FdSc International Hospitality Management
Course Overview
This FdSc International Hospitality Management foundation degree is taught by Bolton College on behalf of the University of Bolton.The contribution of travel and tourism to the global economy was approximately $7.71 trillion in 2022 (1). The sector is enormous and offers a wide range of exciting career opportunities all over the world. With the right qualification, you could work in the hotel, cruise, events, tourism or contract catering industries. If you want to go far and make a real impact, then the University of Bolton’s FdSc International Hospitality Management delivered by Bolton College is the place to begin.
This programme is strongly vocational with an international focus, giving you the knowledge, skills and attributes to become an effective and ethical hospitality manager. You’ll learn from hospitality specialists who are actively involved in research that informs the industry’s future.
Our experienced team of hospitality professionals and academics will support you to develop a good understanding of the global hospitality industry and the general management of food, beverage and accommodation operations. During this foundation degree, you’ll focus on financial management, marketing, consumer behaviour, people management and leadership and learn how to apply this knowledge effectively in the hospitality sector. You’ll also have ample opportunity to develop practical skills and experience in our in-house training kitchens, the College’s bistro and restaurants, and through a 300-hour external placement. Furthermore, we’ll encourage you to build the sought-after transferable, professional and academic skills that will impress potential employers and support your career progression.
(1) https://www.statista.com/topics/962/global-tourism/ accessed on 7 February 2024
Highlights
- You’ll gain vital experience using our in-house training kitchens.
- You can develop your practical skills and knowledge by working in the College’s bistro and restaurants, open to the general public.
- You’ll build your experience further at Level 5 through a 300-hour real-world work placement external to the College.
- We’ll help you build a network of professional contacts, bolstering your CV and enhancing your employability.
- Once you’ve completed the foundation degree, you’ll have the opportunity to top-up your qualification to an honours degree by studying our final year BSc (Hons) International Hospitality Management (top-up) course.
Key Features
- This course offers essential hospitality management knowledge that you’ll need to progress successfully within or into the world of work or onto further study.
- Our approach to teaching and learning is student-centred, so we’ll work with you individually, providing tailored help and support throughout your studies.
- Work-based learning, industry visits and guest speakers will complement and enhance your classroom and workshop-based learning.
- You’ll have the opportunity to develop and enhance crucial skills such as communication, teamwork, organising and planning, numeracy, problem-solving, flexibility and adaptability, action planning, self-awareness, initiative, personal impact and confidence, environmental sustainability, and social, public and ethical responsibility.
- This course responds to the sensitivities of the natural environment and the needs of local and global societies to help you understand how to run hospitality operations sustainably and ethically.
Entry Requirements
- 48 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3.
- You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
- You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- This course is open to Home students only. Applications from International and EU students cannot usually be accepted because the study location for this course is not licenced by UKVI to sponsor students. Therefore, if you require sponsorship under the Student Visa Route to study in the UK, then, unfortunately, we'll be unable to consider your application for this course. Some EU students are eligible to study this course under the EU Settlement Scheme or Common Travel Area arrangement – for details, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/studying-in-the-uk-guidance-for-eu-students.
- If you apply or enrol on this course, Bolton College and the University of Bolton will share the information you provide. You’ll also receive communications from both organisations.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
The hospitality industry takes many forms. From conferences and exhibitions for thousands of attendees to intimate meals for private diners, hospitality covers everyone from business travellers to families on holiday. It can encompass food, drink, lodging, travel and entertainment. These service industries offer a wide range of careers and opportunities for those with the drive and ambition to ensure customers and guests have a positive experience.
This foundation degree focuses on building your understanding and skills in the key areas that underpin hospitality management on the global stage. This knowledge is essential, whether you wish to run your own B&B or an international chain of hotels and eateries. The fundamental principles are the same, and we are dedicated to ensuring you get the best start to your career, whatever your ambition.
What can I do with this qualification?
As a foundation degree graduate, you’ll also have the option to top-up your qualification to gain a full honours degree by studying our BSc (Hons) International Hospitality Management (top-up) course.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:
- Business
- Customer service
- Corporate liaison
- Marketing
- Human resource management
- Finance
- Education
- Community relations
- Property management
- Revenue analysis
- Quality improvement
Fees & Funding
When completing your student finance application, please list your institution as ‘University of Bolton’, not ‘Bolton College’.
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk
Admissions
University of Bolton
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk
International Applicants
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Partner Organisation Applicants
Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk
Admissions
University of Bolton
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk
Teaching & Assessment
We take a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face sessions with online delivery and engagement and practical work. You can expect lectures, seminars, guest speakers, workshops, tutorials, hospitality organisation operational observations and hospitality experience. An essential element of the course is work-based learning, so you’ll be expected to undertake a work experience placement (or complete this component at work if you are already in employment).
To complete the course, you’ll also need to undertake a significant amount of independent personal study. This will include activities such as background reading, assignment work, preparation for presentations and seminar discussions, and revision for in-class written examination. Engaging with our social learning community will further enhance your learning. We also offer a peer support programme and enhanced personal tutoring to ensure you can access help when you need it.
We use a carefully planned blend of assessments chosen to build your skills and allow you to demonstrate that you’ve achieved the course’s learning outcomes. There are two types of assessments: formative and summative. Typically these involve written coursework, oral presentations, time-constrained in-class activities, practicals and portfolios. Formative assessments will not contribute to your final mark but aim to help you improve your work in future. For these elements, you’ll receive feedback either verbally, in writing or online. You’ll also undertake summative assessments that will contribute towards your final mark. Normally, you’ll receive feedback on this type of evaluation in writing, but you’ll also have the opportunity to ask for more details verbally.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- The Global Hospitality Sector
- Professional and Academic Management Skills for the Hospitality Sector
- Introduction to the Management of Food, Beverage and Accommodation Operations
- Fundamentals of Financial Management for Hospitality
- Fundamentals of People Management and Leadership for Hospitality
- International Gastronomy
- Marketing and Consumer Behaviour for Hospitality Businesses
- Hospitality Professional Practice and Career Development
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 60% Practical exams 40% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 83% Written exams 17% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 66% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 34% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 66% Placement/study abroad 17% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 17% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
