Program Overview

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Business Management with International Tourism BA (Hons)

Year of entry

• 2025 - for 2026 entry see here - for 2025 entry see here

UCAS code

• N830

Duration of study

• 3 years or 4 years with international, placement or entrepreneurship year

Course summary

Step into the fast-paced and dynamic world of tourism with our Business Management with International Tourism BA. This programme will allow you to explore your passion for travel, whilst developing essential business skills, from sports tourism to strategic management and data insights. As the global tourism sector continues to evolve, this course offers you the unique opportunity to explore the complexities of international travel, destination marketing, and sustainable practices. Discover how tourism impacts economies, politics, and societies, and equip yourself with the knowledge and experience to thrive in this dynamic industry.

Why study Business Management with International Tourism at Keele University?

• Stand out in the global tourism industry by blending business management expertise and real-world tourism insights
• Gain a competitive edge with our Professional and Academic Development Programme
• Option to spend a year working in industry, or undertake an entrepreneurship year
• Opportunities to study abroad
• Study alongside innovative companies based in Keele Business School

Course overview

Business Management with International Tourism at Keele will prepare you for a career in the dynamic tourism sector by combining core business management principles with specialised tourism modules. You will explore topics such as sustainable destination marketing, global travel trends, and the interconnections between tourism and other industries. The curriculum emphasises sustainable practices and ethical policy development, addressing challenges like environmental damage, whilst recognising the diverse nature of the tourism industry. Practical experience through internships and projects ensures graduates are well-equipped for diverse roles in tourism management and consultancy, while the programme also provides a strong foundation in essential business areas. This programme will ensure you are prepared for a fulfilling career, whether you’re drawn to adventure, culture, or the intricacies of global travel.

BA (Hons) Business Management with International Tourism is part of our dynamic suite of Business Management degrees, offering you a comprehensive understanding of key business and management principles. All our Business Management programmes share a common first year, where you'll build a strong foundation in core areas such as Marketing, Finance, and Human Resources, while also exploring the wider global business context - covering topics like international economics, politics, and society. You’ll also develop essential skills in data analysis and digital decision-making tools, crucial for today’s tech-driven business world. From the second year, you will specialise, tailoring your studies to suit your interests and career aspirations. We place a strong emphasis on the purpose of business, sustainability, and ethics, ensuring you’re prepared to lead with integrity in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Practical, career-focused teaching and learning ensures that you can apply the theory you’re learning to real-world scenarios that will build your expertise and confidence. We will also get you thinking about sustainability and business ethics so when you begin work or start your own business you can be a force for good in the world.

Our built-in Professional and Academic Development Programme spans your entire degree. Designed to fully prepare you for securing a great job or starting a business, you will develop your professional skills, creativity, confidence, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Our aim? To ensure you graduate with clear goals and impressive experiences to show future employers or investors. You’ll benefit from Keele Business School’s strong industry connections, placement or entrepreneurship opportunities, hands-on practical experiences, and invaluable real-world insights such as through our Global Challenge Pathways.

Course structure

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Professional and Academic Development 1
• The Business of Organisations
• Data, Decisions and Visualisation
• The Global Business Context

Optional modules

• Teams, People and Performance

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Professional and Academic Development 2
• Contemporary Business Operations
• Leisure, Sport and Society: Sustainability, Politics and Communities
• Special Interest Tourism

Optional modules

• Individual Placement Module
• Contemporary Business Ethics Debates

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Professional and Academic Development 3
• Strategic Management
• Project
• Sustainable Destination Marketing

Optional modules

• Individual Placement Module
• The Digital Showcase

Academic expertise

Our staff in Keele Business School are active researchers in core areas such as accounting, finance, economics, human resource management, marketing and management. Their academic work will inform your learning, incorporating recent theories and current themes to open discussion in your subject area. There are professional support staff on hand to answer any queries you may have during your undergraduate studies at Keele.

Our academics in Keele Business School are multicultural and multinational, bringing an international aspect to the School’s teaching, research and business activities.

Double Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework

Keele is one of only 15 broad-based universities in England - out of over 100 - to have been awarded Gold in both the 2017 and 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) exercises, demonstrating our consistent teaching excellence.

Additional opportunities

• Foundation year
• Learn a language
• Placement year
• International year
• Study abroad
• Entrepreneurship year
• GCP Elective Pathways

There are a range of additional opportunities for this course. Please note that undertaking one may impact the availability of another.

Strengthening your employability

• Work placement year*
• International year

Entry requirements

• A Level: BBC
• BTEC: DMM
• T Level: Merit
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: 554 in three Higher Levels or 29 points
• Access to HE Diploma: 112 UCAS points including at least one Level 3 qualification
• Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru: The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A Level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A Levels in a standard A Level offer for this course
• Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers: BCCCC in five Highers, or CD in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers, or CCD in three Advanced Highers
• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer
• Core Maths: If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer
• Ireland - Leaving Certificate: H3, H4, H4, H4, H4, H4 in the Irish Leaving Certificate
• China - Gaokao: 70%
• India - Standard XII: Average of 65% from four subjects in the ICSE, CBSE or Western Bengal Standard XII, or average of 70% from four subjects in any other Standard XII
• Germany - Abitur: 2.4 overall average in the Abitur
• France - Baccalaureate: 12 in the French Baccalaureate/International Option Baccalaureate/Baccalauréate Français International
• Hong Kong - Diploma: 443 from two electives and one core subject in the HKDSE
• Spain - Bachillerato: Overall average of 7 in the Título de Bachillerato
• Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato: 75% in the Esame di Stato
• Cyprus - Apolytirion: 17.5 / 83% in the Apolytirion
• Portugal: Overall average of 15 in a Secondary Certificate
• Canada - Diploma: 60% / BCCCC in five courses in the Grade 12 Diploma
• Kenya - KCSE / Diploma: We do not accept the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele
• Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND: We do not accept the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele
• USA - Advanced Placement: 443 from three Advanced Placement subjects
• Ghana: We do not accept the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele
• Sri Lanka - Advanced Level: BBC in three Advanced Levels
• Malaysia - STPM: BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the STPM
• Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate: We do not accept the Secondary School Certificate for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele
• Singapore - A Levels (H2): BBC in three H2 Levels
• European Baccalaureate: 70% overall
• NCUK: Pass NCUK Foundation Year with BBC and a C in EAP English Language module
• Uganda - Advanced Certificate of Education: BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the Advanced Certificate of Education
• Zimbabwe - Advanced Level GCE: BBC in three Advanced Level subjects

English language requirements

• All our courses require an English language qualification or test. Most students meet this through a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please visit our English Language pages for details, including test information for international students. For students who require a test, this course requires a result from Group A.

Alternative and contextual offers

• We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. We offer alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying in the Keele region, and recognition of a range of additional qualifications.

General information

• The entry grades outlined indicate the typical offer, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary conditions based upon a candidate’s application.

Fees and funding

• Tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year:
  • UK: £9,535 for the 2025/6 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval)
  • International: Band 1, £17,700 for the 2025/26 academic year

Supporting you

• During your studies, you’ll receive support from within Keele Business School and across the University. Your assigned Academic Mentor will provide individual support, and you'll also have access to our dedicated Student Experience and Support Team, based within our Faculty, who can provide additional support, and work closely with teams across Keele. This ensures you have easy access to comprehensive advice and support, including services for Disability Support and Inclusion, Student Financial Support, Counselling and Mental Health, Residence Life and Chaplaincy, and International Student Support.

Your future career

• This programme offers numerous opportunities to broaden your knowledge and develop a range of transferable skills that are highly valued by employers, enhancing your future career potential. Your critical thinking skills will be sharper, your communication abilities will have improved, you will have gained knowledge about the fundamentals of business and established an entrepreneurial mindset. By enhancing your skills via our Professional and Academic Development Programme, you will grow in confidence and graduate with the intellectual, professional, and personal resources to pursue different career paths in diverse roles in the evolving tourism sector.

Jobs that a graduate on this course could progress to include:

• Travel and Tourism Manager
• Destination Manager
• Destination Marketing Manager
• Sustainable Tourism Consultant
• Marketing Manager
• Business Adviser
• Business Development Manager
• Logistics/Supply Chain Manager
• Management Consultant
• Project Manager
• Risk Manager
• Sales Executive

Enhance your employability

• Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021) offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.

Teaching, learning and assessment

• We use a variety of teaching and learning methods throughout this Business Management with International Tourism BA, tailored to the module theme and level. These methods may include interactive lectures, independent study, group tutorials, reflective practice and engaging in web-based learning via Keele’s virtual learning environment (KLE). Our practical lab-based classes provide hands-on experience in data analysis, and we create a safe and supportive space to practice your decision-making skills through simulated business contexts. You will also have opportunities to interact with businesses and organisations through guest lectures, company visits and direct engagement, working on live issues where you can put your learning into practice.

Assessment

• You will be assessed via different methods that reflect the breadth of the skills and knowledge you will gain on this programme. The types of assessments may include simulations and group assessments where you will collaborate with other students and replicate typical workplace interactions. Portfolios and project reports will allow you to compile your achievements and reflections in a valuable way for academic evaluation and to showcase your skills to potential employers. Presentations will develop your confidence and hone your communications skills, and through case studies, essays and reports you will demonstrate your strategic thinking, analytical, and written communication skills.

Foundation year

• Studying a Foundation Year, for whatever reason, offers an alternative route to Keele, and provides a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree. That extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge and, perhaps most importantly, build your confidence.

Foundation year overview

• Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, offering preparation for your chosen degree with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete.

Course content

• Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

Course structure

• The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Semester one modules

• Foundations: Breaking the code - Understanding Academic Writing
• Foundations of Business 1
• Foundations of Business 2
• Foundations of Business 3

Semester two modules

• Advancing Business
• University Research Portfolio

Entry requirements

• 40 UCAS points including at least one Level 3 qualification (such as an A level, BTEC, Access Course, or T level)
• Plus C in GCSE English / Level 2 Functional Skills English

How to apply

• Students will need to apply for BSc Business Management with Foundation Year (N7L3) through UCAS at www.ucas.com

Direct entry

• If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

January entry overview

• We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science, Health and Business courses.

Information for international students

• Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.