Bachelor of Science in Tourism

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Breda University of Applied Sciences

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Tourism at Breda University of Applied Sciences is a unique joint degree offered with Wageningen University & Research, designed to educate changemakers who can tackle complex challenges in the tourism sector . This program is a strong fit for students who are internationally-minded, curious about the world, and driven to find sustainable solutions to real-world problems by understanding tourism as a complex socio-economic and environmental system .

The curriculum is structured over three years, with the first two years based in Breda and the final year in Wageningen . Your first year introduces you to the multidisciplinary nature of the field through modules like Tourism Principles & Practice, which frames tourism as a complex system, and Environment & Tourism, where you study the impact of tourism on biodiversity and climate . The year is balanced with social sciences in Sociology & Tourism and foundational research skills in Fundamentals of Research Design .

In your second year, you will deepen your knowledge of sustainable tourism development, covering areas such as planning, policy, and destination management, while also exploring ethics and cross-cultural studies . This year culminates in an international field project abroad, where you apply your skills from courses like Tourism Systems Analysis and Cross Cultural Studies to investigate how tourism can improve the quality of life at a real destination .

The third and final year is completed at Wageningen University. In the first semester, you will choose a minor to specialize in an area of personal interest, such as business administration or environmental sciences . The final semester involves selecting advanced modules on topics like policy, environment, or sustainability, and completing your bachelor's degree with a thesis .

Focus areas: Sustainable tourism development and tourism system design .

Learning outcomes: Graduates can explain tourist behavior and the societal significance of tourism; analyze the structure of the tourism industry; understand the relationship between tourism and global transformations; design and execute research projects; translate research into policy recommendations; function in international teams; reflect critically on tourism issues; and assess ethical and sustainability issues .

Professional alignment (accreditation): The program holds international accreditations from UNWTO/Tedqual and THE-ICE, guaranteeing its high standards and quality . Its focus on sustainability and academic rigor aligns with the expectations of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT), a key standard for international physiotherapy programs .

Reputation (employability rankings): The program is highly regarded, consistently ranking among the top in the Netherlands as a "Topopleiding" in the Keuzegids Universiteiten 2025 . BUas, as an institution, is ranked #22 globally in Hospitality and Leisure Management (QS World University Rankings 2025) and #1 in the Netherlands for Hospitality and Tourism Management according to the Shanghai Rankings

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program integrates practical application throughout your studies, from first-year excursions to international fieldwork projects where you collaborate with local organizations and communities . You will build a professional portfolio and apply academic knowledge to solve complex problems at actual tourist destinations .

Specific experiential learning components of the BSc Tourism program include:

E-Lab/Digilab Module: In the first year, you will participate in this award-winning, six-week module specifically designed to develop your digital skills . You will work with professional tools like Google Analytics and MailChimp to analyze real company data, use Powtoon to create animated videos, and even design a mock-up for a mobile application concept. This module culminates in a final presentation where you pitch your app idea .
National Field Project: At the end of the first year, you will undertake a one-week fieldwork project within the Netherlands. In small groups, you will conduct a quantitative research project on a specific aspect of tourist behavior, such as media consumption or the impacts of overtourism .
International Field Project: In the second year, you will participate in a more extensive four-week fieldwork project at a European destination . This involves a "slow travel" journey to the destination, where you will conduct research to determine how tourism can contribute to a better quality of life for the local community. You will apply knowledge from courses like Tourism Systems Analysis and Cross Cultural Studies and present your findings to local stakeholders . For example, recent projects have taken students to destinations such as Singapore, Bali, Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand .
Group Projects and Collaboration: The program is built around a "learning community" model, with significant emphasis on collaborative, project-based work where you and your peers tackle current issues in sustainable tourism development . This can involve working on real cases for companies and organizations, such as developing a sustainable expansion plan for an airport or a tourism concept for a nature reserve .

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Tourism are equipped as academic changemakers who can analyze and influence tourism as a complex system, prepared to tackle pressing issues like sustainability and globalization. This unique joint degree with Wageningen University leads to careers where alumni can contribute to the responsible development of the sector at a strategic level. Typical job roles for BSc graduates include strategic policy advisor, consultant, researcher, or commercial officer within tourism boards, governmental bodies, NGOs, research firms, or major travel companies.

To support your career launch, BUas provides a range of specific services and benefits:

University Services: The program has an External Advisory Committee of professional organizations, including the ANVR, to ensure curriculum relevance. While specific career service details are not listed, the program's structure inherently builds employability through projects with companies like TUI, Booking.com, and Disney.
Employment Stats and Salary Figures: Specific employment statistics for the BSc Tourism program are not provided. However, graduates often pursue master's degrees first. For the related professional Bachelor in Tourism Management, 42% secure a job within the field directly after graduation, with an average gross monthly salary of around €2,430 for a 36-hour week.
University–Industry Partnerships: The curriculum is deeply connected to industry, with partnerships that include major companies like TUI,and Disney, who contribute guest lectures and real project cases.
Long-term Accreditation Value: The program and BUas are highly regarded internationally. BUas holds accreditations from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO.TedQual) and is consistently ranked as a top institution in the Netherlands. The institution is also ranked #22 globally in Hospitality and Leisure Management by QS World University Rankings 2025.
Graduation Outcomes: Upon completion, you earn a joint Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from both BUas and Wageningen University & Research. This qualification opens doors to a wide range of MSc programs or direct career opportunities in research, policy, or consultancy.

Further Academic Progression:
The BSc Tourism program is specifically designed to prepare students for further academic study. Almost all graduates choose to pursue a master's degree. You can continue at Wageningen University with an MSc, for example in Tourism, Society and Environment, or apply to a broad range of international MSc programs in fields like sustainable development, economics, or social sciences.