How is the Bachelor in Tourism and Travel Management different from a hospitality degree?

A hospitality degree concentrates on hotels and on-property service. The Bachelor in Tourism and Travel Management focuses on the travel trade itself — tour operators, travel agencies, distribution and destination services. The two fields overlap but are not the same.

Does the degree cover GDS systems?

Yes, at a working level. Graduates should leave with a basic understanding of how Amadeus, Sabre or Travelport systems are used in agency settings, even if specific vendor certifications are pursued separately.

Is travel still a career worth entering after the disruption of recent years?

Travel demand has rebounded and reshaped, not disappeared. The trade absolutely still hires — it has become more technology-led, which is partly why this Bachelor in Tourism and Travel Management exists in its current form.

Can I work part-time in the travel industry while completing the degree?

Many students do, and the practical exposure tends to strengthen their academic work. Visa rules for international students should be checked separately against current Home Office guidance.

How long is the bachelor?

Three years full-time is the standard pattern, with alternative arrangements considered on request. The calendar is confirmed at enrolment.

What kinds of fees should I plan for?

Fees vary by mode of study and applicant nationality. Admissions will share the current schedule when they respond to your enquiry.

Bachelor in Tourism and Travel Management | HICL London | Harold International College of London

Bachelor in Tourism and Travel Management at HICL

The travel trade looks completely different from the way it did twenty years ago, but it is still very much alive. OTAs have reshaped distribution, GDSs still sit underneath much of the industry, and tour operators have had to learn to be more flexible than ever. The Bachelor in Tourism and Travel Management is a three-year undergraduate degree for students who want to build careers inside this changing landscape.

What makes the Bachelor in Tourism and Travel Management useful is its operational orientation. It is less about generic tourism theory and more about how a travel business is actually run — how a tour is priced, how a holiday package is assembled, how a travel agent uses booking systems, and how the digital layer sits on top of all of it.

The Reality of Modern Travel Work

Many graduates underestimate how technical the travel trade has become. Travel consultants are expected to know fare construction, ticketing rules, refund logic and basic GDS commands. Tour operators need to understand contract negotiation with suppliers and how to absorb currency and fuel risk. A travel degree that ignores this side ends up producing graduates who interview poorly. This programme tries hard not to be that degree.

Who This Degree Is For

School leavers planning a career in tour operations, travel retail or destination services.
Travel-industry workers formalising their qualifications.
International students preparing for global travel-industry careers.
Career changers from hospitality, aviation or marketing entering the travel trade.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the Bachelor in Tourism and Travel Management typically progress into travel consultant, tour operator coordinator, destination management trainee, travel technology executive, business travel agent and corporate travel roles. With time, graduates move into product management, contracting, supplier relations and revenue roles. Specific salary outcomes vary by employer and location.

How the Programme Is Delivered

The Bachelor in Tourism and Travel Management is delivered on campus in London, with case-based learning and group projects across the cohort. Distance-learning options for some modules may be available; admissions can confirm what is currently offered. The full structure and intake calendar are confirmed at enrolment.

Entry Requirements

Completion of secondary school with results acceptable for UK undergraduate entry.
IELTS 5.5–6.0 (or accepted equivalent) for non-native English speakers.
Genuine interest in travel and tour operations is helpful.
Minimum age 17.

Apply for the Bachelor in Tourism and Travel Management

If you want to spend your career making other people's trips work and getting paid to know how the travel industry actually moves, click Enroll Now. HICL admissions will respond within one working day.