Why choose a degree in hospitality and tourism management?
Have you ever dreamed of working in a luxury hotel, planning global events, or organising the perfect trip to explore the world? A hospitality and tourism management degree could be your passport to an exciting international career. This fast-growing industry offers endless opportunities to travel, create connections with people you wouldn't otherwise meet and build a successful career.
If you choose to study at the University of Surrey, you’ll learn at the top-ranked institution in the UK for Hospitality and Leisure Management (QS World University Subject Rankings 2025). Whether you're interested in careers in hotels, airlines, events or travel experiences, Surrey can help you turn your ambition into reality.
What is hospitality and tourism management?
Hospitality and tourism management is all about creating amazing experiences for people, whether they’re staying in a hotel, flying to a new country, attending a festival, or dining at a restaurant. You’ll be using a dynamic mix of business, creativity and customer service skills to give people lasting memories.
At the University of Surrey International Study Centre, the International Year One in International Hospitality and Tourism Management is designed for ambitious international students aiming to build careers in this fast-growing sector.
The programme combines subject-specific modules with Academic English Skills, helping you to improve your language proficiency while preparing for university-level study. After successful completion, students can progress to the second year of a related undergraduate degree at the University of Surrey.
During the International Year One, you’ll study core topics such as:
- Tourism Management – exploring the rapid development of tourism and the factors influencing global demand.
- Financial Accounting in Service Industries – understanding the role of accounting in business performance and decision-making.
- Services Marketing – learning how service characteristics and consumer behaviour shape marketing strategies.
- Fundamentals of Service Delivery – analysing how people and processes contribute to effective service operations.
- Rooms Division Management – gaining insight into hotel operations, including front office and housekeeping.
- Tourism and Society – examining tourism as a social and cultural phenomenon.
- Sustainability in Aviation and Tourism – addressing the environmental impact of travel and the need for sustainable development.
- The Visitor Economy and Business Environment – understanding how external factors influence business in the tourism sector.
You’ll gain practical skills and academic knowledge to prepare for a wide range of careers in hospitality and tourism. You can go on to study degrees in areas such as hotel management, tourism development and airline operations. Plus, with the option to take part in the University of Surrey’s Professional Training Year between years three and four of your degree, you can gain firsthand industry experience.
Why study hospitality and tourism management?
Diverse career opportunities
This industry is full of exciting roles! Do you want to work in luxury hotels, cruise ships, theme parks or airports? You could become a hotel manager, event planner, travel consultant, or even start your own business. There are also opportunities in government tourism boards, destination marketing and sustainable travel.
Fast-growing industry
Tourism is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries. The sector is expected to create 90.6 million new jobs over the next 10 years (World Travel & Tourism Council, 2025). Global travel is hugely popular and companies need skilled professionals to meet the demand.
Transferable skills and networking
A hospitality and tourism management degree is more than just learning about hotels and travel, it’s a crash course in life skills. You’ll level up your communication and leadership skills, beat problem-solving challenges and gain experience in marketing, digital strategy and managing money. Plus, you’ll meet people from all over the world that could help you get career opportunities in the future.
Travel and cultural exposure
Arguably one of the best benefits of studying tourism and hospitality management is the chance to travel. Many jobs in this field involve working abroad or with international clients. You’ll learn about different cultures, food, traditions, languages and lifestyles.
Career paths with a hospitality and tourism management degree
Wondering what you can do after graduation? Here are some popular careers in hospitality and tourism:
Hotel and resort management
Manage luxury hotels, boutique resorts or international chains. Oversee guest services, staff, budgets and operations. You could begin your career in the UK as a hotel assistant, earning an average salary of £24,400 a year, then advance to the role of operations manager with an average salary of £35,000. Progressing from there, a general manager can earn around £50,300 annually in the UK (Indeed).
Event planning and management
Organise weddings, conferences, festivals and corporate events. Work with clients to create unforgettable experiences. In London, event managers earn on average £36,900 a year, while wedding planners can earn around £30,178 (Indeed).
Travel and tourism consulting
Help destinations attract visitors, advise travel companies or work in sustainable tourism development. Salaries for travel managers in the UK average £33,650 and you can often earn extra in commission (Indeed).
Airline and cruise management
Work in airport operations, airline customer service or cruise ship hospitality. The University of Surrey also offers a BSc in International Airline and Airport Management for students interested in aviation. Airline managers in the UK earn on average £40,300 a year (Indeed).
Restaurant and food service management
Run restaurants, cafés or catering businesses. Focus on customer experience, food quality and business success. In the UK, restaurant managers earn an average of £41,103 a year (Indeed).
Entrepreneurship in hospitality
Start your own travel agency, hotel or event company. Use your creativity and business skills to build something unique and be in control of your company’s growth and profits.
Get started with a hospitality and tourism degree at the University of Surrey
Why study here?
If you're passionate about creating unforgettable experiences, managing world-class destinations, or shaping the future of travel, the University of Surrey is the perfect place to begin your journey.
The University of Surrey is consistently recognised as a global leader in hospitality and tourism education:
- 16th in the world for Hospitality and Tourism (QS 2025)
- 1st in the UK and 2nd globally for Hospitality and Tourism Management (Shanghai 2024)
- 1st in the UK for Tourism, Transport, Travel and Heritage (Complete University Guide 2025)
The high rankings are just the beginning. At the University of Surrey, you’ll learn in state-of-the-art facilities including professional kitchens, simulation suites and industry-standard software. You’ll be taught by leading experts and gain hands-on experience that mirrors the real-world challenges and opportunities of the hospitality and tourism industry.
How to get started?
Begin your study abroad journey at the University of Surrey International Study Centre. Our pathway programmes offer the perfect launchpad. Based on the University of Surrey campus, the International Study Centre helps international students build academic and English language skills while experiencing university life from day one.
You’ll be welcomed into a supportive, inclusive community with full access to university facilities. A dedicated Personal Tutor will guide your academic progress and help you settle into life in the UK. Delivered by Study Group in collaboration with the University of Surrey, our programmes meet high academic standards and prepare you for seamless progression to your degree.
The University of Surrey International Study Centre offers tailored pathways for international students looking to study tourism and hospitality:
Business, Economics, Law and Social Sciences International Foundation Year: Ideal if you’re finishing high school and want to prepare for undergraduate study such as the International Hospitality and Tourism Management BSc.
International Year One in International Hospitality and Tourism Management: Start your degree with built-in academic and language support.
Management, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism Pre-Masters: Designed for students aiming to pursue a masters degree in tourism or related fields.
We have advisors on hand to help you choose the pathway course that’s best for you, and discuss entry requirements, fees and visa requirements, so reach out to our support team with any questions that you have.
FAQs
Is tourism and hospitality management a good career?
Yes! It offers global job opportunities, high earning potential and the chance to work in exciting environments. You can shape your role to suit your interests because the industry is growing and always evolving.
What is the scope of hospitality and tourism management?
It includes hotel management, event planning, travel services, luxury hospitality and airline operations. You can work in both private companies and public organisations.
Is hospitality management in demand in the UK?
Absolutely. The UK’s tourism sector is thriving, with major events and international visitors driving demand for skilled professionals in hotels, restaurants and travel services.