International Tourism Management with Foundation Year

International tourism management is the study of one of the world's largest and most complex industries, encompassing the movement of people for leisure, business and other purposes across national borders and between destinations. It draws on business management, marketing, geography, sustainability, cultural studies and economics to understand how tourism systems work, how destinations are planned and promoted, how tourists make decisions, and how the industry can be managed in ways that are economically viable and environmentally responsible. It is a sector that continues to evolve rapidly in response to technology, climate change and shifting consumer expectations.

At the University of Derby, this four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, a sandwich year in professional placement, a year abroad and a work placement, making it one of the most comprehensively structured tourism management degrees available. The foundation year provides a supported entry route, giving you the opportunity to build your academic skills and subject knowledge before progressing into the main degree. You will study destination management, marketing, operations, sustainable tourism, event management and the strategic challenges facing the industry, developing both the theoretical grounding and the practical skills that employers require.

The placement and abroad years give you genuine professional and international experience that is particularly valuable in a sector where a global outlook is essential.

Graduates from international tourism management programmes work across the travel, tourism and hospitality industries in roles including destination manager, tourism development officer, travel consultant, airline and hotel management, events manager, sustainability manager and policy adviser. Many also work in the public sector, with local authorities, regional tourism bodies and national tourist boards. Postgraduate study in tourism management, hospitality, sustainable development or international business is a well-established route for those who want to move into senior management or specialist research roles.