International Tourism Management BA (Hons)



Explore the dynamic and innovative nature of the global tourism industry, one of the largest employers in the world.

Overview

With its high profile history, outstanding attractions and world famous festivals, Edinburgh is a popular destination for travellers and tourists from all over the world. Tourism-based businesses flourish here making it an ideal place to study international tourism management.

This degree covers practically every aspect of tourism management, from impacts and sustainable development to destination and visitor attraction management. It will equip you with the knowledge and practical experience you need to prepare for a career in tourism management. 

An optional 24-week work placement in your third year gives you the chance to put your learning into practice, invaluable in this service-based industry.

You will graduate with a clear direction in tourism and a wealth of experience gained from your involvement in the thriving local tourism scene, giving you insights to succeed in tourism management.

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Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

N800

Placement:

Yes

Study Abroad:

Yes

Course details

This broad-reaching course covers international tourism management, right from formulating policy, to planning finances and also visitor attraction management.

International tourism management requires the ability to look outwards and capitalise on opportunities. You'll develop organisational and business skills that take into account the diversity of cultures involved in this global industry. You'll also develop your abilities in research, time management and presentation methods.

With the number of tourist ventures and operations in and near the city, you'll have plenty of options for part-time work, placements and employment after graduation. You'll graduate with a clear direction in tourism and a wealth of experience gained from your involvement in the thriving local tourism scene, giving you the insights to succeed in tourism management in the UK or around the world.

Lead Academics

Anna Leask is Professor of Tourism Management and a key member of the Tourism and Languages Subject Group in the Business School. Her teaching and research interests combine and lie principally in the areas of visitor attraction management, heritage tourism and destination management. She has co-edited several textbooks including Managing Visitor Attractions (2008) and Managing World Heritage Sites (2006) and contributed to several key tourism textbooks. She is on the Editorial Board for four international tourism journals and has been actively involved in the Scientific Committees for many international conferences in Europe and USA. She has published in key academic journals such as Tourism Management, International Journal of Tourism Research and Current Issues in Tourism, in addition to publishing a range of case studies, articles and practitioner papers.

Anna’s recent undergraduate and postgraduate teaching delivery has been in Edinburgh, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore. She has also been involved in the preparation and delivery of the Scottish Enterprise Destination Leaders’ Programme and the Executive Development Programme for Experience Industry Professionals (Singapore) CPD course. Recent research has focused on how visitor attractions and hotels can engage with Generation Y visitors and employees, with primary research being conducted in the UK, Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore. Anna is a Fellow of the Tourism Society and of the Higher Education Academy. Anna is a Visiting Professor at Wakayama University, Japan.

Dr Ross Tinsley is a Tourism Lecturer and Programme Leader Edinburgh Napier University. He is currently interested in the identity and evolution of counter culture festivals and the role of spirituality within such events. He has also researched and published on small tourism businesses and destination development within developing country contexts. His PhD investigated networking between small tourism businesses and its contribution to destination development. His current work centres on the evolution of the Beltane Fire Festival, of which he was a past performer.

Craig Wight is an Associate Professor with responsibility for research and income generation and teaching and learning enhancement at Edinburgh Napier University. He has led and delivered a number of modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level with the thrust of these covering strategic management, research methods, and market intelligence creation and usage in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Craig is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is research-active, having authored and co-authored a number of publications on tourism and heritage management in journals and books. He has also undertaken a wealth of tourism, hospitality, leisure and cultural research and consultancy for a range of national and international clients within the public, private and voluntary sector

Dr Dina Anastasiadou is the leading authority in EU tourism policy and has published extensively on the impact of regional trading organisations on international tourism development. She has undertaken research projects on cross border collaboration in tourism in Southern Africa, tourism marketing technologies and community engagement in events. Her main research interests lay in tourism policy, governance, stakeholder engagement and organisational structures in tourism. She is currently involved in comparative research in destination management organisational structures in Scotland and Denmark.

Ellis Urquhart Ellis is a lecturer in the Tourism & Languages Subject Group of Edinburgh Napier University's Business School. He is a former graduate of the institution, completing his BA (Hons) in Tourism & Airline Management in 2013. He was then selected as one of Edinburgh Napier’s 50th Anniversary Scholars to begin doctoral research within the Tourism School. His research is focused on the role of interactive technologies in Scottish visitor attractions and specifically, how these contribute to a co-creative visitor experience.

His additional research interests include: heritage management; e-tourism and technological innovation; augmented/virtual reality in tourism; airport/airline experiences; and qualitative methodologies in tourism, hospitality and events. 


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    How you’ll be taught

    You'll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and independent study.

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    Assessments

    You will be assessed through course work and assessments.

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    Work placement

    You're in the right place if you want real life, hands-on experience. Our strong links to industry allow us to offer an optional 24 week work placement available across all three of the subject areas: hospitality, tourism and festival & events.

    Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Introduction to International Hospitality, Tourism and Events
  • Intercultural and Organisational Management
  • Marketing 1
  • The Global Tourism Industry
  • Accounting for Business
  • One option

Year 2

  • Tourism Impacts and Sustainable Development
  • Introduction to Human Resources Management
  • Facilities Planning for Hospitality, Tourism and Events
  • Visitor Attraction Management
  • Two options

Year 3

  • International Tourism Policy and Planning
  • Global Service Management
  • One option
  • Live Project and one option, or Work-Based Learning (24-week work placement)

Year 4

  • Leadership, Innovation and Technology for Tourism, Hospitality and Events
  • International Destination Management
  • Two options
  • Dissertation

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for International Tourism Management?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2, Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

SQA Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement:BBBC
  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BCCC

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • CCC 

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H3, H3, H3 at Higher Level 

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit).

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades D*D

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3 plus A Level

  • Minimum grades MM (Merit, Merit).
  • A Level grade B

T level

  • Pass, with grade C or above in the core component.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 27 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4. 

Scottish HNC

Other HNC subjects may be considered for year 1 entry where a C in the graded unit is achieved.

Minimum Year 2

HNC

  • Pass HNC in Tourism or Travel and Tourism with grade B at SCQF Level 7 in the graded unit.

SQA Advanced Higher

  • BBC

A Level

  • BBB

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • Pass HND in Tourism or Travel and Tourism with grade B at SCQF Level 8 in the graded unit(s).

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.


We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland £1,820 £1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,250
Overseas and EU £15,160 £16,680
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

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What can you do with an International Tourism Management Degree?

By studying international tourism management at Edinburgh Napier University, you will build strong communication and leadership skills, as well as developing your understanding of the skills required to allow tourism-based businesses to succeed. You’ll be able to be practical and hands on as your knowledge increases throughout your course, allowing you to start your career in the tourism management sector. You will have strong teamworking and problem-solving skills. Roles you may go into on completion of your degree include destination development, cultural services management, operational management, or working for a tour operator, an airline, public sector organisation or within retail or hospitality. If you are a good organiser who enjoys working collaboratively, with a keen interest in in the tourism industry, then this might be the right course for you.

What does a Destination Development Manager do?

A Destination Development Manager is typically responsible for overseeing and managing the development of a particular destination, which could be a city, region, tourist spot, or any location with the aim of attracting visitors and enhancing the overall tourism experience. You will have strong communication and leadership abilities, being able to cover a range of activity across planning, marketing and operations.

The specific duties and responsibilities of a Destination Development Manager may vary depending on the organisation, but roles and responsibilities may include:

  • Tourism strategy and planning
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Infrastructure improvement
  • Marketing and promotion
  • Visitor experience enhancement
  • Sustainability initiatives
  • Data analysis
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