How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Hotel Management

UCAS code: NV62

Start date: January 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 9 months

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Edge Hotel School

The BA (Hons) Hotel Management Top Up offers a progression route for applicants who wish to complete their BA (Hons) degree after completing an appropriate Level 5 qualification (such as HND, Advanced Diploma or Foundation degree). The Top Up is the last eight months of the accelerated BA (Hons) Hotel Management degree and encompasses the theory and practical experience you will need for a successful career in the hospitality industry.

For accurate and up to date information regarding this course, structure and fee information, please email us at ehs@essex.ac.uk.

The course combines hotel experience in Wivenhoe House, a 4* country house hotel on Essex's Colchester campus, with industry-relevant business management lectures to prepare you to become a successful manager.

With a student experience unlike any other, it may come as no surprise that the Edge Hotel School is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for overall positivity in our subject area (National Student Survey 2023, English Broad Discipline Institutions).

The top up degree will enable candidates to update their vocational skills, competences and knowledge of the industry. They will have the opportunity to develop and unlock their professional capabilities. The course has a high profile with members of the industry and is heavily industry engaged .

The Edge Hotel School experience is unlike any other student experience, where you will get the best of both worlds. Not only will you graduate from a well-renowned university - you will refine your industry knowledge and professional skills by gaining valuable experience in a fully-commercial 4* hotel alongside your studies.

Professional accreditation

Accredited by the Institute of Hospitality that academic, vocational and professional standards achieved are appropriate and programme content and delivery meet international Institute of Hospitality benchmark standards.

Why we're great.

The first hotel school of its kind in the UK offering experience in a fully-commercial 4* hotel.
Academic teaching that reflects the movements and innovation of the hospitality sector.
Outstanding preparation for employment through innovative combination of professional experience and academic learning

Our expert staff

Our staff includes lecturers with both professional as well as academic backgrounds to ensure you are taught by people with industry-relevant experience themselves. Among our academic staff are published authors including a former hotel General Manager, a Food and Beverage Manager for award-winning cruise lines, an organiser of the BRIT Awards and London Fashion Week and a Dr. (PhD) with international research experience.

Specialist facilities

In Wivenhoe House you can gain experience in a 40-bedroom country house hotel on the university campus with a brasserie restaurant and a busy conference and events function that hosts over 300 events and 50 weddings annually. If for any reason the hotel is subject to closures during rotations, we have developed a comprehensive platform of online skills and experience workshops to replicate the practical experience offer as closely as possible.
The Edge Hotel School has connections with a range of organisations across the hospitality and events industries – throughout your studies you can expect guest lectures, masterclasses and an annual careers fair to help further your career prospects. Supporters of the Edge Hotel School include:

The Edge Hotel Society hosts student-organised events including industry speakers, student social events and an annual ball.
As an Edge Hotel School student you will be issued with a uniform to wear for your shifts in Wivenhoe House and when representing the School externally. You will need to provide your own white shirts and black shoes.

Your future

The skills you will gain throughout your (BA) Hotel Management Top Up will be transferable to a range of working environments within the hospitality industry including hotels, restaurants, resorts and event management. There are opportunities throughout the course to meet hotel general managers and recruitment managers to further your professional network.

Graduates of the Hotel Management programme have gone onto careers in:

Hotel management
Food and beverage management
Housekeeping
Guest experience
Interior design
Marketing and sales
Restaurant management
Events management
Airlines and airport operations

"With over 35 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, successfully developing young individuals had been a constant throughout my career. It was with this scope in mind that I began my academic journey here at the Edge Hotel School with the BA Hotel Management Top Up degree that has led to my becoming a lecturer and PhD researcher here at the University of Essex."

Dimitri Lera, BA Hotel Management Top Up graduate and current Edge Hotel School lecturer.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

GCSE: Mathematics and English C/4, or equivalent. We can consider OFQUAL regulated Level 2 Functional Skills in Numeracy as equivalent to GCSE Maths C/4. We are able to consider a range of equivalent English language qualifications, including OFQUAL regulated level 2 Functional Skills, Key Skills level 2, literacy units taken as part of the Access to HE Diploma, or a demonstration of the use of English through essay-based subjects at either GCSE or A-level equivalent. Advice on acceptability can be provided, please contact Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Applicants for the Top Up should hold a Level 5 qualification in a relevant subject area (e.g. business, hospitality, tourism or events)

Additional requirements

All applicants must be aged 18 or over by 31 October 2024 for October 2024 entry.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Undergraduate Admissions team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.5 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.

Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications.

If you are an international student requiring a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

What if my IELTS does not meet your requirements?

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Do I need to have achieved an acceptable English language qualification before I apply?

You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.

What if the English language qualification I hold, or am taking, is not listed?

If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please contact Admissions on ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.

What are the requirements for second and final year entry?

Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

Structure

Course structure

Below is just a example of some of the modules from the current academic year. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.

Level 6 (8 months) Top Up modules

Industry Context 3
Hotel Operations 3
The Customer Experience 3
Human Resources
Research Project (Dissertation)
Consultancy Project

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Business Strategy for the Hospitality and Events Industries

(15 CREDITS)

You will analyse the strategic implications of managing within dynamic industry environments and evaluate the necessary theories, tools and skills needed to develop realistic, coherent and effective strategy for hospitality and events organisations. You will engage in critical analysis of different strategic options developing a critical understanding of vision and mission statements, and the nature of strategic change. You will provide a critical analysis of change management strategies, and overcoming barriers and resistance to strategic change.

View Business Strategy for the Hospitality and Events Industries on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Management in International Hospitality

(15 CREDITS)

In this module, you will investigate how hospitality businesses operate globally in terms of the markets they work within as well as domestic legislation and the impact of culture on employees. You will also study the intricacies of global customer culture and its impact on expectations and behaviour and how hospitality firms try to adapt and personalise their offer.

View Management in International Hospitality on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

(15 CREDITS)

The aim of this module is to develop your awareness of entrepreneurship and innovation so that you have an awareness of the knowledge and skills needed to start a business in the hospitality and event industry. You will be expected to create an innovative business plan considering all relevant constraints and describe actions to comply with these. The plan will be expected to show how the business will be sustained and contingencies if targets are not met and options for expansion. This must be justified using valid and reliable research.

View Innovation and Entrepreneurship on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Human Resource Management

(15 CREDITS)

During this module you will evaluate the concept of strategic Human Resource Management and critically analyse retention, engagement and performance management within hospitality operations.

View Human Resource Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Dissertation

(30 CREDITS)

For your 8,000 word dissertation, you will manage a piece of individual research in the context of the commercial hospitality industry. You will be expected to demonstrate expertise with a range of business data, research resources and methodologies, as well as personal communication skills.

View Dissertation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY

Consultancy Project

(30 CREDITS)

The Consultancy Project consists of an individual report, a group presentation and a group report focusing on a project in the hospitality industry. Working with fellow students you will work with an external hospitality client to resolve an issue that they are facing using research, data and analysis.

View Consultancy Project on our Module Directory

Teaching

The Top Up will last 8-months, as it is comprised of the final level of the full BA Hotel Management course.
In the Level 6, you will have up to 18 weeks of teaching, 3 weeks gaining experience in the hotel and 5 weeks self-study, in addition to your holidays.
During a teaching week you would spend around 10 hours per week in lectures, or smaller seminars. This may fluctuate at times during the course.
Your hotel experience on this programme will consist of 13 shifts split over 3 weeks - Restaurant and Night Porter, Events and Housekeeping, and Duty Manager - all for one week.
Our Top Up, like our accelerated degrees, does not follow the standard termly timetable, and students are expected to continue their academic and hotel work over the Summer, Easter and Christmas periods. Further information for the course is available on the by contacting our professional services team at ehs@essex.ac.uk.

Assessment

Your Hotel Management degree has been designed to provide a mix of assessment approaches, including:

Essays
Exams
Posters
Presentations
Reflective statements
Reports
The Professional Performance Assessment (PPA) which takes the form of an interview is used throughout our courses to allow you to reflect, practise and improve your interview skills before embarking on interviews for your first graduate role.
The Professional Code of Conduct is an important part of your assessment. It focuses on areas that are important for future managers such as attendance, punctuality and team working. The Professional Code of Conduct is available in your Student Handbook.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£9,250

International fee

£19,500

Home/UK fees and funding information

International fees and funding information

What's next

Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer. You have the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.

Applications for our full-time undergraduate top-up courses should be made through the University of Essex Direct Application form.

You can find further information on how to apply, including information on transferring from another university, applying if you are not currently at a school or college, and applying for readmission on our How to apply and entry requirements page.

Offer Holder Days

If you are an undergraduate student residing in the UK who has received an offer to study with us in January 2025, you will receive an email invitation soon to book onto one of our Offer Holder Days. Our Colchester Campus Offer Holder Days run from February to May 2024 on various Wednesdays and Saturdays, and our Southend Campus Offer Holder Days run in April and May 2024 on various Wednesdays and Saturdays. Offer Holder Days provide the opportunity to meet your department, tour our campus and accommodation, and chat to current students. We appreciate that travelling to university events can be expensive, so we are offering an Offer Holder Day Travel Bursary, allowing you to claim up to £150 as reimbursement for travel expenses. For further information about Offer Holder Days, including terms and conditions and eligibility criteria for our Travel Bursary, please visit our Offer Holder Days webpage.

If you are an overseas offer-holder, you will be invited to attend one of our virtual events. However, you are more than welcome to join us at one of our in-person Offer Holder Days if you are able to - we will let you know in your invite email how you can do this.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tours allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour and Southend virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

Find out more

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.