Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

25th Aug 2025, 2 years

Location

City Campus

Applications from International Students Welcome

Overview

This HND course will give you the skills, knowledge and understanding to develop your career in the Travel and Tourism Industry. You will gain the skills and knowledge required to provide high-quality customer service and enhance your employability. The course lasts two years starting in August, but you can also leave after one year with an HNC Travel and Tourism (fee applies).

After two years of study, you will be achieve both an HND Travel & Tourism as well as a PDA (Professional Development Award) Operations & Management of Visitor Attractions. This course element is unique to our college and will set you apart from the competition for future employment opportunities. 

This course is placed on the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework at Level 8. 

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) Pathways

• Pathway students enrol on the undergraduate BA (Hons) International Tourism and Events Management degree at Glasgow Caledonian University. In the first two years, they study HND Travel and Tourism at City of Glasgow College while preparing for years three and four (for Honours) of the degree at GCU. BA (Hons) International Tourism and Events Management graduates enjoy excellent career prospects around the world bringing tourism initiatives and international events to life.
• Applications for the Pathways course should be made via UCAS. The GCU website has more information on entry requirements for the Pathways course. 

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

• Two Highers at Grade C or above (such as  English, Modern Studies, Languages, Business Management, Geography or History) AND three National 5 qualifications at Grade C or above including English; OR
• Other equivalent qualifications or experience.

*Entry requirements for the BA (Hons) International Tourism and Events Management Pathways course differ from our standard entry requirements. Please see GCU website for further information. 

Additional selection requirements

You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form.

ESOL entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.

What you study

An example of what you'll study*.

Year One

• Working as Senior Air Cabin Crew.
• Industry Structure & Communications.
• Visits Programme. 
• Applying Marketing Principles in Travel and Tourism.
• International Tourist Destinations.
• Digital Culture.
• Retail Travel Practice.

Optional Units (First Year only)

• Air Travel OR
• Two languages.

If the language option is chosen, you may study French, German, Italian or Spanish.

Year Two

• Tour Guiding & Resort Representation.
• Influences on the Travel and Tourism Industry.
• Visitor Attraction Management.
• Managing People.
• Conferences: An Introduction.
• Providing Information on the Scottish Tourism Product.
• Launching a Tour Operator.
• Planning & Sustainable Development in Tourism.

*All subject to review.

After the course

Careers

This course prepares you for a career in travel and tourism with:

• National Tourist Organisations.
• Travel Management companies.
• Visitor Centres/Attractions.
• Tour Operators.
• Travel Agents.
• Airlines.
• Airport Ground Handling.
• Foreign Exchange Services.

Continuing Study

On successful completion of the course, you may be able to progress onto one of the following degree programmes:

• Year three of BA (Hons) International Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management (Queen Margaret University - delivered at City of Glasgow College).
• Year three of BA (Hons) International Events and Tourism Management (Glasgow Caledonian University).
• Year three of BA (Hons) Tourism Management (University of the West of Scotland).
• Other BA (Hons) courses across Scotland (subject to meeting individual course entry requirements).

Teaching

How the course is taught

Assessment methods

Additional Information

Materials