Course specification and structure
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UDTTRMAN - BA Tourism and Travel Management

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Bachelor of Arts Level Honours
Possible interim awards Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education, Bachelor of Arts
Total credits for course 360
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School Guildhall School of Business and Law
Subject Area Business and Management
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 3 YEARS  
Part-time 4 YEARS  
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

This degree brings you closer to a professional managerial career in the biggest service economy of the world: the tourism and travel sector. During your studies you'll benefit from close links with business and government, as well as insights from international projects by research centres such as Tourism Concern and Atlas Research. The course is designed to offer an intellectually stimulating and distinctive programme by combining in the syllabus closely related fields of business management, tourism, travel and destination management.

Within the international economy, tourism and travel is seen as a major employer and sector providing unique development opportunities to less developed countries. It's also one of the few economic activities responsible for intensified contributions towards nature and cultural heritage protection and conservation. All over the world, especially in Europe, tourism and travel are positioned as leaders in local communities’ activation programmes and used as an indicator of the quality of life.
This programme has been developed to answer the tourism and travel industry's demand for specialised managers and planners. It's constantly evolving to include the most up-to-date issues and to prepare entrepreneurs for the challenging tourism business environment. You'll acquire knowledge in sustainable tourism management, cultural heritage and tourism-led regeneration and be faced with challenges of improving London’s transport hubs and marketing British tourism destinations. Having gained an understanding of the application of management theory and practices to the sector through the core modules, you’ll be given the opportunity to develop specific interests through options, including studies of niche tourism, visitor attractions, creative industries policy, digital modelling, project management and tourism development seeing how tourism relates to issues of global peace, justice, human rights and social inclusion.

Class-based contact is enhanced by multiple blended learning techniques, providing an on-line support and guidance as well as enhancing student participation. Learning and teaching includes guest speakers - e.g. tourism destination and visitor attraction marketers, regeneration specialists, sustainability advocates - to engage you in contemporary challenges for practitioners and to enable appreciation of career opportunities and continuing professional development after graduation. The teaching utilises our London location with a series of case study site visits including the Tower Bridge Experience, Emirates Stadium, Museum of London (e.g. to observe tourism destinations, to consider how visitors experience services and facilities, to discuss how improvements might be achieved) and participation in tourism trade show.
Our overseas study tour is the highlight of the course providing an early example of field research techniques and addressing tourism marketing, management, operations planning and sustainability issues. We have previously organised and hosted the annual Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport student conference, with speakers including Hugh Sumner, former director of transport at the Olympic Delivery Agency. We also have one of the most diverse international bodies of students, which allows us to teach a range of worldwide case studies based on students' own experiences and culture.

You will have multiple opportunities to develop skills of primary and secondary research through practice-based projects, e.g. evaluating tourism-based regeneration projects, assessing the quality of tourism destination product portfolio, making recommendations to a ‘client’ with guidance from tutors, round-table and on-line discussion.

We believe that your university experience should be designed to enhance and support your professional life. We place as much emphasis on gaining skills relevant to the workplace as on learning the academic discipline that you are studying. We embed employability in every year of your journey with us, starting from core modules, through a range of short- and long work placements opportunities (including a one-year sandwich placement) to the professional environment stimulation modules such as Destination Management and Marketing. We also offer European Student Exchange Programme (Erasmus) allowing you to gain practical experience whilst studying.

This course is designed to offer an intellectually stimulating and distinctive programme that enables you to prepare for a satisfying career. Over the past twenty years, many of our graduates have developed rewarding careers in business, government and third sector tourism organisations, as managers in road, rail, sea and air transport, tour operators, destination managers and planners, and in research and consultancy.

Course aims

  1. To offer an intellectually stimulating, career-relevant and coherent programme, enabling students to develop a thorough understanding of theories, approaches and techniques relevant to professional practice in tourism, travel and destination management
  2. To develop a holistic appreciation of the multimodal distribution chain and developments in digital media, including the role of marketing and communications, entrepreneurship, operational and strategic management in tourism and travel industries
  3. To provide comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the socio-cultural, economic, technological, and political environment in which the tourism destinations and industry operates, relevant systems of governance and public policy at different scales: global, national, and local
  4. To develop a sound appreciation of effective people management in organisations, career opportunities for graduates as well as the student’s potential contribution as a manager and professional in tourism destinations and industry sector
  5. To enhance the ability of students to operate as effective learners, independently as well as in teams, and to foster a creative approach to evidence-based problem solving
  6. To develop and improve students as researchers, able to carry out primary research relating to contemporary issues in tourism and travel, including data collection, data analysis, presentation of findings and recommendations

Course learning outcomes

Key learning outcomes:
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

  1. Explain relevant management theories, approaches and techniques, and apply them critically to ‘live’ issues and challenges in tourism, travel and destination management
  2. Comprehend the multi-faceted nature of decision-making in tourism, with particular reference to the multimodal distribution chain and digital media
  3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the business environment in which the tourism destinations and industry operates, together with governance and public policy at different scales from global to local and demonstrate the necessity of integrated planning for harmonious and sustainable development of destinations, tourism and travel industries and its host environments

Cognitive skills

  1. Learn independently, as well as contribute to the work of a groups, and demonstrate an ability to think creatively through evidence-based problem solving, questioning of available literature in pursuit of information relating to specific research problems, and recognition of the existence of alternative perspectives
  2. Access, analyse, interpret and summarise information, synthesise quantitative and qualitative approaches to problems and develop reasoned arguments from available lines of evidence by evaluating data, concepts and principles sought from diverse sources, utilizing subject-specific conventions within a multi-disciplinary context

Transferable skills

  1. Communicate effectively via a range of media and to a variety of audiences
  2. Work effectively individually and as a member of a team with due regard to personal responsibilities, goals, and sensitivities of others, thinning and acting strategically but ethically in both study and work environments
  3. Consider circumstances, objectives and problems from a broad perspective, utilising appropriate tools to critically address issues that may be difficult, complex or ethically challenging

Subject-specific practical skills

  1. Competently carry out primary research (data collection, processing and analysis, presentation of findings and recommendations) relating to contemporary issues in tourism and travel
  2. Design, plan, implement, complete and report on a discrete piece of research work simulating professional practice in the tourism and travel sector
  3. Appreciate the complex and dynamic ethical dimensions associated with a holistic approach to tourism destinations, businesses, management, sustainability and development issues

Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

1. Explain relevant management theories, approaches and techniques, and apply them critically to ‘live’ issues and challenges in tourism and travel management

2. Comprehend the multi-faceted nature of decision-making in tourism and travel, with particular reference to the multimodal travel chain and digital media distribution

3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the business environment in which the tourism and travel industry operates, together with governance and public policy at different scales from global down to local

4. Demonstrate the necessity of integrated planning for the harmonious and sustainable development of tourism and travel and its host environments

Cognitive skills

5. Learn independently as well as contribute to the work of a small groups, and demonstrate an ability to think creatively through evidence-based problem solving

6. Question available literature in pursuit of information relating to specific research problems, recognising the existence of alternative perspectives

7. Assess, analyse, interpret and summarise information. In particular, students will be able to integrate information, findings and interpretations from different disciplines of tourism and travel for application to specific issues and problems including situations where ethical and corporate responsibility issues emerge that require consideration of alternative viewpoints

8. Synthesise quantitative an qualitative approaches to problems and develop reasoned arguments from available lines of evidence

9. Evaluate data, concepts and principles sought from diverse sources, utilizing subject-specific conventions within a multi-disciplinary context

Transferable skills

10. Understand the significance of effective people management in organisations, career opportunities for graduates and their potential contribution to professional practice

11. Communicate effectively via a range of media and to a variety of audiences

12. Work effectively both on their own and as a member of a team with due regard to personal responsibilities, goals, and sensitivities of others

13. Consider circumstances, objectives and problems from a broad perspective, utilising appropriate tools to critically address issues that may be difficult, complex or ethically challenging

14. Undertake data collection, processing and analysis competently

15. Think and act strategically but ethically in both study and work environments

Subject-specific practical skills

16. Carry out primary research relating to contemporary issues in tourism and travel, including data collection and analysis, presentation of findings and recommendations

17. Design, plan, implement, complete and report on a discrete piece of research work simulating professional practice in the tourism and travel sector

18. Gather tourism, travel and other field data as appropriate, and to analyse and interpret the findings appropriately

19. Appreciate the complex and dynamic ethical dimensions associated with a holistic approach to the tourism and travel business, management, sustainability and development issues and problems

20. Comprehend the management of risk by carriers and other service providers in the tourism and travel sector, and the broad policy, legal and regulatory framework of passenger transport in the UK/Europe and internationally

Principle QAA benchmark statements

The QAA Subject Benchmark statement for Hospitality, Leisure Sports and Tourism (2008) has been adopted.

Assessment strategy

Knowledge and understanding is tested through a balanced range of formative and summative assessments.

Formative assessment forms a significant part of the learning process and includes weekly tasks of blog posts, reflective learning logs, glossaries and feedback provided orally and in writing on drafts, proposals, case study choices and further facilitated via individual and small groups meetings assessing progresses towards the summative assessments.

Summative assessments include: unseen examination, in-class tests, practice-based projects and case studies, role-play scenarios and simulations that simulate challenges for practitioners in the sector, coursework essays and reports incl. a photo-essay, blogs, portfolios, presentations (oral, poster, video) and visitor trail design as well as a research proposal and a dissertation.

Assessments are both in groups and individual.

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

Opportunities for work-based learning are provided within L5 and L6 core modules: Leading Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Destination Management and Marketing; Tourism Policy and Travel in Society; and additionally through optional modules, such as: Creative Practice and Digital Business Modelling.

As part of our Undergraduate Student Promise, every student will undertake accredited work-related learning (in either the form of a work placement or ‘live’ project with a partner organisation or planning to set up small business) as a core, compulsory element within their course programme.

You will have the option of taking the “Learning Through Work” or “Create a Winning Business” 15 credit module in your course programme. Additionally you have the option of taking an additional 30 credit 12 month sandwich placement module (which would extend your course to four years).

Work-related learning provides students with:

  • the experience of a competitive recruitment process or pitching for an opportunity
  • a work-related experience or project which impacts a real organisation
  • assessment and feedback on their reflections on their experience of the work-related learning and planning for their future career.

Where required, students will be supported in finding suitable opportunities which can be either be a placement, part-time role or ’live’ project for an external organisation untaken within the University. We have dedicated placements and careers teams who will assist learners with all aspects of their job search and application. The suitability of the opportunities will be assessed by the Module Leader on an individual basis. It is the student’s responsibility to apply for opportunities and engage with the relevant University personnel who to assist them in gaining a suitable role.

Learners may be able to utilise their existing part-time / vacation employment (whether or not this relates to their subject area), providing they can demonstrate that it is personally developmental and involves responsibility (decided upon submission of the role details by the Module Leader).

Course specific regulations

Standard University regulations apply

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

Core Level 4 module BA4006 Understanding Business Information introduces and develops skills necessary for reflective learning and offers basics for independent research. Additionally, LT4XXX introduces learning portfolio as a tool for development of one’s learning.

At level 5, core module MN5004 Leading Innovation and Entrepreneurship is strongly student-centred, with concepts of action and experiential learning emphasised and students encouraged to focus on their own creative experience as observers of, or participants in, small and family businesses. LT5081 Applied Research with Field Trip is focused on practical aspects of social, field research providing students with an opportunity to reflect on application of their learning so far to practice, their communication and project management skills. Any group assignments include reflective log and acknowledgment of team dynamics.

At Level 6, core module LT6020 Destination Management and Marketing inserts professional environment simulation to enable students to experience reality of work as destination manager and consider such career path for their future. Optional module (LT6059 Tourism and Development) includes reflective blog examining student’s own responses to the challenges and complexities of the development agenda and tourism.

Arrangements on the course for careers education, information and guidance

Further sector-specific careers advice is available through the course team’s links with the professional bodies, i.e. Tourism Concern, Tourism Management Institute and Tourism Society

Other external links providing expertise and experience

Our lecturers are renowned experts in the field of niche tourism, sustainability, tourism geography, cultural tourism and regeneration, and cooperate with Tourism Society, Tourism Concern, Tourism Management Institute, ATLAS research network and Cities Institute.

Career opportunities

We believe that your university experience should be designed to enhance and support your professional life. We place as much emphasis on gaining skills relevant to the workplace as on learning the academic discipline that you are studying. We embed employability in every year of your journey with us, starting from year one modules, through short- and long placement modules to the professional environment stimulation modules such as Destination Management and Marketing.

This course is designed to offer an intellectually stimulating and distinctive programme that enables you to prepare for a satisfying career. Over the past twenty years, many of our graduates have developed rewarding careers in business, government and third sector tourism organisations, as managers in road, rail, sea and air transport, tour operators, destination managers and planners, and in research and consultancy.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

  • a minimum grade C in three A levels in academic subjects (or a minimum of 96 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
  • English Language and Mathematics GCSEs at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above (or equivalent)

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2013/14 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 01 Sep 2013 Last validation date 01 Sep 2013  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes N830 (Tourism): 50% , N810 (Travel Management): 50%
Route code TTRMAN

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 04 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
BA4006 Understanding Business Information Core 30        
LT4012 Introduction to the Events, Music, Tourism and ... Core 30        
MC4004 Principles and Practice in Marketing Core 30        
MN4002 Fundamentals of Management Core 30        

Stage 2 Level 05 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
LT5001 Culture, Tourism and Regeneration Core 30        
LT5026 Service Excellence for Tourism Core 30        
LT5078 Sustainability, Business and Responsibility Core 15 NORTH SPR WED PM
          NORTH SPR MON AM
          NORTH SPR TUE AM
          NORTH SPR WED AM
LT5085 Skills, Methods and Analysis Core 15        
LT5053 Niche Tourism Option 15        
LT5086 Applied Research with Field Course Option 15        
OL0000 Open Language Programme Module Option 15 NORTH SPR NA  
          NORTH AUT NA  

Stage 3 Level 06 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
LT6020 Destination Management and Marketing Core 30        
LT6086 Strategy in Tourism and Travel Core 15 NORTH AUT FRI AM
LT6P26 Research Methods for Dissertations and Consulta... Core 30        
MN6W50 Creating a Winning Business 2 Alt Core 15        
MN6W55 Learning through Work 2 Alt Core 15        
BA6052 Project Management Option 15        
CA6057 Risk Management and Business Continuity Option 15        
LT6067 Creative Industries and Events Policy Option 15        
LT6082 Visitor Attraction Management Option 15        
MC6085 Managing the Creative Environment Option 15        
MN6067 Achieve Your Potential Option 15        
MN6W04 Professional Experience Year Placement Option 30 NORTH AUT+SPR NA  
OL0000 Open Language Programme Module Option 15 NORTH SPR NA  
          NORTH AUT NA  
XK0000 Extension of Knowledge Module Option 15 NORTH SPR NA  
          NORTH AUT NA