Introduction

Tourism has had an explosive growth the last decades and creates a number of opportunities through development of new products, destinations, employment and development of local communities. At the same time it raises a number of questions and challenges. Through enrollment in the specialization study of tourism management, the students will provide themselves with knowledge making them able to participate in the development of tourism in the years to come.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

The study programme is intended for people who have taken a 2-year study programme in economics/administration or other 2-year programme at university college or university level. Other applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis. The study programme may also be taken as continuing education for people with practical experience from the travel industry. Upon completing the study programme, students will have a good background for working at the upper/middle management level in the travel industry, and possess an understanding of the marketing and administration of travel businesses. In addition, they will be qualified for further studies in Norway or abroad. The study programme corresponds to the final year of the 3-year Bachelor’s degree programme in Tourism Management.

Aim of the Programme

The objective of the study programme is to provide candidates with a 2-year economic/ administrative background, or other 2-year educational background, with a job-oriented specialisation in the travel sector, with emphasis on marketing, internationalisation and strategic travel-industry development.

Learning outcome

At the end of study the students should have acquired knowledge in tourism, especially in tourism marketing and experience- and attraction development. In addition the students are supposed to understand the importance of crosscultural communication and be able to relate this to relevant use in tourism.

At the end of study the students should possess skills making them able to carry out analyses and planning tasks within tourism. The option possibility in the last semester should respectively give the students skills in a) fulfilment of project work with a scholarly basis, b) daily duties in a tourism business of the students' own choice, or c) professional skills as a result of approved supplementary studies abroad.

Curriculum and structure

Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(V) 6046 Intercultural Communication 15.00 O 15   6083 Ecotourism Theories and Concepts 7.50 O 7,5   5415 Tourism Work Experience 30.00 V   30 5971 Study Period Abroad - Tourism 30.00 V   30 6047 Market Analysis and Project Work, Tourism 15.00 V   15 6021 Labour Law 7.50 V   7,5 6026 Business, Innovation and Cultural Diversity 7.50 V   7,5 6027 Sustainability Management 7.50 V   7,5 Total: 30 30 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

The 1-year study programme comprises 60 ECTS credits. The study programme is based on a 2-year university college /university education. Those completing the study with at least 60 ECTS credits in total will receive a diploma for this 1-year study programme of further study in tourism. The study programme may form part of a Bachelor’s degree in accordance with the relevant rules. The study programme will also qualify students for admission to Master's degree programmes at university colleges and universities in Norway or abroad.

In the spring semester, students may choose between studies at the university college, an approved work placement in Norway or abroad or a period of study abroad.
Study trips are mandatory, and students will need to pay all or part of the costs of these study trips.
Electives
The curriculum includes suggestions for elective courses, but students may choose relatively freely within the university college study programmes; study programmes at other university colleges may also be of interest. However, the teaching and examination schedule may limit this choice somewhat. In some contexts, it will be important that students choose the appropriate electives with regard to their interest in being admitted to other study programmes.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Varied teaching and learning methods will be used in the courses in the study programme, and will include lectures, courses / seminars, group exercises, individual exercises and excursions. Traditional lecture methods can be supplemented with active use of e-mail, Internet and data-based model tools.

Theory and Practical Training

The study programme has a theoretical basis, but practical examples will be emphasised in the instruction. In the last semester in the third year of study it will be possible to choose between a practical variant, and two more theoretical approaches. Study and practice in this semester may be carried out abroad.

Assessment Methods

Candidates’ knowledge in all courses in the study programme will be assessed. Please refer to the course descriptions for the forms of assessment used.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean