Tourism Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

Tourism Studies in The United Kingdom

Tourism is taught in the United Kingdom as a management subject, usually inside a business school. Students learn how destinations, tour operators, attractions and transport work as businesses, how tourism is planned and marketed, and how its effects on places and communities can be managed. Degrees are often combined with hospitality or events. This directory lists 20 schools for tourism in the UK: four in London, two in Brighton and the rest spread across the country.

How the degree is organised

The main qualification is a bachelor's degree with honours, a BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons), which is a level 6 qualification. In England it normally takes three years full time, or four with a year in industry. The Tourism Management BA at the University of Westminster takes three or four years, because students can add an optional placement year or a study abroad experience between the second and third years. Anglia Ruskin University teaches a BSc (Hons) Tourism Management at ARU Peterborough, also with an optional placement year.

In Scotland, degree-level study usually takes four years. The BA (Hons) International Tourism Management at Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University, lasts four years, and in year 3 students can take a 48-week paid placement locally, nationally or internationally.

There are shorter and more vocational routes as well. According to the National Careers Service, people enter tourism jobs with a foundation degree, a higher national diploma (HND) or a degree in a subject like travel and tourism management; foundation degrees and HNDs are level 5 qualifications. Further education colleges teach below degree level: Gloucestershire College lists full-time Travel and Tourism courses at level 3.

A master's degree is a level 7 qualification and usually takes one year. The Tourism Management MA at Westminster takes one year full time; the MSc International Tourism and Hospitality Management at Robert Gordon University takes 12 months from a September start.

Professional recognition

Tourism is not a regulated profession, so no licence depends on the degree. Two professional bodies recognise courses: Robert Gordon University states that its BA is accredited by the Institute of Hospitality and recognised and approved by the Tourism Management Institute (TMI). Recognition of a UK degree in another country is decided by that country.

Where to study

London examples in this directory are the University of Westminster, London South Bank University, The City College and Mont Rose College of Management and Sciences. Elsewhere in England there are Anglia Ruskin University, Bournemouth University, the University of the West of England in Bristol, the University of Wolverhampton, the University of Sunderland and Salford Business School in Greater Manchester. In Scotland the list includes Glasgow Caledonian University and Aberdeen Business School at Robert Gordon University.

Admission and English level

Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements, usually stated as A levels, and many accept equivalent international qualifications. UK ENIC, the official organisation for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications, issues statements that compare a foreign qualification with the UK system. Westminster asks for CCC at A level (96 UCAS tariff points) and Robert Gordon University for CCC for first-year entry.

Both universities ask for IELTS 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5 for the bachelor's degree, and 6.5 overall for the master's. Westminster accepts a lower second-class honours degree (2:2) for its MA. Undergraduate applications are sent through UCAS, with a maximum of five choices. For 2027 entry, the equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses is 13 January 2027 (18:00 UK time); for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge it is 15 October 2026. Many universities accept international applications until later in the year.

Costs and visa

Fees depend on fee status. For September 2027, Westminster lists £10,050 for UK students and £19,000 for international students on its BA, and £11,315 and £18,685 on its MA. Robert Gordon University lists, for 2026-2027, £17,570 a year for international students on the BA and £18,030 for the full-time MSc.

International students normally need a Student visa for a full degree. According to GOV.UK (checked on 8 October 2026), applicants must be 16 or over, hold an offer from a licensed student sponsor and prove English equivalent to CEFR level B2 for degree-level study. The application costs £558 from outside the UK, plus a healthcare surcharge of £776 per year for students. Applicants must also show living-cost funds of £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to nine months, and can apply at the earliest six months before the course starts.

Careers

Anglia Ruskin University names tourism management, tourism officer and tourism marketing roles; Westminster describes its graduates as prepared for leadership roles within the tourism industry. After the degree, the Graduate visa allows a stay of 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a tourism degree take in the United Kingdom?

Usually three years full time in England, or four with a placement year, and four years in Scotland. A master's degree normally takes one year.

Does a tourism degree include work experience?

Often. Westminster offers an optional placement year between the second and third years, and Robert Gordon University offers a 48-week paid placement in year 3.

How much does a tourism degree cost for international students?

Each university sets its own fee. Westminster lists £19,000 for September 2027 and Robert Gordon University £17,570 a year for 2026-2027.