Study tourism abroad

Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, employing hundreds of millions of people all over the world. By studying a tourism degree abroad you’ll get the skills and experience you’ll need for an exciting career in this dynamic industry.

Tourism degree programs can cover a wide range of disciplines including business, geography, management and finance. You’ll learn about the major trends and developments in tourism around the world and often get the chance to travel and experience tourist attractions in the local area and further afield.

As an international student, studying abroad will give you a real insight into global tourism management. You can study in tourism hotspots and get firsthand experience of how the industry works, at the same time as expanding your own personal horizons.

Tourism programs are often offered in combination with other subjects like event management, hospitality or business. In some countries, tourism programs are often referred to as tourism management or international tourism management.

As an international undergraduate student, there is a range of degree qualifications you can study in tourism including foundation, certificate, diploma and bachelor’s. A BA in tourism will usually take three to four years to complete, and often comes with the option of spending a year abroad or on a work placement.

If you study in the US, you’ll have the option of studying tourism as a major or minor subject at bachelor’s level. The liberal arts model means you can study a variety of disciplines at the same time as specializing in one or more major subjects.

You can also study tourism at master’s level as an MA, or as an MSc depending on the precise program you choose. At postgraduate level many programs are offered as a specialization of tourism focusing on things like business, management or marketing.

Most tourism programs are taught through lectures, seminars and group workshops, but many also include regular field trips to local tourist destinations. The content of every tourism program will be different, but here are some common subjects and modules you can expect to cover:

• The tourism industry
• Marketing for tourism
• Business for tourism
• Hospitality
• Tourism and globalization
• Professional development
• Sustainable tourism
• Attraction management

Tourism management graduates are well placed to pursue an exciting career in the tourism industry. There are a wide range of job roles you’ll have the skills to take on, including:

• Hotel manager
• Travel representative
• Tourism officer
• Travel agent
• Air cabin crew
• Tour manager
• Event manager

Many tourism degree programs give you the chance to spend a year on placement gaining real-world experience. This is a great way to get a taste for working in the tourism or hospitality industry and could help you work out which role would suit you best. It also means you’ll have valuable experience to put on your CV when you’re looking for a job after university.