Do you have a passion for travel and tourism and an interest in the world of business? You can combine the two with a business and tourism degree with foundation year. Our foundation level degrees give you the opportunity to develop the academic skills you need to successfully complete an undergraduate degree, helping you learn about the tourism sector from both a local and global perspective. This degree really does have the potential to take you anywhere!
Today, the tourism industry requires qualified graduates who can create and lead successful businesses that will support sustainable tourism in challenging global circumstances. This tourism degree with foundation year will help you grasp how global tourist destinations, visitor attractions, and accommodation services are managed and marketed. You’ll also study tourism crisis management and explore future tourism trends, as well as learning about vital business areas such as organisational transformation, ethics, finance, and more.
Our foundation degrees are the perfect choice if you feel you need a bit more support as you start your degree, of if you don’t meet the entry requirements for a standard degree course. This programme has developed with input from world-leading organisations and researchers so that you are exposed to the most relevant advancements and trends in the tourism industry, which means you’ll be able to show future employers that you have the knowledge required to fill current skills gaps in the field.
When you graduate from this course you will receive:
BA (Hons) Business Management (Tourism)
CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management & Leadership
Foundation Chartered Manager Status and the post nominal fCMgr
ILM Level 6 Diploma in Management
IOEE Professional Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
TMI recognised degree and eligibility for Associate membership of the TMI.
ITT recognised degree
During your studies you’ll gain a wider understanding of tourism functions, operations, and technologies. You’ll also develop new personal and professionals attributes in dedicated skills-related modules to help build your soft skills and decision-making abilities. Learning research and data analysis techniques using academic and industry focused texts, articles, and reports, you’ll gain a better understanding of contemporary tourism, management, and overall business functions, with the ability to analyse practical case studies drawn from a range of international organisations.
Using our business simulation software, you’ll be able to access a virtual tourism business and run it as your own enterprise – managing activities such as tourism, sales, finances, people, product development, operations, and your supply chain.
You’ll also have access to our Digital Enterprise Hub throughout your course, which provides you with additional software and resources as well as real-world mentors and industry experts to draw knowledge from. The Digital Enterprise Hub also gives you the chance to engage in social learning with your classmates, developing your collaborative skills and providing the opportunity for networking with fellow professionals.
It’s a great way to study if you’re looking for flexibility. It was challenging to balance a full-time job with my degree but once I was in a routine, it was much easier to manage everything. Online learning has actually helped me become very good with time management and given me the ability to prioritise tasks.
You have 4-12 years to complete this course, which means you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of our students, however, aim to complete the course within 4 to 6 years.
Unlike on more traditional degree courses, you don’t need to sit any exams on the BA (Hons) Business Management (Tourism) with Foundation Year, and you won’t need to spend the summer at home writing a dissertation either. Your assessments have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-word scenarios. This means you’ll be better prepared to apply the skills you’ve gained on the course to your professional role after graduation.
As you work through your course modules you’ll have the chance to complete a range of useful assessment methods such as individual reports, case study analyses, group presentations, and personal independent assignments devised in consultation with your course module leader. Your assessments will have an emphasis upon personal discovery, digital technology, the application of theory to real world business, and management practice and innovative thinking.
We encourage you to be innovative when carrying out your assignments and assessments. You can create podcasts, videos, infographics, consultancy reports, campaigns, posters, interviews, debate sessions, and more. This approach will help you develop skills you'll use in the real world, and most of all, is a fun and engaging way to demonstrate your knowledge and development.
At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.
Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.
To be able to study this course, we need to see that you have:
We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency. More information can be found here.
Here at Arden University we strive to provide a fresh and unique approach to your business and management education. With ideas and experiences taken from employers and thought leaders across the world, we give you the opportunity to put proven business skills and techniques into practice during your studies. I look forward to welcoming you to the Arden University family.
The dynamic landscape of tourism creates a constant need for talented professionals, offering our graduates a wide range of fulfilling and lucrative career paths to choose from.
As well as developing important soft skills, up-to-date knowledge of business functions, and career planning abilities, you’ll also be encouraged to develop a Personal Development Plan as you work through your degree. With support from our lecturers, this will help you track your progress and identify areas where you excel.
On the course, your assessments will be linked to real-world workplace issues and practices. Added to the benefits of our enterprise simulation software and Digital Business Hub, you’ll graduate with hands-on experience in problem solving and identifying areas for business growth – all highly desirable skills for today’s employers.
The BA (Hons) Business Management (Tourism) with Foundation Year will also give you the chance to:
Your degree in tourism will open up a wide range of career opportunities across the tourism sector. As you study with us you’ll have access to our dedicated career services portal, where you can access additional 'bolt-on' e-learning courses, employer presentations, and search for jobs worldwide. Of course, your course lecturers are always on-hand to provide advice and guidance when it come to your professional future. Just a few of the possible roles you might want to consider after graduation could include:
This course is currently in the process of gaining accreditation from the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) and the Tourism Management Institute (TMI), and is aligned with available certificates from Amazon and Salesforce which you will be able to pursue independently as you study.
The Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) is the only membership organisation for travel and tourism professionals, suppliers, educators, and students across all sectors of the tourism sector. The Institute’s main function is to elevate professional standards in the travel industry and to provide tourism organisations and professionals with support and guidance.
The ITT maintains these standards through continued personal development and training. They also provide regular UK-based events, careers advice services, and information and support services for professionals throughout their career in travel and tourism.
The Tourism Management Institute (TMI) is the professional organisation for anyone working in tourism destination management, supporting professionals who promote and develop destinations across the UK, Europe, and worldwide. The TMI supports professionals throughout their careers by providing opportunities for sharing knowledge and expertise in destination management.
TMI members come from a wide range of organisations, including destination management organisations, local government, national tourist organisations, visitor attractions, and the higher education sector, and the Institute offers regular events and networking opportunities for professionals and graduates alike.
Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.
This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives our faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of our courses and teaching methods, ensuring that we are able to provide you with the best possible university experience.
This course awards a CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management & Leadership and offers CMI Foundation Chartered Manager Status *
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) promotes excellence in UK management and leadership. As the CMI possesses a Royal Charter, they are the only organisation in the UK that can award Chartered Manager status to their members – the gold standard in management. With 140,000 members, the institute aims to boost career development across the management sector and connect like-minded professionals.
As an Arden student, you’ll have free CMI Membership throughout your studies, giving you access to a range of additional resources including a mentoring service and invitations to networking events both online and offline.
Upon completion of this CMI-accredited course, you will be awarded CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management & Leadership and gain CMI Foundation Chartered Manager Status. This recognises you have the skills needed to be an effective manager, helping you stand out from the competition and start your management career journey - with a CMI qualification and a clear pathway to full Chartered Manager status.
*Upon completion of your course, the CMI award and level of chartered status awarded will depend on your level and length of study, whether you entered your course with Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) or if any compensation is applied on your modules throughout the duration of study. If this criteria applies to you, you may receive one of the 2 different levels; an Award or Certificate.
This course is accredited by the Institute of leadership and Management (ILM). That means you’ll graduate with a Level 6 Diploma in Management, which costs up to £3,000 if pursued independently.
The ILM is a professional membership body for leaders and managers, with a mission of inspiring great leadership through qualifications, training, and cutting-edge research. The institute is a globally recognised mark of quality for its members and provides valuable insights through its vast industry links and publications.
As an Arden student, you’ll receive free membership to the ILM for a year after your graduation, giving you access to over a thousand comprehensive learning resources, including webinars, videos, leadership assessment tools, a dedicated e-learning tool, careers advice, and networking opportunities.
This course awards the IOEE Professional Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
The Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE) is the first learning institute dedicated to developing and recognising enterprise and entrepreneurial skills. Arden University has been recognised as an IOEE Academy and our courses are accredited. This demonstrates our commitment to enterprise and equipping students with the skills needed to set up and run their own business, work in a small enterprise, or bring entrepreneurial skills to a larger organisation.
During the course you’ll learn about some of the most prominent cloud-based tools used in business currently, allowing you to independently acquire certification from Salesforce and Amazon to add to your degree qualification. This will give you concrete evidence of skills in leading software packages, green-stamped by two of the world’s most respected business service providers. Certification from Salesforce and Amazon will help you perform at the cutting edge of your industry by understanding how to process real time data and insights to create more meaningful relationships with your customers. You’ll also gain important transferable skills that you’ll be able to apply to similar software packages that you may work with in the future.
Arden University’s Faculty of Business is an esteemed member institution of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), an international quality assurance body of world-leading education providers who share a commitment for responsible management practices and lifelong learning. Membership with the BGA means that Arden University will support its students’ professional growth, allowing them to contribute to an international network in which ‘Leaders Never Stop Learning’.
All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.
With LinkedIn Learning, you can: