BA (Hons) International Tourism Management with Air Travel
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: Three or Four Years
- Start Date: September 2025
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Looking for a career where you can shape unforgettable travel experiences? Studying BA (Hons) International Tourism Management with Air Travel at BNU is your pathway to a dynamic career in the global tourism industry. Develop your expertise in cultural heritage, sustainable travel practices, and tourism management, preparing you to lead and innovate in some of the world's most exciting destinations.
Accredited by the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT), this course has been designed with input from top industry professionals, ensuring you gain the skills employers are looking for.
Why Study Tourism At BNU?
This degree offers a broad and in-depth exploration of international tourism management, with a specialized focus on air travel. You'll gain a well-rounded education covering key areas such as contemporary tourism, aviation operations, critical issues in tourism, and managing tourism organisations, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in the global tourism industry.
We have strong links with leading industry organisations, from Heathrow Airport to TUI, providing students with valuable networking opportunities and real-world insights. Our partnerships with major airlines, tourism organizations, and travel agencies ensure that your learning is informed by current industry practices and trends, enhancing your employability upon graduation.
Our emphasis on hands-on learning means you'll engage in practical coursework, industry placements, and field trips that bring theoretical concepts to life. These experiences allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings, develop professional skills, and build a robust portfolio that sets you apart in the job market.
The course offers seasonal employment opportunities with major industry players like London Heathrow Airport, easyJet, and British Airways to gain practical skills.
Learn from a team of experienced and passionate faculty members who bring a wealth of industry expertise and academic knowledge to the classroom. Their guidance and mentorship will help you navigate your academic journey, offering personalised support to ensure you reach your full potential.
Accreditation by The grants student membership, providing access to industry-focused networking and career events.
As a BNU student, you will automatically become a member of Bucks Students鈥 Union giving you access to a wide range of services that we offer for free. You鈥檒l also be able to join the Aviation Society where you鈥檒l have the ability to attend a variety events and experiences. Some examples of what we鈥檝e done in the past include tours of , a and a tour at easyJet.
What will I study?
On this course, you will get to explore the key issues facing the travel and aviation sectors and gain the skills employers are looking for.
In the first year, core topics introduce the variety of social and economic impacts that the tourism sector drive forward at destinations and upon societies. You are also introduced to the hospitality sector and tourism service operations through areas such as international tourism destinations and attractions. This will strengthen your academic and professional skills to enhance your employment prospects. Two specialty areas are also offered, focusing specifically on the air travel sector.
In the second year, you are provided with in-depth exposure to sustainable and responsible tourism operations as you study the business tourism sector and niche tourism markets such as music tourism, religious tourism, culinary tourism and dance tourism among many others. The provision is complemented by topics on aviation management. At this level, you will also be introduced to research methods to secure your success at writing a dissertation in your final year and are offered the opportunity to undertake a period of seasonal employment.
The third year comprises the study of critical and contemporary issues in tourism such as dark tourism, the use of animals in tourism, sex tourism, terrorism and tourism, and the impact of pandemics on tourism among others. You鈥檒l also study the management of tourism organisations at strategic levels in addition to the air travel-specific areas. You will also be given the option to either write a dissertation or study a course on business and enterprise should you prefer to choose to focus on entrepreneurship instead of academic research.
By the time you finish this degree, you will have specific knowledge of the day-to-day operation and management of the various tourism sectors.
Tourism Trips
Throughout your studies you will have numerous opportunities to leave campus and travel. Past trips have ranged from day trips to Heathrow to longer trips to places like Poland.
鈥淢y course leader went above and beyond to help me since the beginning, especially during my dissertation period. Another one of my lecturers gave me the confidence to take on paid seasonal employment in the summer between my second and third years, where I was able to work overseas with Thomas Cook. Through this placement, I was able to gain valuable experience within the world of tourism as well as bolstering some of my own personal skills.鈥Beata Napora
How will I be taught and assessed?
The dedicated and supportive course team are committed to nurturing your development, ensuring you can graduate with the skills and capabilities needed for a successful and fulfilling career.
You鈥檒l study two modules per term with three terms per academic year and these are delivered through a blend of lectures, interactive seminars, workshops, small-group activities and debates. They are also supported by e-learning material delivered through the Virtual Learning Environment.
Assessment methods are those considered most appropriate to the nature of the programme. For example, the likelihood of any employee within the travel or aviation industries being called upon to write an essay is minimal. However, the ability to write structured, well researched, analytical, or informative reports and presentations is an undeniable asset to those seeking employment in the industry.
Assessments on the course include:
- group work
- poster presentations
- the use of quantitative research methods (basic forecasting)
- written assignments (generally reports)
- cumulative exercises
- a reflective journal
- time-constrained assignments (TCAs).
As you progress through the programme, you鈥檒l be expected to undertake longer reports and presentations with an emphasis on assessing analytical and evaluative ability. The final research project/business plan and proposal provide the ultimate test of your ability to source, critically analyse, synthesise and critically evaluate information from a wide variety of sources and to apply your findings and recommendations to real-world situations.
On top of the support provided by the team of tutors, the University also has a dedicated academic skills centre, Student Learning and Achievement. The team here can provide additional support in areas such as presentation skills, time-management, academic reading, referencing or academic writing, research for report preparation and how to prepare effectively for examinations among others.
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.
A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required, however every application we receive is considered on an individual basis.
You should have a genuine interest in developing both your theoretical and practical knowledge of the wider travel industry and the skills required to work in it.
Good communication skills are important. Written communication skills are assessed through the personal statement of interest at application level and verbal communication skills can be assessed via individual interviews where applicable (particularly with international students).
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Those with no previous study, work experience, or who do not meet the specified entry requirements, including demonstrating the necessary knowledge and understanding, are welcome to apply for the 3-year BA (Hons) degree, however may be offered the four-year programme which includes a Foundation Year.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
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Home Foundation Year, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: 拢9,535 *
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Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: 拢9,535 per year *
International
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Overseas/International Foundation Year, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: 拢15,150 *
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Overseas/International, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: 拢15,150 per year *
Following the Government鈥檚 announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to 拢9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to 拢7,145 per annum. Please visit鈥, on the Government鈥檚 website, for more information about the changes.
Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.鈥
Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.鈥
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.鈥
We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.
The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.
What are my career prospects?
Throughout your time with us we鈥檒l support you on the route to your chosen career. We鈥檒l help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising and skilled leaders and support you in your search to find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.
As the tourism industry is so wide-ranging, this degree opens ample avenues to pursue career paths in the following sectors and roles:
- Tourism development organisations (local, national and international)
- Conferences, incentives and corporate hospitality
- Airports and airlines
- Cruises
- Events organisation and management
- Hotels, catering and hospitality provision
- Tours operations and management
- Tour operators
- E-tourism operators
- Ground handlers
- Destination management companies
- Public sector tourism planning and development agencies
- Tourism marketing agencies
- Developers and suppliers of niche tourism products
- Visitor attractions
- Business travel agencies
Many of our graduates secure positions with large airline companies and airports, with previous students going on to work at Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, London Heathrow and City Airport, in ground handling, air cabin crew and service operator positions.
You may also decide to further your studies by undertaking postgraduate studies to continue refining your specialty level and pursuing your specific areas of interest.
Course leader
