Hospitality, Events, Aviation and Tourism

Travel to exciting locations, learn from inspiring guest speakers and engage with a vastly experienced teaching team. 

Reg Vardy Centre exterior on a sunny day

Studying a degree in hospitality, events, aviation or tourism will enable you to gain unrivalled insights into a thriving industry that's one of the key players in international commerce.

You'll be based in the Reg Vardy Centre at the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's, a fantastic location within the vicinity of both the city centre and idyllic seafront. You'll have access to technical resources, dozens of work areas and a library that contains over 31,000 books related to business, economics, management, human resources, marketing, strategy and tourism.

Here we'll help you to stand out from the crowd with specialised modules that will enable you to study the areas you're most passionate about and work placement opportunities to help you gain invaluable experience.

A view of the New York city skyline with two students taking a photo of the Empire State Building on their phones

To ensure that you're able to put theory into practice, your learning won't just be based in Sunderland. You'll have the opportunity to go on several field trips every year and we have visited famous international cities such as Prague, Barcelona and New York in the past, as well as interesting local spots such as Kielder Water and York. 

Field trips are an incredible opportunity to get advice and develop your skills alongside industry experts working in some of the world’s most popular destinations.

Find out more about field trips and study abroad opportunities.

A student working at a computer

We have a diverse selection of courses for you to discover and choose your specialism. At undergraduate level, we have the newly developed Esports Event Management course, which is perfect for you if you're interested in Esports culture and the production of Esports events. Similarly, we also offer Events Management, which will allow you to begin developing your event production skills from day one. Within tourism and aviation, you'll also be able to choose from International Tourism and Hospitality Management and Tourism and Aviation Management depending on your interests.

At postgraduate level, you'll have the opportunity to build on the knowledge you've gained on your undergraduate degree with cutting-edge courses such as Sustainable Tourism, and the MSc Tourism suite with includes Tourism and Events, Tourism and Hospitality and Tourism and Aviation

Why us?

We’re proud to be shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2024

1st

Our Hospitality, leisure, recreation and tourism courses are 1st in the north-east for teaching quality and student experience

(The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)

Ranked amongst the world's best universities for this subject

having been placed between 101-150 in the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Hospitality & Leisure Management

1st in the north-east

Our Tourism, Transport, Travel and Heritage Studies are 1st in the north-east for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2024)
100%

BA (Hons) Events Management has 100% Overall Satisfaction

(National Student Survey 2022)
12th

Our Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism courses are 12th in the UK

(Guardian University Guide 2024)
Top 30

Our Hospitality, leisure, recreation and tourism courses are in the top 30 in the UK

(The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)

National, local, and international study abroad and field trip opportunities

Our Hospitality, Events, Aviation and Tourism courses

Take a look below to find the right course for you.

Undergraduate courses

Three screens with a road track on with a steering wheel and gaming chair infront of it
Full-time

BSc (Hons) Esports Event Management

Immerse yourself in esports culture on this degree and be at the forefront of a rapidly growing industry. Gain the contextual knowledge and skills to flourish and work in dynamic teams within the world of esports and live streaming.

Find out more about Esports Event Management
A plane coming in to land in a built up city
Full-time

BSc (Hons) Tourism and Aviation Management

Prepare for a career in the tourism and aviation industry, a global business that connects people and trade throughout the world. Study topics like global tourism, marketing, aviation, safety and security and airline and airport commercial operations.

Find out more about Tourism and Aviation Management
Three students gathered around a desk smiling with one person taking notes
Full-time

BA (Hons) Events Management

Become a part of an industry that can affect the lives of millions. Hone your organisational skills and gain hands-on management experience. Put theory into practice through practical work and placements.

Find out more about Events Management
Sunderland Museum exterior on a sunny day
Full-time

BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management

Carve out your path to a career in a booming sector. Develop research skills alongside our ‘world-leading’ research team. Study the areas you’re passionate about with flexible modules. Graduate as a unique candidate.

Find out more about International Tourism and Hospitality Management
A student sitting at a computer, smiling
Full-time

BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management (Top-Up)

Top-up your Higher National Diploma or travel, tourism, or hospitality degree to a full degree with this one year course. Fully prepare yourself for a career in this fast-paced industry.

Find out more about International Tourism and Hospitality Management (Top-Up)
French Combined Subjects
Full-time

BSc (Hons) Tourism and Aviation Management with Integrated Foundation Year

This is a four-year version of BA (Hons) Tourism and Aviation Management. This course will give you both academic and practical insight into the fascinating sectors of tourism and aviation and will help to prepare you for a range of related careers. Cover key concept areas including marketing, global tourism, aviation safety and security, the environment and hospitality.

Find out more about BSc (Hons) Tourism and Aviation Management with Integrated Foundation Year
Air stewardess on check in desk
Full-time

BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management with Integrated Foundation Year

This is a four-year version of our popular BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management course, with an integrated foundation year. Carve out your path to a career in a booming sector. Develop research skills alongside our ‘world-leading’ research team. Study the areas you’re passionate about with flexible modules. Graduate as a unique candidate.

Find out more about BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management with Integrated Foundation Year
Historic buildings of a city at night
Full-time/Part-time

BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management via Study Centres

Do you dream of working in the tourism and hospitality industry? Take advantage of Sunderland’s expertise and study a reputable course without leaving your home country. Cover topics such as international tourism, hospitality management and cultural tourism, festivals, and events. On completion, join many of our graduates who work in managerial roles within the tourism and hospitality industry.

Find out more about International Tourism and Hospitality Management via Study Centres
A view across the River Wear towards Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's at night
Full-time/Part-time

BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management (Top-Up) via Study Centres

Benefit from Sunderland’s excellence in the teaching of tourism without leaving your home country. Learn the fundamentals of international hospitality management as you cover a broad range of topics such as strategic planning for tourism and leisure, e-tourism, and leadership and management for the hospitality industry.

Find out more about International Tourism and Hospitality Management (Top-Up) via Study Centres
Students sitting in a lecture theatre
Full-time/Part-time

Customised Awards Scheme

Pick and choose the modules you want to study to build a tailor-made course. Available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, this course allows you to gain a qualification that closely matches your particular needs.

Find out more about Customised Awards Scheme

Postgraduate courses

A view of a plane wing in the clouds
Full-time

MSc Sustainable Tourism

Delve into the contemporary issues surrounding the sustainability of regions, cultures and attractions of interest. Identify different theoretical approaches and consider what's best practice. Graduate with a wealth of specialist knowledge and employability skills.

Find out more about Sustainable Tourism
A student smiling
Full-time/Part-time

MSc Tourism and Events

Fast-track your career in a growing sector set to be worth £257 billion by 2025. Develop a critical understanding of the global complexity and range of impacts of the tourism, hospitality and events industries. 

Find out more about Tourism and Events
Students sitting in a classroom
Full-time/Part-time

MSc Tourism and Hospitality

Develop your theoretical and practical learning. Examine hospitality as a global industry. Create an independent piece of work and apply the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired on a course that's a member of the Institute of Hospitality’s Education Membership Scheme.

Find out more about Tourism and Hospitality
Group of students smiling, outdoors on campus
Full-time/Part-time

MSc Tourism and Aviation

An MSc is an internationally respected qualification – many of our students from Tourism, Hospitality and Events postgraduate courses have gone on to progress into senior roles within the industry. This master's course takes a social science approach to tourism and aviation and combines it with practical skills for the workplace. You'll complete theoretical modules Tourism Concepts and Issues and Research Methods for the Service Sector, and in the final phase of the course, you'll complete a major project personal to your interests and career aspirations.

Find out more about Tourism and Aviation
A student sitting at a computer, smiling
Full-time/Part-time

MSc Tourism and Hospitality via Study Centres

Do you live in Singapore? Do you want to study Tourism and Hospitality delivered by a respected UK university? This course will give you a head start in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Master's qualifications are highly sought after by employers and this MSc will equip you with the skills and knowledge to progress rapidly. Potential employers include hotel and resort management, attractions and museums, and destination marketing agencies.

Find out more about Tourism and Hospitality via Study Centres
Student in the library
Full-time/Part-time

MPhil Master of Philosophy

Take your education to the next level. Choose the areas you want to study, and which questions you want to research. Take the initiative while we support you with advice, guidance and facilities.

Find out more about MPhil Master of Philosophy
Medicine
Full-time/Part-time

PhD Doctor of Philosophy

Refine your own agenda and do what you find interesting every day. Develop mastery of research methods that are appropriate to your chosen field. Discover things that no-one else has ever discovered.

Find out more about PhD Doctor of Philosophy
A stack of books
Part-time

Higher Doctorate

Take your academic career to the highest level. Make a very significant and sustained contribution to your subject. Gain an elite qualification that will mark you out as an outstanding contributor to your field.

Find out more about Higher Doctorate
A book
Part-time

DProf Professional Doctorate

Study for a doctoral qualification based on your professional role. Reflect on contemporary issues in the workplace.

Find out more about DProf Professional Doctorate
A book
Part-time

PhD by Existing Published or Creative Work

Take the fastest route to a PhD. Convert your previous research outputs into a qualification which will increase your employability and open up new opportunities. Progress your academic career and add credibility in applications for research funding.

Find out more about PhD by Existing Published or Creative Work
A view of a plane wing in the clouds
Full-time/Part-time

MSc Sustainable Tourism via Study Centres

Delve into the contemporary issues surrounding the sustainability of regions, cultures and attractions of interest. Identify different theoretical approaches and consider what is best practice. Graduate with a wealth of specialist knowledge and employability skills.

Find out more about Sustainable Tourism via Study Centres
An over shoulder shot of students gathered on a field trip in the outdoors listening to the lecturer
Full-time

MSc Tourism Scheme Top-Up (DL)

Fast-track your career in a growing sector set to be worth £257 billion by 2025. Develop a critical understanding of the global complexity and range of impacts of the tourism, hospitality, aviation and events industry.

Find out more about MSc Tourism Scheme Top-Up (DL)

Research courses

Partner Centres

Historic buildings of a city at night
Full-time/Part-time

BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management via Study Centres

Do you dream of working in the tourism and hospitality industry? Take advantage of Sunderland’s expertise and study a reputable course without leaving your home country. Cover topics such as international tourism, hospitality management and cultural tourism, festivals, and events. On completion, join many of our graduates who work in managerial roles within the tourism and hospitality industry.

Find out more about International Tourism and Hospitality Management via Study Centres
A view across the River Wear towards Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's at night
Full-time/Part-time

BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management (Top-Up) via Study Centres

Benefit from Sunderland’s excellence in the teaching of tourism without leaving your home country. Learn the fundamentals of international hospitality management as you cover a broad range of topics such as strategic planning for tourism and leisure, e-tourism, and leadership and management for the hospitality industry.

Find out more about International Tourism and Hospitality Management (Top-Up) via Study Centres
A student sitting at a computer, smiling
Full-time/Part-time

MSc Tourism and Hospitality via Study Centres

Do you live in Singapore? Do you want to study Tourism and Hospitality delivered by a respected UK university? This course will give you a head start in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Master's qualifications are highly sought after by employers and this MSc will equip you with the skills and knowledge to progress rapidly. Potential employers include hotel and resort management, attractions and museums, and destination marketing agencies.

Find out more about Tourism and Hospitality via Study Centres
A view of a plane wing in the clouds
Full-time/Part-time

MSc Sustainable Tourism via Study Centres

Delve into the contemporary issues surrounding the sustainability of regions, cultures and attractions of interest. Identify different theoretical approaches and consider what is best practice. Graduate with a wealth of specialist knowledge and employability skills.

Find out more about Sustainable Tourism via Study Centres

Online

An over shoulder shot of students gathered on a field trip in the outdoors listening to the lecturer
Full-time

MSc Tourism Scheme Top-Up (DL)

Fast-track your career in a growing sector set to be worth £257 billion by 2025. Develop a critical understanding of the global complexity and range of impacts of the tourism, hospitality, aviation and events industry.

Find out more about MSc Tourism Scheme Top-Up (DL)

Discover more about Hospitality, Events, Aviation and Tourism