International Hospitality Management

This BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management degree is designed to give you the management and operational skills needed to succeed in the hospitality industry of the 2020s and beyond. We have a track record of running successful hospitality management degrees, and now we've updated our curriculum to be even more relevant to the industry today.

In particular, we've included more content about business management, new technology, entrepreneurship and sustainability, so you graduate as a modern, adaptable and creative thinker who is not afraid to challenge the status quo and lead on change.

We've also redesigned the modules so that instead of studying specific modules in Finance, Marketing, HR and the other business disciplines, we teach these subjects throughout the course at points where they are most relevant. For instance, you will build your financial knowledge as you learn to create business plans, and you will develop HR and leadership skills as you learn how to change and transform an organisation.

You can also study BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management with a Placement Year.

Hospitality and the visitor economy

This programme is part of our Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism, which is an accredited International Centre of Excellence (ICE). Because of this, it shares key generic modules with our International Tourism Management and Event Management degrees, so you can appreciate how these three specialisms work together to make up the 'visitor economy' (the services and experiences that attract visitors to a destination.)

You will still focus on hospitality - through activities, assessments and specialist modules - but you'll also develop broader business management knowledge and get the chance to take optional modules in event management and tourism subjects. It means you'll have a wider skillset when you graduate and a greater choice of career paths and postgraduate courses.

Key areas of learning

You'll cover the full range of modern-day hospitality management and business management skills. You'll learn to problem-solve and adapt to changing external environments, create innovative hospitality 'concepts' and customer experiences while considering sustainability, and plan, manage and evaluate projects. You'll also use digital technology throughout the course. 

We'll cover topics such as the hotel industry, including luxury hotels and resorts, revenue management strategies and tools, and operations management. We'll look at many emerging issues - for instance, the impact of new technology on hospitality, such as simulation, self-service technology, and using AR and VR to enhance the guest experience. You'll discover how hospitality can be made more sustainable and be based on 'circular economy' principles: designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible, and regenerating natural systems.

There are also interesting optional modules in areas such as hotel data analytics, menu design and sensory evaluation, talent management and consumer behaviour. 

We'll teach you key transferable skills, such as how to research, analyse and present data, how to launch a new business, manage finances and lead teams. You will also build up knowledge of current hospitality software, including POS and inventory control. Overall, you'll graduate with a diverse skillset, a 'can-do' attitude and the knowledge and confidence to go out and make your mark in the hospitality industry.

Practical projects

Throughout the course you'll be asked to complete a wide range of tasks and activities that a hospitality manager might do, so you build up practical experience and can apply what you're learning.

For example, you might be asked to design and deliver a hospitality experience for a specific customer group, research and analyse future trends, create a video to promote a customer experience package, design a new menu, or develop and pitch business proposals.

Sometimes employers will come in to set challenges that are based on a real problem faced by their own organisation. Working with them can be a great way to build up experience of the industry and increase your network.

Work placements and internships - at home and abroad

We'll encourage and support you to take work placements and internships, at home or abroad. In your second year you must complete at least 30 hours of work experience and then between years two and three, you can take an optional placement year or a summer internship. This is a valuable opportunity to gain experience and develop your practical skills 'on the job'. 

We have strong links with major international employers such as Ennismore, Marriott, Best Western, Conrad Hilton, The Royal Lancaster, Loews Hotels and Resorts, Old Edwards and various country clubs across America. Within the UK, our connections include Skibo Castle, Royal Dornach and a host of smaller independent restaurants. Many of our previous students have landed placements or internships with these and other employers, which has really boosted their CV and career prospects.

Real-world learning

Over a number of years Derby Business School has enjoyed a valuable relationship with Leonardo Hotels.

We work closely with Leonardo Hotels to implement real life case study activities delivered as experiential learning, on campus, facilitated by hotel managers to bring our students learning to life.

Leonardo managers have the opportunity to supply content for student research projects as part of field trips or lectures as well as taking part in Q&As with students setting their research projects and dissertations. This close working relationship benefits our students as they are able to explore real-world application of their learning as well as gaining industry insights.

We also work with Leonardo on mentorship for our students to share knowledge and understanding.

Studying abroad and overseas trips

In the second year, you will get the opportunity to study abroad. You'll be able to choose from a range of countries, such as the Netherlands, Germany, Thailand, Bali and South Africa. It's a great way to experience a different culture, gain a new perspective on your subject, and have an adventure!

Gaining real-world experience

Students have opportunities to get involved with on campus events such as our annual Logistics and Supply Chain Week. Our 2025 event included a variety of events such as a book launch, a student trip to Wincanton, a research methods session, an electric vehicle demonstration, and a logistics conference. The activities also included keynote addresses from key industries such as Toyota Motor UK LTD, CILT, and Rolls-Royce Submarine Purchasing and Supply Chain Department.

During our 2025 Logistics and Supply Chain Week students from our International Hospitality Management and Event Management programmes had the opportunity to support the professional round table and our Logistics conference. Opportunities like these provide you with invaluable practical experiences and allow you to apply theory to practice; ensuring that as part of the next generation of event and hospitality professionals you are well-equipped to address the challenges and opportunities of industry.

Global opportunities

You will have a range of opportunities to gain industry experience, both in the UK and overseas. We recently welcomed Kyoko Yaginuma, Human Resources Director at British Hills in Fukushima, Japan to speak with our current students about international placement opportunities with the company. Students were introduced to the exciting international placement opportunities at British Hills and additional opportunities available as internships for soon-to-be graduates. These placements provide students with the unique chance to gain invaluable international work experience in a renowned hospitality and cultural training facility in Japan. The University of Derby continues to strengthen its global partnerships and provide enriching experiences that broaden your horizons and prepare you for successful international careers.

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.

You will build up your knowledge and skills through learning activities like:

• lectures - delivered by our tutors and guest speakers
• seminars and tutorials
• practical projects
• analysis of international case studies
• research and independent study
• industry days, conferences and competitions
• fieldtrips in the UK and overseas
• placements and internships
• networking and mentoring

How you will be assessed

We use a range of creative assessment methods that are designed to stretch and challenge you. They are based around the key duties of hospitality managers and will include digital technology as much as possible. Tasks might include analysing information and conducting research, writing business reports and essays, working in teams to create new ideas and projects, and delivering presentations.

You'll graduate from this degree as a confident and creative hospitality specialist with strong business acumen and great awareness of the wider visitor economy. If you want to launch your own business or work for a start-up, you'll have the enterprising attitude and attributes that are needed, including resilience, self-awareness and independent thinking.

If you prefer to work for an employer, you'll be well-suited to a range of roles in the hospitality, event or tourism sectors, as well as allied industries such as marketing, PR or HR. You could initially apply for roles such as Food and Beverage or Event Supervisor, Front Office or Housekeeping Supervisor, Assistant Restaurant Manager, Graduate Trainee Hotel Manager, Business Development Manager or Marketing Executive. However, several years into your career, we think you'll be leading, inspiring and shaping the future of the visitor economy.

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for the 2025-26 academic year which includes September 2025 and January 2026 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

2026 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for the 2026-27 academic year which includes September 2026 and January 2027 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

January start is available for home students only

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.