Modules, teaching and learning
There are no traditional exams on this course.
Study to become a highly skilled, critically informed and dynamic graduate who can excel in your chosen field of work or study within international tourism management. Your learning will draw from the strong links between theory and practice, with carefully designed authentic assessments and student-tutor interaction at the heart of your learning experience.
The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study – the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.
What you'll learn
This module introduces you to the dynamic global tourism industry and the diverse stakeholders who shape it. You'll begin exploring how tourism operates across different cultural, economic, and environmental settings, examining both its opportunities and its impacts. You'll develop a foundation in cross-cultural communication and teamwork, learning how effective collaboration supports tourism practice in an increasingly connected world. Alongside this, you'll start building key interdisciplinary skills – from creative thinking and communication to entrepreneurship and critical analysis – and consider how they contribute to positive change within the industry. The module also introduces research methods, digital tools, and data analysis techniques used in tourism, helping you understand how evidence informs decision-making. You'll explore the ethical and social responsibilities of tourism practitioners and reflect on the importance of resilience, adaptability, and a long-term growth mindset in your personal and professional development. By the end of the module, you'll have a strong grounding in the core concepts that underpin current tourism studies.
Building on your foundational knowledge, this module deepens your understanding of the global tourism industry and its complex network of stakeholders. You'll critically examine the socio-economic and environmental impacts of tourism across different contexts, strengthening your ability to analyse and explain industry dynamics. You'll apply principles of cross-cultural communication and teamwork to real scenarios, demonstrating greater confidence in collaborative working. Drawing on interdisciplinary skills, including creative idea generation, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and effective communication, you'll propose informed processes and solutions that support positive change within the tourism industry. The module further develops your ability to select and evaluate appropriate research methods, digital tools, and data analysis techniques relevant to tourism practice. You'll also engage more critically with the ethical and social responsibilities of tourism planning and management, considering how different ethical perspectives influence industry outcomes. By the end of the module, you'll be able to integrate knowledge, skills, and ethical awareness in a more applied and analytical way.
What you'll learn
Critically explore the planning, development and management of international tourism destinations. This module will develop your ability to understand the social, political, economic, and environmental contexts in which destination management takes place. You'll explore this at international and national, regional and local levels. You'll consider the different aspects of destination management, and evaluate them in the context of diverse political, environmental, community and commercial interests. The module relates concepts, theories and models of strategic destination management to the processes of policy development, planning and the management of impacts of tourism within diverse tourism destinations.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between technology and tourism, and how advancements in technology are shaping the industry. This module will equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital landscape. You'll be ready to harness technology's potential to address the challenges of sustainable and innovative tourism management.
Develop your understanding and ability to apply innovation and creativity in the context of tourism. There will be a strong emphasis on sustainable practices and solutions. Through a range of engaging content and activities, you'll explore the process of idea conceptualization, problem-solving, and developing innovative solutions and new ideas within the tourism industry. Your assessment for this module will be shared with The Research Skills Lab module. You'll be assessed on your innovative and creative proposal, the development of your methodological design toolkit, your data collection and the analysis and application of your research findings.
This module explores the risks, threats, and unforeseen events that can disrupt tourism businesses and destinations. You'll examine factors such as economic and social change, climate change and extreme weather events, armed conflict and terrorism, migration and human trafficking, and resource scarcity. Reflecting on how the travel industry has responded to past crises, you'll assess how international tourism organisations can prepare for and manage future disruption through strategic planning and well-informed decision-making. The module draws on risk and crisis management theory, resilience and uncertainty frameworks, ethical decision-making, and business continuity planning to support the development of robust responses to unpredictable global environments.
Explore holistic wellbeing as a fundamental skill for your personal, academic, and professional growth in the context of both tourism studies and the tourism industry. The module will draw upon the Five Areas of Wellbeing model (Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Give and Keep Learning). You'll explore interconnected domains of wellbeing, understand their influence on learning and performance, and develop practical skills to enhance your overall wellbeing.
Study the principles and processes of thinking and managing strategically. This module will introduce a range of tools and techniques for more effective and evidence-based decision-making in tourism organisations. You'll develop the skills and understanding to implement these strategic decisions effectively within the context of strategic management.
What you'll learn
This module introduces the principles and practices of futures thinking and strategic foresight within the tourism industry. You'll develop the ability to anticipate emerging trends, navigate uncertainty, and respond proactively to future challenges and opportunities in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks, practical exercises, and case studies, you'll strengthen your critical thinking and analytical skills, exploring how evidence-based insight can inform strategic decision-making. By the end of the module, you'll be equipped to evaluate alternative futures and contribute to shaping resilient and forward-looking tourism strategies.
Undertake a consultancy project related to specific issues facing the tourism and hospitality industries. Working as part of a small team, you'll use problem-solving methods and project management techniques to address a brief which will be set by external industry clients. You'll be able to adopt innovative approaches to finding solutions to real industry challenges. The module develops and assesses your skills, knowledge and professionalism as you manage and realise the project. You'll also build key professional networking skills through opportunities with the industry.
Option modules may include
Understand the importance of strategically managing the hospitality industry, and its associated stakeholders, by creating and presenting food and drink places and spaces. This module will introduce the hospitality industry’s role in strategically creating food and drink value for places and spaces; be they countries such a France, Mexico or Thailand, or regions such as the Champagne Region, and cities from London to New Orleans or Marrakesh. You'll then explore the management, marketing and imagery of food and drink places and spaces. The final part of this module will review the sensory experiences and pleasures that consumers seek from the food and drink in specific places and spaces.
Gain a comprehensive and critical understanding of tourism in emerging economies across the Global South. This module deepens your engagement with key concepts of ethics, sustainability, and responsibility, framed through the principles of responsible tourism. You'll examine globalisation and the political and economic processes that shape social and economic development in developing contexts. Through this lens, you'll explore how governing bodies, tourism businesses, travellers and host communities influence tourism systems and their socio-economic and environmental impacts. You'll also critically consider whether tourism is always a force for good, evaluating situations where it may generate complex challenges alongside potential benefits.
Combine your creative, academic and professional skills to reach a solution to a task negotiated and agreed on with your industrial placement employer. You'll explore a range of materials and information as you identify and critically analyse a real-life issue and propose innovative solutions to an organisational challenge. This module is undertaken in addition to your industrial placement. It builds on the learning, experience and skills you've gained throughout your studies and your time in industry.
This module will enable you to identify clear potential routes for professional work beyond graduation. You'll learn how to craft your own career plan that will enhance your self-assurance. Your plan will help you to navigate a future where linear career paths will no longer be the norm. You'll fuse disciplinary knowledge with the experience gained from a suite of professional development activities (such as short-term placements, internships, volunteering activities, case studies, project work, and online workshops). This module will enable you to develop an increased understanding of the contemporary work environment, preparing you to enter it successfully. The module will nurture a positive mind-set, so you'll feel you can shape your future and pursue your aspirations with confidence.
Demonstrate your ability to be an independent learner and learn to critically evaluate secondary and primary sources of data to draw well-justified conclusions. You'll initiate, plan, research, sustain and evaluate an extended piece of independent academic work based on your individual initiative. This module provides an opportunity for you to work on something that not only interests you but can also impress potential future employers.
Fuel your passion for enterprise and explore what it takes to create a business in the tourism, hospitality, and events industries. Using practical frameworks for business planning and development, you'll take an idea from initial concept through to launch and growth, while also considering potential exit strategies. Throughout the module, you'll examine what makes entrepreneurs successful and reflect on your own entrepreneurial strengths. By the end of the module, you'll be able to critically analyse the requirements for starting and running a successful business, ready to turn your ideas into reality.
Develop and apply a range of leadership skills within outdoor adventure settings. This module builds your ability to lead and contribute effectively within a team, with a particular focus on journeying in dynamic outdoor environments. Your learning will be brought to life through participation in an adventurous journey of at least three days and two nights, designed to align with the skills and abilities of your group. Through this immersive experience, you'll apply leadership strategies in real time, navigating challenge, uncertainty, and collaboration. Alongside practical involvement across varied settings, you'll critically evaluate key leadership and teamwork theories, reflecting on how they inform effective practice in adventurous environments. By the end of the module, you'll have developed greater self-awareness, resilience, and confidence as an adaptive and reflective leader.
Gain an in-depth understanding of the evolving relationship between consumers, products, and experiences within contemporary tourism marketing. This module explores key branding challenges, examining how customer experience, product and service delivery, and promotional strategies intersect in an increasingly digital landscape. You'll analyse the role of perception, electronic word of mouth (eWOM), and co-creation in shaping effective marketing activity, while considering the perspectives of commercial providers, public sector organisations, and destination marketing organisations.
This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘placement’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree and will extend the length of your course by an additional year.
Students who choose the placement route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.