Course details

Summary

If you're interested in business management and inspired by the idea of working in the world of travel then this is the right degree for you.

Discover the business of tourism

The Bachelor of Tourism Management (BTM) is a three-year undergraduate degree designed to set you on the path to a senior role in the tourism industry. The degree is taught by the School of Management.

You'll study how tourism works, how tourism businesses operate, tourist behaviour and the impact visitors have on their destination. Look into how one of New Zealand's largest industries is growing and developing and explore both traditional and emerging markets.

Students study a set of core Tourism courses combined with five Commerce electives and other electives from a range of other subjects relevant to tourism management. These include Marketing, Management, Commercial Law, Accounting, Economics, Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations and foreign languages.

The degree is designed to meet the industry's needs, so when you finish your studies you'll feel confident you have the skills to begin work in the tourism sector.

First year

Learn how tourism businesses are managed, the different reasons people travel and how businesses look after them. You'll discuss trends in tourism like the ageing demographic, youth tourism and the impact of technology. There will also be a focus on tourism in New Zealand today.

In addition to studying three core Tourism courses this year, students choose at least one Commerce elective and usually three other approved electives.

Second year

Examine the business environment of tourism, discuss ways to manage tourism impacts and learn about managing visitors.

You'll have opportunities to work on real projects with local businesses. Recent projects have included helping develop a visitor management strategy at Wellington Zoo, and looking at how sustainable ecotourism accommodation could be developed on Matiu/Somes Island in Wellington Harbour.

In addition to the three core Tourism courses, you'll choose two or three Commerce electives and another approved elective. By the end of your second year, you should have a good idea of the area of Tourism Management you want to focus on.

Practicum

Between the end of your second year and the end of your degree, you'll complete a practicum—240 hours of work experience at a tourism business. This will help you make connections between what you're learning in the classroom and what's happening in the real world. It will give you hands-on experience and can help with finding employment after you graduate.

Third year

By your third year you'll be ready to study topics more in-depth and to focus on an area of tourism such as events, tourism policy or research.

Third-year students usually study four Tourism courses, one Commerce elective and two other approved electives.

You'll have the option to do a practical research project. You might look at the effect of extending the runway at Wellington airport, the impact of a tourism marketing campaign or you could examine a local tourist development looking at its potential advantages and disadvantages.

By the end of your degree you'll have a unique blend of practical skills, theoretical knowledge and analytical thinking that will mean you're ready to be an effective manager in the tourism industry.

Get a Master's degree

After the three-year BTM you can choose to continue your studies to gain a Master of Tourism Management.

Entry criteria

To be accepted into this degree you need:

• Achievement of the International Baccalaureate Diploma
• Successful completion of the All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSC) with an average of 75 per cent or higher overall
• Successful completion of the India School Certificate (ISC) with an average of 75 per cent or higher overall

Other English Language requirements:

• IELTS: minimum overall score of 6.0 with no sub-score below 5.5
• TOEFL: minimum overall score of 80 (internet-based test)
• Pearson Test of English: minimum score of 58 (with a 'Communicative score' of not less than 50)
• EPP: minimum final scores of 4,4,4,3
• A grade of 65% or higher in English in the AISSC or ISC