Our courses

Overview

Britain’s tourism sector is an economic powerhouse. Generating £106 billion a year, employing over 2 million people, supporting thousands of businesses, and making up over 80% of the UK's total visitor economy, the UK’s tourism sector is a vital part of the UK and global economy.

Tourism is recognised as a leading sector in the UK government’s future economic planning. Along with the national tourism agency ‘Visit Britain/Visit England,’ they are building a significant and long-lasting strategy to drive economic growth, focusing on increasing productivity through developing skills, career paths, and building seasonality. Tourism is, therefore, driving continual demand for specialist graduates who not only understand both the theories of business and tourism management but are also equipped with practical experience.

This course has been developed to give students the key business skills needed for a successful career in this sector. There is a particular focus on the current challenges facing the tourism industry. These include sustainability, global issues, ethical tourism, diverse competition, and crisis management. Designed to unlock your potential by enhancing both your commercial awareness and specialist subject knowledge, this course is a perfect entrance into this exciting, important, and growing industry.

*All students enrolled onto this degree will be able to access free membership into the Institute of Hospitality. Uniting professionals, Promoting excellence, Facilitating learning. 

Structure and content

See below for the modules you will study:

Foundation Year

• Research Skills
• Data Skills
• Communication Skills
• Professional Development Skills

Year 1

• Hospitality, Tourism and Events Environment
• Academic and Professional Skills
• Managing Quality in Hospitality, Tourism and Events
• Business Finance

Year 2

• Customer Service Management for Tourism and Hospitality
• Managing Human Resources
• Tourism Management
• Principles and Practices of Marketing
• Sustainability in Career Development

Year 3

• Live Project
• Executing Business Strategy
• Contemporary Issues
• Undergraduate Major Project (Leadership in Practice)

For a more detailed overview of the course modules you can view the Course Information Sheet here.

Course Information Sheet

Entry requirements

ARU London's standard offer is 96 UCAS tariff points from 3 A Levels, e.g. BCC.

Alternatively, ARU London asks for:

• Irish Leaving Certificate: BBCCC.
• Scottish Highers: BBCCC.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: DMM in a business-related subject.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: 24 points.

All applicants are required to have at least 3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English and Maths. 

If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.

Applicants studying for other qualifications should contact ARU London to discuss their circumstances.

We also welcome applications from mature individuals who can demonstrate appropriate, relevant work experience.

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on our assessment of your overall suitability for the course. We treat everyone as an individual which means we will look at your whole application including any relevant work experience and personal circumstances as well as your educational qualifications. Please contact admissions@london.aru.ac.uk for more information.

International Students Undergraduate Entry Requirements 

To join the first year of our undergraduate course you’ll need one of the following.

• GCE A levels from a recognised UK examination board.
• An International Baccalaureate with a minimum of 24 points.
• A university foundation course recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.
• Relevant qualifications obtained in your home country: see our country-specific entry requirements.

If you've completed study at university level in the UK or your home country you may be eligible to enter directly into Year 2 or 3 of a related degree course at ARU. Find out more about transferring to ARU.

Teaching and assessment

Knowledge and understanding is assessed via a number of methods including a range of assignments. These assignments can be in a variety of forms from a written Management Report, to an analysis of a company report, to a presentation that responds to an organisational issue which allows opportunities for students to partake in a practical experience which syntheses theory and practice.

Formative assessment will be provided throughout the duration of the course, providing feedback to improve students’ knowledge and development, whilst allowing the opportunity to evaluate student academic needs.

Most modules will have at least two assessments which provides an opportunity to assess knowledge and understanding and a range of skills in an effective manner.

Intellectual Skills

These are assessed a variety of coursework and assignments and the major project. The written assignments have clearly delineated word limits to encourage the concise presentation of structured, well supported argument and opinion. The Major Project, at Level 6, allows students to demonstrate their mastery of cognitive skills at the highest level of attainment specified in the General Business and Management benchmark statements and affords students the opportunity to synthesize their knowledge.

Practical Skills

Assessment of practical skills is undertaken both formatively and summatively and involves assignments in various forms such as presentations and reports and those specific to Tourism such as the ‘Live’ project. Students are also given many opportunities to critically appraise practical techniques in a variety of situations such as tutorials and simulations.

Transferable Skills

These skills are again assessed in a variety of ways, for example students may be asked to make a presentation to a particular audience (e.g. employers) as part of an assignment or they may need to be able to work as a team member in researching the information that will be needed for that presentation. Generated

Timetable

Full-time Schedule:

Standard delivery:
Studying on campus 2 days a week which is Monday - Friday (10:00-17:00)

Employability

In your third year, you will undertake the Tourism and Events Live Project which will enable you to integrate your academic knowledge with experiences beyond the classroom and combine your developing knowledge, skills, and personal ideas to expand transferable skills which can be applied in the workplace. This is prodigious for your CV, and will cement your footing in the industry.

Your lecturers all have first-hand experience of business and hospitality. You are therefore assured that the content of your degree will be directly relevant to the demanding, constantly evolving world of business and tourism.

During your studies, there will be the opportunity to participate in various events and one on one sesions run by our employability team with the specific objective of enhancing your future employment prospects. This includes CV workshops, interview techniques, career counselling and visits from prospective employers.

We work with several employers to be able to offer parttime work in conjunction with our courses. On successful completion of this course, you might choose to move onto our postgraduate studies, such as our Master of Business Administration (MBA) International.

We encourage all students to consider their future when choosing what degree to study. We don't expect everyone to know what they want to do after university, but it is important that the associated jobs interest you.

Associated Jobs:

• Tour Manager
• Travel Agency Manager
• Tourist Information Centre Manager
• Tourism Officer
• Event Manager
• Hotel Manager
• Customer Service Manager
• Marketing Executive
• Holiday Representative

To learn more about where this course can take you visit the guide from our employability team.

Graduate Career Opportunities in Hospitality, Events, and Tourism

Course Fees

Foundation year will cost £5,760

EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information. 

For 2024-2025 entry, the maximum government-approved undergraduate tuition fee for UK students is £9,250 per year. The University is able to charge this fee subject to an approved Access and Participation Plan for 2024-2025 and its current rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework

International Students 

For international students studying their undergraduate with ARU London the tution fee will be £16,700 per year. 

Course Aims

1. Facilitation of students learning, understanding and development of business and industry subject knowledge

2. A focus on tourism through research, contemporary issues and practice, enabling students to appreciate the importance of the social, political, ethical, technological, environmental and global contexts in which business and tourism operates.

3. Practical application of gained knowledge and an understanding of the importance of working with others, and taking appropriate action which promotes the principles of sustainability.

4. To provide an education in the terminology, concepts, principles and techniques utilised in business and tourism

5. The embedding of personal and professional skills, to enhance and enable a career in tourism or to identify and choose from a range of alternative career options and professions within business.

6. To enable students to develop a wide range of intellectual and analytical abilities relevant to business in general and tourism in particular and appropriate to an honours degree, including the ability to think critically and independently and analyse and synthesise effectively.

7. To ensure that students depart with a wide range of skills and competencies to work in a business environment, both home and international, with an appreciation of different ethical and cultural values that employers consider both essential and desirable in any new graduate.

Course Learning Outcomes

Tourism Industry Analysis and Understanding

Graduates will analyse tourism organisations, evaluating their structure, functions, management, and culture, while demonstrating a deep understanding of tourism concepts, globalisation, destination management, and economic and social impacts (A01, A02).

Contemporary Issues and Corporate Strategy

They will appreciate contemporary issues such as sustainability, ethics, CSR, and risk management, and explore the internal and external factors influencing corporate strategy and performance, including the ability to meet stakeholder needs (A03, A04).

Global Context and Sustainable Development

Graduates will understand the social, political, ethical, technological, environmental, legal, and global contexts in which businesses operate and explore the root causes of unsustainable development, considering environmental, social, economic, and cultural impacts (A05, A06).

Resource and Decision Management

They will demonstrate understanding of finance, marketing, and human resource management, and evaluate decision-making methods and communication structures in business operations (A07, A08).

Ethical Responsibility

Graduates will incorporate a critical ethical dimension into their work, understanding personal responsibility and professional codes of conduct (A09).

Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Research

Graduates will apply critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis in evaluating theories, models, and research in business and tourism management. They will also conduct research and execute case study projects into relevant issues (B01, B05).

Interpersonal and Leadership Skills

Graduates will perform effectively as individuals, team members, and leaders, using interpersonal skills such as listening, negotiating, persuasion, and presentation, gained through academic and practical experiences (B02).

Multidisciplinary and Multicultural Awareness

They will appreciate the relevance of multidisciplinary and multicultural approaches to business and tourism management (B03).

Problem-Solving and Flexibility

Graduates will confidently recognise and define complex concepts and problems in the tourism industry, applying appropriate knowledge and skills to identify solutions (B04).

Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

Graduates will use quantitative and qualitative techniques to analyse and interpret abstract data and concepts towards a given purpose, with minimal guidance (B06).

Self-Reflection and Cultural Awareness

They will reflect critically on their own behaviour and remain open to cultural and organisational differences within the business environment (B07).

Autonomous Learning and Responsibility

Graduates will manage their learning effectively, act autonomously, and develop an awareness of personal responsibility and professional codes of conduct, with a focus on sustainability (B08, B09).