BA in Tourism Global Development Studies
Course Overview
The BA in Tourism Global Development Studies is a 36-month full honours undergraduate degree from LSTITM (with top-up routes for Higher Diploma holders). Sitting within the Travel Systems and Global Tourism department, the degree is aligned with WTTC, Tourism Society, ITT and CMI frameworks, preparing graduates to lead international tourism development programmes and cross-market growth.
By graduation you will scope global tourism development plans, lead cross-market growth workstreams, and deliver a placement-linked capstone that maps development choices to commercial and social outcomes for tourism organisations.
Modules combine live honours seminars on international development, applied research assignments on cross-market growth and placement blocks with live briefs from London tourism boards and multinationals. Case examples reference actual development programmes so graduate vocabulary always maps back to real client-ready practice.
Key Features
- Honours-level international tourism development modules
- WTTC-informed sector-development frameworks
- CMI-aligned governance and portfolio principles
- Placement year with London tourism boards and multinationals
- Applied research and dissertation module
- Careers coaching for graduate development roles
What You Will Learn
- Scope global tourism development plans
- Lead cross-market growth workstreams
- Structure investment cases for new-market entry
- Model demand and supply for international markets
- Coordinate stakeholder maps across regions
- Design measurement frameworks for development
- Deliver a placement-linked capstone project
- Apply ethical and sustainability lenses to development
- Build an honours portfolio linking placement work to global development outcomes
- Present applied international-development research to senior industry panels
Assessment and Delivery
Assessment on the BA in Tourism Global Development Studies blends academic essays on international tourism development, applied placement reports, a dissertation and a final industry-panel presentation. Every undergraduate is paired with an academic supervisor and a placement mentor from a London tourism partner, giving structured coaching alongside taught content. On-campus, online and distance students follow the same schedule of live seminars, tutorials and self-paced study, with continued access to the LSTITM secure virtual learning environment after graduation.
Who This Course Is For
- School leavers seeking a full honours tourism degree
- Higher Diploma holders seeking a top-up route
- Career changers targeting international tourism roles
- International students building UK honours credentials
- Applicants targeting development-agency careers
Career Pathways
- Global Tourism Coordinator (senior)
- Tourism Development Officer (international)
- OTA Account Manager (international)
- Distribution Systems Consultant (senior)
- Tourism Board Coordinator (international)
- Tourism Systems Consultant (international)
LSTITM careers services support undergraduates with placements, dedicated CV coaching, mock interview practice and warm introductions to international teams at London tourism boards, multinationals, cruise lines and OTAs, backed by an active alumni network covering graduate international roles.
Careers Support and Networks
BA in Tourism Global Development Studies undergraduates access honours-level careers workshops, employer showcase sessions and interview clinics run by the LSTITM careers team. Every student receives a graduate careers conversation, LinkedIn coaching, placement matching and warm introductions to graduate international, development and multinational-market vacancies at London tourism boards, agencies and OTAs, alongside an alumni network that continues to support graduates beyond graduation.
Industry-Referenced Study
The BA in Tourism Global Development Studies is written with reference to live development programmes run by London tourism boards, multinationals and OTAs. Undergraduates work through honours-level scenarios that mirror graduate practice, such as scoping a global tourism development plan, coordinating a cross-market growth workstream and producing an industry-panel presentation on development impact. Every scenario is anchored to real UK international practice, and graduates leave with a portfolio that supports graduate development, agency or Master's applications.
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 a specialist division of Harold International College of London focused on destinations, tourism business, travel systems and strategic tourism practice. Honours degrees are aligned with the Tourism Society, ITT, ABTA, CIM, CMI, WTTC and UKHospitality, giving global-development graduates a recognised UK evidence base for graduate international applications.
Curriculum authors include former international tourism development directors, multinational executives and senior programme managers, and delivery flexes across on-campus, online and distance-learning routes with placements at London-based partners across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Apply for BA in Tourism Global Development Studies
Applications for the BA in Tourism Global Development Studies are open on a rolling basis and reviewed within a few working days of receipt. Apply for your full LSTITM undergraduate tourism degree by submitting your personal statement, two references, preferred delivery mode and any prior study evidence to the admissions team. Successful applicants receive an offer pack detailing academic supervisor allocation, placement partner options, tuition options and start dates, and an invitation to an honours cohort induction with fellow development-focused undergraduates. International applicants also receive pre-arrival guidance, placement introductions and access to the LSTITM student services team throughout the degree. Enrol Now
