Awarding Body:
Subject: Travel and Tourism
Course Overview
Introduction
The Level 5 Higher National Diploma in International Travel and Tourism Management offers students six specialist pathways designed to support progression into relevant occupational areas or on to degree-level study. These pathways are linked to Professional Body standards (where appropriate) and can provide professional status and progression to direct employment. The Level 5 Higher National Diploma offers the following specialist pathways for students who wish to concentrate on a particular aspect of travel and tourism:
- Aviation
- Destination Management
- Events
- Innovation, Culture and Heritage
- Sustainable Management
- Tour Operations
There is also a non-specialist ‘General International Travel and Tourism Management’ pathway, which allows students to complete a Level 5 Higher National Diploma without committing to a particular professional specialism. This offers additional flexibility to providers and students. There are two core units at Level 5 which apply to both the general and the specialist pathways. They are as follows.
- Research Project (Pearson-set unit)
- Tourism Consumer Behaviour and Insight
Holders of the Level 5 Higher National Diploma will have developed a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study and will have learned to apply those principles more widely. They will have learned to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. They will be able to perform effectively in their chosen field and will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making.
Aims of the Course
- Equipping individuals with knowledge, understanding and skills for success in employment in the international ravel and Tourism sector
- Enabling progression to an undergraduate degree or further professional qualification in Travel and Tourism or related area
- Developing a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attributes essential for successful performance in working life and thereby enabling learners to make an immediate contribution to employmen
- Providing flexibility, knowledge, skills and motivation as a basis for future studies and career development in International Travel and Tourism Management
- Developing a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study and will have learned to apply those principles more widely. They will have learned to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. They will be able to perform effectively in their chosen field and will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decisionmaking.
How CSA will deliver your programme
CSA offers all Level 4 to Level 6 programmes through a blended learning model that gives you the best of both online and on-campus study. You’ll spend less time on campus than in traditional courses, while still enjoying the benefits of engaging, hands-on activities during face-to-face sessions. Our flexible approach is ideal if you’re balancing work, family or other commitments but still want to progress in higher education and develop your career.
Online and On Campus – the best of both worlds
Online, you’ll join live, interactive evening sessions from home using your laptop or tablet. Each session lasts around three hours (with a break) and includes discussions, activities and plenty of opportunities to get involved. You’ll also have access to practice questions, downloadable lesson materials, digital resources and case studies to support your learning.
At CSA, we’re committed to supporting you throughout your journey. During on-campus sessions, you’ll meet regularly with lecturers or tutors who will revisit what you’ve studied online, answer your questions and offer guidance and feedback. You’ll also work with classmates in a friendly, supportive environment that brings key ideas to life.
To make the most of your studies, we recommend setting aside 3–6 hours of independent study each week. With a combination of guided contact time and flexible self-study, you’ll experience a learning model designed to fit your life and help you succeed.
Entry Requirements
Although Pearson do not specify formal entry requirements, as a Centre it is your responsibility to ensure that the students you recruit have a reasonable expectation of success on the programme. For students who have recently been in education, the entry profile is likely to include one of the following:
- A BTEC Level 3 qualification in Travel and Tourism
- A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades A* to C (or equivalent), and/or 9 to 4 (or equivalent) in subjects such as maths and English
- Other related Level 3 qualifications
- An Access to Higher Education Diploma awarded by an approved further education institution
- Related work experience
- An international equivalent of the above.
Centres may wish to consider applicants’ prior learning when considering their acceptance on a BTEC Higher Nationals, through Recognition of Prior Learning. (For further information please refer to section 8 of this document.)
English Language
In order for students to be successful on Pearson BTEC Higher National qualifications, which are both taught and assessed in English, it is critical that they have an appropriate level of English language skills. The following clarifies the requirements for all centers when recruiting applicants on to new Pearson BTEC Higher National qualifications.
All students who are non-native English speakers and who have not undertaken their final two years of schooling in English can demonstrate capability in English at a standard equivalent to the levels identified below before being recruited to the programme:
Restrictions on Learner Entry:
The Edexcel BTEC Higher National qualifications are for learners aged 18 years and over.
Caree Details
Who is this qualification for?
The BTEC Higher National qualifications in International Travel and Tourism Management are aimed at students wanting to continue their education through applied learning. Higher Nationals provide a wide-ranging study of the travel and tourism industry and are designed for students who wish to pursue or advance their career in the travel and tourism sector. In addition to the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin the study of travel and tourism, Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in International Travel and Tourism Management give students experience of the breadth and depth of the sector that will prepare them for further study or training.
Course Structure
This course consists of 16 units (8 core units + 8 specialist unit) including a Project. There are 60 learning hours for each unit and 120 learning hours for the Project.
Unit List
| Unit No | Level 4 Units (Eight Units, 120 Credit Value) | Unit | Unit Credit |
| 1 | The Contemporary Travel and Tourism Industry | Core Unit Mandatory | 15 |
| 2 | Managing the Customer Experience | Core Unit Mandatory | 15 |
| 3 | Professional Identity and Practice | Core Unit Mandatory | 15 |
| 4 | The Travel and Tourism Business Toolkit | Core Unit Mandatory | 15 |
| 5 | Leadership and Management for Service Industries (Pearson-set) | Core Unit Mandatory | 15 |
| 7 | Managing Conference & Events | Optional Group A | 15 |
| 13 | Global Tourism Destinations | Optional Group A | 15 |
| 16 | Marketing Essentials for Travel and Tourism | Optional Group B | 15 |
| Unit No | Level 5 Units (Seven Units, 120 Credit Value) | Unit | Unit Credit |
| 19 | Research Project (Pearson-set) | Core Unit Mandatory | 30 |
| 20 | Tourism Consumer Behaviour and Insight | Core Unit Mandatory | 15 |
| 26 | Destination Marketing | Special Optional | 15 |
| 28 | Corporate Events Management | Special Optional | 15 |
| 32 | Sustainable and Responsible Management | Special Optional | 15 |
| 41 | Tourist Resort Management | Special Optional | 15 |
| 47 | Strategic Human Resource Management | Special Optional | 15 |
Note: All units in the above table are subject to change as and when required by the College without prior notice.
Career Progression
A progression path for Pearson BTEC HNC and HND learners is to the second or third year of a degree or honours degree Course, depending on the match of the Pearson BTEC Higher National units to the degree Course in question.
Details of entry requirements for BTEC Higher National graduates into degree Courses at institutions in the UK and internationally can be found on the Degree Course Finder website (http://degreecoursefinder.pearson.com/).
The skills offered as part of the Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma can provide graduates with the opportunity to work in many different areas of the Travel and Tourism sector. Below are some examples of job roles this qualification could lead to:
- Marketing and Sales Manager
- Operations Manager
- Tourism Development Manager
- Visitor Attractions Manager
- Events Manager
Fees & Funding
The tuition fee for the academic year 2025/2026 – £8,248 ; and will apply to both the new and the continuing CSA students. The course is fully funded by the Student Loan Company https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/student-loans-company. This facility is only available for home (UK resident) students. To check your student finance eligibility, please get in touch with the finance team at E: studentfinance@caspianschool.ac.uk or visit Student Finance England website: https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
