International Hospitality and Tourism Management BSc (Hons) & Foundation Year

Course Overview

Welcome to Arden University’s Bachelor of Science (Hons) in International Hospitality and Tourism Management with Foundation Year. If your ambition is to manage a hospitality venue, start a restaurant chain, or thrive in hospitality and tourism administration, this degree with a foundation year equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge for success in higher education. It’s a great choice whether you’ve been away from formal studies for a while, or lack the qualifications for a standard university degree.

Our curriculum will provide you with a truly global education in this dynamic industry, giving you the confidence to work among cultures and establish worldwide connections in your career. You’ll learn cutting-edge industry insights and gain hands-on experience, setting you up for success after graduation.

The BSc (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism Management with Foundation Year degree also focuses on sustainability and the integration of technology within the industry. You’ll gain a solid foundation in management fundamentals, learning the latest management theories and their real-world applications – vital for successful management careers in the sector. During Level 5 (Year 3) of your degree, you‘ll have an opportunity to undertake a work placement module so that you can gain real life, hands on experience in the hospitality sector.

As an Arden student you’ll also have access to the Arden Enterprise Incubator (AEI). Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, already at the early stages of setting up your own business venture, or just looking to enhance your business acumen, the AEI programme will help you nurture an entrepreneurial mindset, innovate, and grow your business once it’s up and running. You’ll be able to join our community of entrepreneurs, industry experts, and experienced academics, as well as gaining access to a wealth of resources to aid you in the pursuit of your goals based on how far along you are on your business journey.

Whether you choose to study in-person at one of our UK study centres, or opt for our fully online degree which you can study from anywhere in the world, this programme serves as an ideal launchpad for your career in the hospitality and tourism industry.

This course is subject to approval.

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – we are more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the BSc (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism Management with Foundation Year, you should normally have:

At least 3 x GCSEs or 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent – if your qualifications are older than 3 years we would also ask to see a professional CV.
If you do not meet these requirements, you may be considered based on a minimum of 12 months of professional work experience evidenced with a CV and reference.

Course fee

Blended Learning	Fee
fee per level:	£9250

Distance Learning	Fee
fee per level:	£6,935

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent.
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.

We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

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Course details and modules

Your course modules combine a foundation year followed by a full undergraduate qualification.

In the age of digital transformation, staying ahead requires a keen understanding of technology’s role in shaping the hospitality and tourism landscape. The BSc (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism Management with Foundation Year at integrates technology seamlessly into the curriculum, ensuring that our graduates are not just familiar with the latest tools but are innovators in leveraging technology to enhance guest experiences, optimise operations, and drive sustainable practices.

From virtual reality simulations for hotel management to data analytics for tourism trends, students gain practical skills that align with the industry’s ever-evolving needs. This forward-thinking approach ensures that our graduates are not just job-seekers but industry leaders ready to shape the future of hospitality and tourism.

How do we assess you?

This course has been created in consultation with industry experts to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need for a successful career in hospitality or tourism and delivered in partnership with a leading hospitality organisation.

Optional placement year

You’ll have the opportunity to complete an industry placement to gain practical experience that can help you to gain work in the sector upon Graduation.

Authentic assessments, no exams

Unlike on more traditional degree courses, you don’t need to sit any exams on the BSc (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism Management with Foundation Year, and you won’t need to spend the summer at home writing a dissertation either. Your assessments have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-word scenarios. This means you’ll be better prepared to apply the skills you’ve gained on the course to your professional role after graduation.

As you work through your course modules you’ll have the chance to complete a range of useful assessment methods such as individual reports, case study analyses, presentations, business and destination development plans and personal independent assignments devised in consultation with your course module leader. Your assessments will have an emphasis upon personal discovery, digital technology, the application of theory to real world hospitality and tourism scenarios, and management practice and innovative thinking.

We encourage you to be innovative when carrying out your assignments and assessments. You can create podcasts, videos, infographics, consultancy reports, campaigns, posters, interviews, debate sessions, and more. This approach will help you develop skills you’ll use in the real world, and most of all, is a fun and engaging way to demonstrate your knowledge and development.

Assessment methods

Throughout the course you’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning through a range of assessments including:

Individual reports
Case study analyses
Presentations
Business and destination development plans
Personal independent assignments
Podcasts
Videos
Infographics
Consultancy reports
Campaigns
Posters
Interviews
Debates

Modules

You have 4-12 years to complete this course, meaning you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of our students, however, aim to complete the course within 4-8 years.

Foundation year

Preparing for University Success (20 credits)
Exploring the Business Environment (20 credits)
Advancing your Academic Skills (20 credits)
Becoming an Effective Leader (20 credits)
Planning for Your Future Success (20 credits)
Investigation & Innovation Project (20 credits)

Level 4

Academic & Professional Development for Hospitality & Tourism Managers (20 credits)
Managing People in Hospitality in Tourism (20 credits)
Finance for Hospitality and Tourism (20 credits)
Service Sector Marketing and Sales (20 credits)
Principles of Hospitality & Tourism Practice (20 credits)
Customer Service Management (20 credits)

Level 5

Core modules:
Applied Hospitality and Tourism Intelligence (20 credits)
Hospitality Operations Management (20 credits)
Professional Practice (work placement) (40 credits)
International Destination Management (20 credits)
Elective modules choose ONE from the following:
International Events Management (Option) (20 credits)
Hospitality Business Development (Option) (20 credits)

Level 6

Core modules:
Innovation in Hospitality (20 credits)
Tourism Crisis Management (20 credits)
Tourism Trends & Futures (20 credits)
Independent Study (20 credits)
Hospitality Strategy (20 credits)
Elective modules choose ONE from the following:
Project Management (Option) (20 credits)
Global Brand Management (Option) (20 credits)

Career prospects

Perhaps you have a strong idea of where you want to go with your hospitality and tourism degree, or perhaps you’re still a little unsure. Don’t worry if you’re still weighing up your future career options. We prepare you with a range of advanced multidisciplinary skills that employers from a variety of organisations will value, enhancing your career options wherever they might lie.

What can I do after Arden University?

Your foundation degree in hospitality and tourism will open up a wide range of career opportunities across the hospitality and tourism sectors. As you study with us you’ll have access to our dedicated career services portal, where you can access additional ‘bolt-on’ e-learning courses, employer presentations, and search for jobs worldwide. Of course, your course lecturers are always on-hand to provide advice and guidance when it come to your professional future. Just a few of the possible roles you might want to consider after graduation could include:

Destination Manager
Hotel Manager
Travel Consultant
Tour Manager
Travel Agency Manager
Event Organiser
Travel Administrator
Food and Beverage Manager
Front Office Manager
Housekeeping Manager
Reception Manager
Rooms Division Manager
Restaurant Manager
Facilities Manager
Guest Relations Manager
Resort Manager

What will the BSc (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism Management with Foundation Year do for me?

What will the BSc (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism Management with Foundation Year include?

As well as developing important soft skills, up-to-date knowledge of hospitality and tourism functions, and career planning abilities, you’ll also be encouraged to develop a Personal Development Plan as you work through your degree. With support from our lecturers, this will help you track your progress and identify areas where you excel.

On the course, your assessments will be linked to real-world workplace issues and practices. Added to the benefits of our Arden Enterprise Incubator where you will be supported to start up or grow an existing business. You’ll graduate with hands-on experience in problem solving and identifying areas for business growth in the hospitality and tourism sectors – all highly desirable skills for today’s employers.

The BSc (Hons.) in International Hospitality & Tourism Management with Foundation Year will also give you the chance to:

Comprehend and appreciate the importance of the key skills, technologies, and competencies required to be successful in contemporary hospitality and tourism environments.
Identify and evaluate the roles and contributions of the key hospitality and tourism functions applicable to hospitality and tourism organisations and destinations.
Analyse hospitality and tourism challenges from a range of perspectives including consumers, suppliers, governments, and intermediaries.
Apply and evaluate hospitality and tourism concepts and theories in a range of hospitality and tourism contexts, challenges, and situations, including crisis management.
Develop your research, planning, and analytical skills.

Online learning

How does it work?

Studying the BSc (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism Management online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

Our online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and online library (which when used along with our supplementary library, Bibliu, gives you access to almost half a million books and journals – yours for free while you study with us).

ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have your Kindle handy.

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with like-minded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on our fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Introducing your Digital Backpack

Once you’ve enrolled on your International Hospitality and Tourism degree with Arden you’ll get access to your Digital Backpack, a toolkit of digital resources we’ve put together to help you succeed during your time studying with us.

Here are some of the digital resources you’ll have available throughout your course:

Office 365 subscription
Integrated zoom video conferencing
Career services through Arden Futures to ready you for your future career
Online library portal giving you access to thousands of books, journals, and articles
Subscription to Togetherall for an abundance of mental health support