Study hospitality, leisure and tourism
Where can I study hospitality, leisure and tourism?
More than 70 UK universities offer courses in hospitality, leisure and tourism, including three of the
best in the world – the University of Surrey (eight), Oxford Brookes University (ninth) and
Bournemouth University (tenth). In total there are around 320 courses to choose from.
More than 70 UK universities offer courses in hospitality, leisure and tourism, including three of the
best in the world – the University of Surrey (eight), Oxford Brookes University (ninth) and
Bournemouth University (tenth). In total there are around 320 courses to choose from.
What is the application process?
Most hospitality and tourism degrees in the UK will require at least two A–levels or equivalent, with
many of the most popular courses demanding grades of ABB or higher.
Typical requirements for International Baccalaureate will be 32 points, with an IELTS of 6.0 overall,
and no lower than 5.5 in any one component.
How long does it take to graduate?
UK undergraduate degrees in hospitality, leisure and tourism typically take around three years to
complete. Many offer opportunities to extend your studies with a year’s study abroad or work
experience placement.
Postgraduate degrees are usually between one and two years, with many universities offering an
integrated foundation year, which can be useful if you have not studied the subject before.
What will I learn?
Any UK degree spanning hospitality, leisure and tourism will give you the core knowledge and skills
you need to work in the industry and travel the world. With so many areas covered within this subject
there really are no limits to what you can do and where you can go.
Typical modules on your course might include:
• Sustainable tourism
• Special interest tourism
• Transport economics and policy
• The digital customer experience
• Exhibitions and events
• Global planning and logistics
• Bed and room management• Hospitality policies
Whatever specialisms you choose as you progress, you can be sure of gaining a comprehensive
knowledge of the ways that international tourism works, along with insights into the supply chain, and
audience behaviours. So you can be confident that you’ll graduate with the skills and experience that
employers are looking for worldwide.
Why is the UK a good choice for hospitality, leisure and tourism?
Hospitality, leisure and tourism are the gateway into a truly international career, and the UK is the
best possible place to gain the knowledge you need. We’re home to some of the world’s most popular
cities and historic landmarks and our tourism industry contributed £72bn to the UK economy in
2018.
You’ll find a huge amount of expertise in the UK, covering everything from the serious end of logistics
and events to the emerging technologies that are driving the industry. The UK’s hospitality sector has
had to adapt to the global pandemic in all kinds of ways, so there’s no shortage of inspiration and
industry connections to help you on your career journey.
Are there any scholarships available?
A wide range of UK universities offer scholarships for international students studying courses in
hospitality, leisure and tourism. This includes a range from one of the best ranked universities in the
world for tourism – the University of Surrey – which are open to applicants from any country.
You can also choose to apply for one of the more high profile opportunities such as Chevening
Scholarships or Commonwealth Scholarships, which are both open to residents of any country.
What are my work options after I graduate?
UK hospitality and tourism graduates have the world at their feet, with a wide range of career
opportunities available to them. You can go into anything from tourism and hospitality roles to
marketing and business, health and safety, air cabin crew, holiday rep or travel agency manager.
Starting salaries in hospitality related roles tend to be around £20,000, with lots of larger
organisations offer graduate training schemes to help accelerate and guide your progression up the
career ladder. But you may not want to work for anyone else. If you choose to apply your skills and
experience to starting your own travel or tourism related business, the sky’s the limit.
International students who have completed an undergraduate or master’s degree can apply to stay
and work in the UK for two years upon graduation, through the Graduate Route.
To find out more about studying hospitality, leisure and tourism in the UK and to find a course,
