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BA (Hons) Events and Tourism Management with Foundation Year

Launch your career with a hands-on events and tourism management degree. Explore planning, marketing, sustainability, and global trends and graduate ready to thrive in a dynamic industry.

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Gain real-world experience through live projects, placements, or study abroad

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95% satisfaction for learning opportunities (National Student Survey, 2025)1

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Build a graduate success portfolio to showcase your skills to future employers

Course overview

The BA (Hons) Events and Tourism Management with Foundation Year is an innovative four-year degree that combines an introductory foundation year with a full honours programme. It offers the perfect opportunity to develop your academic confidence, gain industry insight, and build the skills needed to excel in the fast-paced world of events and tourism management. Upon successful completion of the foundation year, you will progress directly onto the degree, ready to make the most of your university experience.

After completing your Foundation Year and progressing to the first year of the degree, you’ll be part of the new business administration programme and study the same four core modules as students on related courses such as business management, finance, marketing, analytics, FinTech, and more. This shared year gives you a broad foundation and a taste of each area, after which you’ll have two options: either continue with BA (Hons) Events and Tourism Management with Foundation Year as planned, or if you discover a stronger interest in another subject, you can switch to that course in your next year of study and graduate with a degree in your new chosen specialism.

The events and tourism management pathway is designed for students who want to create unforgettable experiences and drive growth in global tourism. You’ll explore festival and event planning, destination management, sustainability, and visitor experience, alongside core business modules that build your leadership, digital, and project management skills.

You’ll learn through live briefs, simulations, and case studies from the events and tourism sector, with opportunities for placements or study abroad to gain global insight. Throughout your degree, you’ll build a Graduate Success Portfolio to showcase your real-world experience and enhance your employability.

Whether you see yourself managing international events, marketing tourist destinations, or leading sustainable travel initiatives, this flexible degree equips you with the skills, confidence, and industry knowledge to succeed.

Why choose this course?

The BA (Hons) Events and Tourism Management with Foundation Year is a four-year degree designed to maximise your potential from day one. The integrated foundation year provides additional time to develop key academic, professional and industry-specific skills, ensuring you begin your degree-level studies with confidence, clarity and a strong foundation for future success.

Modules include topics such as Festival and Event Planning, Destination Management, and Experience Design, and are informed by employer needs and current sector trends: You’ll work on live projects and real-world briefs that reflect the challenges and innovations of today’s tourism and events industries.

Learn from academic experts: Gain knowledge from our staff who have professional experience in areas such as hospitality, venue management, cultural tourism, and international event planning. They bring industry insight and global case studies into the classroom, preparing you for diverse career pathways.

Showcase your strengths from day one: With embedded professional development and a personalised graduate success portfolio, you’ll graduate with clear evidence of your skills. Including project management, stakeholder communication, and sustainable business practices.

Just 25 minutes from central London: You'll have access to one of the world’s most vibrant event and tourism hubs. You’ll also have opportunities to undertake a placement or study abroad, gaining international experience and broadening your professional perspective.

Strong employment prospects: Over 91% of undergraduates are in work or study (Graduate Outcomes, 2026)2. Whether you’re planning global conferences, promoting destinations, or running cultural events, this course provides the experience and confidence to succeed.

Gain a competitive edge in the travel industry: Our partnership with ABTA gives you access to industry expertise, annual guest speakers, specialist training in the ABTA Knowledge Zone, and Member Zone resources. You can also apply for exclusive internships or become an ABTA Regional Student Rep for hands-on experience and professional mentoring.

Your future career

The BA (Hons) Event Management and Tourism degree ensures you are well-prepared from the start, with over 91% of undergraduates in work or study (Graduate Outcomes, 2026)². You will dive straight into event and experience planning, acquiring practical knowledge alongside theoretical understanding.

Possible roles for employment for events and tourism management graduates include:

  • event planner
  • facilities co-ordinator
  • travel blogger
  • marketing executive
  • tourism consultant
  • hotel manager.

Graduates have gone onto work for a variety of companies including ABTA, Jet2, One Facility, ETM Group Ltd, Hilton Hotels Group, HF Holidays and Disney. There has never been a more exciting time to pursue a career in event management and tourism, with global opportunities and a wide range of career options including many new ones, prompted by sector developments. This course will give you all the skills you need, along with practical experience.

What you'll study

The BA (Hons) Events and Tourism Management with Foundation Year at the University of Hertfordshire blends academic knowledge with practical, industry-focused experience.

In your first year (foundation year / level 0), you’ll develop core academic, digital, and professional skills while building confidence and preparing for degree-level study in a supportive environment.

Building on your foundation year launchpad, from your second year (level 4), you’ll study alongside students on the business administration programme. To support flexible study, teaching is typically scheduled across two days per week, giving you around 10-12 contact hours through a blend of lectures, workshops, seminars and collaborative projects. Assessment is 100% coursework-based, with a strong focus on real-world application; expect portfolio work, event plans, presentations, and live project briefs instead of traditional exams.

You'll build a strong foundation in core business disciplines, including marketing, finance, digital technologies and business ecosystems. You'll also develop key academic, professional and analytical skills, preparing you to specialise in events and tourism management from your third year of study.

In your third year (level 5), you will focus on sector-specific knowledge, including modules in event design, tourism management, and service experiences. You’ll also begin building your Graduate Success Portfolio and have the option to undertake study abroad or a short work placement.

Your final year (level 6) of study is your chance to apply everything you’ve learned. You’ll take part in a Live Business Challenge, complete advanced modules in strategy and sustainability, and finalise your portfolio, ensuring you graduate with the confidence, experience, and insight to thrive in the events and tourism industry.

What if I need support?

At Herts, you’ll be supported at every step of your journey. From your first day, you’ll be matched with a dedicated Personal Tutor, your advisor, coach, and mentor, who will help you navigate university life, track your progress, and plan for your future career.

Throughout your modules, you’ll benefit from personalised support from your Programme Leader, experienced module tutors, and Teaching Assistants, who are there to guide you through core business concepts, help you manage assessments, and apply your learning to real-world situations.

You’ll also be supported by our Future Success team, offering tailored career coaching, CV and LinkedIn support, mock interviews, and direct access to internships, placements, and graduate roles. Whether you’re aiming to work for a global organisation, launch a start-up, or explore different business areas, they’ll help you take the next step with confidence.

For academic development, the Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE) is on hand with expert guidance in writing, numeracy, referencing, and study strategies, helping you succeed in your assignments and beyond.

As part of the business school student voice community, you’ll help shape the learning experience by feeding into regular conversations with staff about what works and what can be improved.

Optional placement year

At the end of your third year, you have the option to experience a year of working life with a placement, or a shorter internship, a huge boost to your CV.

Professional work experience is the biggest contributor to your future employability. It allows you to put your knowledge into action, while learning how a business operates and making some handy professional connections.

We'll help you make the most of the experience, holding your hand from start to finish. You also get assistance with your CV, plus help preparing for interviews and presentations, at our ground-breaking mock Assessment Centre Experience.

Our partnership with Walt Disney World Resorts and the University of California Riverside gives you the chance to study and work in the USA on this fantastic international programme. Students have also had the opportunity to work at The Grove, The Ivy, Luton Hoo and Bluehat Group.

You can choose to take a sandwich year abroad, making that decision in your third year. Studying at one of our international partners is a tremendous personal development opportunity and an amazing experience.

More and more companies are now operating on an international scale, and the experience of living in another country will make a significant impression on future employers. Put your knowledge into action, learn how businesses operate, and establish professional connections.

With over 100 partners in 40 countries, the world truly is your oyster! Our dedicated study abroad office will provide guidance on your options to help you make the most of this opportunity.

If you study abroad between your third and fourth year of study, you will not be required to pay any tuition fees, whether it is to the partner university or to us.

At the end of your third year, you have the option to experience a year of working life with a placement, or a shorter internship, a huge boost to your CV.

Professional work experience is the biggest contributor to your future employability. It allows you to put your knowledge into action, while learning how a business operates and making some handy professional connections.

We'll help you make the most of the experience, holding your hand from start to finish. You also get assistance with your CV, plus help preparing for interviews and presentations, at our ground-breaking mock Assessment Centre Experience.

Our partnership with Walt Disney World Resorts and the University of California Riverside gives you the chance to study and work in the USA on this fantastic international programme. Students have also had the opportunity to work at The Grove, The Ivy, Luton Hoo and Bluehat Group.

Find out more about work placements

You can choose to take a sandwich year abroad, making that decision in your third year. Studying at one of our international partners is a tremendous personal development opportunity and an amazing experience.

More and more companies are now operating on an international scale, and the experience of living in another country will make a significant impression on future employers. Put your knowledge into action, learn how businesses operate, and establish professional connections.

With over 100 partners in 40 countries, the world truly is your oyster! Our dedicated study abroad office will provide guidance on your options to help you make the most of this opportunity.

If you study abroad between your third and fourth year of study, you will not be required to pay any tuition fees, whether it is to the partner university or to us.

Find out more about study abroad options

Where you'll study

From the moment you join the Foundation Year, you are part of the Hertfordshire Business School community. Throughout your first year, you'll build academic confidence, develop essential professional skills and immerse yourself in university life on our College Lane Campus, with expert teaching at Hertfordshire International College - with access to the full range of university facilities, support services and learning resources.

For the remaining years of your degree, you’ll be taught on our de Havilland Campus, with our 24/7 Learning Resources Centre offering both open and private study spaces. You’ll also have access to online self-study materials to further support your learning.

There are dining options, a bar, and a recreational space on campus where you can shoot some pool or play video games. It also houses Hertfordshire Sports Village, featuring a gym, swimming pool, coffee shop and climbing wall.

Discover the Enterprise Hub, a vibrant destination where local firms and students work and learn in an inspiring space.

Student housing is available at both campuses.

A train to central London takes just over 20 minutes, and you are also conveniently located on the A1(M) with access to the road network, making travel quick and convenient.

Who you'll learn from

The BA (Hons) Events and Tourism Management with Foundation Year teaching team at Herts brings a wealth of expertise from both academic research and real-world practice. Many of our lecturers have worked in the events, hospitality, and tourism sectors, holding roles in destination marketing, cultural programming, international travel management, and large-scale festival and conference planning. This ensures your learning is grounded in current industry practice and global trends.

Staff maintain active relationships with local and international organisations, including event venues, tourism boards, and heritage and cultural institutions. Recent collaborations include supporting regional tourism development strategies, curating community festivals, and advising on sustainable visitor experience planning. These connections allow students to engage with live briefs, guest speakers, and experiential learning opportunities throughout the course.

Our teaching is enriched by research expertise in areas such as sustainable tourism, global event legacies, destination branding, and service innovation. This academic insight complements the practical skills taught; ensuring you graduate with both critical understanding and professional know-how.

You’ll also be supported by technical staff skilled in digital platforms, presentation tools, and project management software commonly used in the industry, giving you the confidence to plan, promote, and deliver real events and tourism experiences in your future career.

How we support our students

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible.

We offer a range of support services, from childcare to counselling, ensuring that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, having fun, and have the support you need.

Entry requirements

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis. This also applies to Clearing applications, so if you don’t have the advertised grades, you can submit a Clearing application and we’ll review and consider your application on an individual basis.

Ready to apply?

UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK
Start date Study typeApply
September 2026 Full time Apply via UCAS
Full time with placement year Apply via UCAS
Full time with study abroad year Apply via UCAS

Fees and funding

At Herts, we’re dedicated to providing world-class teaching supported by industry-level facilities and incredible social spaces. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to higher education, and we strive to keep both our standard and additional costs as low as possible.

Study typeFees
UK studentsFull time
Year 1
£5,760 for the 2026/2027 academic year
Full time 
Year 2 onwards
£10,050 for the 2027/2028 academic year

Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

Scholarships, grants  and bursaries

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship, grant or bursary to support your studies.

Disabled Students' Allowance

The Disabled Students’ Allowance can cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.

Student loans

Find out about securing a student loan, from how much you could be eligible for to when you need to start making repayments.

Accommodation costs

We offer a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

Additional course fees

Read more about additional fees in the Programme Specification.

More about the course

Programme specifications
BA (Hons) Events and Tourism Management with a Year Abroad with Foundation Year - Full Time, Sem A Download PDF
BA (Hons) Events and Tourism Management with Foundation Year - Full Time, Sem A Download PDF
BA (Hons) Events and Tourism Management with Placement Year with Foundation Year - Full Time, Sem A Download PDF
Additional information

Applications open to international and EU students

No

Course length

Full Time, 4 YearsFull Time, 5 YearsSandwich, 5 Years

Not ready to apply?