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BA (Hons) Business Management (Tourism) (Top-Up)

Business Management (Tourism) (Top-Up)

BA (Hons)

Summary

Study level
Part time
1 year+
Location
Online
Faculty of Business

What makes Arden University special?

Education
Education for everyone, everywhere
Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.
Where to study
You decide how and where to study
We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.
Support
Full support both online and on-site
We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.
Employability
Strong focus on employability
You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Course Overview

The perfect choice for anyone who’s already completed a HND in business or an equivalent qualification, our BA (Hons) Business Management (Tourism) (Top-Up) has been developed so you can gain career changing skills in tourism management through six carefully selected course modules. 

Today, the tourism industry requires qualified graduates who can create and lead successful businesses that will support sustainable tourism in challenging global circumstances. On your top up degree course you’ll study tourism crisis management and explore future tourism trends, as well as learning about vital business areas such as business transformation, corporate governance, ethics, innovation, and more. 

This course has been 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. This means you’ll be able to show future employers that you have the knowledge required to fill current skills gaps in the field. 

Studying Business at Arden
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Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). You will also have membership to both the Institute of Travel & Tourism (ITT) and Tourism Management Institute (TMI). 

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Course details and modules

During your top up degree 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 business and run it as your own enterprise – managing activities such as tourism, sales, finances, people, product development, operations, and your supply chain. This will give you the chance to practice making critical decisions within a safe environment, helping you develop your ability to interpret commercial information and apply your learnings to generate a profit for your enterprise. You’ll also have access to our Arden Enterprise Incubator 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 Arden Enterprise Incubator 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.

Toby Bradley

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.

Toby Bradley
BA (Hons) Business & Accountancy

Modules

You have 1-3 years to complete this top up degree course, which means you can study at a pace that works best for you.

  • Business Transformation (20 credits)  
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation (20 credits) 
  • Corporate Governance, Law & Ethics (20 credits)  
  • Independent Study (20 credits)  
  • Tourism Crisis Management (20 credits)
  • Tourism Trends and Futures (20 credits)

How do we assess you?

Assessments

Unlike on more traditional degree courses, you don’t need to sit any exams on the BA (Hons) Business Management (Tourism) (Top-Up), 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 compete 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.

Study options

This course is currently available to students as a fully online degree course, which gives you the convenience of being able to study from anywhere worldwide.

Martine Crawford

This course was the best decision I have ever made. It's given me a chance to have a career in a subject I love, and it’s given me more confidence in myself and my ability to succeed.

Martine Crawford
BA (Hons) Business (Marketing)

Part time online learning

How does it work?

Studying the BA (Hons) Business Management (Tourism) (Top-Up) online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location. 

Our online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and online library (which when used along with our supplementary library, Perlego, gives you access to almost half a million books and journals – yours for free while you study with us).
ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have you Kindle handy. 

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with likeminded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning. 

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Learn more about online learning

Entry requirements

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.

What you need to study with us

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.

Eligibility

To be eligible for our BA (Hons) Business Management (Tourism) (Top-Up) course, you must have:

  • A HND in Business or equivalent, provided that your prior learning is consistent with Level 5 of the functional areas of business such as finance, marketing, operations management, human resource management, etc.

English proficiency

  • IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
  • Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.

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.

Course fees and funding

Find your country

Use the dropdown above to find course fees and funding information for your country. If you can’t find information for your country in the dropdown, visit our International support page.

Meet the faculty

Professor Dilshad Sheikh

Our courses in tourism will help you to fulfil your career aspirations in the travel sector. Whether it’s understanding the issues facing modern tourism, exploring the nature of domestic and international travel, or analysing data to improve business performance, completing a business and tourism degree with Arden will give you the skills needed to work in an industry you love. I look forward to welcoming you to the Arden University family.

Professor Dilshad Sheikh
Dean of the Faculty of Business 

Career prospects

Perhaps you have a strong idea of where you want to go with your tourism top up degree, or maybe you want to keep your career options open for now? Either way, don’t worry if you’re still a little unclear about what the future holds. Our tourism bachelor’s course will give you a range of in-demand and transferable skills that will help you understand how modern organisations work. This gives you the freedom to take your time deciding where in the business ecosystem you’ll fit best, be it as an entrepreneur, manager, or if you’re an experienced professional looking for a career change. 

What will the BA (Hons) Business Management (Tourism) (Top-Up) do for me?

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) (Top-Up) will also give you the chance to: 

  • Comprehend and appreciate the importance of the key skills, technologies, and competencies required to be successful in contemporary business and tourism environments.
  • Identify and evaluate the roles and contributions of the key business and tourism functions applicable to tourism organisations and destinations. 
  • Analyse tourism challenges from a range of perspectives including consumers, suppliers, governments, and intermediaries. 
  • Apply and evaluate tourism concepts and theories in a range of business and tourism contexts, challenges, and situations, including crisis management. 
  • Develop your research, planning, and analytical skills.

What can I do after Arden University?

Your top up 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:

  • Business Analyst
  • Business Development Executive
  • Buying Assistant
  • Accounting Technician
  • Actuarial Analyst
  • Company Secretary
  • Stockbroker

Industry skills

  

To support your career development, this course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). You will also have membership to both the Institute of Travel & Tourism (ITT) and Tourism Management Institute (TMI).

The Chartered Management Institute

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.

The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)

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.

The Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE)

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.  

Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) 

The Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) seeks to elevate professional standards in the travel industry and provides tourism organisations and professionals with support and guidance.

Tourism Management Institute (TMI)  

The Tourism Management Institute (TMI) is the professional organisation for anyone working in tourism destination management, supporting professionals who promote and develop destinations worldwide.

Aligned to Salesforce and AWS Educate (Amazon) 

During the course you will 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. Certification from Salesforce and Amazon will help you understand how to process real time data and insights to create more meaningful relationships with your customers.

Business Graduates Association (BGA) 

Arden University’s Faculty of Business is an esteemed member institution of the Business Graduates Association (BGA).

Career development resources

Once you’ve enrolled with Arden, our careers centre is easily accessible directly from inside our online platform, ilearn. The careers centre is here to help you discover the areas of your academic and professional life that you find most meaningful and rewarding, and then apply this to your career pathway. 
Just a few of the career tools you’ll find in the careers centre include:

  • CV360, which analyses your CV and provides instant feedback for improvement
  • Interview360, helping you practise your interview technique in a stress-free environment and tackle some of the most common interview questions - as many times as you need to
  • Aptitude tests to help your improve your critical thinking, numeric, and logical reasoning skills
  • 100s of interactive courses focused on giving you the skills and confidence you need to excel in your professional life. 
  • My Jobs, where you can search employment vacancies, browse employer profiles by location and, or connect with other employees on LinkedIn.
enterprise incubator

Arden Enterprise Incubator

As an Arden University student, you’ll have access to the Arden Enterprise Incubator (AEI) online platform to support you in the area of entrepreneurship. Whether students are exploring the idea of setting up their own company or need help and guidance launching or growing an existing business, the AEI provides everything students need to kick start their entrepreneurial journey, as well as to support and empower them along the way.

The AEI has a wealth of resources available including monthly master classes, boot camps, podcasts, blogs, external events, and mentorship. Mentors include Arden University lecturers and industry experts, so our students receive the very best support and expertise.

As an IOEE Centre of Excellence, we foster an entrepreneurial culture among our students. We are dedicated to supporting their continuous growth by promoting enterprising thinking and practical entrepreneurial skills.

LinkedIn 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:

  • Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with our curriculum and your career goals.
  • Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
  • Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.