Welcome to International Tourism and Hospitality Management with Foundation Year at the Christ Church Business School, Canterbury Christ Church University. Congratulations on being accepted onto the course and joining our fantastic Tourism, Hospitality and Events Section. I hope that you are looking forward to the next three years making new friends, learning new skills, and exploring new places, all whilst studying for your degree in Tourism and Hospitality. The semester does not start for a while and I know that you will have a lot to do to prepare and think about. I also recognise that coming to University is going to be a big lifestyle change and there will be lots of exciting new experiences, including two overseas field trips, the first in January 2025. I hope that we can make this transition as easy as possible for you, so if there is anything that I can do to help, or if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at richard.pole@canterbury.ac.uk.

Richard Pole
Course Director

Key dates

Academic Calendar: Semesters

View key dates for this Academic Calendar for 2024-25 including when teaching starts and finishes and when you break for holidays.  

Welcome

We are very much looking forward to meeting you in September. In the meantime, take a bit of time to explore some of the current issues in the tourism industry. Familiarise yourself with the industry news, policies and trends. 

You can stay up to date with what's happening in our Faculty with the Faculty Instagram page.

 

Getting started

Starting university can be daunting but this is completely normal. We understand that you have made a significant step to achieving your future goals by investing time, money, and energy to this degree.

You will study 6 modules during your foundation year, three each semester.

Semester one:

  • Communication and Academic Skills for HE
  • Contemporary Issues in Business, Management and Marketing.
  • Fundamentals of Tourism, Hospitality and Events

Semester two:

  • Individual Project
  • Personal Career Development
  • The Business Environment

 

Ranked 8th overall best in UK university for Tourism and Hospitality - Complete University Guide, subject league table 2025. 

 

Learning at Christ Church Business School on the BSc International Tourism and Hospitality Management degree

We care about you being at ease and confident about your studies and not worried. So, we have put in place a welcome week starting on the week of Monday 16 September 2024 with lots of activities for you to familiarise yourselves with the way we teach and the way we will mark your work and support you all the way through. Make sure you attend to start making friends!

 

Community

On the social side, the Student Union (CCSU) has a huge range of clubs and societies – all of which have unique social calendars of their own and offer endless opportunities to make lifelong friends and discover new hobbies. And you can always create your own society and cultivate your own community!

CCSU will be hosting their Welcome Fayre on Wednesday 18th September 2024. Make sure you keep checking the CCSU website for further details and how to get involved.

We understand that you may be nervous about your first few weeks on campus but rest assured - you'll be joining a nurturing and supportive environment where diversity, equality and individuality are part of everything we do.

You can find out more about our welcoming community and making friends.

If you are an International Student joining us then please see our International Student Support pages for further information and guidance.

 

Pre-course reading

To prepare for seminars, it is important that you are aware of current issues within the tourism and hospitality industry. The global tourism industry has been in a crisis in the last couple of years due to the pandemic, but the world is beginning to adapt and more on. To bring yourself up to date and able to contribute to the discussions we will have, please familiarise yourself with the following:

The above sites have lots of reports on many aspects of tourism and hospitality. Please do look at them too.

However, if you really want to get a head start, get a copy of the core first year texts:

Fletcher, J. et al (2013) Tourism: Principles and Practice. 5th edition. Harlow: Pearson

Walker, J.R. (2021) Introduction to Hospitality. 8th edition. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited

 

International student success programme

International students: don't miss out! Make sure you register for our international student success programme which provides practical advice on preparing to live and study in the UK.

Contact details

If you have any queries, please contact the course team at foundation.FSESS@canterbury.ac.uk