Plymouth Business School

BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management with Foundation Year

UCAS tariff 32+ Contextual offers
A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes personal circumstances that may affect grades into account.
UCAS course code N842
Institution code P60
Duration

4 years

(+ optional placement)
Course type

Full-time

Study location Plymouth

Do you want to make a difference in the world’s fastest-growing industry by acquiring new skills and knowledge that can be put into practice through the wide range of live projects we offer? Our BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management degree is ranked 6th in the Complete University Guide (2023), allowing you to gain relevant experience from a top-ranking institution. This course will enable you to become employable and effective tourism and business managers who can operate worldwide.

Careers with this subject

Our cosmopolitan graduate managers are highly regarded by tour operators, destination management organisations and authorities, cruise companies, airlines, hotel chains and other organisations worldwide. Our graduates have gained employment with companies including, but limited to: Virgin Atlantic, Ferrari World (Abu Dhabi), TUI, Hotel No5 Malaysia, and Flybe (pilot).

Real experience every step of the way

As well as expert-led teaching, all undergraduate modules within Plymouth Business School have integrated CV building activity, for example, through micro-credentialing, problem-based learning, or embedded direct employer activity.
We have ensured every module contains a real world problem-based exercise. We have reached out to employers directly to involve real business in our assessments. You will experience real world employee engagement every month.
We know this is key to student academic and graduate success.

Careers service

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated careers service supporting you from the moment you start your degree, to three years after graduation.
Careers advice is embedded into your academic programme through workshops, events, placements, networks - working with the academic staff teaching on your course. We also offer materials, networks and resources online through our 24/7 portal, and a wide-range of activities, opportunities and support centrally in the Careers Service space within the Student Hub.
We are here to help you to explore, connect and succeed.

Key features

  • Our foundation year is specifically designed to introduce and develop essential skills for success in higher education, including critical thinking and research skills, and the knowledge and understanding of key facets of international tourism management.
    Whilst successful completion of the foundation year (Year 0) will not lead to a separate award or qualification in its own right, you will be able to confidently progress onto Year 1 of:
  • BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management
    Or one of the following programmes within Plymouth Business School:
  • BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance
  • BSc (Hons) Business Management
  • BSc (Hons) Business Management with Finance
  • BSc (Hons) Business Management with Human Resource Management
  • BSc (Hons) Business Management with International Business
  • BSc (Hons) Business Management with Marketing
  • BSc (Hons) Business Management with Project Management
  • BSc (Hons) Business Management (2 year fast track)
  • BSc (Hons) Economics
  • BSc (Hons) Events Management
  • BSc (Hons) Maritime Business
  • BSc (Hons) Marketing
  • Study on a course that is ranked 6th in the Complete University Guide (2023) and consistently ranked as one of the best places to study tourism according to The Sunday Times and the Guardian University guides.
  • Undertake a critical approach to study the global tourism industry and develop strengths in travel safety and security, crisis and disaster management, and travel technologies.
  • During the delivery of bespoke tourism modules, we work in close collaboration with the tourism industry to develop, design and deliver our courses. We keep regular contact with tourism industry practitioners from different sectors of the industry to refresh our courses with the latest industry developments and case studies; we develop our courses to address industry demand; we have guest speakers from the tourism industry to share their experiences in the course delivery and conferences.
  • We provide opportunities to engage in fieldwork on a local and international scale in order for our students’ opportunities to develop their understanding, expand their networks and have strategic involvement in business development.
  • We hold numerous industry accreditations including Tourism Management Institute, we are recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Institute of Travel and Tourism, and we are also an ABTA University Partner. These accreditations afford our students opportunities to learn from and network with industry professionals who provide practical insights into future graduate employment and experiences.
  • Working with industry, we offer a range of experiential and problem-based assessments and live consultancy projects to prepare students for graduate employment.

Course details

  • Foundation year

  • A supportive environment assists you in the transition to successful study in higher education. You begin to develop your knowledge and understanding of international tourism management, and progress to year 1 on successful completion of this year.

    Core modules

    ECN3100
    The World of Economics and Finance 30 credits

    This module will introduce you to a range of contemporary ideas within economics and finance. The module will use a range of contemporary real-world issues to demonstrate the relevance of foundation level economic and financial concepts for decision making.

    50% Coursework

    50% Tests

    STO3001
    Global Business 30 credits

    The module will introduce the components, functions and context of a business. You will explore the impact of different models on business purpose, values, stakeholders and reporting. Aspects such as globalisation, sustainability, ethics and entrepreneurship will also be examined.

    100% Coursework

    STO3002
    Introduction to Business Research 30 credits

    The module will enable you to develop business research at an introductory level and to develop a range of academic and professional capabilities. You will investigate research topics that will develop your understanding the importance of effective cross-disciplinary understanding and collaboration.

    100% Coursework

    STO3003
    Business Research Project 30 credits

    This module allows you to integrate subject specific knowledge and skills to investigate a specific topic relevant to your programme of study through a small-scale research project.

    100% Coursework

  • Year 1

  • Build a solid understanding of the tourism industry, learning the principles of sustainable tourism management. You also explore different forms of tourism and identify how these are used in destination development and promotion, gaining knowledge of tourism supply and demand.

    Core modules

    HRL4003
    Business Culture and Behaviour 40 credits

    This module encompasses the internal aspects, functions and processes of organisations, including their diverse nature, purposes, structures, size/scale, governance, operations and management, together with the individual and corporate behaviours and cultures which exist within and between different organisations.

    60% Tests

    40% Coursework

    STO4002
    The Business Environment: A Global Perspective 40 credits

    This module introduces students to essential understanding and competencies in the dynamic and changing nature of business and the consideration of the future of organisations within the global business environment, including the management of risk and business resilience.

    60% Tests

    40% Coursework

    THE4002
    Tourism Industry and Practice 20 credits

    Through consideration of the tourism system, you will examine patterns of tourism supply and demand in both a domestic and international context, exploring tourism destinations through an examination of public, private and voluntary sectors operating at the destinations. You will be introduced to the principles of sustainable management for tourism organisations.

    100% Coursework

    THE4007
    Tourism Impacts and the Environment 20 credits

    This module will develop your understanding of the roles tourism plays within and for societies, giving you an introductory overview of the impacts of tourism activity, associated tourist behaviour and sympathetic approaches to management. You will study theoretical concepts drawn from sociology, anthropology, leisure and tourism studies, providing you with a more critical awareness of the relationships between tourism and society, supported by international case study examples and opportunities for critical debate.

    100% Coursework

  • Year 2

  • Discover what it takes to develop, manage and promote tourism businesses or destination. Increase your understanding of destination management on a regional, national and international level, gaining insight of tourism strategy development. If you choose, you can undertake a semester or year abroad at one of our partner institutions.

    Core modules

    THE5003
    Destination Planning and Management 40 credits

    This module focuses on visitor attractions, impacts of ICTs and global issues in relation to destination management, examining the essential features of tourism planning in both a UK and international context and reviewing the activities of different types of public sector and hybrid organisations. You will consider key aspects of Hispanic and Francophone societies via media such as film, text, documentaries, news reports etc, to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of other cultures in the context of destination planning. Industry practitioners will provide insights into destination planning in different cultural contexts.

    60% Coursework

    40% Practicals

    THE5010
    Digitalisation and the Visitor Experience 40 credits

    In this module, you will examine the visitor experience and how it can be created and developed to provide competitive advantage for destinations and tourism providers with the impacts of digitalisation. You will examine current technology trends and how these influence and change service products, operations, processes and visitor behaviour within society.

    100% Coursework

    THE5013
    Creative Industries and Tourism: A Global Perspective 20 credits

    You will review the scope, nature and development of the creative industries, drawing on international examples. In doing so, you will examine a range of issues affecting the planning, development, marketing and operation of the creative industries, such as the concern with authenticity, the tensions between conservation and business viability, politics and propaganda, funding, interpretation, place identity and the visitor experience and dissonance and the blurring between fact and fiction.

    100% Coursework

    Optional modules

    PBS5001C
    The Challenge Module: Sustainable Business 20 credits

    Through this module you can select from a choice of topics related to the big challenges business and society are facing today. These might be drawn from the UN Sustainable Development Goals or a country’s industrial strategy.

    100% Coursework

    PBS5002C
    The Challenge Module: Sustainable Supply Chains for Global Trade 20 credits

    In this module, you will be challenged to evaluate the sustainability of the globalised business world. You will assess conflicting viewpoints and present balanced arguments for the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the supply chains that support global trade.

    100% Coursework

    PBS5003C
    The Challenge Module: Responsible Entrepreneurship in Action 20 credits

    Through this module you can develop an understanding of the big challenges business and society are facing today, in the context of entrepreneurship. These might be drawn from the UN Sustainable Development Goals or a country’s industrial strategy and will be informed by established business theories. You will develop and reflect on a business idea which has sustainability at its core.

    100% Coursework

  • Optional placement year

  • Apply your new-found skills on a work placement year in the UK or overseas, learning about the industry from those working in it every day. Our Placements Office supports you in finding your placement.

    Core modules

    PBS600PLC
    Placement Year

    The placement year consists of an extended period of appropriate professional experience in a business or organisation. It allows the student to gain relevant experience to consolidate their studies and prepare for final stage study and employment after graduation. Students on BA International Business may also or alternatively undertake a study placement at an approved partner institution.

  • Year 5

  • Develop your passion for tourism by researching a topic that excites you for your final thesis. Through the study of conceptual tourism, modules deepen your knowledge of challenges which arise in the modern tourism industry.

    Core modules

    HRL6009
    Leadership Practice 20 credits

    In this module, you will explore the role of leadership within organisations, including both the practical and theoretical aspects of leadership, and how such concepts can change over time. You will reflect on your own ability to act as a leader and your role in teamwork-based scenarios.

    60% Coursework

    40% Practicals

    PBS6000
    Honours Project 0 credits

    The module gives you the opportunity to investigate in-depth a specialist academic or practice-based topic for which you have a passion for knowing more within your field of study.

    100% Coursework

    PBS600CPD
    Continued Careers and Professional Development 0 credits

    The Continued Career and Professional Development module is a development scheme designed to enhance students’ employability and builds on the stage 2 module. The stage 3 module focuses on providing students with information on graduate options and equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary for articulating and recording achievement and applying for graduate positions. The module also includes a number of workshops and events designed to develop students’ skills and knowledge, with the purpose of filling gaps in their CV’s and enhancing their employability.

    THE6002
    Business Strategy and Consultancy 20 credits

    In this module, you will focus on exploring and understanding a range of theoretical approaches to developing strategies for businesses in the tourism, hospitality and events (THE) sectors and applying these principles to a live consultancy project. You can gain experience of working with a business in THE industries on a consultancy basis, either in a research or strategic development setting – you will engage with a client business to mutually identify a suitable project and develop findings and guidelines to inform a new strategic direction.

    100% Coursework

    Optional modules

    DEAS300
    Academic Skills for International Direct Entry Final Year Students 0 credits

    This module focuses on the study skills required for the study of business in UK HE for international direct entry final year students, it provides generic skills for students who are new to UK HE, such as information literacy, criticality, different types of assessment, assignment briefs, preparation and planning, and marking rubrics.

    HRL6010
    Experiential Practice 20 credits

    This module provides you with the opportunity both to reflect upon practical experience as well as develop your capabilities and profile so you are on course for life after graduation.

    100% Coursework

    THE6011
    Service Innovation in the Cruise Industry 20 credits

    This module introduces you to the management of passenger services on-board cruise liners, focussing on the provision of quality service, as a component of the cruise product.

    100% Coursework

    THE6012
    Global Cruise Operations 20 credits

    In this module you will consider the strategic nature of managing cruise lines, including risk avoidance, adherence to maritime legislations and continuity planning. Industry and scenario based case studies will help you to apply theoretical knowledge to of business continuity planning to realistic scenarios.

    100% Coursework

    THE6013
    Crisis and Disaster Management 20 credits

    This module will equip you with a sound understanding of the principles and practice of economic, environmental and political crisis and disaster management in the tourism industry.

    100% Coursework

    THE6014
    Tourism Development and Ethical Consumption 20 credits

    This module focuses on the dynamics of tourism development and on ethical consumption within the tourism and hospitality industry, introducing you to processes of development, to issues underlying local involvement and to the range of ethical concerns in developing countries. Drawing on approaches to ethical consumption, you will reflect upon your own and others’ understanding and practice, exploring ethical responses to business situations and undertaking in-depth reflection and critique of ‘real life’ scenarios.

    100% Coursework

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

32+

Contextual offers: Typically, the contextual offer for this course is 8 points below the advertised tariff. A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university.

Check your eligibility for a contextual offer

A level: 32-80 points from a minimum of 2 A levels.
BTEC:18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: Pass PPP-MMP in any subject.
BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.
International Baccalaureate:24-25 overall to include 4 at any subject at Higher Level. English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4, Standard Level = 5.
IELTS:If overseas and not studying English within IB – Must have IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all elements.
New Irish Highers:From 2017 32-80 points.
Access courses: Pass Access Course (any subject) plus GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4 or above or equivalent.
T level:Pass in any subject.
City and Guilds Level 3:We will accept with a minimum of Merit overall alongside a good GCSE profile, including English and Maths grade C / 4.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

Fees, costs and funding

Student 2024-2025 2025-2026 *
Home £9,250 £9,250
International £17,100 £17,600
Part time (Home) £770 £770
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024 the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to Parliamentary procedure. The University will give further details to both prospective and current students as soon as more information becomes available.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business additional costs .

Tuition fees for optional placement years

The fee for all undergraduate students completing any part of their placement year in the UK in 2024/2025 is £1,850.
The fee for all undergraduate students completing their whole placement year outside the UK in 2024/2025 is £1,385.
Learn more about placement year tuition fees

How to apply

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Placements

You can choose to take an optional placement year after your second year on a three-year programme. The placement year consists of an extended period of professional experience in a business or organisation. Examples of placements our students have previously undertook include, Princess Cruises, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa, Rosewood Hotels Hong Kong and Country Club of Darien, USA.

Study abroad

Opportunity to study a semester or year abroad during your second year at one of our partner institutions, including, but not limited to: USA, Finland, Germany, Spain, Iceland, Slovenia, France and Australia.
Tourism and Hospitality Field Work

Riding the waves of success

Yamir Prieto graduated in BSc (Hons) International Tourism management before setting up his own surf company. Yamir is now CEO of Planet Surf Camps, based in the Canary Islands.
International student Yamir reflects on the power of securing a placement with support from the academics and the career orientated aspects embedded into the course.
“The placement really helped me, because I could observe working for a company. It was great, because instead of having someone to tell me what I had to do during my placement, I was there by myself.”
Yamir Prieto surfing, BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management

Fitzroy Building

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Watch our video visualising what the new building will look like.
 

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