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Business and Tourism Management with Foundation year

Combine business knowledge with the fast-growing world of travel and tourism. This course is designed to give you the tools to succeed in one of the most dynamic global industries — whether you’re aiming for a leadership role, managing destinations, or launching your own business. You’ll explore key topics like marketing, sustainability, hospitality, and digital innovation — while developing hands-on skills that employers in tourism and business sectors value. The course also covers real-world challenges, preparing you to adapt and thrive in changing global environments.

This route can be pursued with Student Finance when you meet the official criteria.

Review the funding guide, download the UniStart app to chat with real advisors, or return to all courses if you need a different campus or schedule.

Course Description

Since the travel and hospitality industries have recently faced significant economic difficulties, it is more crucial than ever to develop a degree programme that will support the expansion and sustainability of a sector that employs millions of people worldwide.If you dedicate yourself to pursuing a degree, you will acquire transferable talents that you may utilise in any professional setting. To keep our industries moving forward, entrepreneurship, strategy, leadership, and business operations are all crucial. This course will give individuals who have a particular interest in tourism the know-how, abilities, and information they need to succeed. You will acquire knowledge and comprehension of the various aspects of tourism. How do you evaluate the demand? What effect does travel have on the environment? How do we maintain our moral character and empathy for the populations throughout the world? You will graduate from our course with the fundamental and specialised knowledge needed to make an impact in a major industry with global implications. You will get the skills necessary to create prospects for a career in the tourism industry by completing our course on business and tourism management. Nothing says "the world is your oyster" more than working for local, national, or worldwide corporations, or starting your own business and carving out a new market niche. Since the travel and hospitality industries have recently faced significant economic difficulties, it is more crucial than ever to develop a degree programme that will support the expansion and sustainability of a sector that employs millions of people worldwide. You will get the skills necessary to create prospects for a career in the tourism industry by completing our course on business and tourism management. Nothing says "the world is your oyster" more than working for local, national, or worldwide corporations, or starting your own business and carving out a new market niche.

What You'll Learn

Study tourism trends, destination management, and international marketing

Gain practical experience through projects and real-world case studies

Explore the economic, social, and cultural impact of global tourism

Develop skills in planning, sustainability, customer experience, and strategy

Ideal for careers in travel, hospitality, events, and international business

Course Structure

Foundation Year
  • Academic Skills for Higher Education
  • Business and Ethical Awareness in the Tourism Workplace
  • Introduction to Communication and Digital Skills
  • Introduction to the Tourism Industry
  • Understanding the Tourist
  • Foundation Year Project
Year 1
  • Business Environment (20 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Business Finance (20 credits)
  • Organisational Behaviour (20 credits)
  • Tourism and Society (20 credits)
  • Tourism Marketing Principles (20 credits)
  • Tourism Product Management and Industry Analysis (20 credits)
Year 2
  • Entrepreneurship in Tourism (20 credits)
  • Human Resource Management (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Research Methods (20 credits)
  • Principles of Operations Management (20 credits)
  • Tourism Contemporary Issues (20 credits)
  • Tourism Impacts and Sustainable Development (20 credits)
Year 3
  • Destination Management (20 credits)
  • Global Strategic Management (20 credits)
  • Leadership and Change (20 credits)
  • Research Methods 2 (20 credits)
  • Dissertation (40 credits)

Entry Requirements

Applicants aged 18+

  • Level 3 qualification (60 credits or 80 UCAS tariff points minimum)
  • GCSE grade 4/C in English and Maths, or CEFR B1 equivalent
  • Assessment via panel interview (listening, speaking, writing)

Applicants aged 21+

  • May apply without standard qualifications
  • Relevant academic, professional, or vocational experience considered
  • Same interview assessment applies

Don't have A-levels? No problem.

We accept equivalent European qualifications: Diploma de Bacalaureat (Romania), Matura (Poland), Abitur (Germany), Baccalaureat (France), and more. Career changers and mature students with relevant UK work experience are also welcome.

Job Prospects

This degree opens doors to diverse roles across tourism, hospitality, business management, and international travel. You will develop skills in strategic planning, marketing, sustainability, and operations management.

Possible Career Paths

  • Hotel Group Operations Manager - Oversee daily operations across hotel properties
  • Destination Manager - Develop and promote tourism destinations
  • Conference Event Coordinator - Plan and manage corporate events
  • Hospitality Manager - Manage hospitality venues and teams
  • Tourism Marketing Manager - Create campaigns to attract visitors
  • Project Manager - Lead cross-functional business projects
  • Logistics Manager - Coordinate supply chains and operations

Graduates can also pursue further study in tourism management, MBA programmes, or professional certifications.

Tuition Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

Foundation Year: £5,760. Years 1 to 3: £9,535 per year

Total available per year

up to £23,297

Tuition £9,535 + Maintenance up to £13,762. You pay nothing upfront.

Don't worry about fees. Your advisor will check your eligibility and help you apply for full funding, including any additional grants you may qualify for.

Estimate your funding →

Career Prospects

Graduates go on to work in high-demand roles across the UK:

Hotel Group Operations Manager £35-55k
Destination Manager £30-50k
Conference Event Coordinator £25-40k
Hospitality Manager £28-45k
Project Manager £35-60k
B2B Sales Executive £25-45k
Logistics Manager £30-50k
Tourism Marketing Manager £30-48k

Salary ranges are indicative based on UK market data. Actual salaries depend on location, experience, and employer.

How You'll Learn

This programme develops expertise in tourism industry analysis, sustainable development, leadership, and strategic management. You will study real-world tourism challenges across environmental impact, ethical considerations for global communities, and operations management. Teaching combines lectures with practical case studies and industry-focused projects.

Assessment Methods

Two-stage assessment: formative (developmental feedback mid-module) and summative (final graded). Methods include written reports, essays, portfolio submissions, presentations, and a final-year dissertation. No traditional closed-book exams.

Schedule

Flexible: weekdays, evenings, and/or weekends. Designed for working professionals. Intakes in September, January, and June.

Admissions Interview

Most courses include a short, friendly admissions interview. Before your interview, your UniStart advisor will send you a personalised preparation pack - including a written guide and a video walkthrough - created by our admissions experts specifically for your course.

Students who use our preparation pack have up to a 94% success rate.

Frequently Asked

Is funding really 100% covered?
Yes, eligible students can receive full funding covering tuition fees and living costs through Student Finance England.
How long does the application take?
Most applications can be completed in 15-30 minutes using our streamlined process and expert guidance.
Can I study part-time?
Many courses offer flexible study options including part-time, evening, and weekend classes to fit your schedule.

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