BSc (Hons) International Tourism & Hospitality Management

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Canterbury Christ Church University

Program Overview

The University of Northampton offers the BA (Hons) in International Tourism & Hospitality Management (Top-up) for students who have already completed a relevant foundation degree, Higher National Diploma (HND), or equivalent qualification. This one-year top-up program is designed to deepen your understanding of the global tourism and hospitality industry, focusing on both strategic and practical aspects of management. The course prepares graduates to thrive in a competitive, fast-changing sector that plays a crucial role in the world economy.

Even though this is a Top-up degree, the structure mirrors the natural progression of a three-year program, ensuring that students experience the academic development and depth expected from a full honours degree:

  • Year 1 (Foundation-level knowledge – prior study): Students typically build a base in business management, marketing, tourism operations, and customer service, giving them a solid grounding before joining the top-up year.

  • Year 2 (Developing specialist knowledge – prior study): At this stage, learners usually explore areas such as event management, hospitality service design, tourism sustainability, and business strategy, preparing them to apply theory to real-world settings.

  • Year 3 (Top-up year at Northampton): Students join directly into the final year, where they focus on advanced modules such as International Destination Management, Strategic Tourism & Hospitality Management, Research Project/Dissertation, and Contemporary Issues in Global Tourism. This final stage emphasizes critical thinking, independent research, and leadership skills, ensuring graduates are ready for senior roles in the industry.

Curriculum Structure:
The course balances academic theory with real-world application. Core areas of study include:
Strategic Tourism & Hospitality Management – developing the ability to lead and make decisions in a global context.
International Destination Management – exploring how destinations are marketed, developed, and sustained.
Contemporary Issues in Tourism & Hospitality – focusing on current challenges such as sustainability, cultural diversity, and digital innovation.
Independent Research Project – a capstone project where students investigate a specialist area of interest and apply research skills gained throughout the program.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Learning at the University of Northampton is highly applied, with strong links to industry:
Live Case Studies and Projects: Students engage with real businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector, applying classroom learning to practical challenges.
Industry Guest Lectures and Workshops: Senior professionals from hotels, event companies, and tourism boards regularly share insights and trends.
Field Trips: Opportunities to visit international and regional destinations, hospitality providers, and cultural attractions to understand industry practices firsthand.
Work Placement Options: While the top-up year itself is intensive, many students benefit from part-time or voluntary industry roles in Northampton’s vibrant hospitality sector and beyond, strengthening their CVs and professional networks.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The University of Northampton provides dedicated career support through its Changemaker Hub, which helps students prepare for life after graduation:
• Tailored career advice and one-to-one guidance.
• Support with CV writing, interview skills, and career planning.
• Access to employer networks and exclusive recruitment events.

Employability:
Graduates from this program are highly employable in a range of roles within the international hospitality, events, and tourism industries. Typical career paths include hotel and resort management, destination marketing, event planning, travel consultancy, and operations management within airlines, cruise lines, or tourism boards. The degree also opens opportunities in corporate hospitality and luxury brand management.

Further Academic Progression:
Students who wish to continue their studies can pursue postgraduate qualifications such as an MSc in International Hospitality Management, MSc in Tourism & Events Management, or an MBA. Some also branch into related fields such as sustainability, cultural studies, or international business at the postgraduate level.

Program Key Stats

£15,500
£ 29
Sept Intake : 14th Jan


Eligibility Criteria

BBC
2.5
29
60

6.0
60

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • Hotel Manager
  • Resort Manager
  • Event Manager
  • Tourism Officer
  • Travel Consultant
  • Destination Marketing Manager
  • Cruise Line Manager
  • Hospitality Operations Manager
  • Airline Customer Service Manager
  • Conference and Banqueting Manager
  • Tour Operator
  • Restaurant Manager
  • Guest Relations Manager
  • Luxury Brand Manager
  • Hospitality Entrepreneur
  • Travel Writer
  • Cultural Tourism Coordinator

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