Aberdeen Business School Undergraduate course guide 2014
E M O C Y L T E I N W A ORTU P P O
L A N O I T A N IT Y R E T IN PITAL NT HOSNAGEME MA
International Hospitality Management What and when: course overview ... and course detail Placements Study abroad How will I be taught? Key facts What next?
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Choosing a course isn’t straightforward. There’s lots of detail you need to know. Where will I study? What topics are covered? How will I be assessed? You also want to gain a ‘feel’ for things – directly from some current students and graduates. In this brochure we’ve combined hard facts about the degree with real views of students and graduates. Our aim is to give you a quick, genuine and useful insight into our degrees. If there’s anything more you’d like to know, please don’t hesitate to get in contact. Simply call us on 01224 262728, email: UGOffice@rgu.ac.uk.
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A welcome opportunity
intro duction
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This course combines both the academic and specialist aspects of hospitality management, allowing you to study and experience the industry’s many sub-sectors. The hospitality and leisure industries generate billions of pounds worldwide each year. Hospitality management is therefore a thriving, innovative industry which plays a crucial role in the global economy and in providing employment and exciting career opportunities.
A key feature of this course is the opportunity to meet and listen to professionals in the hospitality industry. We will deliver this through study visits and guest lectures at the University. You will also be eligible for student membership of the Institute of Hospitality (IoH), providing another perfect opportunity for networking. We also believe it is important to recognise and reward our students’ achievements. As a result, industry-sponsored prizes are awarded each year to the top student of each year.
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INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT BA (Hons) UCAS N221
your en zons d wi hori
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Career options Hospitality is a thriving and innovative business sector. Many don’t realise its scale, or the opportunities it provides. To some, it simply means hotels. While that’s a huge part of the industry, it also includes events, public houses, bars and nightclubs, restaurants, self-catering accommodation, tourist services, hostels, hospitality services, holiday parks, gambling, leisure and contract food service providers. This diversity explains the major demand for able graduates with in-depth, specialist knowledge. A management role in any of the above environments is a potential career for our BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management graduates. Alternatively, you could specialise in an area such as guest services or HR management, or go on to postgraduate study, or set up your own business…
Roles taken by recent graduates > Conference and Banqueting Manager, The Eden Project > Human Resources Manager, BAA > Chief Executive Officer, Malmaison Hotels > Director of Guest Services, St Regis Aspen > Quality Advisor, VisitScotland > Manager, TGI Friday’s Restaurants > Conference Centre Manager, AVC Media Enterprises > General Manager, Skibo Castle > General Manager, David Lloyd Leisure > House Manager, Prestonfield Hotel Edinburgh > Conference and Sales Executive, Hilton Treetops
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E Y M O NIT C L E TU W A POR OP
NEIL CONNON Course Leader
“The BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management course develops practical skills alongside knowledge of contemporary managerial and strategic issues relevant to the sector, producing graduates able to take their place in the vibrant and dynamic hospitality industry. Industry experience is an integral part of our course
and all students are given the opportunity to undertake a year-long placement in the hospitality industry in order to put all of the knowledge gained through study into practice. As a result of the experiences gained throughout their studies, our graduates are well respected and coveted by employers and regularly secure employment with some of the biggest organisations in the hospitality sector.�
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INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT BA (Hons) UCAS N221
Our course combines the best of both general management and specialist management modules. The general management areas include Professional Communication Skills, Marketing, Globalisation, Contemporary HRM, Consumer Behaviour, Brand Management and Technology in the Service Sector. These subjects will be vital aids to you in the future, whatever your chosen degree and career path. Meanwhile the specialist management modules give you depth, knowledge and insight into the world of hospitality. These are introduced in year 1, and then feature at each stage of your degree.
WHA COU T & WH R SE E OVE N: RVIE W.
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INSTITUTE OF HOSPITALITY The course is accredited by the Institute of Hospitality and students can access membership. When you successfully complete the course, you’re eligible to apply for Associate membership and, following an assessment, may also meet requirements for Member grade.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS A key feature of this course is exposure to key players in the hospitality industry, particularly those involved in influencing the direction and growth of the industry within the UK. We want to give you the best student experience possible. As well as the semester-long study abroad opportunities and year-long paid placement (or 6-month paid placement), we provide field trips, the opportunity to attend industry conferences, guest lectures and masterclasses. Aberdeen Business School is also a member of the British Hospitality Association, giving you access to industry information and events.
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YEAR 1 SPECIALISMS
YEAR 3
>> Tourism Hospitality Environment: an introduction to and overview of these industries
Year 3 normally involves a year-long paid placement.
>> Food and Beverage Operations: giving you an appreciation of beverages and food within a commercial hospitality environment
However, there’s also the option of a taught year 3. With this, you study for one semester and then go out on placement for six months in the second semester.
YEAR 2 SPECIALISMS
YEAR 4 SPECIALISMS
>> Food and Beverage Skills: builds on your year 1 module, and focuses on culinary, beverage and service skills
>> Hospitality Contract Management: a contemporary module that focuses on premises and contract management within the hospitality industry
>> Accommodation Management: whether that’s a hotel, resort or visitor attraction
>> Managing Strategy for Hospitality Management: investigating and evaluating contemporary hospitality strategic issues >> Cultural Aspects of International Management: investigating the importance of understanding cross-cultural differences and their management >> Dissertation: The dissertation enables you to extend and apply your subject knowledge and knowledge of research methods through independent investigation of a topic within a relevant field
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INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT BA (Hons) UCAS N221
Please note that the course structure is reviewed each year and may be subject to change.
year 1
year 2
SEMESTER ONE
SEMESTER ONE
>> Marketing >> Professional Communication Skills >> Service Sector Management >> Tourism Hospitality Environment
>> Brand Management >> Food and Beverage Skills >> Globalisation >> Live Hospitality Project 1: Scoping and Design
SEMESTER TWO
Or study abroad at an overseas university
>> Food and Beverage Operations (30 credits) >> Working in Hospitality Environments (30 credits) If you left now, you’d have... Certificate of Higher Education International Hospitality Management
SEMESTER TWO >> Accommodation Management >> Consumer Behaviour >> Technology in the Service Sector >> Live Hospitality Project 2: Staging and Evaluating Or study abroad at an overseas university If you left now, you’d have... Diploma of Higher Education International Hospitality Management
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...& course
detail
year 3 Placement Route
SEMESTER ONE
>> Management in Practice >> Placement
SEMESTER TWO >> Management in Practice >> Placement No exit award at this stage WORK EXPERIENCE Route
SEMESTER ONE
>> Ethics and the Consumer >> Events Management >> Business Marketing >> International Business
year 4 CONTINUING AND ADVANCED ENTRY STUDENTS
SEMESTER ONE
>> Ethics and the Consumer >> Events Management >> Business Marketing >> International Business Or (only continuing students) >> Foreign University Study
Choice of ONE option from: >> Applied Consumer Psychology >> Business Creativity
SEMESTER TWO
SEMESTER TWO
>> Management of Change >> Management of Innovation >> Management Practice and Reflective Learning
>> Managing Strategy for Hospitality >> Dissertation
Choice of one option from:
>> Management in Practice >> Workplace Experience
>> Contemporary Human Resource Management >> Event Tourism: Legacy and Impact
If you left now, you’d have...
If you left now, you’d have...
BA International Hospitality Management
BA International Hospitality Management
SEMESTER TWO
SEMESTER ONE >> Hospitality Contract Management >> Managing Strategy for Hospitality Management (30 credits) >> Research Methods
Choice of ONE option from: >> Cultural Aspects of International Management >> International Marketing If you left now, you’d have... BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management
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INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT BA (Hons) UCAS N221
Nicki Robertson BA (Hons) international Hospitality management
“After I graduated, I originally applied for the graduate scheme run by Malmaison, as I saw that as an excellent way to put my new knowledge to effective use. After my interview, I wasn’t offered a graduate position – but instead a direct entry into the new Malmaison hotel in Aberdeen. That was down to the experience that I had gained through my third year placement: the company felt I had already completed a programme similar to what was on offer in its graduate scheme. My experience highlights the huge benefit of the placement. I personally feel the opportunity to spend a year in industry gave me the skills and knowledge to step into a management role when I graduated.”
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“Since finishing I’ve been working with my placement organisation – so beyond the fun of my study years, it’s a big bonus to leave with a job opportunity.”
placements
SO MANY DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES In year 3, there are placement opportunities available locally, nationally and internationally, for example at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, AVC Media Enterprises, Malmaison Hotels, The Marcliffe at Pitfodels, Gleneagles Hotel, Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle, Bunchrew
House Hotel, Le Fleuray Hotel (France), Disney Worldwide Services Inc (USA), Fairmont Hotels and Resorts (Canada), Waccabuc Golf and Country Club (USA), The Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs (USA) and Sofitel Luxury Hotels, Brisbane (Australia).
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SPREAD YOUR WINGS. ENJOY NEW HORIZONS. What could possibly be better than studying at Robert Gordon University? Good question! How about studying here – but also getting a chance to spend some time studying abroad! Well that’s entirely possible. Most undergraduate programmes at Aberdeen Business School include the opportunity for a period of study abroad with one of our carefully chosen international partners – both in Europe and beyond. Our Study Abroad programmes offer additional educational and cultural experiences – but all as part of your accredited qualification with RGU. Many employers like to have graduates with some international experience, so it’s your chance to enhance your CV and widen your employment opportunities.
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BYE, AU REVOIR, CIAO AND SEE YOU SOON
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Going abroad to study or work could be one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of your course. The experience, new friends, a different country, climate, culture and language: these, and many other factors, make it an unforgettable time – wherever you go! And where you go will depend on the course you study. Each participating course has its own partner institutions in different countries. Most of the courses have more than one partner institution, so you can choose which institution or country is most suitable for you. So if we say that you might need a phrase book and sunglasses when you come to Aberdeen, we are being serious!
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GREAT PLACEMENT PROSPECTS
Wide open spaces
AB PE ERD RF EE EC N, T L TH OC E AT ION
A great Scottish location and brilliant career opportunities; Robert Gordon University gives you lots to smile about... Named “best UK university for employment” (HESA, 2013), Robert Gordon University is the ideal place to start your career.
What’s more, “residents in Aberdeenshire enjoy the best quality of life in Scotland” (Bank of Scotland Quality of Life League, 2012). So it’s time to get yourself up north, where things will be good for you too!
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We consider our riverside campus, based on the banks of the beautiful River Dee, to be one of the most attractive campuses in the UK and one of Europe’s finest. The river itself is home to otters, heron, salmon and other wildlife. Our campus has beautiful woodland walkways and parkland, connecting our modern, stylish buildings.
97.7% Gra
SUNNY SCOTL
SKI CENTRAL
RGU
BEST UK UNIVERSITY FOR EMPLOYMENT
Mountaineering mecca
raduate employment
Y LAND
Scotland at its best. Aye, that’s right! Aberdeen is pretty unique in the UK with its cosmopolitan culture, rich heritage and fantastic scenery. It’s got everything you’d expect from a major city – pubs, clubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and art galleries – but there’s lots more than that! Like the miles of beach boulevard – loved by skaters and surfers – and the wild mountains right on the doorstep: Aberdeen is a great location for skiing and snowboarding with dry ski slopes nearby the campus and during the winter Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray takes on a whole new lease of life with many challenging ski runs, plus some of the best hillwalking in Scotland and loads of great places for canoeing, kayaking and sailing!
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HOW W BE TAU ILL I GHT? Through varied class sizes, diverse lecturing styles and a range of assessment techniques. This degree is taught in two semesters. Each semester has a block of 12 weeks of teaching.
In the classroom
Assessment
You’ll take four modules per semester. Each module involves around three hours of class teaching per week. While this differs from module to module, most have:
We use a mixture of assessments.
>> Two hours of lectures delivered to the whole class (between 30 and 250 people, depending on your subject). Lectures tend to focus on a formal session, where the lecturer provides and discusses key topics, models and authors >> A further one hour tutorial taught to a small group of about 15–20 students. These investigate and discuss the ideas presented in lectures in more interactive and informal ways You’re also likely to be involved in field trips, industry conferences, guest lectures and masterclasses.
Outside the classroom In addition to lectures and tutorials, you‘ll have to spend time outside class time working on your own. For example doing the prescribed reading, preparing responses, undertaking research and writing up coursework. 18
These include individual and group presentations, reports, essays, industry interviews, poster presentations, examinations, work-based learning and running seminars. This ensures you enter the workplace with a set of relevant skills and experiences.
Before classes start… You’ll attend an induction week to help you prepare for University life. This includes sessions on study skills, teaching methods, module content, assessments, your timetable and IT resources, plus using the library and other support services.
KEY FA CTS
ALTERNATIVE QUALIFICATIONS Equivalent overseas qualifications and some access programmes will be considered. Entry to year 2 and year 3 with relevant HNC/HND qualifications may be considered.
DEGREE LINK PROGRAMME
PLACEMENT A 48-week paid placement in Stage 3 of the International Hospitality Management degree. On the taught/direct entry route, Stage 3 involves a taught semester one and 6-month placement in semester two. Some international placements are available on this course.
International Hospitality Management Entry to year 3 may be possible if you’ve completed an HND in Hospitality Management at one of our partner FE Colleges.
STUDY ABROAD
STUDY ABROAD
PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION
Full-time: 4 years
In years 2 and 3, there are opportunities to study with partner institutions in Europe as part of the Erasmus Programme.
Accredited by the Institute of Hospitality.
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what
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This course guide is intended as a guide for applicants for courses delivered by Robert Gordon University. In compiling it the University has taken every care to be as accurate as possible, and the information in this course guide is correct at the time of going to print, but the course guide must be read as subject to change at any time and without notice. The University undertakes to make every reasonable effort to provide the teaching and academic facilities necessary for applicants’ programmes of study. However the University reserves the right, if such action is considered to be necessary, to make variations to fees and/or to vary the content or delivery method of any course at any time. In addition, the University may, at its sole discretion, discontinue or amalgamate any course(s). In these rare cases the University will notify applicants as soon as possible and reasonable steps will be taken to provide a suitable alternative to a discontinued course.
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The next thing to do is talk to us. We can answer any questions you may have. Simply call us on 01224 262728 or email UGOffice@rgu.ac.uk We also provide a range of opportunities for you to visit us – so you can see what we can offer you first hand. Open Day
Applicants’ Day
We organise two annual open days in October and November each year. It’s a perfect opportunity to visit us, meet the academic staff, experience the first-class facilities and talk to current students.
When you apply for any course at ABS, you’ll be invited to one of our course-specific Applicants’ Days.
For full details of dates and times, and to see a full programme please see www.rgu.ac.uk/openday Open Days 2 October 2013 2 November 2013
We realise there’s a lot involved in making your final choice, so we hope to give you all the insight and information you need. For full details of dates and times, and to see a full programme please see www.rgu.ac.uk/absapplicantsday Visit Afternoons We hold monthly Visit Afternoons. The visit includes a talk by an Education Liaison Officer, a tour of the facilities and a chance to speak to a lecturer about the course you’re interested in. www.rgu.ac.uk/visitafternoons
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Aberdeen Business School Robert Gordon University Garthdee Road Aberdeen AB10 7QE
Talk to us. We can answer any questions or queries you may have. Simply call us on 01224 262728, email: UGOffice@rgu.ac.uk or visit us at www.rgu.ac.uk Dr Neil Connon Course Leader Email: n.connon@rgu.ac.uk Tel: 01224 263024
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