BA (Hons) International Tourism Management with Placement Year

Love to travel? Curious about how destinations build unforgettable experiences? This course is for people who want to turn that passion into a career. On the BA (Hons) International Tourism Management with Placement Year at the University of Hertfordshire, you’ll explore how global tourism really works—from planning and marketing to technology, sustainability, and culture—while gaining real-world experience through a full industry placement.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

You’ll start with the essentials—learning what tourism and hospitality are really all about, and how to create great visitor experiences. Modules like Introduction to Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management and Designing the Visitor Experience help you understand how to bring destinations to life, while Understanding Cultural Communities opens your eyes to how culture plays a key role in travel. You’ll also build up the creative and communication skills that every tourism professional needs.

Year 2

In second year, things get more detailed—and more practical. You’ll explore how destinations are marketed in Destination and Event Marketing Research, learn how data and trends shape business decisions in Business Analytics for Events & Tourism, and tackle important issues like sustainability and responsible travel. You’ll also explore how technology—from booking systems to social media—shapes the way people experience tourism today.

Year 3 (Placement Year)

Now it’s time to get out there. You’ll spend a full year working in the tourism industry—maybe with a tour operator, hotel group, cruise line, or events company. The university will help you land a placement, and past students have worked with exciting organisations like Walt Disney World Resorts, Hilton, and Wendy Wu Tours. It’s a chance to apply what you’ve learned, grow your network, and see what kind of role suits you best.

Year 4

In your final year, you’ll look at the bigger picture—how tourism impacts communities, how global trends are shaping the industry, and how to lead and plan in a rapidly changing world. You’ll choose from optional modules like Destination & Visitor Attraction Management or Business Tourism & Events, and either complete a Dissertation or do an Applied Project on a topic you’re passionate about. You’ll graduate with a clearer sense of your strengths and a strong portfolio to show employers.

Focus areas

Tourism marketing, visitor experience design, sustainability, cultural awareness, tourism analytics, destination management

Learning outcomes

By the end of this degree, you’ll know how to create and manage tourism experiences that are smart, sustainable, and meaningful—and you’ll have real industry experience on your CV.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

While there’s no formal industry accreditation listed, the course is designed in close collaboration with industry experts, with a strong emphasis on practical skills, placements, and employability.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Hertfordshire is recognised for its strong teaching and student satisfaction—it holds a Silver rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) and was awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise in 2024. It also ranks #1 in the East of England for overall student positivity (NSS 2024). Plus, over 95% of students are in work or further study within six months of graduating.