Tourism and Hospitality Management BA (Hons)

Study level: HNC/HND courses
Student in the Coventry Cathedral ruins

Tourism and hospitality is a large expansive industry, benefiting from consistent year-on-year growth in the UK. It supports millions of jobs in England and is worth billions to the UK economy.

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC

Course code

N890 / 09VN / 098N

Start date

July 2023

How to apply
Book an Open Day
Download a prospectus
Contact us

Course overview

This industry is fast paced and challenging, requiring flexible, hardworking and determined individuals to head the evolving industry. Working in this industry opens up the possibility of exciting working conditions, meeting people from all cultures and using creativity to solve problems in your day to day activities.

As a broad, successful and widely-respected degree, students who study this course can benefit from varied career prospects. This course incorporates general business and management principles, so you could progress into the hotel industry, events management, travel operations and many more.

Why CU Coventry

We offer a style of education which is flexible and designed to fit around your life, allowing you to benefit from a modern, forward-thinking higher education institution, reinforced by the quality and reputation of Coventry University. We aim to provide career-focused courses, wherever possible, coupled with placement opportunities to help prepare you for the world of work. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone, so we keep our fees low and made it a policy to cover one module at a time, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving onto the next.

Top 5

Coventry University has been rated Top 5 for Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism

Guardian University Guide 2021

Accreditation and Professional Recognition

CTH logo

Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality

The Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH) is the UK’s leading specialist professional awarding body for qualifications in the growing hospitality and tourism sector. Graduates of our degree course are awarded a Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management, a professionally recognised qualification.

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What you'll study

Tourism is a key area of both the domestic and global economy. As such, there is a real demand for talented individuals who understand the management of tourism and hospitality businesses and who can help develop strategic and operational business solutions.

This course is designed to ensure that our graduates are the talented and knowledgeable individuals needed for the tourism and hospitality industry, providing you with the skillset to be successful in this growing market.

You will be introduced to the impact of globalisation on countries, cultures and the tourism and hospitality industry. This introductory year aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the key issues and problems in the contemporary development of hospitality and tourism. You’ll explore management and marketing principles, the global environment and tourism basics, gaining a solid foundation for progression into years two and three. Students who complete year one are eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Modules

  • Looking at internal and external factors you will consider tourism and hospitality globally. As an introduction to the course, you will look at cultural diversity with the interactions and practices of an international company coming to the UK. You will also understand the basics of how to analyse a business company.

    Compulsory

  • In this module we examine day-to-day business planning and operations from a managerial perspective. You will cover a number of vital aspects that not only impact employees, customers and the business but also many of the important financial protocols. Considering all operations, you will also analyse the effectiveness of management practices, discussing approaches to achieve and monitor operational effectiveness.

    Compulsory

  • Aligning with the financial aspects covered in the operational modules, you will look at fully integrated marketing responses at all levels, with the importance of branding and customer loyalty. This is connected with the importance of fiscal management and the need for a thorough understanding of revenue, profit and loss and capital investment.

    Compulsory

  • Developing general geographical knowledge, you will explore the importance of landmarks and tourist attractions. This will include a variety of destinations, tourist types and characteristics. This module also examines the impact of tourism on the country, including an examination of the social, cultural, geological and geographical features of tourist destinations.

    Compulsory

You will be given the opportunity to learn to identify key theoretical and sociological approaches and analyse the ways in which social factors and institutions are constructed and represented. Students who complete year two are eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Modules

  • Human resource management is a fundamental element of performance in the tourism and hospitality sector. You will gain the skills required for successful people management, and you will see how transferable skills are implemented to improve business operations.

    Compulsory

  • In this module, you can expect to develop knowledge on the emergence of alternative types of tourism and ethical practices as antidotes to traditional modes of mass tourism. The specific aims of this module are to investigate the multiple connections between different types of tourism, their uses and impacts on environments. The emergence of new more sensitive and apparently more sustainable forms of tourism.

    Compulsory

  • While focusing on contemporary management issues, you’ll discuss the changing nature of marketing from a strategic perspective. There’s a real focus on brand identification and the importance of customer service, so you’ll develop a planned and focused approach to long-term marketing campaigns including digital, social media and traditional marketing efforts.

    Compulsory

  • This module will examine crisis management in tourism and hospitality from the consumer and stakeholder viewpoints, while highlighting the impact of pertinent media management. Crisis management critically engages you with relevant theories and principles, as they relate to contemporary events such as virus outbreaks, terrorist attacks and tsunamis which have shaken customer confidence.

    Compulsory

An optional placement or sandwich year* gives you the chance to gain further insight into the industry or career you are seeking to follow, enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to the workplace. You can also apply to take an optional year abroad* between years two and three.

If you decide to take advantage of a placement year this version of the degree will help you acquire valuable work experience and gain an understanding of what employers seek in graduates. It is your responsibility to find a placement with an employer within your chosen sector. The Talent Team, alongside the course team, will support you throughout your placement year.

Previous students of this course have gained internships domestically and internationally at global companies such as the Cosmopolitan Boutique Hotel in Spain and in America through BSG placements in their executive country clubs. Sandwich or placement years are completely optional and do not count towards your final classification. However, they can be valuable experience and may help you to stand out from the crowd of graduates when applying for jobs.

Modules

  • Optional

  • Optional

This year you are working at a professional level, taking on a managerial perspective and clarifying your leadership skills. You’ll be building on the culmination of knowledge gained in previous years and focusing on transferable skills including project and time management. Centring on executive topics, you’ll cover events management, strategic business and present a professional-level consultancy project. You’ll become confident in your own development planning and demonstrate commitment to your continuous improvement as an aspiring manager of teams.

Students who complete year three are awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Modules

  • Focusing on the current global market, this module explores recent research on the evolution of tourism policies, strategy making, implementation and measurement. You’ll develop a clear awareness of major, current, theoretical and policy issues. You’ll also cover tourism regulations and how they fit into contemporary policy and governance frameworks.

    Compulsory

  • As a manager within a hospitality or tourism organisation, decisions taken must consider the internal business and macro environment. You will put your skillset to the test, undertake an analysis of the wider business environment and consider how to utilise outcomes to shape decisions made as part of a leadership team.

    Compulsory

  • The module provides a theoretical and practical approach to planning, managing and evaluating events in the tourism and hospitality industry. It examines the skills necessary to become a successful events manager, such as marketing for events, financial reporting, project planning, event bidding and consumer behaviour.

    Compulsory

  • The independent project is a strategic endeavour, to demonstrate that business success in the industry is the product of efficient collaboration of key elements. Students can choose from a wide range of relevant topics and base them within a base destination of their choice.

    Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

This course is available as a full-time three year or optional four-year sandwich course, the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field.

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our online learning platform, Aula. You can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.

Assessment

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which take place at the end of each six-week block.

Breakdown of final grade assessment:

  • Coursework
  • Interactive Assessments

Job ready

On completion, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the theoretical, analytical and practical aspects of policies, strategies and processes within a changing environment.
  • Critically appraise theories related to the development of a tourism management strategy including, the risk factors that need to be considered in the development of a successful strategy, such as, country, currency, cultural and competitor risk.
  • Develop appropriate research, alongside the ability to undertake reliable market research activities.
  • Operate, lead and collaborate in a team to solve problems of a practical (experimental) nature and to provide appropriate solutions.
  • Apply appropriate presentation and evaluation tools to establish the significance of research data produced.

International experience opportunities

Previous students have had the opportunity to participate in international field trips to Barcelona, Munich, Paris, Prague, Amsterdam, Madrid and Dublin.

Students who have chosen to take placement years have secured global internships in New York, Florida, Dubai and a variety of European destinations.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022/23 entry.

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, we offer a number of programmes to help you secure a place. Successful completion of one of the below programmes guarantees you a place on a degree course with us, subject to meeting specified criteria.

Foundation Year
This degree programme has an integral stage 0 attached to it, so if you do not meet the entry requirements you may enter at the foundation level. Successful completion of our Business Foundation Year will guarantee you progression onto this degree programme.

Access to HE course
Access to HE courses aim to bring your academic skills and topical knowledge up to optimal standard for higher education study. If you undertake an Access to HE course and then successfully complete a degree programme, the remaining balance of your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off. Successful completion of our Business Studies Access to HE course will guarantee you progression onto this degree programme.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with a foundation year. Upon successful completion our Business Foundation Year will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on how to apply and travelling to and living in the UK.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 (HNC - year 1/HND - year 2) or 6.5 (Degree/Top Up - year 3).

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

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Tuition Fees

We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £6,800 per year Not available
International £15,300 per year Not available

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

All our facilities are located at Mile Lane. Our building has been designed to enable collaboration, creativity and innovation to flourish, and includes (subject to availability):

  • Indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a café
  • A library that includes loan laptops, over 115,000 eBooks and a silent study area
  • Open access IT suites and 83-inch teaching screens
  • Engineering lab, science lab and a moot courtroom
  • Student support and careers advice teams

Careers and opportunities

As one of the strongest sectors in terms of growth and employment opportunities, the tourism industry brings £106 billion to the UK economy.

With a degree in tourism you have the opportunity to move into a wealth of careers, such as management, marketing, business and even crisis management.

Where our graduates work

Some graduates have gone onto further study in business, advertising, public relations, enterprise and branding at institutions across the UK and internationally, while others have gone on to work successfully in leading global companies such as the Marriott Hotel, Whitbread and Birmingham Airport.

How to apply

  • Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the CU Group. A copy of the 2022/23 contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the CU Group will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at CU Coventry.

    Tuition fees

    The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.

    For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.

    Accreditations

    Many of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the CU Group maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. 

    Facilities

    Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Placements and study abroad opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.

    Additional costs

    This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas.

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