Program Overview

BA (Hons) Hospitality Management

The BA (Hons) Hospitality Management is a three-year degree, extendable to four with an optional placement or study abroad year. This course prepares students for a successful career in the global hospitality industry, developing practical hospitality skills alongside strong business and management knowledge.

Overview

• Course: Hospitality Management
• UCAS code: N886
• Start date: October 2026
• Study mode: Full-time
• Duration: 3 years
• Location: Colchester Campus
• Based in: Edge Hotel School

What is BA Hons Hospitality Management?

The BA Hons Hospitality Management is a three-year degree that extends to four years with an optional placement or study abroad year. This course prepares students for a successful career in the global hospitality industry. Students will develop practical hospitality skills alongside strong business and management knowledge, supported by integrated work experience in Wivenhoe House, a luxury hotel on the Colchester campus.

Why this course

Hospitality is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing industries, offering diverse and international career opportunities. This course gives students the skills, experience, and industry insight needed to succeed in a competitive global sector. Students will study key areas of hospitality management, including change management and business innovation, gastronomy and food trends, finance and macroeconomics, event planning and venue management, human resources, and digital marketing.

What makes this course distinctive

What makes this course distinctive is the Edge Hotel School experience. Alongside academic studies, students will gain hands-on experience working in a fully commercial four-star hotel. This allows students to apply theory to practice, understand real operational challenges, and build professional confidence from their first year. With strong industry links and excellent graduate outcomes, it is no surprise that 95 percent of graduates are in full-time employment or further education according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024.

Who should apply

• Students interested in hospitality, events, travel, food, and customer experience
• Those who want a practical degree with real industry experience alongside academic study
• Learners who enjoy working with people, solving problems, and leading teams
• Anyone seeking an internationally recognized qualification with strong employability outcomes

What you'll learn

• Hospitality business management: Understand how hospitality organizations operate and grow in a global market
• Change management and innovation: Explore how businesses adapt to trends, technology, and customer expectations
• Gastronomy and food trends: Study contemporary food culture, sustainability, and consumer behavior
• Finance and macroeconomics: Develop financial awareness and decision-making skills for hospitality managers
• Events and venue management: Learn how to plan, deliver, and evaluate a wide range of events
• Human resources and digital marketing: Build skills in people management, branding, and online engagement

Your learning experience

• Integrated work experience: Gain experience across hotel departments, including kitchen, front office, restaurant, housekeeping, and events
• Real-world exposure: Work across weddings, conferences, meetings, afternoon tea, and hospitality events
• Expert teaching: Learn from academic staff with professional industry backgrounds, including former hotel general managers and event organizers
• Industry engagement: Take part in careers fairs, masterclasses, and guest lectures with leading hospitality organizations
• Optional study abroad or placement year: Study or work overseas with full university support

Careers and outcomes

A degree in Hospitality Management prepares students for careers across the global hospitality and service industries, including:

• Hotels and resorts: Operations management, guest services, and leadership roles
• Restaurants and food businesses: Management, food and beverage operations, and business development
• Events and festivals: Event planning, venue management, and production
• Travel and transport: Airlines, cruise ships, and visitor attractions
• Marketing and sales: Brand management, digital marketing, and customer engagement

Employers of graduates from this course

Graduates of BA Hons Hospitality Management have progressed to roles with organizations including:

• Hilton
• The Savoy
• Dorchester Collection
• Exclusive Hotels and Venues
• Milsoms Hotels and Restaurants
• Royal Lancaster London
• Airlines, cruise operators, and international hospitality groups

Professional accreditation

Accredited by the Institute of Hospitality, ensuring that academic, vocational, and professional standards achieved are appropriate and program content and delivery meet international Institute of Hospitality benchmark standards.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

• GCSE: Mathematics and English C/4, or equivalent
• A-levels: CCC or 96 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels
• BTEC: MMM
• Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 96 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels or equivalent
• IB: 26 points in the IB Diploma or 96 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects
• IB Career-related Programme: Combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications
• QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 96 UCAS tariff points
• T-levels: 96 UCAS tariff points

International & EU entry requirements

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries.

English language requirements

• English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test
• English language shelf-life: Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years

Structure

Components and modules explained

Components are the blocks of study that make up the course. A component may have a set module that students must study, or a number of modules from which they can choose.

Year 1

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY - Finance for Hospitality Business (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY - The Hospitality Business Environment (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY - Marketing and Customer Behaviour (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY - Food and Beverage Management (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY - Delivering Hospitality Operations and the Customer Experience 1 (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY - Hospitality Operations (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY - Conferences and Events (15 credits)

Year 2

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY - Management and Leadership (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY - Sustainability in Hospitality (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY - Digital Marketing and Revenue Management (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY - Continual Professional Development (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY - Hospitality Supervision, Data and Technology (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY - Contemporary Issues in the International Hospitality Industry (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY - Delivering Hospitality Operations and the Customer Experience 2 (30 credits)

Year 3

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY - Business Strategy for the Hospitality and Events Industries (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY - Innovation and Entrepreneurship (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY - Human Resource Management (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY - Dissertation (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY - Management in International Hospitality (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY - Consultancy Project (30 credits)

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

• £9,790 per year

International fee

• £21,500 per year

Placement year

• 20% of the standard tuition fee for that year

Study abroad

• Full year abroad: 15% of the standard tuition fee for that year
• Single term abroad: Standard tuition fee

Scholarships and financial support

There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.