Challenge your understanding of tourism and aviation. Gain the employability skills you need to start or progress your career. Develop research skills and progress to further studies or consultancy. Plan, manage and promote tourism and aviation products, businesses and destinations in a safe, competitive and sustainable manner.
The tourism and aviation sectors combined form one of the most exciting and fastest-growing industries globally. This course is designed to provide you with the theoretical background, skills and experiences necessary to become a successful leader within the tourism and aviation industry.



This course isaccredited by the Tourism Management Institute.

Number 15 in the UK

We're the 15th best university in the UK for hospitality and tourism courses in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Sheffield Business School accreditation

Sheffield Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and has been awarded the Business School Impact System label by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).

Tourism subject group award

Our Tourism subject group is recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT), the membership organisation for tourism industry professionals and educators.

This course will allow you to apply and critically challenge your understanding of the industry in practical contexts, particularly in the work-related learning modules and during the optional industry placement.

You will also critically examine the safety, sustainability and corporate social responsibility of the international tourism and aviation industry. Your employability skills will be enhanced through focus on communications and team-working, which are vital for career development.

You learn through

• lectures and seminars
• tutorials and workshops
• industry lectures and site visits
• face-to-face experiences
• airline and aviation operations management simulation

This course is delivered face-to-face over three semesters - teaching is scheduled based on the length of your course and the academic calendar.

Work experience is embedded midway through your course. Your dissertation module will be submitted upon completion of your placement.

Applied learning

Work placements

You’ll have the opportunity to source a work placement for up to 12 months, where you’ll apply academic theory and your skills in a real-world setting. This hands-on experience will enhance your professional development and help you to make informed career choices after graduation. Throughout your placement, you’ll be supported to reflect on your experience and contribution to the organisation you work for. You'll also share your progress and achievements with your Placement Academic Supervisor as part of your final assessment.
 
Work placements are competitive and will require you to make formal applications to employers and be successful in securing an opportunity. The application process for placements takes place while you are a student with us. To support you in applying for placements, you’ll complete an additional placement preparation program that introduces you to the UK employment landscape and prepares you for the recruitment and assessment activities you will experience during that process. We also maintain a large database of placement offers that you can search to find opportunities most relevant to your course that you can apply for. 

Networking opportunities

Guest lectures from visiting academics, researchers and other professionals will further enhance your knowledge and understanding and to encourage contact with the industry.

Field trips

There are field visits in certain modules which aim to provide real-world knowledge of the industry, and to provide context for your theoretical studies.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career as a

• international tour operator
• airline operator
• airport operator
• transport operator
• destination manager
• hotel manager
• tourist manager
• government employee
• tourism and aviation consultant

 

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

 

Important notice:

The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

You can take an optional placement in year two.

Year 1 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Commercial Operations In Tourism And Aviation	30	Coursework(100%)
Responsible Tourism And Aviation	30	Coursework(100%)
Safety, Security And Crisis Management	30	Coursework(100%)
Sustainable Business Strategy	30	Coursework(100%)

 

Final year Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Consultancy	60	Coursework(100%)
Dissertation	60	Coursework(100%)
Work Experience Project	60	Coursework(100%)