This double accredited BA (Hons) International Tourism Management degree provides you with the unique opportunity to study the academic aspects of tourism management and gain first-hand industry experience. It covers all the integral features of the tourism sector including visitor attractions, hotels, leisure centres, theatres, events and business tourism, music venues and travel.
Our course includes strong industry links and there are many opportunities to enhance your student experience, skills and knowledge portfolio, including being a business mentor to school pupils, acting as a ‘mystery shopper’ for an Airport Tourism project, taking part in course-related study trips and attending industry conferences.
Complementing the specific tourism focus, the course also emphasises a strong understanding of the key management disciplines, ensuring you are ready to step into management positions in your chosen field.
Year 1
This year provides you with a solid introduction to the tourism industry with further focus on contextualised relevant management disciplines. Key industry specific subjects as well as vital wider business elements are studied, including Adventure and Activity Tourism and Digital Media Platforms and Practices.
Year 2
You continue to focus on both industry specific and general management areas including Tourism Destination Development and Consumer Behaviour respectively. You will develop key skills and specialist knowledge expected of a manager within the industry.
Year 3
The key focus is on industry experience, with a choice of year long industry placements available locally, nationally and internationally. If you choose to not follow a formal placement route you will study management disciplines in depth and have the opportunity of a shorter six month placement.
Year 4
You will engage in in-depth self-directed study, acquire an increased breadth of understanding of specialist management areas of tourism management and further develop the ability to analyse and critically appraise problems. You will develop strategic and critical thinking abilities and your Research Project will allow you to apply these through researching a self-selected tourism topic.
Student stories
Hear from our students and graduates about their experiences studying this course:
Events
We have on campus and virtual events to help you find out more about study, student experience and future career paths.
Our sustainability commitment
It is essential that all tourism graduates have a critical understanding of how the tourism industry impacts on environment and people, and the strategies all stakeholders can adopt in order to minimise negative sustainable impacts. Throughout the BA (Hons) International Tourism Management course you will develop your understanding of sustainability within tourism and be encouraged to consider, evaluate and lead change in terms of current industry practices. An issue driven approach to sustainability is taken which explores emerging relevant developments including transport infrastructure, destination management, consumer trends and technological advancements.
This course is committed to United Nation's Sustainability Goals 8, 12 and 13. Find out more on the United Nations website.
Detailed module informationLearning Methods
Teaching is through a combination of lectures and contextualised modules. General management lectures may consist of over 100 students; although subject specific tutorials will be around 25 students. Each subject is nominally three hours per week over a 12 week term.
You are encouraged to discuss theory and ideas and develop your skills of analysis and interpretation. There is extensive use of industry engagement through visits, guest speakers, and live client projects and case studies, both local and international, are used to illustrate theory in practice.
Activity Summary
- Lectures - 35 students per group, 4 hours per week
- Tutorial - 35 students per group, 8 hours per week
- Project Supervision - 6 students per group, 1 hour per week
- External Visits - 35 students per group, 16 hours per week
How long is a BA (Hons) International Tourism Management course?
An International Tourism Management degree can be successfully completed in 4 years, in which the opportunity to receive the necessary skills are obtained.
Independent Study
In Year 4, substantial level of effective and committed independent study is required. This involves wider reading but also critical reflection. You will be expected to spend around 20-25 hours a week conducting independent study. Much of this will be directly linked to the Research Project.
Staff Delivering on This Course
Academic staff who teach on this course have extensive experience within the Tourism, Hospitality and other events industries.
Our staff have either achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, or are working towards this. This is a professional recognition of lecturer practice, impact and leadership in teaching and learning. Many of our staff feature in the annual Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted by the students and organised by RGU:Union.
Other staff members include industry experts, RGU lecturers from other subject areas, postgraduate research students and media technicians.
Assessment
Typically students are assessed each year:
Year 1
- 1 written exam, typically for 2 hours
- 2 written assignments, including essays
- 4 report
- 2 oral assessments
Year 2
- 1 written exam, typically for 2 hours
- 2 written assignments, including essays
- 4 report
- 1 oral assessment
Year 3
- 2 written assignments, including essays
- 5 reports
- 1 oral assessment
- 1 poster presentation
Year 4
- 2 written assignments, including essays
- 4 reports
- 1 dissertation
- 1 oral assessment
Feedback
We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.
Placements
In Year 3, you will have the opportunity to undertake a 48-week paid placement locally, nationally or internationally. On the taught/direct entry route, Year 3 involves a taught Term 1 and the option of a 6-month placement in Term 2.
Past placements have included Tui Travel, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Disney Worldwide Services (USA), Waccabuc Country & Golf Club (USA) and Menzies Aviation.
You can choose to source your own placement or access our Placement Office, who will support you in sourcing and validating a suitable position.
Study Abroad
In Years 2 and 3, there are opportunities to study with partner institutions in Europe as part of the Study Abroad programme, as well as other opportunities further afield including Singapore and South Korea. For more information visit:
Job Prospects
The tourism industry is a dynamic, customer-focused industry and provides you with exciting opportunities worldwide across diverse sectors including tourism, travel, leisure or within the hospitality industry.
Is International Tourism Management a good career choice?
Previous BA International Tourism Management graduates of Robert Gordon University have gone on to pursue the following careers:
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Event Manager, Glamis Castle
- Executive, London Events Management Company
- Customer Services Supervisor, VisitScotland
- Hospitality and Commercial Manager, Stratosphere Science Centre.
Several of our tourism graduates have also gone on to launch their own successful business.
Read our interview with VisitAberdeenshire CEO Chris Foy as he gives us insight into working in the tourism industry:
RGUflex
Collect academic credit flexibly and claim an award from the University. RGUflex delivers on-demand flexible learning where you can upskill, reskill or pursue a passion. It can also be used by employers to allow them to build an education pathway for their employees to gain the skills and knowledge to meet business needs.
What is needed for a BA (Hons) International Tourism Management degree?
Standard Entry Requirements
- SQA Higher: BBCC
- GCE A Level: CCC
- Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H3H3H3H3
- IB Diploma: 26
Minimum Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:
- SQA Higher: BCC/CCCC
Alternative Qualifications
We welcome applications from those with equivalent qualifications to those stated, including SVQs/NVQs, access programmes, Foundation Apprenticeships and overseas qualifications. Applications from students with non-standard qualifications or work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
Applicants from Partner Colleges
A relevant HND from one of our partner colleges will be considered for entry into Year 3.
Applicants from Foundation Pathway Providers
Entry to year 1 or year 2 may be possible for students who have completed a Foundation Certificate or Foundation Undergraduate Pathway programme, from an approved UK provider, at 60% or above. For courses which require a specific subjects match, such as English or Maths, these would need to provided in addition to the Pathway Programme Certificate or result.
Advanced Entry
All other applicants who are interested in applying for advanced entry will be considered on an individual basis.
International Students
International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International Collegeat Robert Gordon University.
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.
We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:
Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.
Academic Year 2025-2026
Scottish Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £1820 |
| Year 2 | £1820 | |
| Year 3 | £1820 | |
| Year 4 | £1820 | |
Rest of UK Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £6250 |
| Year 2 | £6250 | |
| Year 3 | £6250 | |
| Year 4 | £6250 | |
International Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £16980 |
| Year 2 | £16980 | |
| Year 3 | £16980 | |
| Year 4 | £16980 | |
Academic Year 2024-2025
Scottish Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £1820 |
| Year 2 | £1820 | |
| Year 3 | £1820 | |
| Year 4 | £1820 | |
Rest of UK Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £5890 |
| Year 2 | £5890 | |
| Year 3 | £5890 | |
| Year 4 | £5890 | |
EU Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £5890 |
| Year 2 | £5890 | |
| Year 3 | £5890 | |
| Year 4 | £5890 | |
International Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £16490 |
| Year 2 | £16490 | |
| Year 3 | £16490 | |
| Year 4 | £16490 | |
Additional Costs
- £30 Travel (for study trips)
Some other costs are not included in the course fees:
- The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
- Costs associated with any placement / study abroad
- Accommodation and Living Costs
- Printing
Student Funding
If you are a Scottish resident, you may be eligible for funding and should apply to SAAS for funding.
Students from other parts of the UK should visit the appropriate website:
Scholarships and Financial Awards
You may qualify for a scholarship or financial award:
Disclaimer
For new intakes, course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information:
Any questions?
Get in touch with our Student Admissions Service and we'll do our best to help.