Tourism Brochure

UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2011 ABERDEEN BUSINESS SCHOOL•ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY•ABERDEEN

TOURISM HOSPITALITY & RETAIL MANAGEMENT YOU’RE WELCOME

International Tourism Management What and when: course overview …and course detail

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International Hospitality Management What and when: course overview …and course detail

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Retail Management What and when: course overview …and course detail

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How will I be taught?

How can I apply?

What next?

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Choosing a course isn’t straightforward.

There’s loads of detail you need to know: where will I study? what topics get covered? how do I get assessed?

Plus you also want to gain a ‘feel’ for things – ideally, direct and honest from some current or recent students.

In this brochure we’ve combined both these: hard facts with real views. And we’ve tried to keep things short and clear, so you don’t get put off by more information than you need.

Our aim is to give you a quick, genuine and useful insight into our courses. If there’s anything more you’d like to know, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

PROSPECTS: A SECTOR THAT’S GOING PLACES

Rowan Goldthorp BA (Hons) Tourism Management

… recently completed her 14-month placement with Cosmos Holidays. “The job was extremely challenging and I learnt many new things – writing brochure copy; helping contract hotels in Hong Kong; liaising with suppliers across the globe; attending industry events with my boss…” To Rowan, the placement is just one of several opportunities.

“In this – my Honours Year – I’ve won a bursary from BAA and the Hospitality Industry Trust that’s a huge help; I’ve attended a Hospitality Industry Trust dinner; and I’ve taken the role of class rep.”

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“Studying at RGU was fulfilling both academically and personally. The management grounding around economics, marketing and accounting – along with the industry specific knowledge – meant I left with a well-rounded higher education.”

international tourism management BA (Hons) UCAS N840

Career options Tourism combines many diverse industries, creating a vibrant, stimulating sector full of opportunity.

These include attractions, music venues, theatres, events, leisure centres, resorts, shops and transport providers. It also covers business tourism (conferences, corporate hospitality), and hospitality (hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars).

As the industry grows, so does demand for highly skilled, specially trained managers.

Tourism and hospitality are closely linked. This course offers graduates diverse opportunities ranging from event management to conference management, hotel management, marketing and account management.

Or you could go on to postgraduate study, or set up your own business.

Roles taken by recent graduates > Events Manager, AECC > Account Executive, Diageo > Manager, a US Golf & Country Club > Front of House Manager, Sodexho > Customer Services Supervisor, VisitScotland > Lecturer, Aberdeen College > Senior Events Manager, Marriott Hotels > Event Manager, Glamis Castle > Executive, London Events Management Company > Managing Director, Entertainment Company, Edinburgh > Hospitality and Commercial Manager, Satrosphere Science Centre

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PLACEmENTS: ...AND yOU GET OUT THERE TOO

Laura Ruxton BA (Hons) inTernATionAl Tourism mAnAgemenT

… graduated in 2008, with her final year a vital stage. “It challenged my creative thinking, and it’s where I gained the most important experience for my current role – presentation skills. The performance as a Sales Executive for a business travel agency has been significantly enhanced by the knowledge I gained from such a varied, interactive and practical degree.”

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“My year 3 placement was an ideal opportunity to put into practice the building blocks I gained in years 1 and 2.”

international tourism management BA (Hons) UCAS N840

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international tourism management BA (Hons) UCAS N840

what & when: COURSE overview‌ Our course combines the best of both general management and specialist management modules.

Institute of Hospitality

The general management areas include Professional Communication Skills, Marketing, Globalisation, Organisational Behaviour, 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.

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.

Meanwhile the specialist management modules give you depth, knowledge and insight into the world of tourism. These are introduced in year 1, and then feature at each stage of your degree.

The course is accredited by the Institute of Hospitality and students can access membership.

Tourism Management Institute The course is officially recognised by the Tourism Management Institute and, as a member, students would be invited to attend events across the UK relating to the world of tourism.

As a member, students would be invited to attend events across the UK relating to the world of tourism.

Other opportunities and events 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 ďŹ eld trips, the opportunity to attend industry conferences, guest lectures and masterclasses.

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year 1 specialisms >> Tourism Hospitality Environment: an introduction and overview to these industries >> Adventure and Activity Tourism: focusing on a growing area within tourism, particularly leadership skills and teamwork

year 2 specialisms >> Tourism Destination Development: focusing on how destinations develop and manage tourism, and investigating a range of case study destinations >> Accommodation Management: whether that’s a hotel, resort or visitor attraction >> Sustainable Tourism Management: focusing on the concept of sustainability and the balance between environmental, social and economic impacts

year 3 Year 3 normally involves a year-long paid placement.

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 4 specialisms >> Emerging Tourism Markets and Destinations: in this global module you investigate changing consumer trends and market forces >> Heritage Management: a focus on the natural and built heritage attractions within tourism >> Cultural Aspects of International Management: investigating the importance of understanding crosscultural differences and their management >> Marine and Wildlife Tourism: recognising the importance of this niche within the world of tourism >> Research Project: a module which allows you to undertake a piece of sustained project work focusing on a specialist sector within the Tourism Industry

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international tourism management BA (Hons) UCAS N840

…& COURSE detail Year 1

Year 2

Semester One

Semester One

>> Marketing >> Tourism Hospitality Environment >> Professional Communication Skills >> Service Sector Management Semester Two >> People Management >> Introduction to Management Accounting >> Adventure and Activity Tourism >> International Management If you left now, you’d have…

Certificate of Higher Education International Tourism Management

>> Organisational Behaviour >> Globalisation >> Tourism Destination Development > Brand Management Or study abroad at an overseas university Semester Two >> Consumer Behaviour >> Accommodation Management >> Sustainable Tourism Management >> Technology in the Service Sector Or study abroad at an overseas university If you left now, you’d have…

Diploma of Higher Education International Tourism Management

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Year 3

Year 4

Placement route

Non-placement route

Semester One

Semester One

>> Placement >> Management in Practice >> Research Methods Semester Two >> Placement >> Management in Practice >> Research Methods No exit award at this stage

>> Research Methods >> Events Management >> Concept Development Project >> Option module Or study abroad at an overseas university (not available to direct entry students) Semester Two >> Workplace experience >> Management in Practice Or study abroad at an overseas university

Semester One >> Research Project >> Emerging Tourism Markets and Destinations >> Heritage Management Semester Two >> Research Project >> Cultural Aspects of International Management >> Marine and Wildlife Tourism >> International Marketing If you left now, you’d have…

BA (Hons) International Tourism Management

If you left now, you’d have…

BA International Tourism Management

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PROSPECTS: GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR

Deborah O’Mullane BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management

“A great aspect of the course is having intellectuals from the industry visit, bringing the business world into the classroom, as well as going on field study trips around the country.”

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… welcomes the wide ranging curriculum, as its general overview of business, management and hospitality opens possibilities across the industry. “The placement also initiates invaluable career prospects. It does involve hard work, dedication and flexibility, however I feel my specialist and self-reliance skills were vastly improved by it, along with greater confidence in my work and in myself. I also loved the chance to study in Finland through Erasmus: continuous support from RGU made this big step easy.”

international HOSPITALITY management BA (Hons) UCAS N221

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 possible career. 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

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international HOSPITALITY management BA (Hons) UCAS N221

what & when: COURSE overview…

Our course combines the best of both general management and specialist management modules.

Institute of Hospitality

The general management areas include Professional Communication Skills, Marketing, Globalisation, Organisational Behaviour, 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.

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.

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.

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.

The course is accredited by the Institute of Hospitality and students can access membership.

Other opportunities and events

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 >> Tourism Hospitality Environment: an introduction to and overview of these industries >> Culinary Arts and Food Safety: giving you an appreciation of culinary arts, beverages and food safety within a commercial hospitality environment

year 2 specialisms >> Food and Beverage Skills: builds on your year 1 module, and focuses on culinary, beverage and service skills >> Accommodation Management, whether that’s a hotel, resort or visitor attraction >> Food and Beverage Management: developing the understanding and skills involved in managing food and beverage operations

year 3 Year 3 normally involves a year-long paid placement.

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 4 specialisms >> Hospitality Contract Management: a contemporary module that focuses on premises and contract management within the hospitality industry >> Managing Strategy for Hospitality: investigating and evaluating contemporary hospitality strategic issues >> Cultural Aspects of International Management: investigating the importance of understanding cross-cultural differences and their management >> Research Project: a module which allows you to undertake a piece of sustained project work focusing on a specialist sector within the Hospitality Industry

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international HOSPITALITY management BA (Hons) UCAS N221

…& COURSE detail Year 1

Year 2

Semester One

Semester One

>> Marketing >> Professional Communication Skills >> Tourism and Hospitality Management >> Service Sector Management Semester Two >> People Management >> Introduction to Management Accounting >> Culinary Arts and Food Safety >> International Management If you left now, you’d have…

Certificate of Higher Education International Hospitality Management

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>> Organisational Behaviour >> Globalisation >> Food and Beverage Skills >> Brand Management Or study abroad at an overseas university Semester Two >> Consumer Behaviour >> Accommodation Management >> Food and Beverage Management >> Technology in the Service Sector Or study abroad at an overseas university If you left now, you’d have…

Diploma of Higher Education International Hospitality Management

Year 3

Year 4

Placement route

Non-placement route

Semester One

Semester One

>> Placement >> Management in Practice >> Research Methods Semester Two >> Placement >> Management in Practice >> Research Methods No exit award at this stage

>> Research Methods >> Events Management >> Concept Development Project >> Option Module Or study abroad at an overseas university (not available to direct entry students) Semester Two >> Workplace experience >> Management in Practice Or study abroad at an overseas university (not available to direct entry students)

Semester One >> Research Project >> Hospitality Contract Management >> Managing Strategy for Hospitality Semester Two >> Research Project >> International Marketing >> Cultural Aspects of International Management >> Managing Strategy for Hospitality If you left now, you’d have…

BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management

If you left now, you’d have…

BA International Hospitality Management

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retail management: PUT YOURSELF IN THE SHOP WInDOW

Robyn Archibald BA (Hons) Retail Management

“I feel that RGU not only teaches its students the theory and knowledge they need, but equips them as best as possible for entering employment once they finish.”

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… is about to go into the fourth year. “RGU stood out for me, due to the opportunity of a year’s placement. I feel the experience will give me an advantage over other graduates when I go on to apply for jobs at the end of my four years.

The fantastic statistics of RGU’s graduate employment was another major factor that influenced my decision.”

RETAIL management BA (Hons) UCAS N240

Career options Retail is officially the UK’s top service industry. In recent years, it’s had some of the highest numbers of graduate vacancies.

While retail is commonly thought of as clothing and footwear, other key sectors include accessories and food and drink.

Traditional key roles for graduates are in Head Offices (for example in Buying and Merchandising), or Store Management. Many employers offer graduate training schemes, usually 1–3 years – the perfect fast-track opportunity.

You could work at a fashion outlet; electronics specialist; supermarket; independent retailer; department store; online retailer; TV and catalogue retailer… the list goes on. And there’s a diverse range of roles: buyer; merchandiser; designer; wholesaler; retail manager…

Roles taken by recent graduates > Section Manager, John Lewis > Buyer, Somerfield > Manager, Schuh Ltd > Graduate Management Trainee, Marks and Spencer > Head of Beauty, Boots Stores Ltd > Area Manager, Oasis Ltd > Buyer, Logo Outlets Ltd > Business Banking Manager, Clydesdale Bank > Manager, Next Retail Ltd > Manager, The Disney Store > Lecturer, Robert Gordon University

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RETAIL management BA (Hons) UCAS N240

what & when: COURSE overview‌ Our course combines the best of both general management and specialist management modules.

The general management areas include Professional Communication Skills, Marketing, Globalisation, Organisational Behaviour, 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 retail. These are introduced in year 1, and then feature at each stage of your degree.

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Other opportunities and events 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 ďŹ eld trips, the opportunity to attend industry conferences, guest lectures and masterclasses.

year 1 specialisms >> The Retail Environment: an introduction to and overview of these industries >> Retail Operations: an insight to the core requirements of store management

year 2 specialisms

year 3 Year 3 normally involves a year-long paid placement.

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 4 specialisms

>> Retail Loyalty: focuses on the retail experience and the importance of effective relationships within the retail context

>> Fashion Buying and Merchandising: gives you the ability to analyse the buying and merchandising functions within the fashion sector

>> Merchandise Technology and Planning: develops your understanding of the characteristic features of food and fashion products

>> Retail Strategy: investigates strategic approaches within the retail industry

>> Store Design and Visual Merchandising: investigates the principles of store design, layout and visual merchandising within the retail context

>> International Retailing: focuses on the challenges and issues facing domestic retailers when moving into the international retailing environment >> Retail Distribution and Logistics: enables you to critically evaluate strategic supply chain management within the retail industry >> Research Project: a module which allows you to undertake a piece of sustained project work focusing on a specialist sector within the Retail Industry

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RETAIL management BA (Hons) UCAS N240

…& COURSE detail Year 1

Year 2

Semester One

Semester One

>> Marketing >> Professional Communication Skills >> The Retail Environment >> Service Sector Management Semester Two >> People Management >> Introduction to Management Accounting >> Retail Operations >> International Management If you left now, you’d have…

Certificate of Higher Education Retail Management

>> Organisational Behaviour >> Globalisation >> Retail Loyalty >> Brand Management Or study abroad at an overseas university Semester Two >> Consumer Behaviour >> Store Design and Visual Merchandising >> Merchandise Technology and Planning >> Technology in the Service Sector Or study abroad at an overseas university If you left now, you’d have…

Diploma of Higher Education Retail Management

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Year 3

Year 4

Placement route

Non-placement route

Semester One

Semester One

>> Placement >> Management in Practice >> Research Methods Semester Two >> Placement >> Management in Practice >> Research Methods No exit award at this stage

>> Research Methods >> Events Management >> Concept Development Project >> Option module Or study abroad at an overseas university (not available to direct entry students) Semester Two >> Workplace experience >> Management in Practice Or study abroad at an overseas university (not available to direct entry students)

Semester One >> Research Project >> Fashion Buying and Merchandising >> Retail Strategy Semester Two >> Research Project >> International Marketing >> Retail Distribution and Logistics >> International Retailing If you left now, you’d have…

BA (Hons) Retail Management

If you left now, you’d have…

BA Retail Management

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How will I be taught?

Through varied class sizes, diverse lecturing styles and a range of assessment techniques.

These degrees are all taught in two semesters. Each semester has a block of 12 weeks of teaching.

In the classroom

Outside the classroom

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:

In addition to lectures and tutorials, you‘ll have to spend time outside class time working on your own.

>> 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.

For example doing the prescribed reading, preparing responses, undertaking research and writing up coursework.

How long this takes will vary from week to week, but it starts from day one and will steadily increase as you progress through your degree.

Assessment We use a mixture of assessments.

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 stronglyrelevant 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.

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How can I apply?

Entry Requirements

Alternative qualifications

Study options

SQA Higher: BBCC GCE A level: CC ILC Higher: BC1C1 International Baccalaureate: 24 points

Equivalent overseas qualifications and some access programmes will be considered. Entry to year 2 and year 3 with relevant HNC/HND qualifications is also welcomed.

Full-time: 4 years

We welcome applications from students with alternative qualifications and relevant work experience.

Degree link programme International Tourism Management Entry to year 3 may be possible if you’ve completed an HND in Tourism or Travel with Tourism at one of our partner FE Colleges.

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.

Retail Management Entry to year 3 may be possible if you’ve completed an HND in Retail Management at one of our partner FE Colleges.

Placement A 48-week paid placement in Stage 3 of the International Tourism Management, International Hospitality Management and Retail Management degrees.

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 all three courses.

Study Abroad In years 2 and 3, there are opportunities to study with partner institutions in Europe as part of the Erasmus Programme.

Professional accreditation International Tourism Management and International Hospitality Management are accredited by the Institute of Hospitality and the International Tourism Management course is officially recognised by the Tourism Management Institute.

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WHAT NEXT?

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 admissions@rgu.ac.uk We also provide a range of opportunities for you to visit us – so you can see what we can offer you ďŹ rst hand.

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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.

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 – scheduled for February and March 2011.

For full details of dates and times, and to see a full programme please see www.rgu.ac.uk/openday or request a brochure on 01224 262044.

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.

Visit Afternoons We hold monthly Visit Afternoons, held on a Wednesday between 1:00–3:00pm at either our Schoolhill or Garthdee Campus.

For upcoming dates, follow the link on www.rgu.ac.uk/visitafternoons The visit includes a talk by a Schools’ Liaison Officer, a tour of the facilities and a chance to speak to a lecturer on the course you’re interested in.

Aberdeen Business School Robert Gordon University Garthdee Road Aberdeen AB10 7QE

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Talk to us.

We can answer any questions or queries you may have.

Simply call us on 01224 262728, email admissions@rgu.ac.uk or visit us at rgu.ac.uk