Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - International Tourism Management

The BA (Hons) International Tourism Management degree at Derby equips students with the knowledge and skills to manage and promote destinations while developing the leadership and entrepreneurial capabilities necessary to excel in the tourism industry. The programme offers extensive opportunities for international experience, including study abroad for a semester in year two, various overseas field trips, and a placement year before year three, either in the UK or abroad. Students also explore how tourism, events, and hospitality intersect to form the wider 'visitor economy,' collaborating with peers in Events and Hospitality to broaden career prospects. The course is delivered through the Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism, which has been awarded the prestigious International Centre of Excellence (ICE) in Tourism and Hospitality accreditation. All modules align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, fostering consideration of social and environmental impacts alongside economic benefits.

This degree is designed to provide the management and operational skills required to succeed in the tourism industry of the 2020s and beyond. The curriculum has been updated to reflect current industry demands, with greater emphasis on business management, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, producing adaptable and creative thinkers capable of challenging the status quo and leading change. Modules are integrated throughout the course to ensure practical relevance, allowing students to develop financial knowledge through business planning and enhance HR and leadership skills by learning how to transform organisations.

As part of the ICE-accredited Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism, the programme shares core modules with International Hospitality Management and Event Management degrees, enabling students to understand how these specialisms collectively shape the visitor economy. While maintaining a focus on tourism, students gain broader business management knowledge and may choose optional modules in event management and hospitality, resulting in a versatile skill set and expanded career and postgraduate opportunities.

Key areas of learning include modern tourism and business management skills, problem-solving, adaptation to changing environments, and project planning, management, and evaluation. Emerging topics such as sustainable tourism, e-tourism, technological integration, and niche sectors such as food, nature-based, and adventure tourism are addressed. The degree provides opportunities to develop skills in research, data analysis, business creation, financial management, and team leadership, preparing graduates with a diverse skill set and the confidence to succeed in the tourism industry.

Students also benefit from professional training and industry insights through ABTA, the UK’s largest travel association representing travel agents and tour operators. As an ABTA partner, the University provides access to online training courses with CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certificates and exclusive travel industry updates, research, and publications, ensuring graduates are well-informed on the latest trends, travel law, and developments in the sector.