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 bachelor study of tourism management, the students will provide themselves with a knowledge basis making them able to participate in the development of tourism in the years to come.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

The study program is intended for all who seek a market-oriented travel industry education where economy and administration forms a solid foundation. In addition, the study program may be combined with many other study programs in Norway and abroad. To be accepted for the study program, an applicant must meet general admission requirements or have prior experiential learning.

Aim of the Programme

The aim of the study is to give the students basic and relevant knowledge within economy, organization, language skills and marketing. The specialization in tourism will give the students insight into both theoretical and practical problems linked to tourism activity. The study will qualify for management positions both at advanced and intermediate level in small and medium sized tourism businesses, destination companies and public institutions. The study will also qualify the students for further studies in Norway and abroad.

Learning outcome

At the end of study the students should have:

- comprehensive knowledge about tourism, hereby the use of concepts, national and international characteristics of tourism, consequences of tourism for the environment in general, and destination development.

- acquired basic knowledge supporting and supplying the competency in tourism within subjects as economy, organization, languages and marketing.

- possess skills making them able to carry out analyses and planning tasks within tourism.

The option possibilities in 6th semester should respectively give the students skills in a) fullfilment 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

The study program is associated with the 3-year Bachelor’s degree program in Business Administration, and shares some of its courses with this study program. The study program also shares some of its other courses with other study programs at the university college.
The entire study program consists of 180 ECTS credits, divided into 30 ECTS credits per semester. Successful candidates will receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management.

The study program is divided into courses that usually last 1 to 2 semesters with 3-10 teaching hours per week. Each course provides ECTS credits that correspond to the amount of work the course requires.

Optional courses

The study programme offers suggestions for the choice of elective courses. Students may freely choose elective courses within the university college’s study programme; for a list of courses available, see also other study programmes at the university college. However, the study programme timetable and examination plan may restrict this choice. In some contexts, it will be important to make sure you choose the right elective courses to enable you to gain admission to other study programmes.

Study trips involving pre- and follow-up work are an important and obligatory part of the study programme. Students must expect to pay part of the trip costs themselves.

Students should note that the study programme is subject to change without notice.

Internationalization

Within the study program, it is possible to take 30 ECTS (one semester) at educational institutions outside Norway. There are cooperation agreements and financial arrangements for this, arrangements the students should seek to get familiar with. More information:

http://www.hit.no/nor/HiT/AA-studere-ved-HiT/AA-studere-i-utlandet/Utveksling-fra-HiT/Hvor-kan-jeg-reise/HiTs-avtalepartnere

Teaching and Learning Methods

Varied teaching and learning methods will be used in the courses included in the study program, including lectures, seminars, group assignments, individual assignments and study trips. Traditional teaching methods may be supplemented by active use of e-mail, online learning and data based model tools.

Theory and Practical Training

The study program has a theoretical basis, but emphasis will be given to using practical examples in the teaching. In the last semester of the third year of study it will be possible to choose between a practical approach and a theoretical approach. Studies and practice in this semester may be carried out abroad.

The study has a close relation to the tourism business contributing to creating networks and job options for the students.

Assessment Methods

Candidates’ knowledge of all the courses in the study program will be evaluated. The university college will use a variety of assessment methods. The type of assessments used are explained more closely in the individual course descriptions.

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