BSc (Hons) Cruise Management

Course validated by the University of Plymouth
BSc (Hons) Cruise Management

Created in collaboration with the industry's finest cruise companies, we cultivate students professional hospitality management skills in cruise operations. Students will emerge confident and eager for the responsibility of managing sophisticated floating resorts around the world. The University of Plymouth is a leading provider of education for this sector, students will gain a vocational qualification with both choice and flexibility within a growing industry.

Key features

  • Study with a leading provider of education for this sector. 
  • Gain a vocational qualification with both choice and flexibility within a growing industry. 
  • Benefit from excellent industry support throughout the course – our key partners include Celebrity Cruises, providing work placements and career opportunities. 
  • Choose a course rated as excellent for cruise management education. 
  • Institute of Hospitality accredited.

Course details

Year 1

In the first year, students study the key issues of today’s maritime tourism industry and all aspects of its operations with a focus on cruise hotel operations.

Core modules

  • HTM111 Tourism Environments and Tourist Behaviour
  • HTM144 Spa and Resort Management
  • HTM151 Introduction to Sustainable Tourism, Hospitality, Events and Cruise Management
  • HTM153 Cruise and Hospitality Operations
  • HTM154 Tourism Industry: Principles and Practice
  • HTM156 Management and Employability Skills

Year 2

In the second year, students start to rehearse operational skills in various management contexts. Students refine their research techniques and gain further insights into the industry. Students learn the practicalities of what it takes to be a manager for cruise business.

Core modules

  • HTM232 Food and Drink Management
  • HTM234 Contemporary Business Management for Hospitality Organisations
  • HTM245 Cruise Operations and Passenger Services
  • HTM249 Hospitality Business Development and Performance
  • HTM251 Research Methods
  • HTMP202 Career Investment Programme 2

Optional modules

  • DEAS200 Academic Skills for International Direct Entry Second Year Students
  • ELC203 English for Academic Purposes
  • FREX01 French 1
  • FREX02 French 2
  • HTM233 Contemporary Food Concerns
  • HTM248 Tourism Planning and Management
  • SPNX01 Spanish 1
  • SPNX02 Spanish 2


Optional placement year

Students have the opportunity to practice their new skills aboard a cruise ship or alternatively in a hotel, and get paid while training. Students build up their confidence and enhance their CV while gathering a network of important future work contacts. Cruise placements are competitive and subject to availability. 

Core modules

  • HTMP300 Work Placement Year


Final year

In the final year, students undertake a detailed study of a cruise operations or cruise tourism topic of personal interest for the final honours project. Students will scrutinise strategy, business planning and quality from the cruise industry perspective.

Core modules

  • HTM311 Cruise Operations Continuity Planning
  • HTM314 Honours Project
  • HTM322 Managing Service Innovation
  • HTM333 Hospitality Dynamics
  • HTMP301 Career Investment Programme 3

Optional modules

  • DEAS300 Academic Skills for International Direct Entry Final Year Students
  • ELC315 Professional and Academic Communication
  • FREX01 French 1
  • FREX02 French 2
  • HTM339 Leadership
  • HTM342 Business Strategy and Consultancy for the Tourism, Hospitality & Events Sectors
  • SPNX01 Spanish 1
  • SPNX02 Spanish 2

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

Programme Specification

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

A level: 104-120 points from a minimum of 2 A levels. This course considers general studies.

BTEC: 18 Unit BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM 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.

Access: Pass a named Access to HE Diploma in any subject with at least 33 credits at merit/distinction.

IB: 26 - 30 overall to include 4 at any subject at Higher Level.
English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4   Standard Level = 5

All applicants must have GCSE (or equivalent) mathematics and English at grade 4/C or above.

Applicants are required to attend an informal interview at an offer holder day or open day with the Programme Leader. Further details will be communicated once an application has been received.

Short of the entry requirements for this course? Don’t worry you may be eligible for a foundation year to prepare you for possible entry onto this course for the following year.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

How to apply

Applications should be made through our partner institutions:

HKU Space

Peninsula College Malaysia