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The global tourism industry's contribution to GDP was approximately 7.7 trillion USD in 2022. There were over 295 million jobs in the sector, a number which is expected to increase to 430 million by 2033. Incorporating many industries such as accommodation, transport, attractions and more, it saw a huge surge after pandemic restrictions were lifted, with its percentage share of the global market almost fully returned to pre-pandemic numbers. Both domestically and internationally, the sector plays a crucial part in many economies, with more people joining the industry every year.
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 2024, English broad discipline higher education institutions).
Studying BA International Tourism Management at the Edge Hotel School will prepare you to take up management roles in the UK or overseas in cruise ships, airlines, events and visitor attractions or travel and holiday organisations. The course includes integrated work experience across various departments in Wivenhoe House during your first year, a luxury hotel on Essex's Colchester campus, as well as integrating contributions from industry speakers, consultancy projects and live project experiences.
Whilst your time in the hotel will help you understand how hospitality businesses work, the main highlight will be your time working alongside various tourism businesses on collaborative projects. You'll be studying in Britain's oldest recorded city filled with a rich history that attracts tourists from all over the world. Geographically close to London, the coast and with six international airports within 2 hours from campus, you'll be working with local tourism hubs and teams at the city's main tourist attractions such as Colchester Castle and Visit Essex.
Why we're great.
Our lecturers have international industry experience to support your learning and development
Edge Hotel School graduates go onto careers all over the world
You'll be studying in the oldest city in England - a key tourism hub
Study abroad
Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year studying or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course.
Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable and organised.
If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to the host university in the country you will be studying in.
Our expert staff
As well as spending time in the 4 *Wivenhoe House Hotel, you'll be taught by staff with a wide range of industry experience; from private business owners to cruise ship managers and destination marketeers. Across the department, staff have worked with clients such as the Winter Olympics, Virgin Airlines, World Cup and the Brit Awards. More recently, the School has been closely involved in contributing to the implementation of a National Tourism Strategy of an overseas country that aspires to create 1.6 million job opportunities..
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 (Hons) International Tourism Management degree will be transferrable to a range of working environments within the industry including transport. accommodation, restaurants, entertainment and event management. There are opportunities throughout the course to meet general managers and recruitment managers to further your professional network.
Graduates of this programme can go onto careers, in the UK or internationally, in areas such as:
Resorts
Hotels
Restaurants
Marketing and sales
Cruise ships
Airlines
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.
A-levels: CCC or 96 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
BTEC: MMM.
Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
IB: 26 points or three Higher Level certificates with 444.
IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications.
QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 45 level 3 credits at Merit.
T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Merit overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
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 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including 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 it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
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.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
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
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Structure
Course structure
Below is a module list for 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.
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:
HR
100
4
FY
The department or school the module will be taught by.
In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.
This is an introductory module that will provide a holistic overview of tourism management. The module content is a fundamental course that explores the context of tourism development, its current position, and influences on the demand for tourism.
The structure of the module will provide an understanding of the nature and meaning the industry and its management challenges to fully explore the context of tourism. This module utilises theoretical and practical aspects of tourism management as deployed by tourism organisations, business, and destinations.
Delivering Tourism and Hospitality Operations and the Customer Experience
(30 CREDITS)
This module will introduce you to the concept and importance of the centrality of the customer experience as fundamental to all activity within a hotel business. The module will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on and take part in delivering customer excellence within the various functions of the hotel operation.
This module introduces you to the regulatory frameworks for corporate bodies in the UK and sets the key financial documents into context (such as profit and loss, cash flow and balance sheets). Financial ratios and comparative measures are described and analysed in the context of micro-economics both internally and industry wide.
This module will enable you to analyse the macro, micro and internal business environments in which international hospitality and events businesses operate. A comprehensive understanding of the environments that an organisation operates in will enable you to interpret situations and allow you to make decisions that add value for stakeholders. The focus of the module is on the external and internal influences on organisations and the effect these have on business practices and internal aspects of organisational life. Contemporary business issues will be studied as they arise.
This module will introduce you to Conference and Events, which is a major supporting revenue stream for venue space hire, food and beverage sales, and accommodation demand within a hotel. The module will provide you with an understanding of the planning, organisation, delivery and evaluation of events, including taking a client brief, conducting a venue show-round, administration procedures, budgeting and risk management.
This module will enable you to acquire the understanding and knowledge of the operational characteristics of a tourism business enabling the business to achieve its objectives.
You will understand the process of the tourism business and recognise the opportunities and challenges of operating tourism business across the various sectors.
SIT will explore the personalisation of the individual travel experience and identify how these forms of tourism contribute to local economies and communities. The module focuses on contemporary and unique tourism topics and their associated travel activities to identify and demonstrate the valuable niche market for both multi-product and single-product destinations.
This module will equip you with a range of management and leadership skills to support your career development in the hospitality and event industries. You will identify how reflective practice enhances the effectiveness of managers, and assess your own skills set, identifying areas for development. You will show appreciation of the types of management skills that are transferable from academia to the work of hospitality and event managers, building on from the skills outlined within the Continual Professional Development module studied at level 5, for example team working, delegation and self-management.
In this module you will explore the subject of business ethics and the related concept of corporate social responsibility. The module assesses the business need for ethical practice, and examines the strategies through which ethical practices can become embedded. Furthermore Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a key concept in business operations and organizational management in recent years. The module will examine the background of CSR, its current applications, challenges, limitations as well as the different forms it can take such as HR policy and codes of conduct, legislation, and administration.
This module has been designed to enable students to integrate their subject knowledge with an understanding of sustainable development, acquiring the skills and competencies essential for addressing the urgent sustainability challenges of the 21st century.
This module will develop your understanding of the underlying themes and forces acting on an organisation relating to its digital business, and in particular e-marketing. This is an evolving and growing aspect of modern marketing and you will research different strategies used throughout all industries to gain customers and improve brand recognition. You will learn about revenue management and the use of data to inform decision makers when maximising revenue in hospitality and events.
The purpose of this module is for you to consolidate your professional and personal learning and to focus on the development of techniques and strategies for self-management of your continuous professional development. You will develop critical self-reflection skills as well as provide an understanding of the role and relevance of research for managers in decision making. The module will also provide opportunity to develop a range of skills to prepare you for career advancement and employment opportunities.
This module continues your development from the level 4 Tourism Operations by providing you with the opportunity to develop the knowledge of operational management within visitor attractions. This module will further develop your knowledge and application required for the successful planning and organising of the delivery of products and services to customers in all aspects of visitor management operations. You will understand the value of data to inform managers on trends, performance and analysis and review the use of technology applied to the running of a visitor attraction business.
Contemporary Issues in the International Tourism and Hospitality Industry
(15 CREDITS)
This module will enable you to analyse current contemporary issues that impact on management, staff, operations and customers within the international hospitality industry. Contemporary management practice will be studied within changing organisational, consumer and environmental contexts to enhance your understanding of factors that impact on competitive positioning within the industry.
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.
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.
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.
This module will provide you with an understanding of the need for effective human resources practices within hospitality. You will develop a critical awareness of the role of performance and reward management strategies on staff motivation, retention and business performance as well as becoming competent in carrying out job interviews and selecting the right candidates within hospitality recruitment.
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.
Management in International Tourism and Hospitality
(15 CREDITS)
In this module, you will investigate how tourism and 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.
Your 1st year consists of up to 22 weeks of teaching, 8 weeks gaining experience in the hotel and 2 weeks self-study, in addition to your holidays.
In your 2nd and 3rd, you will have up to 16 weeks of teaching, 12 weeks of project work and 2 weeks self-study, in addition to your holidays.
During a teaching week you would spend around 9 hours in lectures, or smaller seminars.
During a hotel week you would spend 4 or 5 days on shift, Monday – Sunday, gaining experience and applying the academic theory from your lectures.
Your experience at Wivenhoe House will be in the conference and events department, reception, and housekeeping. For your final year project, you will be working in a small group on a project with an external tourism provider.
Term dates for this programme may differ from the standard termly timetable. For information regarding term dates, please contact the department at ehs@essex.ac.uk.
Assessment
Your Tourism degree has been designed to provide a mix of assessment approaches, including:
Exams
Posters
Presentations
Reflective statements
Reports
Dissertation
Tourism Project. The Tourism Project in Level 6 of the Tourism degree consists of an individual report, a presentation and a group report focusing on a real project with an external client.
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 per year
International fee
£20,475 per year
Fees will increase for each academic year of study.
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.
Our UK students, and some of our EU and international students, who are still at school or college, can apply through their school. Your school will be able to check and then submit your completed application to UCAS. Our other international applicants (EU or worldwide) or independent applicants in the UK can also apply online through UCAS Apply.
The UCAS code for our University of Essex is ESSEX E70. The individual campus codes for our Loughton and Southend Campuses are 'L' and 'S' respectively.
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 receive an undergraduate offer to study with us in October 2025 and live in the UK, you will receive an email invitation to book onto one of our Offer Holder Days. Our Colchester Campus Offer Holder Days run from February to May 2025 on various Wednesdays and Saturdays, and our Southend Campus events run in April and May. These events provide the opportunity to meet your department, tour our campus and accommodation, and chat to current students. To support your attendance, we are offering a 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 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.
Visit Colchester Campus
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.
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.
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.
