Tourism and Hospitality Management with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Foundation year
Two tourism students working on laptops in a classroom.

The Tourism and Hospitality Management with Foundation Year BA (Hons) course aims to provide you with a solid grounding for building a career in this exciting industry.

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

Course code

198N

Start date

September 2023
November 2023
January 2024
March 2024
May 2024
July 2024

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The information on this page is for 2022-23 entry and should be used as guidance for 2023-24 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.

Course overview

The Tourism and Hospitality Management with Foundation Year BA (Hons) course aims to provide you with a solid grounding for building a career in this exciting industry.

The strength of the course lies in preparing students, who are unable to follow the more traditional route onto a degree course in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

  • The Tourism and Hospitality Management with Foundation Year BA (Hons) begins with an introduction to the world of business with a strong focus on management, business communications and marketing in a global context. The initial foundation year creates opportunities for you to develop vital business skills and to put theory, both traditional and contemporary, into practice with real-world scenarios as well as preparing you for study at undergraduate degree level.
  • Students who successfully complete their foundation year will then progress onto the Tourism and Hospitality Management BA (Hons).
  • 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. 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.
  • Students who study Tourism and Hospitality Management BA (Hons) 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. Wherever possible we aim to provide career-focused courses, coupled with placement opportunities2 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, so you have the opportunity to study topics in-depth and give assignments your full attention before moving onto the next.

Accreditation and Professional Recognition

The Tourism and Hospitality Management BA (Hons) degree part of this course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies1:

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.

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.

The Tourism and Hospitality Management 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.

Your foundation year is a common first year for other courses which could mean you will work alongside students doing similar courses to you which would widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You may also have the ;potential opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

This course shares a common foundation year with Business Management and Leadership with Foundation Year BA (Hons) and Marketing and Public Relations with Foundation Year BA (Hons).

Modules

  • This module explores the application of communication in business through a variety of methods. You are required to undertake a range of practical activities such as role plays, in different organisational and cultural settings, and examine the relationship between management and workforce. You’ll also conduct thorough research of communications, using analytical theories as well as examining key management communication tools. Finally, you’ll identify your own, personal learning style, and have an opportunity to develop these skills within a supportive and culturally sensitive environment.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide an overview of the skills required by managers and leaders in business. You’ll explore why having an effective manager is crucial to the success of an organisation, in addition to identifying successful characteristics of a manager and highlighting how they contribute to the development of a cohesive and productive workforce. We also encourage you to develop and refine your own management characteristics, as you look at relevant theories such as motivation, decision-making and problem-solving. You’ll get to practice a range of management activities and learn the competencies required to manage a business effectively.

    Compulsory

  • The role of marketing within an organisation is critical to the success of any business. This module develops your understanding of the key principles of marketing and how these contribute to the achievement of business objectives. Marketing is a vibrant, fast-paced and exciting area of business and by the end of this module, you’ll know the role of marketing research, effective planning and the development of a fundamental tool, the marketing mix. You’ll also exercise your acquired analytical skills and evaluate key, contemporary techniques and their practical applications in a business setting.

    Compulsory

  • In today's highly competitive environment, there is an increasing number of small and medium sized firms that are involved internationally and the trend is expected to continue due to the globalisation of the world economy, markets, and intensified international competition. 

    Students will explore the growing importance of global business in the 21st century, and consider a range of operational activities and their interdependent roles and impact upon the wider strategy of the organisation wishing to trade internationally. The module will cover the principles of international trade and global business and the challenges faced by organisations, cultural differences, ethics and logistics from the viewpoint of achieving both operational and strategic objectives. 

    Compulsory

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 year three and your final year. Students who complete year two 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 three 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

There’s 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 before your final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

  • 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

  • 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’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 the final year 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

Your initial foundation year is focused on applied learning geared to high intensity teaching and study throughout the course. The delivery of course content is a blend of lectures, tutorials and online mediums.

After your foundation year, you will have the option to do either another three years full-time or a four-year sandwich course where you undertake a work placement or study year in a related field.

Our teaching methods for the degree courses are varied depending on which course/modules you take, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of 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.

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.

Teaching contact hours

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

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

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2022/2023 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

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.

Assessment

During your foundation year, 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. This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the degree selected or the module.

Course breakdown:

  • Coursework
  • Interactive assessments

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.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022 entry.

40 UCAS tariff points. All Foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at A-C including Maths and English, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you don’t fulfil the entry criteria your application may be considered on an individual basis, taking into account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. 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

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

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.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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

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Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK TBC   Not available
International TBC   Not available

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.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance 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.

  • 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 & Hospitality Management you have the opportunity to move into a wealth of careers, such as management, marketing, business and even crisis management.

On successful completion of the Tourism & Hospitality Management with Foundation Year BA (Hons), 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.

Where our graduates work

Some graduates of our Tourism & Hospitality Management 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

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, 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 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 COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the 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 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

    Due 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.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. 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.

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