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BA (Hons) Tourism Management

The tourist industry deals in experiences. Connecting people with those experiences can be an incredibly rewarding career, as you bring destinations to life.

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We're a double-accredited Business School

Overview

Overview video screenshot

Tourism is about showing people the world and capturing their imaginations. In this era of social media, holidays take on new meaning.

But tourism doesn’t just mean foreign travel. There’s a wealth of fascinating and beautiful attractions on our doorstep. Manchester is England’s second-largest international city tourist destination. It’s the perfect place to see excellent tourism practices in action.

 

Tourism for the 21st century

On this course you’ll learn about modern tourism practices from industry leaders. It’s been designed alongside high-profile organisations such as TUI, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), Qantas Airways and Visit Manchester.

You’ll explore marketing, financial management, human resources, the law and responsible tourism, as well as developing research skills. This well-rounded degree will prepare you for a range of careers – at home and overseas.

 

World of choice

There are option units from Year 1 giving you incredible flexibility with your studies.

Choose subjects that interest you and get specialist knowledge alongside a good grounding in how the tourism industry works and fits into society. 

In your second year, you’ll have the chance to travel abroad to a tourist destination. You can also choose to learn a language, which could help you access career opportunities overseas.

Features and Benefits

  • Top ranking – we’re listed in the top 10 in the UK by the Guardian University League Tables 2018.
  • Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) Centre of Excellence – we’re recognised by this UK trade body for the quality of our teaching in tourism management and you can join as a student member.
  • Education partner institute of ABTA – gain access to industry experts while you’re studying. This also gives you the chance to apply for ABTA’s annual internship.
  • Immerse yourself in the industry – go on an international field trip, placement or study overseas to experience a global tourist destination first-hand.
  • Study in an international tourist destination – Manchester is England’s second largest international city tourism destination. Study with all its excellent attractions on your doorstep.
  • Tourism experts – our teaching staff have years of experience in the tourism management and will share their knowledge and connections.You’ll also have regular guest lectures from experts working in the industry.
  • Global opportunities – develop the skills you need to work in tourism anywhere in the world. Learn a language to boost your career prospects overseas.
“During our second year we went on a field trip to New York, which was amazing. I’ve made friends for life on the course and the whole faculty make the course great.” Vikki Cunningham, BA (Hons) Tourism Management.

Accreditations, Awards and Endorsements

“Something that really drew me to the course was the chance to learn a language. I’m currently studying Japanese. There are also international field trips as part of my degree. I thought this was an awesome opportunity and it isn’t so readily available at other universities.”

Leah Caffrey, BA (Hons) Tourism Management.

Career Prospects

Your tourism management degree can lead to a range of exciting careers, both in the UK and overseas. Help people design their dream holidays, show people incredible attractions, or inspire people to visit a particular place.

Your skills will suit roles with airlines, travel companies like AirBnB, tour operators, visitor attractions, resorts and destination marketing organisations.

You could also focus on emerging areas such as ecotourism, or explore how to make destinations work for locals as well as tourists.

There are excellent opportunities for travel. Spending a year on a placement or studying overseas could help you make valuable international connections. 

Maybe you’ve got an idea for the next big thing in the travel industry and want to use your skills to set up your own business? We offer dedicated support to start-ups through our incubator, Innospace.

Learn more about graduate careers

0%

of graduates go straight into employment or further study within six months of graduating.

DLHE survey 2017, for all respondents available for employment or further study and whose destinations are known.

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff points/grades required

104-112

104-112 UCAS Tariff Points at A2 (Grades BCC-BBC) or acceptable alternatives e.g. BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma, Extended Diploma at Level 3 (Grades DMM).

Specific GCSE requirements

GCSE grade C or grade 4 in English Language and Mathematics. Level 2 Functional Skills English and Mathematics also accepted.

Non Tariffed Qualifications

Pass Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff Points.

International Baccalaureate points

26

IELTS score required for international students

6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each element

There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.

MEET THE EXPERTS

“It's very important to have employer partners as part of the curriculum because students need to be able to gain theoretical knowledge, but also understand how that's applied in the workplace…”
 
Listen to what Dr Steven Rhoden, Head of Department, has to say about studying at Manchester Metropolitan University…

Course details

This course is aimed at students who wish to understand and evaluate tourism in society and develop the skills necessary for a career in tourism in the public or private sector.

Tourism at Manchester Met has been accredited by the Institute of Travel and Tourism as a Centre of Excellence. This helps to enhance what we are able to offer you.

The benefits of this accreditation to you are:

Throughout the course there is an option to study a modern foreign language as part of the University’s Uniwide Languages Programme.

Year 1 will give you a broad understanding of the tourism industry and how it operates, covering management principles, the international environment and culture and citizenship.

You will study six units equating to 120 credits, and have the option to study a modern language. These are: 

  • Destination Manchester
  • Tourism Operations Management
  • Marketing for Tourism
  • Tourism and Commerce
  • Tourism Financial Management

Option unit: 

  • Tomorrow’s Tourist

Or

  • Tomorrow’s Tourist (with a Language) 

Read more about this year of study

Core Units

Destination Manchester

Explore what makes a successful international tourist destination and help to solve a real-world problem for a tourism company in Destination Manchester – England’s second largest city tourism destination and the living-laboratory for your studies. 

Tourism Operations Management

Learn about the key operational management theories and models essential for competitive advantage within the global tourism industry.

Marketing for Tourism

You will develop marketing skills for tourism, learning how to recognise the importance of marketing as a role and function and apply the marketing mix to illustrate different tourist markets and needs.

Tourism and Commerce

The business environment is fluid and evolving, and you will learn how political, economic, social, technological and environmental changes influence the tourism sector.

Tourism Financial Management

Understanding financial management is a vital skill for all managers of profitable tourism companies. Learn how to analyse financial statements, plan budgets and use financial data to inform decision-making.  

Tomorrow’s Tourist

Understanding the customer is the key to success in business. Learn about the consumer behaviour of different types of domestic and international tourists and discover future trends.

Option Units

Tomorrow’s Tourist (with a Language)

Learn a modern foreign language, an important skill for success in the tourism sector. In this unit, you will also develop understanding that the customer is the key to success in business. Learn about the consumer behaviour of different types of domestic and international tourists and discover future trends. 

In Year 2, a management approach is taken and specialist tourism units are supported by studies in organisational management and the tourist experience.

If you choose the placement year route, Year 3 of the course will be spent on placement within the tourism industry, gaining great experience to kick start your career.

You will study a total of 120 credits. Six core units and two option units.

Core units: 

  • The Business of Tour Operators
  • International Tourist Experience Design
  • Tourism and the Law
  • Managing Human Resources in Tourism
  • Responsible Tourism
  • Researching Tourism

Option units: 

  • Industry Active
  • Product Development for Tour Operators
  • Tourism Marketing Communications
  • Media and Tourism 
  • Tourism Enterprise and Idea Generation 

You will also have the option of studying a foreign language with each of these option units.

Read more about this year of study

Core Units

Researching Tourism

Discover how to appraise and apply research methods – a critical skill for success in your studies and for your future career. 

The Business of Tour Operators

Examine the role of tour operators in the tourism supply and distribution chain, and the importance of partnerships with other companies that support the development and delivery of holidays.

International Tourist Experience Design

Tourists’ experiences are designed and managed by businesses and become meaningful when personalised by tourists. Through fieldwork, you will experience and judge the design of real world tourism services.

Tourism and the Law

Investigate the regulatory framework that applies to all aspects of tourism business operations to prepare you for a future as a manager.

Managing Human Resources in Tourism

Develop the knowledge of the theories, strategies, policies and practices that underpin the management and development of human resources in the tourism industry.

Responsible Tourism

Tourism is a growing industry and it must respond to twenty-first century global sustainability priorities. You will learn about the ways that the industry, destinations and can tourists accept responsibility and take action to make tourism more sustainable.

Option Units

Media and Tourism

Explore the relationship between the media and tourism, from destination advertising to the power of popular and consumer culture.

Industry Active

This unit will identify the variety of job roles within the tourism sector and will enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the essential skills required to complete the application process for employment.

Tourism Enterprise and Idea Generation

Develop business enterprise skills, attributes and behaviours, and generate viable ideas for a tourism business or social enterprise.

Language

Learn a modern foreign language, an important skill for success in the tourism sector.

Tourism Marketing Communications

You will develop the key management skills required to develop creative communications and consider the importance of communications planning within the tourism industry.

Product Development for Tour Operators

Examine worldwide tourism distribution channels and learn how to design tourism products, preparing you for a career in Tour Operations.

If you choose the placement year route, Year 3 of the course will be spent on placement within the tourism industry, gaining great experience to kick start your career. If you choose not to take a placement year, you will progress directly into your final year of study.

Your final year takes a strategic perspective at both the organisational and destination level, incorporating units that focus on tourism policy and development and strategic tourism management. You also have a choice from a range of specialist units.

You will study 120 credits. Four core units and two option units.

Core units: 

  • Strategic Tourism Management
  • Digital Tourism
  • Tourism and Place Management
  • Research Project

And choose two option units from: 

  • The Tourism Graduate
  • Global Tourism and Local Solutions
  • Tourism Crisis and Risk Management 
  • Tourism Entrepreneurship
  • Applied Management Practice (Placement students only)

You will also have the option to study a language with any of the above option units.

Read more about this year of study

Core Units

Strategic Tourism Management

Understand the nature of strategy and strategic thinking, and analyse the complexity of managing the strategic challenges within international tourism business.

Digital Tourism

Investigate how the destination and attraction managers use the latest digital and smart technologies to improve management and enhance tourists’ experiences.

Tourism and Place Management

Explore the dual nature of locations as places where people live and as destinations that tourists visit. You will analyse the importance of the collaboration of stakeholders in developing, managing and marketing places as tourist destinations.

Research Project

Undertake in-depth, independent research of a tourism subject of your choosing, supported by an experienced research supervisor. 

Option Units

Applied Management Practice

This unit is designed for students who have taken a work placement who wish to continue a work based approach to studying management in their final year. The unit covers subjects such as reflective learning techniques, organisational theory, the role of the manager, management styles and managing in different contexts and industry sectors.

The Tourism Graduate

Maximise your career prospects. Develop the skills required to be industry-ready and to engage successfully with the graduate recruitment process.

Global Tourism and Local Solutions

'Think global, act local' is the big challenge for you as a future leader of industry. Investigate how global societal concerns are tackled locally and be part of the solution through your innovative client-focused project work.

Tourism Crisis and Risk Management

Crisis and risk management is increasingly important within the global tourism industry, and you will learn about stakeholder roles and interrelationships during a critical incident.

Tourism Entrepreneurship

Develop entrepreneurial behaviour by exploring, selecting and screening a new business idea in order to present a business plan for a new tourism start-up. 

Uniwide Language (15 credits)

You can add a foreign language to your portfolio of skills. Enhance your employability by learning Classical Latin, English (as a foreign language), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Modern Standard Arabic or Spanish alongside your main degree. Whatever your language knowledge, from beginner to advanced, these classes will take you to the next level of proficiency.

Assessment weightings and contact hours

10 credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A 3 year degree qualification typically comprises of 360 credits (120 credits per year). The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning, but it could be:

Study
Assessment
Optional foundation year

Placement options

If you choose the placement degree route, you will spend Year 3 of your studies on an industry placement. Placement learning is a key element of the course as it allows you to apply university based knowledge, skills and understanding to the real world of work. It also gives you an advantage when you begin looking for your first job upon graduating! The day-to-day demands of such an experience are both challenging and inspirational. Using the experience you gain whilst on placement is not only invaluable to the final year of your degree but greatly enhances your employability prospects.

Placement opportunities are available both in the UK and abroad. Amongst others, students currently on placement (2017/18) are working at Walt Disney World Resort USA, Thomas Cook, STA Travel as well as Hilton and Fairmont Hotels. 

Our dedicated Placement Team has developed excellent links with the hospitality, events and tourism industries over the last 20 years. You will be offered support through a preparation programme of activities that includes guidance on selection procedures, working overseas, CV preparation, interview and selection techniques.

During the placement year, although you will be supervised directly by the company you are employed by, you will also be allocated an Academic Tutor. They will provide support and guidance, assess your progress and generally monitor your welfare for the time you are away from the University.

Department of Marketing, Retail and Tourism

Our Marketing, Retail and Tourism Department is one of the UK’s largest providers of education in marketing, digital marketing, advertising and branding, public relations, retail management, place management and tourism management. The department’s mission is to develop its students into highly employable, socially and environmentally responsible professionals, delivering educational and research excellence, through courses accredited by key industry bodies.

More about the department

Taught by experts

Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. We also work with external professionals, many of whom are Manchester Met alumni, to enhance your learning and appreciation of the wider subject.

Meet our expert staff

Fees

Foundation Year students

UK, EU and Channel Island students: Full-time Foundation Year fee: £9,250 per year for the foundation year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.

Non-EU international students: Full-time Foundation Year fee: £16,000 per year. When progressing from the pre-degree foundation year to the linked degree. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study)

UK, EU and Channel Island students

UK, EU and Channel Island students: Full-time fee: £9,250 per year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.

Non-EU international students

Non-EU international students: Full-time fee: £16,000 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Additional Information

A degree typically comprises 360 credits, a DipHE 240 credits, a CertHE 120 credits, and an integrated Masters 480 credits. The tuition fee for the placement year for those courses that offer this option is £1,850, subject to inflationary increases based on government policy and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study). The tuition fee for the study year abroad for those courses that offer this option is £1,385, subject to inflationary increases based on government policy and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Additional costs

Specialist Costs

All of the books required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, many students choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. Students may also need to print some of their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop and up to £100 each year for books and printing.

Placement Costs

You will have the opportunity to take part in an international field trip during your studies. If you wish to participate, you should budget approximately £1,000 to cover the cost of this trip (including flights, accommodation, insurance, resort transfers and spending money). If students do not wish to take the International field trip they can do the research within Manchester. At all levels students are offered the opportunity of local trips/ fieldwork trips to tourism Industries within the North West.

Professional Costs

n/a

Funding

For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships, follow the links below:

Bursaries and scholarships

Money Matters

First Generation

Dedicated funding and support for first generation students

Learn more

Want to know more?

How to apply

You can apply for this course through UCAS.

Apply now

UCAS code(s)

N840

Remember to use the correct institution code for Manchester Metropolitan University on your application: our institution code is M40

You can review our current Terms and Conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.

MANCHESTER IS YOUR CITY. BE PART OF IT.

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