Undergraduate Course

BSc Tourism Management

(Including Foundation Year)

Overview

The details

Course: Tourism Management (Including Foundation Year)

UCAS code: N835

Start date: October 2021

Study mode: Full-time

Maximum duration: 4 years

Location: Southend Campus

Based in: Essex Pathways

BSc Tourism Management (Including Foundation Year) is open to Home and EU students. It will be suitable for you if your academic qualifications do not yet meet our entrance requirements for the three-year version of this course and you want a programme that increases your subject knowledge as well as improves your academic skills.

This four-year course includes a foundation year (Year Zero), followed by a further three years of study. During your Year Zero, you study four academic subjects relevant to your chosen course as well as a compulsory English language and academic skills module.You will spend Year Zero of your four year degree studying at our Colchester Campus. For your second, third and fourth year of study, you will be based at our Southend Campus.

You are an Essex student from day one, a member of our global community based at the most internationally diverse campus university in the UK.

After successful completion of Year Zero in our Essex Pathways Department, you progress to complete your course with Essex Business School.

The tourism industry will require resilience and adaptability in order to bounce back in a post-pandemic world. This degree will equip you with the skills you need to help face these challenges. For graduates who can combine management expertise with industry knowhow, travel, tourism and leisure holds exciting career opportunities.

This practical course in tourism management provides industry-specific knowledge and applied management skills so you can excel in a career in travel, tourism, event management and customer service. Your introductory first year grounds you in the main functional areas of business, so you also have the flexibility to enter any area of management or start your own tourism business.

You have the option to undertake an industry work placement year to further enhance your CV and can tailor your studies to your interests with a choice of optional modules.

You study a broad range of topics, such as:

tourism management and operations
the organisation, design and promotion of large scale events
destination marketing and consumer behaviour
intercultural management and globalisation
the meeting, incentive travel and exhibition sector (MICE)
the services industry and customer satisfaction
organisational behaviour
ecommerce and innovation
business strategy and entrepreneurship

In your final year, you put your knowledge into practice by completing an applied research project, such as a business plan or dissertation, on your choice of tourism topic. This practical assignment could make use of Essex Business School’s unique location in Southend-on-Sea, a seaside tourist and leisure destination just an hour from the UK’s capital city and one of the most entrepreneurial counties in the UK.

You learn about the latest academic thinking on issues affecting today’s business world. We’re focused on responsible management and sustainable business, with our students and staff joining us from all over the world.

This BSc Tourism Management course develops your critical thinking, analytical, communication and intercultural skills. We explore tourism at both international and domestic (UK) levels and examine its importance to the local, regional and global economy.

You learn about the sector’s structure and organisation and the factors determining the success of a tourist destination. By examining issues such as environmental sustainability, as well as the cultural, societal and political context in which tourism operates, you can develop the confidence to solve existing and future industry challenges.

Why we're great.

You learn in a renowned seaside tourism and leisure destination.
We develop your practical tourism management skills and knowledge.
Our Southend Campus is in one of the most entrepreneurial counties in the UK and less than an hour from London.

THE Awards 2018 - Winner University of the Year

Our expert staff

Our academics have a global understanding of business, specialising in both established and developing markets. They are at the forefront of entrepreneurship research and challenges effecting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and use this knowledge in their teaching to ensure your education is at the cutting-edge of real-world business issues.

Our staff specialise in areas including:

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
business-to-business relationship marketing
branding
marketing management
new product development
social entrepreneurship

Our highly regarded and dynamic faculty are well placed to bring their expertise to your study of Tourism Management Dr Wei Liu’s wide-ranging research interests include: Dark Tourism; Visitor Experience; Consumer Behaviour; and, Destination Marketing and Management.

Specialist facilities

Our BSc Tourism Management is based at our Southend Campus, a dynamic seaside resort and one of the South of England’s most famous tourist destinations. Southend-on-Sea is home to the world’s longest pier, a theme park, leisure attractions and a wealth of holiday accommodation, providing potential opportunities for work experience and useful context for your assignments. Make Southend your destination and immerse yourself by observing the tourism sector at a local, regional and international level.

We are just an hour’s train journey from the UK’s capital city, home to some of the world’s most iconic attractions and London Southend Airport is just 15 minutes by taxi.

Our campus is situated in the heart of the town centre, with a host of restaurants, bars and shops, and just a few minutes’ walk from the seafront.

You have access to excellent facilities, including:

Learning hub open 24/7with computer suites and study pods
extensive library
employability support, events and initiatives
study skills advice
dedicated student services team
dental practice
Faith Centre
our cosy SU Lounge, with pool tables and large-screen TV for socialising and relaxation!

The Hive Enterprise Centre is located close to Campus, providing access to networking events and business meetups that offer finance and marketing support for startups.

Your future

The travel, tourism and hospitality sector is a huge employer of graduates and the skills you will gain in organisational efficiency and destination marketing strategy from your tourism management degree will prepare you for the more competitive roles that the sector offers.

This course is suited to those looking for a career in business management and marketing, as well as those looking for roles in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector.

The BSc Tourism Management curriculum taught here embeds transferable employability skills in analysis, critical thinking, presentation and communication across all modules.

The Study Skills module in year one will develop your academic skills, while the Student Success modules in year two will build on what you learned in year one and so that you can easily step up to meet the growing academic demands of your second and final years. The Successful Futures module in year two will foster your professionalism and introduce you to the graduate recruitment process, including practical advice to excel at interviews and assessment centres.

As this course was only introduced in 2017, we are yet to see where BSc Tourism Management graduates take their skills to, but recent Essex Business School – Southend campus graduate destinations include:

Consultant at TEKsystems – a data insights and business systems provider
Associate Professional Business Analyst at DXC Technology" – an end-to-end IT services company
Entrepreneur in Residence at Founders Factory - a tech startup business partnering company

The School will support you with a range of skills and careers opportunities, including: skills development workshops; employer talks; skills events and careers conferences.

BSc Tourism Management students can also take advantage of the services offered by the Student Development Team, including: careers advice; work experience; internships; placements; and voluntary opportunities.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

UK and EU applicants:

All applications for degree courses with a foundation year (Year Zero) will be considered individually, whether you

think you might not have the grades to enter the first year of a degree course;
have non-traditional qualifications or experience (e.g. you haven’t studied A-levels or a BTEC);
are returning to university after some time away from education; or
are looking for more support during the transition into university study.

Standard offer:

Our standard offer is 72 UCAS tariff points from at least two full A-levels, or equivalent.

Examples of the above tariff may include:

A-levels: DDD
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMP

For this course all applicants must also hold GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent). We may be able to consider a pass in Level 2 Functional Skills Maths where you cannot meet the requirements for Maths at GCSE level. However, you are advised to try to retake GCSE Mathematics if possible as this will better prepare you for university study and future employment.

If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria, please get in touch for advice.

Mature applicants and non-traditional academic backgrounds:

We welcome applications from mature students (over 21) and students with non-traditional academic backgrounds (might not have gone on from school to take level 3 qualifications). We will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference, to gain a rounded view of your suitability for the course.

You will still need to meet our GCSE requirements.

International applicants:

Essex Pathways Department is unable to accept applications from international students. Foundation pathways for international students are available at the University of Essex International College and are delivered and awarded by Kaplan, in partnership with the University of Essex. Successful completion will enable you to progress to the relevant degree course at the University of Essex.

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 select your country page where you'll find this information.

English language requirements

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 5.5 overall. Specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels required. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications

If you are an international student requiring a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

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.

Additional Notes

Our Year 0 courses are only open to UK and EU applicants. If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to your chosen 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

The course structure is designed to balance a specialisation in tourism with a comprehensive understanding of all core areas of business management.

Year zero provides with you the necessary skills and knowledge in order for you to progress onto your chosen area of study. Successful completion of year zero guarantees you entry to the first year of your undergraduate degree course.

In the first year you will cover the fundamentals that every business manager needs to know including topics such as entrepreneurship, economics, accounting, finance, management and marketing. Then in second and final year you will have some compulsory modules focussed on tourism and others designed to deepen your understanding of core business management topics. Your optional modules add flexibility for you to make the degree your own.

The structure shown below is just one example from the current academic year of how the degree could look, including some popular optional modules.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore all modules listed are subject to change. To view the full programme structure and lists of available optional modules currently on offer please click on the link below.

Your course structure could differ based on the modules you choose.

Teaching and learning disclaimer

Following the impact of the pandemic, we made changes to our teaching and assessment to ensure our current students could continue with their studies uninterrupted and safely. These changes included courses being taught through blended delivery, normally including some face-to-face teaching, online provision, or a combination of both across the year.

The teaching and assessment methods listed show what is currently planned for 2021 entry; changes may be necessary if, by the beginning of this course, we need to adapt the way we’re delivering them due to the external environment, and to allow you to continue to receive the best education possible safely and seamlessly.

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:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 02: CORE

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 03: CORE

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 04: CORE

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Introduction to Accounting and Finance

(15 CREDITS)

It’s essential that every aspiring entrepreneur, manager and leader understands the basics of accounting and finance. In this introductory module you’ll explore the principles of financial and management accounting; the recording of transactions; the preparation of financial statements and their analysis; the principles of cost accumulation and decision making in businesses; techniques of cost control; the management of working capital; the sources of funding and investment appraisal. You’ll explore the key theories, carry out problem-solving exercises and learn how to apply these within companies.

View Introduction to Accounting and Finance on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Business Creation and Growth

(15 CREDITS)

If you’re looking to start your own business, or to help an existing business to grow, then this module provides the essential knowledge you’ll need. You develop a greater understanding of the various aspects involved in new venture creation and growth, from opportunity identification, evaluation and implementation through to continued growth and management. Using practical exercises, case studies and videos, you learn about the business life cycle from start-up to growth and maturity and explore business development from economic and behavioural perspectives.

View Business Creation and Growth on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Business Economics

(15 CREDITS)

This module introduces you to key economic theories and concepts, covering highly topical issues affecting the business world. Using real-life case studies, you explore the key microeconomics principles and concepts that can help to explain why economic activities occur and explore whether it is possible to improve economic situations for society.

View Business Economics on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Introduction to International Business

(15 CREDITS)

At Essex Business School we’re proud of our international community, bringing international expertise into the classroom. In this module you are introduced to the global business environment and how this impacts upon corporations and their decision to operate internationally. You explore the different strategies organisations can adopt when entering international markets and examine aspects of managing multinational corporations, such as marketing, human resource management and global supply chain management.

View Introduction to International Business on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Introduction to Quantitative Analysis

(15 CREDITS)

Throughout your career you’ll likely need to make use of a wide variety of quantitative techniques, many of which can provide essential information to aid decision-making. In this module you gain a basic understanding of the wide variety of techniques available for analysis in business management. This is especially relevant in today's data-driven society, where large, complex data sets are widespread across many different sectors.

View Introduction to Quantitative Analysis on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY

Principles of Markets, Marketing and Selling

(30 CREDITS)

This module provides a broad introduction to marketing at national and international levels. You explore the marketing of both products and services in organisations of different sizes, with a particular focus on entrepreneurial organisations. You explore the marketing environment for new ventures and the challenges of marketing in regional, local and global marketplaces. Other topics include the use of marketing information and research, strategic marketing planning and the marketing mix.

View Principles of Markets, Marketing and Selling on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY

Professional and Academic Development

(15 CREDITS)

The Professional and Academic Development module helps you build a foundation in core academic skill requirements to help you improve the standard of your academic work across all of your first year modules. This module also introduces you to the themes of career planning and employability skills and establishing a career path.

View Professional and Academic Development on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Introduction to Tourism Management

(15 CREDITS)

This module introduces key tourism concepts and examines the socio-cultural, economic, political and environmental context in which the industry operates. You explore the importance of tourism to the local, regional and global economy and gain an understanding of the industry’s challenges and opportunities. We introduce supply-side and demand-side tourism, destination management and sustainability issues. You examine the different roles of the tourist and host, including the impact of cultural change upon societies, and address the complexity of customer satisfaction.

View Introduction to Tourism Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Organisational Behaviour and Management

(15 CREDITS)

To be an effective manager or leader, you need to understand organisational behaviour. This module provides awareness of the organisational factors and management processes influencing the behaviour and performance of people at work. You explore different perspectives on organisational processes, covering topics such as group development and teamwork, leadership, change management, organisational culture and development interventions.

View Organisational Behaviour and Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Consumer Behaviour

(15 CREDITS)

Examine the various determinants of consumer behaviour, the theories of consumer behaviour and their application to managerial decision-making. You also gain an appreciation of understanding consumer behaviour in areas of new product testing, and advertising, distribution and pricing research.

View Consumer Behaviour on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Internationalisation of the Services Sector

(15 CREDITS)

This module explores how tourism products and services are distributed across the world. It looks at how the internet is transforming the ways in which new products are brought to market, including the emergence of new travel and tourism players, such as Airbnb. You explore the impacts of political, social and economic changes upon industry. Example topics include: international visitor flow, the global aviation and cruise industries, the internationalism of tourism labour markets, the sharing economy and space tourism.

View Internationalisation of the Services Sector on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Business Research Methods

(15 CREDITS)

This module introduces a number of business and management research methods, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship and small business. You explore philosophical research issues, such as selecting appropriate research methods and judging the quality and value of findings. You learn how to write a research proposal and design and plan quantitative and qualitative research. This includes collecting data, analysing findings and presenting results.

View Business Research Methods on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY

Professional and Academic Development 2

(15 CREDITS)

This module will give you a clear understanding of feedback, Dweck`s concept of a `growth mindset`, and how you can use these to improve your studies and career. We want you to have a passion for learning, a willingness to challenge yourself, and an eagerness to learn from mistakes, so this module will help you to understand group work and presentations and to acquire the relevant skills to successfully undertake both. The module also serves as a bridge for your final year, so that students should be able to understand the expectations of the final year and the possible career paths you can take after you graduate, and how you can use summer vacations to get ahead.

View Professional and Academic Development 2 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 07: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Tourism Operations

(15 CREDITS)

This module explores the breadth of tourism operations, including large scale events, attractions, gaming entertainment, incentive travel and the lodging business. We equip you with the conceptual framework and practical skills needed to project manage and control sustainable tourism operations and events. You learn about the supply of food and beverages and the organisation of staff, suppliers and contractors. We discuss service design and improvement, funding, sponsorship, marketing, public relations and cross-cultural awareness.

View Tourism Operations on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Tourism Marketing

(15 CREDITS)

This module introduces key theoretical concepts, issues and trends in tourism marketing. You explore the complexities and challenges of destination marketing, including the need to persevere societal and environmental sustainability of tourist destinations. Topics include integrated communications and marketing channels, services marketing, product development, destination partnerships, place strategy and pricing.

View Tourism Marketing on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Communication and Intercultural Skills

(15 CREDITS)

To succeed in international management, it is vital to appreciate the cultural differences of your staff and customers. This module aims to equip you with the necessary communication and intercultural skills needed to manage people from different cultures in a changing and competitive global landscape. We explore theories of culture and develop your cultural self-awareness and confidence to manage across national boundaries in a highly interconnected world.

View Communication and Intercultural Skills on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Business Strategy

(30 CREDITS)

Enhance your understanding of the concepts and nature of strategy and its interactions with the macro environment, industries/sectors and business operations. You develop your skills analysing opportunities and threats, managing strategic capability and resources, understanding competitive advantage, competition and collaboration, directions and methods of business development, as well as managing strategic change.

View Business Strategy on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Research Project - Tourism Management

(15 CREDITS)

This module enables you to put your knowledge into practice by undertaking an applied research project, such as a business plan or dissertation, on your choice of tourism topic. You may choose to draw on the course’s unique location in Southend-on-Sea, one of the South of England’s most famous seaside resorts, or its close proximity to London tourist attractions.

View Research Project - Tourism Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY

Career Skills in Business

(0 CREDITS)

This module will help you to understand the interests, skills and competencies which are relevant to your future career choices. You will learn how to find the graduate-level roles and career paths available to business students and you will learn about the skills necessary to successfully compete in the graduate labour market after you graduate.

View Career Skills in Business on our Module Directory

Teaching

You learn via a combination of lectures, seminars, class exercises and case studies.
Presentations and notes are uploaded online before lectures to help you prepare.
You complete your final year project in consultation with a personal supervisor.

Assessment

You are assessed through in-class tests, coursework and end-of-year exams.

Dissertation

You undertake an applied research project, such as a tourism business plan or dissertation, in your final year. This can be on your choice of topic, but your work must be related to travel and tourism.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£9,250

International fee

£16,850

EU students commencing their course in the 2021-22 academic year will be liable for the International fee.

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Home/UK fees and funding information

International fees and funding information

What's next

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.

2021 Open Days (Southend Campus)

Thursday, August 12, 2021

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Find out more

Applications for our full-time undergraduate courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Applications are online at: www.ucas.com. Full details on this process can be obtained from the UCAS website in the how to apply section.

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.

For information on transferring from another university, applying when you are not at school or college, and applying for readmission, please see How to apply and entry requirements

Applicant Days and interviews

If you are an undergraduate student who has received an offer from us to study with us from October 2021, you will be invited to attend a Virtual Applicant Day so that you can get to know us from the comfort of your own home. Our Virtual Applicant Days will run until June 2021 and give you the chance meet academics online from the department you’ve applied to, and attend live talks and Q&A’s on our Virtual Applicant Day platform.

Some of our courses also require a compulsory interview. If you have applied to one of these courses you will receive an invite to a Zoom interview via email, along with further details about the interview process.

With its lively, state-of-the-art facilities and a close-knit international community, Southend is the perfect environment for living and learning.

If you're joining our School of Health and Social Care, East 15 Acting School, Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, or Essex Business School, you may well be studying at our Southend Campus.

Famous for its beach resort and pier, Southend-on-Sea stretches along seven miles of award-winning coastline, providing plenty of opportunities for a wide range of water sports and leisure activities.

How to get to Southend Campus

Find out more

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.

Our staff travel the world to speak to people about the courses on offer at Essex. Take a look at our list of exhibition dates to see if we’ll be near you in the future.

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.

Find out more

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 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.