BSc (Hons) International Hospitality Management

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) International Hospitality Management program at the University of West London combines practical and managerial skills, emphasizing technology, sustainability, and adaptability. It offers a blend of theoretical and practical learning through modules in marketing, finance, operations, and data analysis. Graduates are well-prepared for management roles in diverse hospitality settings, including international hotel chains, independent businesses, and further study.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This innovative course delves into both the practical and managerial aspects of the hospitality world. It equips students with crucial transferable skills such as customer service and analytics to navigate the fast-paced industry, leading to diverse careers in international hotel chains or smaller hospitality and food businesses. The course strongly emphasizes technology and sustainability, equipping future hospitality managers with the necessary skills. It emphasizes the dynamic nature of the industry, highlighting the need for hospitality professionals to be agile and adaptable.

Outline:

The BSc (Hons) International Hospitality Management program is structured across three years of full-time study, with options for an enhanced pathway (international students only, commencing July 2024), a placement year (UK students only), and a foundation year for those who need additional preparation. The curriculum features a blend of theory and practical learning, encompassing modules in marketing, HR, finance, operations, food service, technology, data analysis, and global hospitality trends.

Level 4 Modules:

• Academic and Professional Development for Hospitality Managers: Develops effective academic competencies and essential skills for future employability in the industry, including research, report formatting, essay writing, referencing, time management, group work, and presentation skills.
• Organisational Behaviour in the Hospitality Industry: Provides understanding of workplace behaviors, manager roles, employee attitudes, and their influence on organizational outcomes.
• Managing Financial Information: Introduces management and financial accounting, combining accounting and statistics to equip students with planning, control, and decision-making tools for hospitality business problems.

Level 5 Modules:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Digital Marketing and Consumer Behaviour:
Covers the evolving landscape of digital marketing, communication, online customer experiences, and consumer behavior in the digital age.
• Talent Management and Leadership: Explores talent management, its importance in international HR practice, and the role of entrepreneurial leadership in organizational competitiveness.
• Technology and Innovation: Examines historical and contemporary technological developments in the hospitality industry, focusing on their application and future potential.
• Sustainable Hospitality: Introduces the significance of managing sustainability within the hospitality field and demonstrates how businesses can improve practices while meeting customer needs.
• Applied Research Methods: Provides broad knowledge and understanding of research theory and practice, encompassing methodologies, approaches, designs, data collection, statistics, and report writing.
• Optional Modules:
• Managing a Small Business:
Delves into the theoretical and practical aspects of small business development, growth, and management, equipping students with insights and skills to understand the startup process.
• Cross Cultural Management for the Hospitality Industry: Provides a systematic understanding of cross-cultural management theory and practice in the hospitality sector, equipping students to navigate interactions with staff and guests from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Level 6 Modules:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Dissertation:
Offers students the opportunity to conduct independent research on a hospitality-related topic of their choice, culminating in a thesis that critically reviews the literature, outlines methodology, analyzes results, and evaluates findings.
• Revenue Management and Distribution: Provides a systematic understanding of revenue management theory and practice, its impact on hospitality businesses and their customers, and the application of market analysis, pricing strategies, inventory control tactics, and customer value assessment for successful financial outcomes.
• Operational Risk Management: Develops understanding of the need for risk management within hospitality operations, applying best practice from other industries and analyzing contemporary risk areas such as supply chain, cyber risk, and risk culture.
• Hospitality Analytics and Strategy: Introduces strategic management and analytics, equipping students with analytical and evaluation skills for understanding organizational competitive advantage through analytics and strategic management tools.
It focuses on the application of data and analytics for informing strategic decision-making processes.
• Optional Modules:
• Managing Hospitality Projects:
Provides knowledge, understanding, and practical tools for successful project management in academic and real-life contexts.
• Designing the Dining Experience: From the Diner’s Perspective: Critically evaluates factors that shape the dining experience, analyzing dining from a social perspective and how atmosphere impacts flavor and taste.
It explores the role of menus in shaping customer expectations and experiences and assesses the potential of technology to enhance dining experiences.

Assessment:

The assessment methods include a combination of coursework, examinations, and a dissertation project. The program integrates a range of assessment types, including:

• Assignments: Written assignments, case studies, and reports
• Presentations: Individual or group presentations
• Practical Applications: Practical exercises, simulations, and role-playing

Teaching:

The program emphasizes a blend of traditional teaching methods and innovative approaches. Students benefit from:

• Lectures: Delivered by experienced faculty
• Seminars: Interactive discussions and group work
• Case Studies: Real-world case studies for application of theory
• Guest Speakers: Industry professionals share insights and perspectives
• Workshops: Practical skills development workshops
• Trips: Industry visits to gain real-world experience
• Placement Year: (Optional) Provides students with valuable work experience in the hospitality sector

Careers:

Graduates are well-prepared for management roles in a variety of hospitality settings, including:

• International Hotels: Gaining management positions in international hotel chains.
• UK Hotel and Leisure Groups: Working in UK hotel and leisure companies.
• Restaurant Companies: Managing restaurant operations.
• Contract or Licensed Sectors: Managing hospitality operations in contract catering, pubs, and bars.
• Independent Hospitality or Food Businesses: Starting or managing their own hospitality or food businesses.
• Further Study: Pursuing a Master's degree in a related field, such as MA Luxury Hospitality Management.

Other:

The University of West London has established strong industry links with national and multinational organizations such as InterContinental Hotels Group, The Savoy, Hilton Hotels, and The Royal Palaces. These connections offer students opportunities for work experience and networking. The program also has a strong focus on developing "SMART" Professionals skills, standing for Service Minded, Managerial skills, Analytical, Responsible, and Technological awareness. The University is ranked within the top 30% of universities nationwide (The Guardian University Guide 2024), named University of the Year for Social Inclusion (Daily Mail University Guide 2024), and recognized for its Student Experience and Teaching Quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).