs, visit our Accommodation pages.
Financial help and support
Our Funding Advice team are here to help you with your finances throughout your degree. They offer a personal service that can help you with funding your studies and budgeting for living expenses.
For advice on everything from applying for scholarships to finding additional financial support email fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.
Course highlights
Engage with live projects
You will be able to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, developing your skills and enhancing your employability. The hospitality and tourism module will offer you a unique and valuable learning experience, equipping you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in such a fast-paced and exciting industry.
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Inspirational field trips
There's no better place to learn about the tourism industry than York. You will have the opportunity to partake in visits to local tourist destinations in and around North Yorkshire. Develop your understanding with a mixture of local tourist venues.
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Links to local industry
Rich in history, York offers the Norths strongest Industries for both tourism and hospitality venues. Meet local businesses, develop your network and take the opportunity be amongst it. You will meet industry leaders on the course to further develop your understanding of these industries.
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Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the Tourism Management Institute (TMI), who support destination management professionals throughout their career, from students to established senior practitioners.
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Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)
York Business School is one of only a few Business Schools to be a signatory of the United National Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME). PRME have identified 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that address some of our most critical economic, social, environmental and governance challenges. All of our courses are aligned to these goals, and we also contribute to the goals through our research.
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More to explore
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Join us in 2024
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Open Days
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What makes us different
Get in touch
Enaelle International Tourism and Hospitality Management BA (Hons)
I found the course interesting because in this globalised world, tourism is one of the biggest industries and covers a large range of activities. Even if at the beginning I did not know what I wanted to do precisely, I knew I wanted to do something related to the service industry. Hence, I got to experience and explore so much. It is a wide and borderless industry.
