How long is the BA in Tourism Development Studies?

The BA in Tourism Development Studies runs across thirty-six months for full honours, with top-up routes for Higher Diploma holders. The BA in Tourism Development Studies includes a placement year for full-honours students.

How is the BA delivered?

The BA in Tourism Development Studies is delivered on-campus in London, online and via distance learning. Placements on the BA in Tourism Development Studies are supported by LSTITM careers regardless of study mode.

Is this BA UK-recognised?

The BA in Tourism Development Studies is a UK honours degree aligned with the Tourism Society, WTTC and CIM. The BA in Tourism Development Studies articulates into LSTITM Master's routes for executive tourism leadership.

What entry requirements apply?

Applicants to the BA in Tourism Development Studies need A-Levels (BBC or above) or equivalents, plus IELTS 6.0. Higher Diploma holders can apply for top-up routes on the BA in Tourism Development Studies.

How much does this BA cost?

Tuition for the BA in Tourism Development Studies is banded with instalment plans and scholarships for eligible international students. LSTITM admissions publish current tuition for the BA in Tourism Development Studies on request.

BA in Tourism Development Studies | LSTITM | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The BA in Tourism Development Studies is a Bachelor programme within LSTITM's Tourism & Destination Management portfolio, focused on honours undergraduate degree in tourism development studies. Delivered across a 36 months full honours (top-up routes for Higher Diploma holders) duration band, the programme is aligned with UK tourism-sector standards referenced by Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and UKHospitality, and gives students structured, industry-referenced practice from the first week of study. Students explore graduate-ready practice in tourism development through a mix of tutor-led seminars, case-based labs and applied projects drawn from real London tourism organisations.

By the end of the BA in Tourism Development Studies, students should be able to graduate as a placement-ready tourism development practitioner able to structure development bids, evaluate impact and support destination growth. The syllabus mixes applied case study, tutor-led coaching and structured assessment so learners graduate ready to contribute to real tourism teams across London and internationally. Assessment blends short written pieces, applied projects and structured peer review so students build a portfolio they can share with prospective employers as evidence of ready-to-work practice.

Students on the BA in Tourism Development Studies join a peer group drawn from destination operators, travel-agency chains, DMOs and international tourism boards, and are taught by tutors with prior operational and strategic tourism experience across the UK sector. Guest speakers from World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)-referenced organisations, London consultancies and tour operators contribute short masterclasses throughout the programme, giving students direct sight of live industry challenges and current recruitment expectations.

Key Features

UK content referenced against Tourism Society and WTTC practice
Placement year with London tourism boards, DMOs and consultancies
Modules on impact evaluation, bid drafting and community consultation
Case notes from London and international destinations
Career sessions on graduate tourism development roles
Delivered across online, on-campus and distance-learning routes

What You Will Learn

Structure tourism development bids for regional and national funders
Evaluate socio-economic impact of tourism development programmes
Support destination growth strategies over multi-year horizons
Coordinate community consultation for development activities
Apply WTTC and Tourism Society development frameworks
Deliver a placement-informed final-year applied research project
Present development cases to boards, panels and funders
Manage stakeholder mapping across development projects
Report multi-year performance across development portfolios

Who This Course Is For

A-Level or IB leavers targeting tourism development careers
Higher Diploma holders on the LSTITM top-up route
International applicants pursuing UK undergraduate tourism study
Career changers targeting full undergraduate honours qualification
Working development officers seeking a Bachelor top-up

Career Pathways

Tourism Development Officer (graduate track)
Head of Tourism Development
Tourism Investment Analyst
Regional Tourism Director (associate)
DMO Programme Manager
Tourism Corporate Development Manager
Community Tourism Development Manager
Tourism Research Analyst

The LSTITM careers service supports every BA in Tourism Development Studies student with CV, LinkedIn and interview coaching, plus warm introductions to London tourism boards, tour operators, OTAs and airline partners actively hiring across these career pathways. Graduates of the BA in Tourism Development Studies are supported through an alumni network spanning UK destination management organisations, international tour operators and consultancy houses, giving early-career candidates a credible route into interviews and structured progression conversations with sector employers.

Entry Requirements

A-Levels (BBC or above) or IB (26+ points) or overseas equivalents
A completed Higher Diploma or Advanced Diploma for top-up routes
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band under 5.5) or equivalent English proficiency
Personal statement outlining career objectives in the tourism and travel sector
Two academic or professional references

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. Students on the BA in Tourism Development Studies benefit from that specialist focus at every stage of study.

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. Students on every LSTITM route are supported by dedicated career services covering CV, LinkedIn, interview coaching and introductions to London tourism boards, tour operators, OTAs, airline and hospitality partners.

Our curriculum is written by former destination directors, travel-industry technologists, tourism consultants and marketing leaders, and delivered across on-campus, online and distance-learning routes to fit working professionals and international students alike. LSTITM's articulation model means every Certificate and Diploma leads cleanly into an Advanced Diploma, Higher Diploma and full honours degree , with Master's routes for those aiming at consultancy, corporate development and executive tourism leadership.

Apply for BA in Tourism Development Studies

Applications for the BA in Tourism Development Studies are open across four intakes per year with rolling admissions for online and distance-learning candidates. Speak to an LSTITM admissions adviser about tuition, scholarship options and articulation into the next stage of the LSTITM tourism pathway. Apply for your full LSTITM undergraduate tourism degree. Enrol Now.