Bachelor of Arts in International Hotel Management
Victoria, Canada
DURATION
2 up to 4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
03 Jun 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
03 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
CAD 23,501 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 4-year degree
** for international students year 1 $23501 / year 2 $22,063 / year 3-4 $44,125
Introduction
The BA in International Hotel Management (BAIHM) is a leading-edge program that builds professional credentials and advances careers in the hotel industry.
In an unknown climate, we need leaders in hospitality able to spearhead change and innovate the way we do business. Not everything can be planned for. Learn about the skills you need to build resilience, respond, innovate, pivot quickly and lead change in the industry.
From day one you will meet future hoteliers from all over the world. Look at the industry through the lens of technology, entrepreneurship, globalization and cultural diversity. Learn alongside seasoned industry experts and a cohort of peers, who provide an invaluable professional support network while you launch your career higher. Seize the opportunity to explore international cultures by studying for a semester abroad at partner universities and enjoy field study to some of British Columbia’s legendary resort and urban hotel destinations. You’ll unite your theoretical learning with applied skills through a three-month internship placement anywhere in the world that you choose.
This program is offered as a 4-year undergraduate degree or a 4-year undergraduate degree with language support for students typically entering from high school (or equivalent) or as a degree completion option (years 3 & 4) for eligible students.
Students may be eligible for a $10,000 entrance award/bursary towards their tuition.
Program Description
This program is offered as a 4-year undergraduate degree or a 4-year undergraduate degree with language support for students typically entering from high school (or equivalent) or as a degree completion option (years 3 & 4) for eligible students.
Common Foundations
Through challenge-based learning, you'll receive an interdisciplinary foundation for the first two years of your undergraduate program. You'll be immersed in world issues while acquiring the key knowledge and skills essential for today's careers. Working in teams, you'll design sustainable solutions for local challenges while learning transferrable skills, such as leadership, communication, critical thinking and collaboration. Visit the common foundations page to learn more about challenge-based learning in the first two years of this program.
Overview
The BA in International Hotel Management (BAIHM) program sets students up for a successful career in hotel management. The cohort is truly international with students coming from all over the world to study the latest in hospitality thinking and practices. As an international student you’ll feel right at home in the diverse cohort. As a domestic student, what better way to have a global experience and build your international network while studying at home?
Students will study on-campus from September to April and have the summer off to travel or build their resume through working in the hospitality industry. This will be followed by another eight months in school (September to April) and a final summer internship course prior to graduation.
Experiential learning is a key component of the program. Part of this learning includes multiple on-site hotel visits in one of Canada's leading tourism destinations, Victoria B.C. and field schools in places such as Vancouver and Whistler, providing students the opportunity to interact with multi-national hotel brands and innovative boutique properties.
BAIHM students have the opportunity to benefit from a perspective-shifting experience of studying one or two semesters abroad at any of our partner universities in Korea, India, Austria, Germany or Chile. This program component provides students a customizable study option and a chance to expand their international experience.
In year four, students apply their skills through a compulsory three-month internship. Students work with a dedicated team of faculty and staff to find their work placement, which can take place anywhere in the world, and they benefit from one-on-one faculty guidance and support throughout their placement. In the past, students have secured internships in locations throughout Canada, China, Dubai, Korea, Australia and more. Positions have ranged from front line, to heart-of-the-house, to management trainee positions. Internships enable students to launch their careers and find exceptional opportunities for employment around the world while expanding their network.
Additional opportunities available to BAIHM students include scholarships, attending industry-related conferences and representing the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at events such as the annual Young Hoteliers Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland and high-profile tourism case competitions around British Columbia.
Admissions
Curriculum
Courses
Year 1
- ECOL110 Ecology (3)
- ENGL110-A Academic Writing: Part A (1.5)
- ENGL110-B Academic Writing: Part B (1.5)
- GEOG110 Human Geography (3)
- HIST160 History of Human Rights (3)
- ICBL (P/F) Introduction to Challenge-based Learning
- INDS110-A Theories of Interdisciplinary: Part A (1.5)
- INDS110-B Theories of Interdisciplinary: Part B (1.5)
- ITAI: Introduction to Academic Integrity (P/F)
- LEAD110-A Leading self and others: Part A (1.5)
- LEAD110-B Leading self and others: Part B (1.5)
- MATH160 Statistics for Social Science (3)
- SOSC160A Applied Research I (A) – Literature review (1.5)
- SOSC160B Applied Research I (B) Empathic and Ethnographic Research (1.5)
Year 2
- ECON260 Ecological Economics (3)
- ECON265Welfare Economics and Development (3)
- ENGL210-A Communication and Persuasion: Part A (1.5)
- ENGL210-B Communication and Persuasion: Part B (1.5)
- ENGL260Literature of the Anthropogenic (3)
- ENGL265 Women and Literature (3)
- HLSC260 Determinants of Health (3)
- INDS210-A Systems Thinking: Part A (1.5)
- INDS210-A Systems Thinking: Part A (1.5)
- LEAD210-A Leading for change: Part A (1.5)
- LEAD210-B Leading for change: Part B (1.5)
- POLI260 Development and Political Change (3)
- PSYC260 Psychology of Well-being (3)
- SOCI260 Human Interaction (3)
- SOSC260A Applied Research II (A) Advanced Qualitative Methods (1.5)
- SOSC260B Applied Research II (B) Advanced Quantitative Methods (1.5)
Program Outcome
The BA in International Hotel Management (BAIHM) program prepares graduates to become innovative thinkers, managers and leaders who embrace the changing world of the international hotel industry. The leading-edge course content, innovative experiential learning and multi-cultural learning environment set graduates up to successfully manage the financial, social and environmental aspects of international hotel operations. The program also provides knowledge of best practices and trends, along with the critical thinking, analytical and decision-making skills required in hotel management.
As a graduate of the BAIHM program, you will come away with a set of skills and deep understanding of the issues and topics that drive the hotel industry. The following outline the knowledge you will gain, and what you will be able to successfully apply to your career after graduation.
Global Awareness
You’ll learn to analyze, interpret and assess the impact of global issues facing hospitality managers, apply revenue and financial management techniques, and demonstrate multicultural sensitivity and awareness to global issues, opportunities and sustainability.
Knowledge
While learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and strategic decision making, you’ll create a strategic plan for a hospitality enterprise and gain an understanding of other businesses operating within the broader tourism and hospitality context, including those in the shared economy.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Using case study scenarios and conceptual models, you’ll learn the critical analysis, data interpretation and business research skills highly valued in the hotel industry.
Work With Others
As a team member, you’ll practice how to lead, and how to follow the lead, all while considering the needs and expectations of stakeholders and the recognition of the benefits of cultural diversity.
Effective Communication
Producing written materials and oral presentations using both narrative and graphic representations, you’ll regularly participate in class discussions contributing to the learning of others, all while improving your technology skills and awareness.
Once you graduate, your undergraduate degree provides you the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in a range of disciplines at institutions around the world as well as here at RRU. There are many we have to choose from, including the Master of Arts in Tourism Management, the Master of Global Management or Master of Arts in Professional Communication.
Scholarships and Funding
Financial Aid & Awards
The Financial Aid & Awards team is here to provide information and support on a variety of funding sources and award opportunities, starting with a video that introduces the comprehensive details you’ll find on this website and in our blog.
View a summary of government assistance programs for those affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Financial planning is a crucial component of early educational planning. Please review funding opportunities well before your program begins to help build a reasonable budget.
Loans
Explore the various types of loans available to help fund your studies.
Awards
Explore a variety of competitively-awarded scholarships, awards, and bursaries available from RRU and other funding agencies.
Research Scholarships
RRU manages the scholarship administration for select funding agencies. These are some of the more substantial awards.
Other Funding
Discover alternate funding opportunities like Highbred Points.
Ideal Students
Who It's For
The program is designed for individuals who want to pursue an international career in the rapidly expanding field of hotels with opportunities ranging from working in a flagship chain, boutique hotel, cruise ship or resort, to hostels, shared economy lodgings, and inns. This program is best suited for driven and self-motivated candidates with a related 2-year diploma. BAHIM students must possess an outgoing, friendly yet professional nature, with a life-calling towards customer service, and a passion for other cultures.
Career Opportunities
The BA in International Hotel Management (BAIHM) program builds professional credentials and advances graduates’ careers in the hotel industry. The BAIHM program is designed and updated with ongoing input from hospitality leaders, making this a dynamic program that develops a broad range of leadership, analytical and interpersonal skills that results in graduates ready to succeed in hospitality management. Students and graduates have seen the value of our program translate into job offers from leading hoteliers through RRU’s on-campus and online employment initiatives. This program opens up a variety of potential careers paths including:
- Hotels and resorts - hotel, resorts, cruise ships, clubs, food and beverage, operations and facilities management.
- Consulting – product development, tourism marketing, information technology, real estate development, destination development, tourism research.
- Tourism management - travel and tourism, transportation, culture and heritage, sports and recreation.
- Event management - meeting/event planning, spa, fitness and health, sports events, event and venue management, special events.
- Recreation and entertainment - casinos, museums, resorts, private homes/boats.
- Other sectors and services - sales and marketing, human resources, education, finance.