BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management University of Surrey

Key information

• Start date: October 2021
• BSc (Hons) UCAS: NN28 3 years
• BSc (Hons) UCAS: NN29 4 years with professional training
• BSc (Hons) UCAS: N834 4 years with foundation year
• BSc (Hons) UCAS: N835 5 years with foundation year and professional training

Why choose this course

Surrey is one of the UK’s top universities for events, hospitality, tourism and transport, ranked 2nd by The Complete University Guide 2021 and in the top five in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.

We have an outstanding global reputation, ranked in the top 10 for hospitality and leisure management in the QS World University Rankings 2020, as well as being the first-ever university to receive the Tourism Society Award. We are also ranked in the top six for hospitality, leisure and tourism in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021.

Our BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management course draws on this wealth of experience, helping you develop an understanding of tourism alongside a detailed study of core management and business principles.

What you will study

Reflecting the variety of the tourism industry, you’ll choose optional modules to study alongside compulsory core topics, allowing you to specialise and develop your skills in the areas that are most relevant to your interests and aspirations.

You’ll be taught by experienced and knowledgeable staff, who are all respected in their research and industry fields.

Academic lectures are combined with field trips, site visits and guest lectures from industry professionals, providing you with the most up-to-date and relevant education possible.

Due to our exceptional industry connections, and the relevance of our courses to current challenges in the tourism sector, our graduates are equipped to become responsible managers and strategic leaders of the industry and are consequently highly attractive to employers.

"I enjoy the content on my course because it presents up-to-date international issues in the tourism, events and hospitality industry.” Irena Popa, student

Professional recognition

BSc (Hons) - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) - Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Placements

You have the option to complete a Professional Training placement as part of this course. This will give you the opportunity to develop your professional, academic and personal potential, helping to prepare you for your future career.

A significant proportion of placement students at Surrey are offered graduate-level jobs or go onto postgraduate study.

International Tourism Management placements

The Professional Training placement is an integral part of our courses. Our placement partner organisations provide opportunities for you to gain valuable experience in a professional working environment, increasing your confidence, skills and employability when you graduate.

You can choose to spend your placement in the UK, Europe or even further afield, working for some of the world’s most prestigious tourism organisations. We have placement students working for large tour operators and high-end hotel chains, as well as many smaller boutique tour operators and operators with a sustainable business operation.

Some examples of organisations that participate in this scheme include:

• Four Seasons Hotel
• Hilton Worldwide
• TUI UK & Ireland
• The Savoy
• Travelopia
• Travelport
• UK inbound

Study and work abroad

We give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their studies by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities or by completing a Professional Training placement abroad.

Want to study at an overseas institution as part of your degree or work abroad during your Professional Training year? Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With more than 200 partnerships, from 50 different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone.

Not only is the opportunity to go abroad a hugely enjoyable experience, but you will also develop key skills and knowledge that will strengthen your CV and increase your employability.

Please note: the status of the Erasmus+ scheme is dependent on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.

We encourage you to add an international experience to your degree by studying overseas for one semester during your second year (typically the autumn semester).

Our international partners include:

• La Trobe University, Australia
• University of Queensland, Australia
• MODUL University Vienna, Austria
• Ryerson University, Canada
• Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, China
• Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
• Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
• University of Central Florida, US

Our partners complement our commitment to excellence in teaching and research and they enable you to enhance your international outlook.

Careers and graduate prospects

We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.

There is a great demand for our BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management graduates in all related service sector industries. Graduates of our course have proven to be highly employable across a range of organisations, not just within tourism.

Some of our graduates choose to go into operational management roles, developing and managing companies and resorts around the world. Others specialise in marketing, human resources, IT and other head office positions in large tourism corporations. Many find excellent career opportunities in tourism consultancy businesses.

Recent tourism graduates have entered employment in roles such as:

• Graduate Management Trainee, Hilton Worldwide
• Product and Commercial Executive, Monarch Travel Group
• Voyage Management Trainee, Grosvenor House JW Marriott Hotel
• HR Coordinator, Sofitel London Heathrow
• Front Desk Management Trainee, Hilton Hotels
• Vita Futura Graduate Management Programme, Marriott International
• Graduate Trainee, Lexington Catering

"It is great fun and everyone should undertake an Erasmus study abroad or work abroad programme at least once during their academic life.” Anastasia Efremenkova, graduate