• Undergraduate

International Tourism Management BSc (Hons)

Overview

Overview

Why study at UWL? 
  • In the top 30% of universities nationwide - The Guardian University Guide 2024
  • University of the Year for Social Inclusion - Daily Mail University Guide 2024
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
  • Number 1 London university (non-specialist) - National Student Survey 2023**

Would you like a job where no two days are the same? Our degree in International Tourism Management opens the door to a career in this growing and diverse, global industry. You will gain key business skills and industry knowledge relevant to an exciting range of careers within the sector. 

London is one of the world’s leading tourist destinations and home to some of the leading international tourism companies. UWL’s strong links with employers allow us to offer you unique insights and study opportunities. These include lectures, workshops, and assessments with leading travel and tourism professionals. 

For aspiring and ambitious students willing to work hard, this course provides a solid foundation for your move into management within the tourism sector. 

Our courses offer opportunities to discuss current issues and examine solutions from a sector perspective. Our course content is developed with support from a wide network of sector professionals to include changes in the industry.

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study International Tourism Management with us?

Why study International Tourism Management with us?

What our students say…

The skills and knowledge I developed on the course helped me secure a management position. It also provided a foundation for life-long learning and a desire to continually learn new things and develop my skills.

Stephen Styles
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Graphic advising the UWL's Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism courses are ranked 1st in London
Industry links with Heathrow and British Airways
Industry focused teaching
statistic announcing this course has been ranked 23rd overall in the UK by the Guardian University Guide
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

A successful manager knows their industry well and has a well-rounded set of skills that enables them to deal with daily challenges.

This course will support you to develop your operational, management and communication skills to deliver an excellent customer experience.

The focus of the course is on understanding the travel and tourism industry as a business. 

You will learn about:

  • the structure and organisation of the tourism industry
  • how the industry is changing and why
  • the needs of customers
  • the development of new tourism products and services 
  • how new products and services are brought to the market. 

Examples and case studies are taken from a range of different companies and organisations in the public and private sectors from all regions of the world.

The diverse module options and the final year project will give you the opportunity to explore a particular area of tourism interest, which can help you identify and work towards your career goals.

Placement*

You can choose to take this course with a work placement of 40 weeks (1400 hours) after Level 5. This can be in any sector of the travel and tourism industry, either in the UK or abroad. It will allow you to expand your network, gain paid experience and enhance your professional skills. Once our placement is over, you will return for your final year of studies.

*As we are in unprecedented and unpredictable times, there is no guarantee that you will be successful in securing a placement in the UK in the future.

If you choose a course with a placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route. This is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.

The placement route for this course is open to UK students only.

Compulsory modules

  • Introduction to Travel and Tourism

    This module aims to provide students with understanding of concepts concerned with travel and tourism. It familiarises students with the operating characteristics of the tourism industry and the business relationships between its sectors. The module adopts a multidisciplinary approach, thus developing a wide range of competencies.

  • Professional Skills for Tourism Management

    The module is divided into two main areas: students’ academic development and employability. The first part of the module provides students with some of the skills needed to study at the UKHE level; such as essay and report writing, academic referencing and presentation skills. This aspect of the module seeks to provide students with a firm foundation for later, more detailed academic and research work at Level 5 and 6. 

    In terms of professional employability, the module is designed to equip students with knowledge and understanding pertinent to employment and with skills to assist them to enhance their employment prospects.

  • Travel and Tourism Finance and Planning

    This module will provide the knowledge related to the underlying concepts of profitability in financial and economic terms – the principles of supply and demand, costs and revenues – and the relentless desire amongst many tourism organisations to reduce costs and grow ancillary revenues. The module will also analyse the concepts and principles as to how tourism organisations attempt to obtain the capital they require in order to operate and grow.

  • Worldwide Tourist Destinations

    This module aims to introduce students to the role of physical, human, political and economic geography in the travel and tourism industry. It develops your understanding of the complexities of global travel and the key geographic determinants of tourism destinations. This module develops academic knowledge and practical skills relevant in the tourism industry.

  • Tourism Service Operations

    This module seeks to represent a contextualization of the principles of tourism service operations. This will be achieved through the application of ideas concepts and theories applied to the travel, tourism and transportation industry. Here the use of examples and case studies will be central to the delivery of the module.

  • Tourism Culture and Society

    This module aims to engender an understanding of the role played by culture upon representations of people, populations and pasts in the tourism marketplace. The purpose of this module is to explore the embodiment of culture in contemporary international tourism movements. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach this module will require students to inspect the relationship between tourism and culture in society in different destination areas.

Compulsory modules

Placement students spend their third year of study out in a work placement in a business directly related to the international tourism sector. Students return to complete their Level 6 year after completing their work placement.
  • Talent Management and Leadership

    This module explores talent management, which has become an area of significant importance in international HR practice, as retaining excellent employees plays an important role in the strategic competitiveness of an organisation. This is never so important than in today's ever-changing work environment, where businesses operate in an environment of not only risk but also volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA).

    The module will develop your understanding of the requirements for entrepreneurial leadership, which is essential in enabling the dynamic capabilities of the organisation. This module aims to develop your understanding of the requirements for successful leadership and talent management in an ever-changing world.

  • Applied Research Methods

    The module aims to provide you with broad knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of research. It focuses on the use of a range of different research methods and approaches. The module encompasses the understanding and application of appropriate research methodologies, research approaches, research designs, forms of data collection, research statistics and report writing and presentation.

  • Managing Sustainable Tourism

    This module focuses on the importance and evolution of the concept of sustainable development and how it applies to the context of tourism. The module identifies the core principles of sustainable development and looks at the implementation challenges faced by policymakers and destination managers in making all forms of tourism more sustainable.

  • Travel Technology and Innovation

    The module examines how technology influences and changes tourism products, operations, processes and tourist behaviour in modern society. A review of global technological trends will also be undertaken to determine the cultural significance of technology to specific tourism societies and tourism businesses. The emphasis throughout is upon how we might more effectively address the challenge of creating and sustaining competitiveness in tourism organisations through the mechanisms of technology and innovation.

  • Digital Marketing and Consumer Behaviour

    In this module, you will be introduced to the dynamic and changing world of digital marketing and communications. The importance of creating and sustaining internal and external digital communications as well as delivering the online customer experience are explored. The module also aims to offer you an overall perspective of the aspects of consumer behaviour in a digital age.

  • Leadership and Talent Management with Placement (Placement students only)

    This module explores talent management, which has become an area of significant importance in internationally HR practice, as retaining excellent employees plays an important role in the strategic competitiveness of an organisation. This is never so important than in today's ever-changing work environment, where businesses operate in an environment of not only risk but also volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA). The module will develop your understanding of the requirements for entrepreneurial leadership, which is essential in enabling the dynamic capabilities of the organisation.

Optional modules

  • Tourism Fieldwork (Overseas fieldwork)

    An overseas field trip during which students will research cultural and heritage tourism through observing current challenges such as visitor management, tourist and local interaction and diversification of the tourism offer. 

    Note that the cost of this module is not included in the tuition fees for the course.

  • Global Contemporary Issues in Travel and Tourism

    This module presents a dynamic overview of global contemporary trends and issues in the travel and tourism industry. It therefore aims to identify and analyse some of the key current issues that are pertinent to the travel and tourism sector worldwide. It also aims to equip students with a deeper understanding of the background, nature and implications of the identified issues.

Compulsory modules

  • Strategic Management and Analytics

    In this module, students will develop core analytical and evaluation skills in recognising and interpreting how organisations maintain and develop competitive advantage through the use of analytics and strategic management tools. The application of analytics is a key part of this, including the concept of data, together with the application of analytical skills to select data to inform the organisation’s strategic decision making processes. Students will also be able to interpret relevant data and its implications for the organisation, together with evaluating how the organisation can use the data to support strategic management decisions.

  • Revenue and Distribution Management

    This module aims to provide students with a systematic understanding in the theory and practice of revenue management and its impact on hospitality and hotel businesses as well as their customers. It seeks to provide the students with knowledge and skills to enable them to critically analyse and evaluate market condition, pricing strategies, inventory control tactics and customer value assessment in order to make appropriate management decisions that enable hospitality organisations to achieve sustainable financial success.

  • Dissertation

    The aim of the dissertation module is to provide students with the opportunity to critically review, analyse and evaluate a topic of their choice related to the subject area of the course that they are studying. This is best done by conducting research in that topic and presenting the outcomes in a thesis. The module builds on knowledge and understanding that students may have achieved as part of an introductory research methods module. However, this is a self-contained module and it is not a pre-requisite to have been previously studied an introductory research module.

Optional modules

  • Tourism Risk and Opportunities

    Tourism destinations and tourism businesses are becoming increasingly exposed to various risks and prone to disasters due to global environmental changes and security challenges. This module provides a strategic approach to understanding the nature of tourism risks, and learning how organisations could plan for and manage such risks in order to minimise, or even turn them into opportunities.

  • Niche Tourism

    This module covers the current debates in one of the key areas affecting the tourism industry – its fragmentation into a number of specific markets and the development of niche products. It, therefore, aims to develop a knowledge and understanding of the niche tourism provision globally. 

    In doing so, the module will discuss a range of macro and micro socio-economic and environmental influences pertaining to the growth and development of niche tourism. It will also examine the influence of national and transnational tourism development policy relevant to niche tourism and consider the implications of this for tourists, the host communities and the wider tourism industry.

  • Tourism and Events in the Global Context (TEGC)

    This module will take an explicit international approach. Tourism and Events will combine theory and practise which will address challenges and opportunities globally. You’ll examine the impacts and benefits globalization has on the tourism and events industry.

  • Tourism and Digital Futures

    The module focuses on the digital futures of tourism. The module will examine the reasons for digital transformation within the tourism industry, which are related to innovation, the creation of new structures, and the implementation of a new culture, processes and technology. The module will also look at the premise that travellers have changed and how tourism businesses can develop new opportunities to meet their expectations and enrich their tourism experiences.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

112 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A Levels at grade B, B and C, or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction, Merit, Merit
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

 

Looking for BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Looking for BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
6.0 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept. 

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

Looking for BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Looking for BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Peter Smith has short light brown hair and is wearing a suit.

Dr Peter Smith

Peter Smith is the Course Leader for BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management programme at the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism. Peter has over 12 years’ experience teaching and leading tourism programmes at University level.

Peter’s research is interdisciplinary, focusing on the sociology of tourism. He is the co-author (with Jim Butcher) of Volunteer Tourism: The lifestyle politics of international development (Routledge, 2015).

Peter worked in the independent travel sector for many years. Immediately prior to embarking on an academic career, Peter was the UK Customer Relations Manager for STA Travel, the UKs leading student/youth travel company, where he was responsible for leading and implementing the company’s national customer relations strategy. Peter draws on his industry experience to inform his teaching, modules and wider curriculum development.

Peter regularly appears in the media and at public events discussing travel, tourism and mobility related issues. He has been interviewed for Radio 4 The World Tonight, Radio 5 live Nicky Campbell and presented an opinion piece on BBC London television news.

He has given guest lectures at a number of HE institutions including, Kings College London, University of Brighton, London Metropolitan University and Canterbury Christ Church University. Outside academia Peter has spoken at and participated in public debates for a range of organisations including: the Royal Institute of British Architects, Royal Anthropological Institute /Development Studies Association, The Cheltenham Science Festival, Clarke Mulder Purdie, and the Battle of Ideas annual festival in London.

Peter Smith is the Course Leader for BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management programme at the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism. Peter has over 12 years’ experience teaching and leading tourism programmes at University level.

Peter’s research is interdisciplinary, focusing on the sociology of tourism. He is the co-author (with Jim Butcher) of Volunteer Tourism: The lifestyle politics of international development (Routledge, 2015).

Peter worked in the independent travel sector for many years. Immediately prior to embarking on an academic career, Peter was the UK Customer Relations Manager for STA Travel, the UKs leading student/youth travel company, where he was responsible for leading and implementing the company’s national customer relations strategy. Peter draws on his industry experience to inform his teaching, modules and wider curriculum development.

Peter regularly appears in the media and at public events discussing travel, tourism and mobility related issues. He has been interviewed for Radio 4 The World Tonight, Radio 5 live Nicky Campbell and presented an opinion piece on BBC London television news.

He has given guest lectures at a number of HE institutions including, Kings College London, University of Brighton, London Metropolitan University and Canterbury Christ Church University. Outside academia Peter has spoken at and participated in public debates for a range of organisations including: the Royal Institute of British Architects, Royal Anthropological Institute /Development Studies Association, The Cheltenham Science Festival, Clarke Mulder Purdie, and the Battle of Ideas annual festival in London.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

Lots of smartly dressed businesspeople standing in a large room talking

This course prepares you to lead effectively in an ever-evolving sector, with the skills and confidence needed to tackle the issues the sector is facing today and into the future.

Once you graduate you could go on to work in:

  • tour operating
  • hotel and resort management
  • retail travel 
  • cruise shipping
  • attractions management
  • the transport industry
  • public sector tourism agencies.

Alternatively, you could advance your studies with a postgraduate course at the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism. Popular postgraduate travel and tourism courses at UWL include:

How to apply

How to apply

Events and opportunities

A group of UWL International Tourism Management students attend World Travel Market

World Travel Market

Our International Tourism Management students attended World Travel Market in London’s ExCell Centre.

As well as the opportunity to network with industry professionals, they attended round table discussions and speeches about challenges facing the global tourism industry, sustainability and graduate job opportunities.

Course Leader, Dr Peter Smith explained, “The World Travel Market is an annual event held in London and is an invaluable opportunity for our students to meet representatives from all over the world showcasing their destinations. Students can meet and chat with industry professionals in a relaxed yet informative environment.”

A group of UWL students visit Madrid

Madrid Field Trip

Our International Tourism Management students recently completed a 4-day field trip to Madrid, as part of the Level 5 (Year 2) Tourism Fieldwork module.

Students researched cultural and heritage tourism in the Spanish capital, visiting sites including old town, the Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and Catedral de la Almudena. 

Course leader, Dr Peter Smith said, “Madrid is a fantastic city for students to observe and research current tourism management challenges such as visitor management, tourist and local interaction and diversification of the tourism offer, in a European context.

Dr Cristina Maxim author of World Tourism Cities A Systematic Approach to Urban Tourism, accompanied the group and worked with students on their observations and research projects. 

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.