BA (Hons) in International Business and Tourism Management

Accredited by: EPAS CIM TMI IOH

Year 3 Entry only

The BA (Hons) International Business and Tourism Management will prepare you to compete for a wide range of job opportunities in UK and internationally. While gaining a broad understanding of business and the society in which it operates, you'll also develop essential leadership, management and communication skills and the global perspective you need to excel in business and tourism management.

By choosing a joint honours in International Business and Tourism Management, you will gain a solid foundation in business and management and develop a distinct area of specialism in tourism, with 50% of your modules related to the tourism sector. You will acquire knowledge in destination development, planning, marketing and development, urban regeneration and finance for the tourism sector.

The course is accredited by the Institute of Hospitality as well as recognised by the Tourism Management Institute (TMI), this enables our students to become members, with associated benefits.

GCU is home to the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism Business Development which is the University’s consultancy and research centre for tourism and business development, which may allow interested students the opportunity to contribute towards research for some of the projects currently being carried out by the staff. See www.moffatcentre.com for more information.

Recent graduates have secured employment with The Scottish Government, Standard Life, Marriot Hotels, Radisson, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Tesco PLC, Police Scotland and Microsoft UK.

International Student Start Dates

For new international students, orientation events start on 15 September 2017. This extra time is specifically designed to assist new international students in settling into the UK and GCU prior to the start of general student induction and teaching.

There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus and city tours, as well as welcome events where you can meet other international students.

EPAS Accredited

The Business Programme Suite, BA/BA(Hons) International Business (including joint awards) and BA/BA(Hons) Business Management, is accredited by the European Foundation for Management Development Programme Accreditation Scheme (EPAS).

Five Star award

This course has been awarded five QS Stars as part of the prestigious QS Stars Business Schools rating system.

Language Option

In response to increasing demands from employers for cultural awareness, we encourage our students to develop a level of linguistic competence in a foreign language. You’ll have the option to study modern languages including French, Spanish, German and Italian from beginners to professional level depending on your previous knowledge.

Assessment Methods

Our approach to learning, teaching and assessment is tailored to the needs of international businesses. We adopt a wide range of learning and teaching methods to ensure that not only will you gain the necessary knowledge and understanding of the international business world, but also develop your intellectual and personal skills.

Assessment strategies involve traditional approaches such as exams and essays but also include more contemporary forms of assessment which are work related to prepare you for the workplace's style of reporting (e.g. presentations/reports) or use digital technologies and mobile devices.

Teaching Methods

The learning and teaching methods we use ensure that the programme is both vocationally relevant and academically challenging. Our approach is student-centred, practical and relevant to the needs of the student and employers. We've moved the focus to a more independent learning approach, where you will be encouraged to generate and critically evaluate theory and practice.

As well as the traditional lecture, seminar and workshop formats, we adopt a multi-platform approach to learning that includes a wide range of supporting material, including podcasts, webinars (internet-based seminars), discussion boards and independent (including web-based) study. In tutorials, we encourage students to participate and contribute to the learning environment through discussion and group work.

Throughout our programme, you will also engage in 'real world' scenarios through live industry projects, case studies and investigations and be encouraged to maximise industry links and work experience to put into practice the theoretical concepts and frameworks you're learning.

The range of modules from theoretical to practical and business-orientated is designed to equip you with a critical awareness of the role of business in society. You will develop the wide range of knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a leader in industry or to launch your career as a (social) entrepreneur.

What you will study

Year 3

Responsibility and Ethics in Tourism and Hospitality, Destination Development Image and Marketing, Urban Regional Regeneration, The Enterprise Value Challenge, Business Research Methods or Language and Skills and International Business Strategy. Direct entry students are offered the opportunity for exchange in Trimester B

Year 4

Honours Dissertation and modules in Contemporary Issues in World Economy, Sustainability, Corporate Responsibility and Ethics in International Business, Critical Issues in Tourism and Managing Revenue and Finance for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

Industry Links

This programme has a strong emphasis on connecting students directly with businesses. We regularly invite guest speakers into the classroom to give you an up-to-date employer and industry perspective. You will have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience through 'live' case study challenges and projects giving you a unique insight into the workings of some of the biggest companies in the UK.

At a digital level, you'll be collaborating with real business leaders and CEOs using social media, wikis and blogs, providing you with practical skills, networking opportunities, key insights and a competitive edge at graduation.