The International Tourism Management programme provides an understanding of the nature and role of tourism as a major global activity which makes significant contributions to the economies of developed, emerging and less developed countries. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) approximately 1 billion international arrivals result in US$ 1.1 trillion export earnings globally each year, generating 100 million direct and 160 million indirect employment. In many developed countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and France, tourism is recognised as an economic activity that contributes significantly to national GDP. Many developing countries such as the Maldives, Seychelles and Namibia rely on tourism for their economic development.

To understand and evaluate tourism’s contribution to the economy and society as a whole the programme explores the diversity of tourism and its sub-sectors, for example accommodation, attractions, transport, hospitality and travel agents. It employs an array of literature from multiple disciplines including business, management, economics, social sciences and geography to examine business management principles for tourism destinations as well as public, private and not-for-profit organisations that contribute to the provision of tourism.

The BA (Hons) International Tourism Management is offered as a Single Honours, Joint, Major or Minor award and is normally completed in three years full-time study. A part-time option over four-and-a-half to five years is also available only few modules are taught in the evening. It is possible to switch between full-time and part-time mode, subject to timetabling constraints.

In line with all RDBS undergraduate degrees, students undertake eighteen 20 credit modules to complete their degree. A small number of modules are shared with related business degrees such as Events Management, broadening the student experience and knowledge base by exposing students to new and alternative viewpoints in related fields of study.

The core modules introduce, evaluate and discuss management principles that are applied to the context of tourism and are founded in the literature pertaining to several relevant disciplines, such as business, economics, geography and social sciences. Optional modules including volunteering, work-based learning, languages, a project and other business and management subjects are available in Years 2 and 3.

The programme incorporates a range of field trips, guest speakers and case studies that highlight the practical application of the theoretical concepts covered in class. To further students’ skills in the workplace, an optional placement of 9-12 months’ duration is available between Years 2 and 3.

Details of the programme structure for Single Honours students are outlined below. Details for Combined Honours students can be found in the section ‘What you will study when’.

Level 1

Understanding International Tourism

The Business Environment for Tourism and Events

Tourism Marketing

Becoming the Tourism Manager

People, Organisations and Management

Accounting and its Regulatory Framework

Level 2

Sustainable Tourism Management

Hospitality Management for Tourism and Events

Financial Planning for the International Tourism Industry

Managing International Tourism

Research in Business and Management

Option (students will receive advice on recommended options)

Level 3

Visitor Attraction Management

Sports and Event Tourism

International Cultural Tourism

Tourism Development & Destination Planning

The Business Professional

Option (students will receive advice on recommended options)

The programme is delivered at our Docklands campus where you can take advantage of our modern lecture theatres and seminar rooms, contemporary and well-stocked library and wireless networking facilities. We will teach you how to maximise your potential and benefit from these powerful resources. Student learning is supported by our virtual learning environment which has the added benefit of improving your technology skills.

We take great pride in assisting you to develop your academic and professional skills including researching, professional writing, team working and presentation techniques.  Our programme encourages you not only to develop theoretical knowledge about tourism planning, development and management but we also emphasise the practical application of that knowledge. Therefore we offer a range of field trips, invite industry guest speakers and discuss case studies to truly base your learning in the ‘real world’ so that you can demonstrate a broad range of skills when you enter employment.

We also provide the opportunity to add an international dimension to your degree. You can choose to study for one semester in Europe, Asia or the Americas as part of your degree and gain first-hand experience in a foreign learning and work environment.  This would take place in semester A or semester B at level 2.

A range of assessment methods will be used to evaluate students’ learning and progress on the programme. The majority of assignments will be completed individually but some group work will also be undertaken to simulate the requirements of the work environment. Assessment formats include exams, presentations, reports, essays, case analyses, business plans, critical reviews of academic literature and business reports, and moderated online discussions.

Each module is assessed separately, and assessment requirements and marking criteria are communicated to students at the start of each module.

In their final year of study, students have to opportunity to undertake a research project under the supervision of a member of staff. This allows them to produce an extended piece of work that is based on independent research in an area that is of particular interest to the student.

• the management of tourism sites, destinations and businesses
• the influence of tourism on economic development, social change and the environment
• the role of tourism for urban and regional regeneration
• how tourism sites and destinations are marketed and displayed
• sustainable planning and development of tourism destinations
• providing and managing quality in the service industry

• to work in a global industry that offers opportunities for cultural exchange and be prepared to find employment in tourism in the public, private or not-for profit sector, then this programme is for you.
• to combine International Tourism Management with another programme, please see the UEL Combined Honours site at http://www.uel.ac.uk/combined/programmes/index.htm for details. International Tourism Management can be combined as a Major, Joint or Minor programme, subject to availability and timetabling. Typical combinations include Event Management, Human Resource Management, International Politics, Sociology and Journalism.

The International Tourism Management programme is designed to support future careers in the tourism and leisure sectors. The programme provides a broad understanding of tourism and the opportunity to focus on specific areas including cultural tourism, sports and event tourism, destination development and planning, and visitor attractions. It prepares graduates for employment in a wide range of public, private and not-for profit organisations in tourism and related industries such as culture, sport, events, hospitality and leisure.

Tourism is recognised globally as one of the largest industries and is expected to continue to grow in the future, thus offering many job opportunities in the UK and abroad ranging from managers, researchers and marketers to planners, agents and consultants.   

• A personal tutor will be allocated to you for the duration of your degree who can advise you on academic and personal development matters.
• Module leaders and seminar tutors provide feedback on your progress in each module to assist with your learning.
• The programme leader can help if you have any programme-related issues.
• The subject librarian is available for any queries regarding the use of library resources for your research and can advise you on locating sources for relevant materials.
• The student representatives who studies International Tourism Management in the same year as you can raise any concerns regarding the programme or individual modules with the teaching team on behalf of your student cohort. 

• The staff at the Royal Docks Business School Helpdesk will be able to answer the queries you may have about the operation of your degree
• The Student Services team can assist with financial matters, health and wellbeing as well as offering support for students with a disability.  

(3) Employability

The Docklands Campus

The Royal Docks Business School is located at our state of the art Docklands campus near London City Airport and the ExCel exhibition centre. The campus boasts a large range of brand new student facilities including modern lecture theatres, IT labs and library.

Library

Our library is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the semester, allowing you to undertake your guided and independent research and reading when it is most suitable for you. We hold a wide range of Tourism, Business and Management journals that enable you to engage with relevant materials for your degree and beyond, thus supporting you in developing an extensive knowledge base. Many of the Tourism journals and books are available electronically, so that you do not have to rely on hardcopies being available to borrow from the library and you can undertake your studies from home or anywhere you have access to the internet.

Field Trips

Many modules offered on the programme will include a range of field trips to tourist sites in and around the London area. These trips will be used to highlight aspects of management practice and serve as examples of the application of tourism related concepts. As London is a popular destination for visitors from the UK and abroad, you will be able to experience and discuss issues that are relevant for domestic and international tourism.

Study Abroad

During your second year you can study in Europe, Asia or the Americas. We have links to universities that offer their programmes in English and you will study modules which we have previously agreed. The grades obtained abroad will count towards your degree classification at UEL.