Short Course: Tourism and Hospitality Principles
About
This module will teach you the foundations and key principles of tourism (mobility, motivation, experience economy, destinations, sustainability and futures) and hospitality (consumer behaviour, quality, localism, experience economy, sustainability and futures).
Topics covered will include:
Theme 1 (Day 1) Setting the scene
- Introduction to tourism and hospitality
- Historical overview of the development of tourism and hospitality in contemporary society
- Introduction to key concepts and principles for both tourism and hospitality, and that overlap for both sectors
Theme 2 (Day 2) The hospitality and tourism sector
- The role of attractions, accommodation, intermediaries, transportation, and public policy in the development of tourism and hospitality
- Examination of travel behaviour (tourism) and consumer behaviour (hospitality)
- The role of hospitality and tourism within the experience economy
Theme 3 (Day 3) Tourism and hospitality within destinations and change over time
- The primacy of destinations for tourism, recognising the impacts that tourism can create
- The importance of localism and culture for hospitality and tourism
- Toward sustainability for the tourism and hospitality sector
- Tourism and hospitality futures
Delivery format
- Teaching will be delivered face-to-face on the Belfast campus.
- The course is delivered in a 3 day taught block and is supported by online materials which students can access on demand.
- A range of teaching methods will be employed, including traditional lectures, case studies, business simulation gaming and one-to-one tutor session videos. We also arrange some field trips to hospitality and tourism venues and invite guest speakers from industry.
- The course is assessed via 100% coursework to include a written essay and presentation.
Campus
Belfast
Term Dates
- Wednesday 8 October 2025, 9am to 5pm
- Thursday 9 October 2025, 9am to 5pm
- Friday 10 October 2025, 9am to 5pm
You will also attend a learning set to support you with your learning and coursework which will be on the following dates:
- Wednesday 15 October 2025
- Wednesday 22 October 2025
Career options
Roles associated with this sector include working for hotels, national tourist organisations, airlines, visitor attractions, tour operators, event venues, ferry/cruise companies, airport operations and hospitality management.
Whether you are currently working in the industry and want to progress your career to management level or are a recent graduate who wants to enter the sector for the first time the knowledge and skills learned will equip you for working in a diverse range of job roles.
Academic Profile
This module is taught by Professor Stephen Boyd, Mr Robert McKenna and Mrs Brenda McCarron.
Further Information
Modules
This is a 20 credit module short course.
Entry requirements
You should hold a Second-Class Honours Degree or better OR have significant managerial / business experience.
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are 18 or over at the point of enrolment;
- have a right to work and undertake training in the UK at the point of application and for the duration of the course and must not be disqualified from doing either by reason of their immigration status. Proof of this will be required to progress your application. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements including competency in English (as evidenced by GCSE Grade C in English or alternative). For English competency, a degree taught in UK or Ireland covers this requirement. If your degree is from outside the UK or Ireland, please see our list of acceptable qualifications or tests.
- are available to register in person at the campus as required.
Apply now - limited places available
There are a limited number of places for this course. Offers will be extended to those applicants who meet the entry requirements following successful completion of the application process, and have provided evidence of such, on a first come , first served basis. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all offers are extended. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all places are filled. Applications can not be considered once a course has started.
Please note you can only be funded by DfE for a maximum of two courses at any one time (including modules to a total of 45 credits per semester - if studying part-time).
When creating your application you will need to have the following documents saved electronically as they need to be uploaded as part of the application process:
- Passport
- Evidence of having right to work and undertake training in the UK*
- Degree Certificate
- English Competency (If you have a degree from UK/ROI, you don't need to provide anything else
* Holders of UK or Irish passports automatically have this right. if you hold a passport from another nation, please provide evidence of UK immigration permissions to include a ShareCode and/or BRP.
To select the correct course, in the field called Please select the subject area, select Hospitality from the drop down box. Then select Tourism and Hospitality Principles from the next drop down box.
