International Tourism and Hospitality Management
International tourism and hospitality management is a sector that encompasses some of the world's largest and most geographically dispersed industries, from hotels and restaurants to airlines, cruise lines, destination management organisations, and cultural and heritage attractions. Managing within this sector requires both business acumen and intercultural competence, since tourism and hospitality are inherently global in nature, dependent on the movement of people across borders and the ability to serve guests from diverse cultural backgrounds with consistent quality.
At York St John University, this programme includes a foundation year, a sandwich placement year, a year abroad option, and work placement, providing a particularly rich set of experiential learning opportunities. The foundation year provides an accessible entry into degree-level business and hospitality study, and the progression through placement and international experience gives you a strong practical foundation for a global career. You will study business management, marketing, financial management, operations, and human resources within the specific context of tourism and hospitality, as well as developing knowledge of different cultures and the particular characteristics of tourism destinations around the world.
The three-year full-time degree after the foundation year develops both management knowledge and the professional skills to work effectively in international teams and environments.
Graduates work in hotel management, food and beverage management, travel and tour operations, destination marketing, event management, airline and cruise management, and consultancy. The international dimension of the degree is a real asset in a sector that values graduates who are adaptable, culturally aware, and comfortable working across borders. Many graduates work internationally at some point in their careers, and the year abroad experience is particularly valuable in demonstrating this capability.
Postgraduate study in tourism management, hospitality, or international business is also an option.