International Hospitality Business Management (Top-Up)
BA (Hons)

Accredited by the Institute of Hospitality, this online International Hospitality Business Management BA (Top-Up) degree has been designed following extensive consultation with the hospitality industry to ensure you obtain the skills and understanding of the critical aspects affecting hospitality management. It will provide you with a range of opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge essential to the contemporary hospitality industry, as well as expertise in specific areas of management.

You will develop a critical understanding of the forces influencing the international hospitality industry, be able to evaluate the role of core management functions, their application and contribution to quality and performance, as well as develop strategic plans that can respond to the changing demands within the international hospitality environment.

This course can help you to stand out in the competitive and continually expanding industry – research has shown that qualifications really make a difference to career progression in the hospitality arena. If you already hold an HND or Foundation degree, you can gain a full degree in 1-2 years with this online course.

Alternatively, our University Advanced Diploma in International Hospitality Business Management can be achieved in just 12 months by completing three core 20 credit modules - ideal for continuing professional development (CPD) or as a platform to continue study to a full bachelor's degree.

Institute of Hospitality Educational Membership Scheme (EMS)

Through our partnership with the Institute of Hospitality you'll be given free access to the Institute's Educational Membership Scheme (EMS) once you've enrolled onto this course. This gives you access to management guides, monthly specialist newsletters, e-journals, webinars and much more.

A talk from our Academic Lead

Our Academic Lead for Hospitality, Yukari Iguchi, talks about our International Hospitality Business Management BA (Hons) (Top-Up) course in this video.

We will advise you of your study plan - the running order and availability of the modules - when you are invited to enrol.

If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered. In addition, where demand is high, some modules may be subject to a cap.

To complete this top-up degree you will need to complete four 20 credit core modules and choose two optional 20 credit modules in your preferred areas (120 credits in total).

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

With a choice of dates to start your course (September, January or May) and interactive online learning materials, you've got the flexibility to study whenever and wherever is most convenient for you. The course modules still operate within a fixed trimester but you can choose to study during the day, evenings or at the weekend instead of having to attend fixed lectures.

Pace of study

We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester. If you aim to study two modules in one trimester, we recommend 40 hours of study per week.

Assessment method

This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work and practical reports.

How you will learn online

Our online International hospitality business management (Top-Up) BA (Hons) course taster will give you an idea of how online learning works. It includes a selection of content from a course module so you can see what some of our learning material looks like.

You will need to complete a short form to access the course taster.

You need to have both of the following:

• An HND or Foundation degree in a relevant subject
• A minimum of 6 months working in the hospitality industry on a full-time basis

If you have extensive industry experience at supervisory or management levels but do not meet the academic entry criteria above, we can consider your application - speak to our advisors for further information and guidance.

When you apply, please send us a transcript of the modules you've already studied so that we can make sure your HND or Foundation degree is compatible with this course. If you would like to be considered based on your professional experience, please send us a detailed CV.

English language qualifications

If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need at least one of the following:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.0*
• TOEFL 550 (paper based) 213 (computer based) or 80 (internet based)
• Pearson Test of Academic English: 51
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate: Pass
• London Tests of English: we accept level 4 for undergraduate courses
• International GCE O-level English Language: Grade C
• International GCSE English/English as a Second Language: Grade C*

*If you have a minimum of IELTS level 4.5, you can study our Certificate of Credit in English for Academic Purposes, which we will accept as evidence that you are able to perform at a suitable level of IELTS 6.0. We will also accept the Certificate of Credit as evidence that you can perform at GCSE level.

If you are unable to take an English Language Test locally, you may wish to consider our Derby English Language Test (DELT), which is an online test in two parts: reading and writing, and listening and speaking. Take a look at our Derby English Language test (DELT) page for full course details, online exam dates and how to book.

^‡2021/22 Fees for new entrants

Starting between September 2021 and August 2022.

About your fees

This figure would be the total cost of this course in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.

However, please also note that you can receive a 5% discount if you either:

• Pay your full course fees upfront, or
• When enrolling in September, pay for all of your modules to be studied in that academic year upfront

Flexible payment plans available

Choose from three payment plan options:

• Pay monthly and only for the modules you are studying

• Pay your full course fees upfront, receive 5% discount and avoid annual increases

• Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)

Undergraduate funding options

Depending on where you are from in the UK or EU, and on your pace of study, you may be eligible for an undergraduate student loan. Accessible through Student Finance, this is a non-income based loan to meet the cost of tuition fees.

If you already hold an honours degree, and you are looking to re-skill or up-skill, you may still be eligible for a loan to study this course.

Students should apply directly to the University.

Apply now

For support with completing your application, view our guide to the application process.

Documents to support your application

You'll need to provide:

• Photo ID – this could be your passport or driving licence
• Current CV
• Written reference supplied on headed paper from either a manager, supervisor, tutor or teacher
• Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*

*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:

• Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of the translation
• The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
• The translator’s contact details

A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website.

Application deadlines

All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.

The hospitality industry is very competitive and continually expanding, so there are many opportunities for managers who want to work in the UK and overseas.

Students who undertake the BA (Hons) International Hospitality Business Management will be able to pursue a range of exciting careers within this sector. A significant number of our students attain a good degree and have gone onto management positions in the industry or further progressed their careers to higher positions within the industry. Previous students have gone on to find senior roles in the UK, Europe and the US, including one graduate who was employed at Gleneagles in Scotland.

As you’ll have a well-respected degree that’s been accredited and recognised by the Institute of Hospitality, you should be in a great position to apply for roles in areas such as:

• hospitality management
• leisure
• licensed retail
• in-house catering
• outside contract catering for events
• accommodation
• functions
• events, banqueting and conferences
• human resources
• sales and marketing
• operations management

This programme also provides a foundation for further study at postgraduate level in hospitality or similar areas of study such as tourism, leisure, or business studies, including the MSc International Hospitality Management.

Contact us

Contact the University of Derby Online Learning:

Other courses you might like

• International Hospitality Business Management University Advanced Diploma
• Hospitality Business Management University Diploma
• Online short courses