Plymouth Business School

BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management with Foundation Year

UCAS tariff 32+
UCAS course code N842
Institution code P60
Duration 4 years (+ optional placement)
Course type Full-time
Location Plymouth

Do you want to make a difference in the world’s fastest-growing industry by acquiring new knowledge and learning new skills? This four-year course starts with a foundation year, 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 vital tourism business management skills.

We are an Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) University Partner and accredited by the Tourism Management Institute (TMI). Recognised as a Centre of Excellence for the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT). Our relationship with these professional bodies offers you access to a range of information and opportunities.

International Tourism Management with Foundation Year
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.

What can you do with a hospitality, tourism and events management degree?

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.

Discover our careers service

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.
  • In order to support the development of our students as tourism professionals we maintain strong links with industry bodies and are accredited by the Tourism Management Institute, recognised by the Institute of Travel and Tourism and the Institute of Hospitality.
  • Our relationship with ABTA, the Tourism Management Institute and the Institute of Tourism and Travel offers you access to a range of information and opportunities.
  • The cruise management pathway provides an opportunity to understand both the provision of on-board services and the broader global cruise industry. You will learn about the legislative and environmental factors which shape cruise operations and how businesses manage the risks associated with a 24/7 operation at sea. The provision of quality customer service, in a luxury environment, will also be explored.
  • We believe that we can inspire our students to become the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry. We do this through a course which is industry focused, with opportunities to develop and enhance your knowledge and with employability skills embedded in all aspects of learning.
  • Learn from experts with extensive industry and research experience.

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

    • The World of Economics and Finance (ECN3100)

      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.

    • Global Business (STO3001)

      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.

    • Introduction to Business Research (STO3002)

      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.

    • Business Research Project (STO3003)

      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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Final year

  • 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.

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:

BSc International Tourism Management with Foundation Year Prog Spec Sep22 FINAL 7066

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.

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the changeable nature of the situation and any updates to government guidance, we may need to make further, last minute adjustments to how we deliver our teaching and learning on some or all of our programmes, at any time during the academic year. We want to reassure you that even if we do have to adjust the way in which we teach our programmes, we will be working to maintain the quality of the student learning experience and learning outcomes at all times.
Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

32+

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.

English language requirements

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

Fees, costs and funding
New Student 2022-2023 2023-2024
Home £9,250 £9,250
International £14,600 £16,300
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.

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.

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.

Take to the seas with our cruise pathway

Our BSc (Hons) International Tourism degree gives you the opportunity to specialise in cruise management. You will gain specialist knowledge and understanding with the potential to pursue a career in the cruise industry on completion of your studies.

Cruise modules focus on on-board operations management and the provision of passenger services, as well as the strategic management of the global cruise industry. You will gain an understanding of the challenges and requirements of running restaurants at sea, providing entertainment for thousands of people and keeping them safe and happy while cruising. You will also learn about the logistics of turnaround days, and embarkation and disembarkation procedures in various ports. We also explore maritime legislation, risk management and continuity planning.

Cruise Ship Placement Student

Meet our experts

  • Academic Lead - Teaching and Quality in School of Tourism and Hospitality
    Wide-ranging academic expertise in tourism
  • Lecturer in Leadership and Business Management
    Extensive industry experience with expert knowledge of cruise operations
  • Professor
    Comprehensive research portfolio, expertise in socio-economic issues in tourism
  • Head of Division - Business Management
    Extensive industry experience with specialist knowledge of health and safety
  • Deputy Head of School
    International expert for a range of universities across Europe
  • Lecturer in Tourism, Hospitality & Events Management (Education)
    Specialist teacher of research methods

Plymouth Business School

  • ? Committed to social, economic and environmental responsibility
  • ? Supporting the internationally recognised focus on sustainability and social purpose of the University
  • ? Leading business ready graduates onto a successful career and happy life
  • ? Supporting graduates to make informed choices based on current economic and market trends
  • ? Building students resilience and confidence
  • ? Promoting practical skills development