• Undergraduate

International Hospitality Management with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

Overview

Overview

Why study at the University of West London?
  • Ranked 30th university in the UK - The Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Our Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism courses are ranked #1 in London - Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction - National Student Survey 2024**
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

This course looks into both the practical and managerial aspects of the world of hospitality. You will gain important transferable skills, such as customer service and analytics that will equip you to understand this fast-paced industry, which can lead you to a number of careers within international hotel chains or small hospitality and food business organisations.

This course has a strong focus on technology and sustainability, as well as delivering the skills needed for the hospitality managers of the future. You will learn how managing a hospitality organisation is an ever-changing and dynamic industry, with an additional introduction to the concept of hospitality professionals who need to be nimble and adaptive.

You will be able to explore other important aspects of the international hospitality industry, such as: 

  • the increased use of big data and artificial intelligence
  • organisations that focus on the customer experience
  • gaining loyalty to deliver profit. 

When you graduate, you will have the business acumen to comprehend, manipulate and present information and data while having the operational knowledge needed to run a hospitality business.

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. 

Foundation Year 

The foundation year course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to continue onto your Honours degree. You will study a range of subjects that will underpin your future study and also gain valuable experience of university life, with full access to campus facilities. Successful completion of the year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course. Please note that a £2000 Path to Success bursary is available to all UK foundation year students, which is non-repayable.

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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 Hospitality Management with Foundation Year with us?

Why study International Hospitality Management with Foundation Year with us?

What our students say…

UWL has a great community feel and I love my course. It's the place to be.

Kyle Birch
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Graphic advising the UWL's Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism courses are ranked 1st in London
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UWL is a member of The Council for Hospitality Management Education (CHME)
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

Hospitality is changing at a fast pace and needs people who can manage the changes in technology and use of data analytics as well as provide excellent service. You will be equipped with the ability to meet the needs of the industry, now and in the future. You will also develop essential 'SMART' Professionals skills, which stands for:

  • Service Minded
  • Managerial skills
  • Analytical
  • Responsible
  • Technological awareness.

The practical classes will enable you to develop your skills whilst applying theory, from a range of modules, to practice. You will be able to partake in a range of activities including trips, workshops and guest speaker sessions, which will enhance your understanding of contemporary issues in the industry.

In response to demand from employers in the industry, we offer a balance of theory and hands-on learning to prepare you for your career. You will gain diverse skills in marketing, HR, finance, operations and food service whilst focusing on technology and analysis of large quantities of data to help you to stand out in the hospitality business.

You will be encouraged to take a strategic approach to hospitality enhancing your understanding of the ever-changing fast-paced business, economic and social demands placed on the industry. In this context, you will also examine and experience the complexities of management-level roles. In addition, you will build your knowledge of the global business of hospitality with modules that focus on international trends and operations.

Foundation year

There are many reasons for joining a foundation year course; you may not have the exact subjects or grades at A level to meet the entry requirements, you may have been living abroad or want to change direction with your career. Whatever your starting point, the foundation year offers a firm grounding in the skills and knowledge that you will need to get the most from your studies and thrive at University. Successful completion of the foundation year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course.

Compulsory modules

  • Personalised Learning

    The Personalised Learning module is intended to equip you with the study skills needed to successfully progress onto level 4, the first year of undergraduate study. Tutor group sessions are an integral part of the module, where you will consolidate your learning and frame it in the context of your subject area. The module will focus on various aspects of study skills, such as those skills related to reading and writing, learning approaches, problem-solving techniques, critical thinking, researching, referencing, plagiarism, legal research and time management.

  • Study Skills for Success

    This module will enable you to read critically, present an argument, and distinguish between the quality and suitability of materials. It will prepare you to use and evaluate a range of evidence sources throughout your degree.

  • Business Environment in Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure

    This module will seek to identify the structure and characteristics of tourism, hospitality and leisure industry and examine how external factors within the business environment influence its growth and development.  You will explore emerging issues at both a national and international level and enable you to understand the framework in which the tourism, hospitality and leisure industry functions and the context in which managers make their decisions. 

  • Careers in Hospitality, Events, Aviation and Tourism (HEAT) Industries

    On this module, which includes input from industry, you will develop your understanding of the varied careers available in the HEAT sectors. The module covers careers and how they overlap, industry bodies, types of employer from SMEs to multinationals, personal and social media etiquette, and how to develop your career through study.

  • Delivering the Customer Experience

    In this module, we will introduce you to the role and importance of customer service and experience within the hospitality, tourism, events, and airline industries.

  • Introduction to Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure

    This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the nature and the structure of the hospitality, tourism and leisure industries both locally and internationally. You will also focus on contemporary issues that impact on the organisation and functioning of hospitality, tourism and leisure related sectors. In addition, the module will focus on the history and growth of the hospitality, tourism and leisure industries in terms of demand and supply; providing you with an overview of the inter-dependence of these sectors in elements of product and services provided to customers. 

Compulsory modules

  • Becoming a Hospitality Professional

    The module will address the key areas required for future employability within the hospitality industry. The module will also focus on comprehending and applying effective academic competences.

    In terms of employability, the module is designed to equip students with knowledge and understanding pertinent to employment within the hospitality sector. With these skills graduates can enhance their employment prospects.

  • Organisational Behaviour in the Hospitality Industry

    The module aims to provide students with knowledge of the different levels of behaviour established in the workplace in order that they develop a better understanding of the role of the manager in a contemporary organisation. In addition, the module aims to develop the student with sufficient knowledge to be able to recognise the influence from a range of employee attitudes and behaviours on organisational outcomes.

  • Managing Financial Information

    This module will introduce students to Management and Financial Accounting with an eclectic combination of Accounting and Statistics.  The overall aim of this module is to introduce students to basic Accounting and Statistics principles and techniques, and to be able to apply these techniques for planning control and decision-making for business problems in the hospitality sector. Students will report the context, analysis and findings in an appropriate business format making use of available technology.

    Financial and Management Accounting addresses important and well used techniques to be found in industry and stresses the ability to be able to report the outcome of such analysis for planning, control and decision-making. Use will be made of inspecting and commenting on published annual reports from relevant organisations within the industry.

    There will be an emphasis on presentation and interpretation of data, as well as calculating and using averages and measures of dispersion for Statistical analysis. 

    These tools can be applied to all aspects of business including accounting, HR and marketing but also will enables analysis of research data.

  • The Guest Experience for the 21st Century

    This module aims to develop your understanding of the “guest” needs and expectations in all areas of the “guest” experience and enable you to analyse the profitability of customer centric organisations. The module will identify the importance of managing the “guest” journey in order to deliver customer loyalty and maintain organisational viability.

  • Hospitality Operations

    This module aims to develop the skills and understanding of the processes required to manage a hospitality department or unit from an operational perspective.

    To successfully manage hospitality operations there is requirement for managers to become equipped with a practical understanding of the relevant underpinning theoretical knowledge involved in delivered the customer service. This includes an understanding of technical, management and leadership skills associated with the rooms division and food and beverage operations. The importance of customer service will be assessed in the context of the service delivery.

You will study all the compulsory modules and will choose ONE of the optional modules


Compulsory modules

  • Digital Marketing and Consumer Behaviour

    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. This module aims to offer you an overall perspective of the aspects of consumer behaviour in a digital age. 

  • Talent Management and Leadership

    In this module, you will explore 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. You 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.   

  • Technology and Innovation

    The application of technology and innovation in the hospitality industry has been growing significantly in recent years. This module will examine and analyse historical technological developments and focus on contemporary technologies and how they are being utilised and could be utilised in the future. An understanding and the ability to apply technological solutions, in an innovative way, will be a key skill in the graduate of the future and this module aims to provide the foundations in these key areas. Technology and innovation can be categorised into 5 approximate areas, in terms of the rationale for development and implementation; operational efficiencies, cost reduction, revenue generation, product differentiation and improve environmental performance. These will be analysed in the context of the hospitality and hotel management industries.

  • Sustainable Hospitality

    This module will introduce you to the importance of managing sustainability within the field of hospitality.  The module aims to enable you to demonstrate how hospitality businesses can improve their sustainability practices whilst meeting the needs of the customer.

  • 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.

Optional modules

  • Managing a small business

    The module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects in the development, growth and management of small businesses. Students will develop insights, concepts, and skills necessary to understand the start-up process through the development of a small business concept.

  • Cross Cultural Management for the Hospitality Industry

    This module aims to provide students with a systematic understanding of the theory and practice of cross-cultural management with the hospitality sector. It will allow students to understand the implications of interacting with staff and guests from diverse cultural backgrounds. It seeks to provide the students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to critically analyse and evaluate the implications of cross-cultural management and how to implement it in an operational context.

You will study all the compulsory modules and will choose ONE of the optional modules


Compulsory modules

  • 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.

    Students initially produce a proposal report of their research idea and complete a set of research ethics forms in accordance with the University’s research ethics policy. Thereafter, students work towards completing the research project with advice and guidance from the academic team. The project culminates in the submission of a capstone thesis which incorporates a thorough critical review of the literature, a detailed methodology outlining relevance and limitations, a critical analysis and discussion of the results and the critical evaluation of the outcomes of the work.

  • Revenue Management and Distribution

    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 the hospitality organisations to achieve sustainable financial success.

    The module will make use of simulation software both in the delivery and assessment in order to place the students in a real-world situation and allow them to understand the practical implications of decisions made within the context of revenue management.

  • Operational Risk Management

    This module is designed to enable you to have a developed understanding of the need for risk management within hospitality operations.  The module will consider risk management across other industries and seek to apply best practice to hospitality analysing changes in contemporary risk areas including supply chain, cyber risk, risk culture and appetite and improvements in risk management documentation.  The aim of this module is to develop your ability to apply risk management methods and techniques to a business to ensure effective and compliant.

  • Hospitality Analytics and Strategy

    Studying strategic management and analytics will provide students with knowledge and understanding of the internal and external business environment. From this, 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. 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.

    Critical to this is the use of analytics, by which key decision makers become confident data consumers. From this, managers will be able to determine how to use data analytics as part of the strategic process. The module will explore the importance to organisations of using appropriate analytic tools to collect relevant data, make strategic recommendations from interpreting the data. In addition, the module will explore and analyse how organisations apply and implement the data derived through using analytics, evaluating the effectiveness of the data.

    The module will also enable you to demonstrate and explain core theories on strategic management and the use and application of analytics, which is integral to this. On completion of the module, you will be able to recognise and apply contemporary strategic management tools, as well as how analytics are used to interpret, inform and enable strategic decision making. This will give students a wider knowledge of the importance of analytics in gathering and extracting relevant data to drive the strategic management process, enabling identification of relevant and appropriate strategies to position an organisation to maintain and develop its competitive position.

Optional modules

  • Managing Hospitality Projects

    The module aims to provide students with knowledge, understanding and practical tools required to run successful projects in both academic and real-life contexts. In addition, the module aims to develop the student with sufficient knowledge to be able to recognise the role and importance of successful project managers and the use of Microsoft Project software Package in ensuring projects are sustainable.

  • Designing the dining experience: from the Diner's Perspective

    This module is designed to critically evaluate the potential factors help to create or influence dining experience of guests. You will be able to study and analyse dining experience from social point of view while apprising to what extent atmosphere impacts on flavour and taste. Menus play an important role in creating customers’ expectations and consequent experiences. Therefore, you will appraise attributes of menus (tangible and intangible) in order to enhance the guests dining experience. Technology has become an integral part of daily life and it extends to the dining table in the form of social media and augmented reality. You will also be able to conduct a first-hand experiment and analysis of whether or not the technology can be capitalised on in order to facilitate a positive dining experience.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

72 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A-Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A-Levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass
  • 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 Hospitality Management without Foundation Year?

View 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.

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Looking for BSc (Hons) International Hospitality Management without Foundation Year?

View 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.
5.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the four 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 Hospitality Management without Foundation Year?

View 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.

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Looking for BSc (Hons) International Hospitality Management without Foundation Year?

View 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.
Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Foundation year bursary

If you are a UK student joining a foundation year course with UWL, you will receive a £2000 Path to Success bursary to support your studies. This is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. You will receive £500 per year subject to your attendance, engagement and progression through your studies. 

To find out more, explore our Undergraduate scholarships and bursaries page.

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year*

Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Ariane Lengyel profile picture

Dr Ariane Lengyel

Ariane Lengyel is a Senior Lecturer in Hospitality Management.

With over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Ariane has a considerable professional background spanning from Europe, to the South Pacific to Asia. She spent over ten years in the Rooms Division Department before moving onto Sales and Marketing at corporate level, working for companies such as Hilton and Accor. Ariane’s experience informs her teaching and she shares her in-depth understanding of the industry with her students who benefit from real-life applications of theory. Her academic practice is informed by constant interaction with the industry and keeping abreast of technological and strategic developments within the world of hospitality in order to develop the skills needed by graduates.

Ariane’s research interests lie within the sociological and cultural study of food with a particular interest in the role of celebrity chefs in contemporary British society.

Ariane Lengyel is a Senior Lecturer in Hospitality Management.

With over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Ariane has a considerable professional background spanning from Europe, to the South Pacific to Asia. She spent over ten years in the Rooms Division Department before moving onto Sales and Marketing at corporate level, working for companies such as Hilton and Accor. Ariane’s experience informs her teaching and she shares her in-depth understanding of the industry with her students who benefit from real-life applications of theory. Her academic practice is informed by constant interaction with the industry and keeping abreast of technological and strategic developments within the world of hospitality in order to develop the skills needed by graduates.

Ariane’s research interests lie within the sociological and cultural study of food with a particular interest in the role of celebrity chefs in contemporary British society.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A bearded man in a suit talking to a female cleaner

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.

Career progression routes upon successful course completion:

By developing your management background in the context of hospitality, you will also gain transferable skills that will make you an appealing candidate for:

  • international hotels
  • UK hotel and leisure groups
  • restaurant companies
  • contract or licensed sectors
  • independent hospitality or food businesses.

You could also choose to start your own business, as a number of alumni have done.

Further study that can be undertaken upon course completion: MA Luxury Hospitality Management

How to apply

How to apply

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 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. 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.