Tourism and Hospitality Management BA (Hons)

Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses

The tourism and hospitality sector is rapidly expanding locally and globally. It offers a wide range of career opportunities, including hotels, resorts, restaurants, event planning, travel agencies and tourism boards. It is worth billions to the UK economy.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26 2026-27

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

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

UCAS codes

N890 / 09VN / 098N

Start date

June 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Event

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Tourism is a key area of the domestic and global economies. 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.

Why study this course

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.

This industry is fast-paced and challenging, requiring flexible, hardworking and determined individuals to head the evolving industry. Working in this industry opens the possibility of exciting working conditions, meeting people from all cultures and using creativity to solve problems in your day-to-day activities. A degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management develops a range of transferable skills that are valuable in various industries. These skills include communication, leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, customer service, and organisational abilities.

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.

Accreditation and professional recognition

The degree element of this course is accredited by the following for the 2023/2024 intake:

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.

What you'll study

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 successfully complete year one are eligible for an HNC in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Modules

Understanding the Global Hospitality and Tourism Industries - 30 credits

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 looking to invest in the UK. You will also understand the basics of how to analyse a business company.

Compulsory

Hospitality Operations - 30 credits

In this module we examine day-to-day business planning and operations from a managerial perspective. You will cover several 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

Marketing and Financial Management in Hospitality and Tourism - 30 credits

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, pricing 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

Tourism Geographies - 30 credits

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 UK and globally, 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 successfully complete year two are eligible for an HND in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Modules

Human Resource Management in Tourism and Hospitality - 30 credits

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

Compulsory

Sustainable Tourism and Destination Management - 30 credits

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, and the emergence of new more sensitive and apparently more sustainable forms of tourism.

Compulsory

Strategic Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism - 30 credits

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

Compulsory

Crisis Management and the Impact on the Global Hospitality and Tourism Industry - 30 credits

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

There is no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They are a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

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

UK Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This year you are working at a professional level, taking on a managerial perspective and clarifying your leadership skills. You will 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 will cover events management, strategic business and present a professional-level consultancy project. You will become confident in your own development planning and demonstrate commitment to your continuous improvement as an aspiring manager of teams.

Students who successfully complete year three are awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management and a Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH) Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management.

Modules

Emerging Issues in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry - 30 credits

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

Compulsory

Strategic Business Impact - 30 credits

As a manager within a hospitality or tourism organisation, decisions 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

Event Management for Tourism and Hospitality - 30 credits

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. Students may have the opportunity to host a public event at the campus as part of their assessment.

Compulsory

Investigative Project in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry - 30 credits

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, with the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field².

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 current 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 aims to develop 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.

Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from module to module, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 contact hours per week. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

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.

Breakdown of final grade assessment:

coursework
interactive assessments
group work
presentations
case studies
investigative projects
academic posters and infographics
event management
human resource management.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

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

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Entry level	What we're looking for
HNC	64 UCAS tariff points. GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND	80 UCAS tariff points. GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree	104 UCAS tariff points. GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards. 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.

Access to HE course
Successful completion of our Business Studies Access to HE course will guarantee you progression onto this degree programme, subject to meeting specified criteria.

If you undertake an Access to HE course, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. If you are eligible and awarded an Advanced Learner Loan, and successfully complete an eligible Higher Education course, the outstanding balance from your Access course could be written off. For full information and to check your eligibility visit www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies.

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

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Entry level	What we're looking for
HNC	64 UCAS tariff points. GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND	80 UCAS tariff points. GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree	104 UCAS tariff points. GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

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 (with at least 5.5 in each component area).

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.

Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£7,950 per year	Not available
EU	£7,950 per year with EU Support Bursary £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£16,800 per year	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. As an indication, students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2025/26 will pay £1,300.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Fees and funding page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

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 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
student support and careers advice teams.

Careers and opportunities

On successful 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.

As one of the strongest sectors in terms of growth and employment opportunities, the tourism industry contributes £131.5 billion of the UK’s gross domestic product with over 4.3 million jobs in the UK and over 10% of all jobs worldwide.

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 global companies such as the Marriott Hotel, Whitbread and Birmingham Airport.

How to apply

BA (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 02477 652222

cuc@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
CUCU044

International students should apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 02477 652222

internationalenquiries.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority 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 university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University 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.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website. 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 university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.