International Tourism & Airline Management BA (Hons)



Learn about every aspect of international tourism and airline management; design, development, and delivery.

Overview

Our International Tourism and Airline Management course has a 94% overall student satisfaction score (National Student Survey, 2023).

This course offers the exciting opportunity to train for a tourism and airline-related career and learn from experienced professionals from the industry. 

The programme combines theory and practice, and includes specialist studies in tourism, transport, airport management, and the global aviation industry. 

Designed to equip you with the essential skills you’ll need for a career in tourism or a related industry, the course options allow you to focus on the areas that interest you the most.

Our strong industry links with the local airports – such as Edinburgh Airport, the busiest of its kind in Scotland – provide guest lecturers and open work-related opportunities.

Two airplanes in the air passing each other as the sun is setting in the background.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

N893

Placement:

Yes

Study Abroad:

Yes

Course details

You'll learn about practically every aspect of international tourism and airline management; from policy and planning to international tourism and visitor attraction management. 

A feature of this course is the Airline Management online simulation, which enables you to run a virtual airline, pulling together your learning from the whole course.

International tourism and airline management requires the ability to look outwards, understand the situation and capitalise on opportunities. Your studies will focus on this, developing a management perspective that is relevant in today's global business environment.

A wealth of experience gained from involvement in a thriving local tourism scene, and an international presence on campus, mean that you'll graduate with a realistic understanding of tourism and airline management locally and internationally.

Lead Academics

Anna Leask is Professor of Tourism Management and a key member of the Tourism and Languages Subject Group in the Business School. Her teaching and research interests combine and lie principally in the areas of visitor attraction management, heritage tourism and destination management. She has co-edited several textbooks including Managing Visitor Attractions (2008) and Managing World Heritage Sites (2006) and contributed to several key tourism textbooks. She is on the Editorial Board for four international tourism journals and has been actively involved in the Scientific Committees for many international conferences in Europe and USA. She has published in key academic journals such as Tourism Management, International Journal of Tourism Research and Current Issues in Tourism, in addition to publishing a range of case studies, articles and practitioner papers.

Anna’s recent undergraduate and postgraduate teaching delivery has been in Edinburgh, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore. She has also been involved in the preparation and delivery of the Scottish Enterprise Destination Leaders’ Programme and the Executive Development Programme for Experience Industry Professionals (Singapore) CPD course. Recent research has focused on how visitor attractions and hotels can engage with Generation Y visitors and employees, with primary research being conducted in the UK, Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore. Anna is a Fellow of the Tourism Society and of the Higher Education Academy. Anna is a Visiting Professor at Wakayama University, Japan.

Dr Ross Tinsley is a Tourism Lecturer and Programme Leader Edinburgh Napier University. He is currently interested in the identity and evolution of counter culture festivals and the role of spirituality within such events. He has also researched and published on small tourism businesses and destination development within developing country contexts. His PhD investigated networking between small tourism businesses and its contribution to destination development. His current work centres on the evolution of the Beltane Fire Festival, of which he was a past performer.

Craig Wight is an Associate Professor with responsibility for research and income generation and teaching and learning enhancement at Edinburgh Napier University. He has led and delivered a number of modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level with the thrust of these covering strategic management, research methods, and market intelligence creation and usage in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Craig is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is research-active, having authored and co-authored a number of publications on tourism and heritage management in journals and books. He has also undertaken a wealth of tourism, hospitality, leisure and cultural research and consultancy for a range of national and international clients within the public, private and voluntary sector

Dr Dina Anastasiadou is the leading authority in EU tourism policy and has published extensively on the impact of regional trading organisations on international tourism development. She has undertaken research projects on cross border collaboration in tourism in Southern Africa, tourism marketing technologies and community engagement in events. Her main research interests lay in tourism policy, governance, stakeholder engagement and organisational structures in tourism. She is currently involved in comparative research in destination management organisational structures in Scotland and Denmark.

Ellis Urquhart Ellis is a lecturer in the Tourism & Languages Subject Group of Edinburgh Napier University's Business School. He is a former graduate of the institution, completing his BA (Hons) in Tourism & Airline Management in 2013. He was then selected as one of Edinburgh Napier’s 50th Anniversary Scholars to begin doctoral research within the Tourism School. His research is focused on the role of interactive technologies in Scottish visitor attractions and specifically, how these contribute to a co-creative visitor experience.

His additional research interests include: heritage management; e-tourism and technological innovation; augmented/virtual reality in tourism; airport/airline experiences; and qualitative methodologies in tourism, hospitality and events. 

  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

    You'll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and independent study.

  • note and pen

    Assessments

    Assessments are a mix of course work and assessments.

  • briefcase

    Work placement

    In year 3 there is an option to do a 24-week work placement.

  • study abroad

    Study abroad

    There is an option to study abroad as part of this programme.

    Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Introduction to International Hospitality, Tourism and Events
  • Intercultural and Organisational Management
  • Marketing 1
  • Accounting for Business
  • The Global Tourism Industry
  • One option

Year 2

  • Airport Management
  • Introduction to HRM
  • Transport for Tourism
  • Visitor Attraction Management
  • Market Research and Communications
  • One option

Year 3

  • International Tourism Policy and Planning
  • Global Service Management
  • Organisational Change Management
  • Global Airline Industry
  • Live Project plus one option OR Work Based Learning (24-week work placement)

Year 4

  • Leadership, Innovation and Technology for Tourism, Hospitality and Events
  • Airline Strategy and Marketing
  • Airline Management
  • Dissertation
  • One option

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Minimum Year 1

SQA Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement: BBBC
  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BCCC

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • CCC

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H3, H3, H3 at Higher Level

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit).

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades D*D

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3 plus A Level

  • Minimum grades MM (Merit, Merit).
  • A Level grade B

T level

  • Pass, with grade C or above in the core component.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 27 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4. 

Scottish HNC

  • Other HNC subjects may be considered for year 1 entry where a C in the graded unit is achieved.

Minimum Year 2

HNC

  • Pass HNC in Tourism or Travel and Tourism with grade B at SCQF Level 7 in the graded unit.

SQA Advanced Higher

  • BBC

A Level

  • BBB

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • Pass HND in Tourism or Travel and Tourism with grade B at SCQF Level 8 in the graded unit(s).

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.


We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland £1,820 £1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,250
Overseas and EU £15,160 £16,680
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Edinburgh skyline at night during Christmas fair in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens.

What can you do with an International Tourism & Airline Management degree?

By studying international tourism & airline management at Edinburgh Napier University, you will gain experience in practical, hands-on learning, developing the skills you need to succeed across design, development and delivery within the sector upon graduating. You will gain skills in communication, decision-making and presenting, along with learning how to produce strong written content and budget management. Careers you will likely go onto include airline management and operations, destination development, visitor services management, tour operations, public sector organisations and hospitality. If you like working with others and have a keen interest in the tourism industry, then this could be the right course for you.

What does an airline manager do?

An airline manager is responsible for overseeing and coordinating various aspects of airline operations to ensure the efficient and safe delivery of airline passengers and aircraft. In this role, you will have strong leadership, communication, customer service and decision making skills.

Typical roles and responsibilities may include:

  • Strategic Planning
  • Budget Management
  • Operational Planning
  • Personnel Management
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Crisis Management
Student smiling as she walks through a decorated festival street