How long does the Certificate in Tourism Studies take to complete?

The Certificate in Tourism Studies runs over a duration band of 3 to 6 months. LSTITM structures the Certificate in Tourism Studies so students can pace study around work and personal commitments across on-campus, online and distance-learning routes.

How is the Certificate in Tourism Studies delivered?

The Certificate in Tourism Studies is delivered flexibly across on-campus sessions in London, live online seminars and structured distance-learning modules. Applicants to the Certificate in Tourism Studies can choose the delivery mix that best fits their schedule and location.

Is the Certificate in Tourism Studies recognised in the UK?

The Certificate in Tourism Studies is a UK-issued, London-based qualification aligned with Tourism Society and ITT foundation guidance. Graduates of the Certificate in Tourism Studies articulate into any LSTITM Diploma route.

What are the entry requirements for the Certificate in Tourism Studies?

Entry to the Certificate in Tourism Studies requires GCSE-equivalent secondary education and basic English proficiency. Applicants to the Certificate in Tourism Studies do not need any prior tourism qualification.

How much does the Certificate in Tourism Studies cost, and is funding available?

The Certificate in Tourism Studies is offered at LSTITM's Certificate-band fee, with instalment plans, employer sponsorship and international scholarships. The Certificate in Tourism Studies fees team publishes current bands on the LSTITM website.

Certificate in Tourism Studies | LSTITM | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Certificate in Tourism Studies is an LSTITM Certificate programme running for a duration band of 3 to 6 months. It is aligned with UK Certificate-level standards and delivered by academics, industry contributors and practitioners from London's Tourism & Destination Management community. The course centres on tourism studies, taught across on-campus, online and distance-learning routes so that UK-based and international applicants can study without disrupting their working commitments.

By graduation, students on the Certificate in Tourism Studies are producing foundation-grade work drawn from destination stewardship, visitor journey design and place-based tourism development. This introductory certificate builds a working understanding of the global tourism system, from visitor typologies to destination stakeholder mapping and everyday guest interaction skills. You will study how tourism value is created across destinations, tour operators and OTAs, and how new entrants find their footing in London's international travel scene.

Key Features

Weekly live seminars with a foundation tutor covering visitor behaviour and destination basics.
Structured self-study modules aligned with Tourism Society and ITT introductory pathways.
Case exercises drawn from London tourism boards and UK visitor economy briefs.
Guest talks from junior travel-industry professionals working in ABTA member companies.
Digital badges recognising each completed module for LinkedIn and early-career CVs.
Guaranteed articulation into any LSTITM Diploma route on successful completion.

What You Will Learn

Explain how the international tourism system links visitors, destinations and travel intermediaries.
Identify visitor typologies, seasonality patterns and demand drivers for London and beyond.
Apply courteous, professional guest interaction techniques used across UK visitor services.
Use basic destination information tools including maps, GDS-adjacent enquiry systems and OTA search platforms.
Describe the roles of tour operators, wholesalers, DMOs and travel agencies in the UK supply chain.
Prepare simple destination fact sheets and visitor briefs suitable for entry-level tourism roles.
Recognise sustainability and cultural sensitivity issues facing modern tourism destinations.

Who This Course Is For

School leavers considering a first structured qualification in tourism and travel.
Career changers exploring the London international tourism sector for the first time.
International applicants who need a UK-recognised foundation qualification before Diploma study.
Front-line hospitality or retail staff wanting a route into destination and travel careers.

Alongside the taught modules, the Certificate in Tourism Studies incorporates seminar reflection, small-group critique and live-brief clinics with LSTITM industry contributors. Learners on the Certificate in Tourism Studies join a peer cohort drawn from UK, European and international backgrounds, which supports the cross-market perspective expected of modern Tourism & Destination Management professionals. This mixed learning environment consolidates the tourism studies themes into working practice and gives every student a reference network in the London tourism community they can draw on across their career.

Assessment on the Certificate in Tourism Studies blends practical portfolio work, short written reflections and applied case exercises drawn from live UK travel-industry briefs. Teaching staff on the Certificate in Tourism Studies give structured formative feedback throughout the programme so students know exactly where they stand against the Certificate learning outcomes. LSTITM's academic team also supports every learner with study-skills tutorials, referencing clinics and an academic-integrity induction that meets UK higher-education expectations across on-campus, online and distance-learning delivery modes. Students also access a dedicated learning portal with reading lists, recorded lectures and industry-current examples that keep the tourism studies content connected to real UK travel-industry practice.

Career Pathways

Junior Travel Consultant
Tourism Information Assistant
Destination Services Assistant
Tour Operator Reservations Trainee
Airport Visitor Services Assistant
Cultural Tourism Assistant

Graduates of the Certificate in Tourism Studies are supported by the LSTITM careers service, which offers CV coaching, LinkedIn reviews and introductions across London tourism boards, tour operators, OTAs, airline ground services and destination management organisations.

Entry Requirements

Age 16+ with a genuine interest in tourism and international travel careers.
GCSE-equivalent secondary education (or overseas equivalent).
Basic English proficiency (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent for international applicants).
Access to a computer with reliable internet for online delivery.
No prior tourism qualification required, as this is a foundation route.

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, the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT), ABTA and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), so graduates step into the sector with credible, industry-referenced study behind them.

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 for working professionals and international students. 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 Certificate in Tourism Studies

Applications for the Certificate in Tourism Studies are open now for the next intake. Speak with LSTITM's admissions team to discuss entry routes, delivery mode, funding and progression from your current qualification or role. Start your London-recognised tourism career today, and secure your place on the Certificate in Tourism Studies today. Enrol Now.