Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research
Course Overview
The Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research is an LSTITM Advanced Diploma (UK Level 5-equivalent) programme delivered over a 12 to 15 months window, sitting inside the school's Tourism Professional & Strategic Studies portfolio and focused on the applied research toolkit that mid-career tourism practitioners need to produce evidence for boards, funders and policy makers. It is aligned with recognised UK tourism-sector practice through bodies such as the Tourism Society and the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT), giving applicants a credible, industry-referenced study route into the field.
By the point of graduation, students on the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research are leading a small applied research project, presenting findings to a client and standing up an evidence base for a tourism decision, ready to move into the next step of their tourism and travel career with structured evidence of study behind them.
Key Features
- Tutors from UK tourism research consultancy and academic backgrounds
- Aligned with Tourism Society, WTTC and Institute of Hospitality research standards
- Modules on research design, mixed methods and ethical practice
- Applied labs on visitor surveys, interviews and secondary analysis
- Case studies on UK tourism board and DMO research programmes
- Assessed by a full applied research project and executive summary
What You Will Learn
- Design a research question and hypothesis for a tourism client
- Build a mixed-methods research plan against a real client brief
- Design and pilot a visitor survey aligned with UK privacy law
- Run semi-structured interviews with tourism industry actors
- Analyse secondary data from UNWTO, VisitBritain and ONS releases
- Interpret findings for an executive audience with clean visuals
- Prepare a research report and short film-length briefing deck
Who This Course Is For
- Tourism analysts and DMO researchers scaling up practice
- Consultancy juniors building formal applied-research credentials
- Diploma graduates progressing to a research-focused Level 5
- International applicants targeting UK tourism research careers
Career Pathways
- Tourism Research Analyst
- Tourism Research Director (Assistant)
- Tourism Business Analyst
- Tourism Data Analyst
- Tourism Consultancy Analyst
- Strategy Analyst (Tourism)
- Tourism Policy Advisor (Research)
The LSTITM careers service supports every Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research student with CV clinics, LinkedIn reviews, interview coaching and warm introductions to London-based tour operators, tourism boards, OTAs, airlines and hospitality partners across the visitor economy.
Progression from the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research feeds naturally into LSTITM's higher-level routes, so students who complete this qualification can articulate cleanly into an Advanced Diploma, Higher Diploma or full honours degree without repeating study already covered.
Every module on the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research is written to leave learners with concrete evidence they can add to a portfolio, whether that is a report, a plan, a pitch or a reflective log, so the study time turns directly into materials that employers value.
Tutors on the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research come from the working UK tourism and travel industry and set assessments that mirror real briefs, so learners are practising against the same problems their future employers face rather than abstract textbook exercises.
Learners on the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research join a live cohort with structured peer review, group projects and mentor conversations, meaning the LSTITM study experience carries an informal professional network beyond the modules themselves.
The Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research is deliberately mapped to the language, KPIs and workflow that recruiters recognise in tour operators, tourism boards, OTAs and travel-technology employers, so applications reference concrete deliverables from the course.
Assessment on the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research is spread across the study window rather than concentrated at the end, so tutors can coach improvement between submissions and learners avoid the pressure of a single high-stakes exam.
Entry Requirements
- A completed LSTITM Diploma or equivalent Level 4 qualification
- Alternatively, 2+ years of relevant tourism or travel-industry experience with a statement of purpose
- IELTS 6.0 or equivalent English proficiency for international applicants
- Two academic or professional references
- Access to a computer and reliable internet for online delivery
Why Study at LSTITM
LSTITM is the London School of Tourism and International Travel Management , a specialist division of Harold International College of London focused on the destination, business, systems and strategic disciplines that shape modern global tourism.
Every LSTITM programme is aligned with recognised UK tourism and marketing bodies including the Tourism Society, Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT), ABTA, the Chartered Institute of Marketing and UKHospitality, so graduates step into the sector with credible, industry-referenced study behind them.
Apply for Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research
Ready to take your next step in tourism? Applications for the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research are open now through LSTITM Admissions, with rolling intakes across the year and support for UK, EU and international applicants. Progress into supervisory and strategic tourism practice and secure your place on the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Applied Research. Enrol Now.
