Tourism and Hospitality Management BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses
Student in the Coventry Cathedral ruins

The tourism and hospitality sector is rapidly expanding locally and globally. It offers a wide range of career opportunities, including hotels, resorts, restaurants, event planning, travel agencies and tourism boards. It is worth billions to the UK economy.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC

UCAS codes

N890 / 09VN / 098N

Start date

September 2025

The information on this page is for 2024-25 entry and should be used as guidance for 2025-26 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.


Course overview

Tourism is a key area of the domestic and global economies. As such, there is a real demand for talented individuals who understand the management of tourism and hospitality businesses and who can help develop strategic and operational business solutions.

Why study this course

This course is designed to ensure that our graduates are the talented and knowledgeable individuals needed for the tourism and hospitality industry, providing you with the skillset to be successful in this growing market.

This industry is fast-paced and challenging, requiring flexible, hardworking and determined individuals to head the evolving industry. Working in this industry opens the possibility of exciting working conditions, meeting people from all cultures and using creativity to solve problems in your day-to-day activities. A degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management develops a range of transferable skills that are valuable in various industries. These skills include communication, leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, customer service, and organisational abilities.

As a broad, successful and widely respected degree, students who study this course can benefit from varied career prospects. This course incorporates general business and management principles, so you could progress into the hotel industry, events management, travel operations and many more.

Accreditation and professional recognition

The degree element of this course is accredited by the following for the 2023/2024 intake:

CTH logo

Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality

The Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH) is the UK’s leading specialist professional awarding body for qualifications in the growing hospitality and tourism sector. Graduates of our degree course are awarded a Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management, a professionally recognised qualification.


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What you'll study

You will be introduced to the impact of globalisation on countries, cultures and the tourism and hospitality industry. This introductory year aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the key issues and problems in the contemporary development of hospitality and tourism. You’ll explore management and marketing principles, the global environment and tourism basics, gaining a solid foundation for progression into years two and three. Students who successfully complete year one are eligible for an HNC in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Modules

You will be given the opportunity to learn to identify key theoretical and sociological approaches and analyse the ways in which social factors and institutions are constructed and represented. Students who successfully complete year two are eligible for an HND in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Modules

There is no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They are a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placementp

Previous students of this course have gained internships domestically and internationally at global companies such as the Cosmopolitan Boutique Hotel in Spain and in America through BSG placements in their executive country clubs. Sandwich or placement years are completely optional and do not count towards your final classification. However, they can be valuable experience and may help you to stand out from the crowd of graduates when applying for jobs.

Modules

This year you are working at a professional level, taking on a managerial perspective and clarifying your leadership skills. You will be building on the culmination of knowledge gained in previous years and focusing on transferable skills including project and time management. Centring on executive topics, you will cover events management, strategic business and present a professional-level consultancy project. You will become confident in your own development planning and demonstrate commitment to your continuous improvement as an aspiring manager of teams.

Students who successfully complete year three are awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management and a Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH) Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

This course is available as a full-time three-year or optional four-year sandwich course, with the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field2.

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our current online learning platform, Aula. You can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

Progression through the modules aims to develop knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.


Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from module to module, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 contact hours per week. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes, and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments.

Breakdown of final grade assessment:

  • coursework
  • interactive assessments
  • group work
  • presentations
  • case studies
  • investigative projects
  • academic posters and infographics
  • event management
  • human resource management.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

Previous students have had the opportunity to participate in international field trips to Barcelona, Munich, Paris, Prague, Amsterdam, Madrid and Dublin.

Previous students of this course have gained internships domestically and internationally at global companies such as the Cosmopolitan Boutique Hotel in Spain and in America through BSG placements in their executive country clubs.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, we offer a number of programmes to help you secure a place. Successful completion of one of the below programmes guarantees you a place on a degree course with us, subject to meeting specified criteria.

Access to HE course
Successful completion of our Business Studies Access to HE course will guarantee you progression onto this degree programme, subject to meeting specified criteria.

If you undertake an Access to HE course, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. If you are eligible and awarded an Advanced Learner Loan, and successfully complete an eligible Higher Education course, the outstanding balance from your Access course could be written off. For full information and to check your eligibility visit www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with a foundation year. Upon successful completion our Business Foundation Year will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on how to apply and travelling to and living in the UK.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees-£7,950 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - as UK per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees -£16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees -£16,800 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Fees and funding page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Facilities

All our facilities are located at Mile Lane. Our building has been designed to enable collaboration, creativity and innovation to flourish, and includes (subject to availability):

  • indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a café
  • a library that includes loan laptops, over 115,000 eBooks and a silent study area
  • open access IT suites and 83-inch teaching screens
  • student support and careers advice teams.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the theoretical, analytical and practical aspects of policies, strategies and processes within a changing environment
  • critically appraise theories related to the development of a tourism management strategy including, the risk factors that need to be considered in the development of a successful strategy, such as, country, currency, cultural and competitor risk
  • develop appropriate research, alongside the ability to undertake reliable market research activities.
  • operate, lead and collaborate in a team to solve problems of a practical (experimental) nature and to provide appropriate solutions
  • apply appropriate presentation and evaluation tools to establish the significance of research data produced.

As one of the strongest sectors in terms of growth and employment opportunities, the tourism industry contributes £131.5 billion of the UK’s gross domestic product with over 4.3 million jobs in the UK and over 10% of all jobs worldwide.

With a degree in tourism you have the opportunity to move into a wealth of careers, such as management, marketing, business and even crisis management.

Where our graduates work

Some graduates have gone onto further study in business, advertising, public relations, enterprise and branding at institutions across the UK and internationally, while others have gone on to work successfully in global companies such as the Marriott Hotel, Whitbread and Birmingham Airport.


How to apply

Applications open for this course in May 2024. Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

International students should apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

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