17

QAA Benchmark Statement(s)

The programme has been written to correspond closely with the:

• UK Quality Code for Higher Education (QAA 2018)

• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ)

And the following subject benchmarks have been used in designing the Module and Programme Outcomes of the BA (Hons) Tourism and Tourism Management:

• Subject Benchmark statement for Business and Management (QAA, 2023) QAA Benchmark statements.

• Subject Benchmark statement for Events, Hospitality, Leisure, Sport, and Tourism (EHLST-QAA Nov 2023.)

https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/subject-benchmark-statements/subject-benchmark-statement-business-and-management.pdf?sfvrsn=db39c881_5

https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/subject-benchmark-statements/subject-benchmark-statement-events-hospitality-leisure-sport-and-tourism

18

Programme Aim

The aims of the BA (Hons) Tourism and Business Management programme are to provide students with:

• A coherent and detailed theoretical knowledge and understanding of the general scope of tourism and business management as a discipline, its different areas (including functions) and applications, and its interactions with related subjects including (but not limited to) equality, diversity, and inclusion, social innovation, and social inclusion.

• A critical and systematic understanding of the essential theories, principles and concepts of the various subject(s) studied within the BA(Hons) Tourism and Business Management.

• The subject specific and professional skills to successfully engage in critical learning and research across a range of tourism and business-related subject areas using tools and techniques appropriate to the discipline, some of which are more specialised, advanced, and complex.

• Well-developed skills for the gathering, evaluation, analysis and presentation of information, ideas, concepts and quantitative and/or qualitative data, drawing on a wide range of current sources. This will include proven research and analytical skills as well as the use of ICT and emerging digital AI technologies as appropriate.

• A broad range of transferable employability-related skills including research, analysis, information-management, critical review of evidence, and the formulation of arguments and solutions to tourism and business-related problems.

Typically, holders of the BA (Hons)Tourism and Business Management will be able to:

• Use their knowledge, understanding and skills, in both identifying and analysing problems and issues and in formulating, evaluating, and applying evidence-based solutions and arguments.

• Communicate the results of their studies and other work accurately and reliably in a range of different contexts using the main specialist concepts, constructs, and techniques of the subject(s).

• Identify and address their own learning needs, including being able to draw on a range of current research, development, and professional materials.

• Apply their subject and transferable skills to contexts where criteria for decisions and the scope of the task may be well defined, but where personal responsibility, initiative and decision-making is also required.

The BA (hons) Tourism and Business Management degree programmes at ICON College of Technology and Management will also benefit from the articulated Foundation Year, which will raise the number of appropriately prepared learners. It aims to reduce the level of additional academic support that might otherwise be necessary for some learners.

19

Programme Specific Outcomes

Final Award Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of BA (Hons) Tourism and Business Management, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

• KU1: Demonstrate a comprehensive, detailed, and systematic knowledge and understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in the discipline of tourism and business management and broader global context of tourism and business.

• KU2: Exhibit a critical, confident, and evidence-based knowledge and understanding of the role of tourism and destination management, leadership, human resources, marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality management, and tour operations management in the effective and efficient functioning of tourism and business organisations.

• KU3: Evidence a conceptual understanding of relevant responsible and ethical issues in a range of tourism and business management contexts.

• KU4: Demonstrate a critical, confident, and evidence-based knowledge and understanding of a variety of contemporary and prevalent issues and their impact upon the management and leadership of tourism organisations, for example; equality, diversity and inclusion, social inclusion, and entrepreneurship.

Subject-specific and professional skills

• SPS1: Accurately deploy frameworks, theories and principles of leadership and management to propose effective resolutions to complex business and tourism problems.

• SPS2: Interpret a broad range of tourism and business data using statistical tools and procedures as appropriate.

• SPS3: Apply a critical understanding of the role of entrepreneurs including tourism and social entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, innovators and businesses owners, leaders, and managers in society.

• SPS4: Demonstrate the use of initiative, creativity, inclusivity, responsibility, and commercial acumen to develop proposals for successful tourism and business outcomes in dynamic situations.

• SPS5: Develop and engage in critical reflective practice for the purpose of developing personal responsibility in decision making in complex situations presented by a global marketplace.

Intellectual skills

• IS1: Evaluate and critically analyse data and information from a range of sources using appropriate qualitative and quantitative skills to make effective judgements about the challenges facing business and tourism organisations operating in a globalised marketplace.

• IS2: Select and apply knowledge and understanding of scholarly frameworks and theories to seek solution(s) to complex and sometimes unpredictable organisational problems in tourism.

• IS3: Work collaboratively demonstrating emotional intelligence and empathy, appropriate understanding, sensitivity, and understanding of culturally diverse organisations, cross cultural issues, diversity, and values.

• IS4: Utilise a variety of media including digital technology, to convey ideas and arguments effectively to a range of audiences, and demonstrate the ability to write, discuss and present arguments and ideas using appropriate academic conventions.

Transferable skills

• TS1: Communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions effectively to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

• TS2: Demonstrate the ability to independently find, critique, evaluate and use a wide range of information, data, or tools accurately in complex contexts.

• TS3: Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, and abstract concepts to identify and address organisational challenges.

• TS4: Demonstrate strong, responsible, and ethical digital literacy and its application in evidence-based decision making.

• TS5: Deploy numerical skills critically and effectively to interpret data, using it to evaluate, and model business and tourism problems.

20

Exit Award Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of a Certificate of Higher Education in Tourism and Business Management students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

• KU1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in the discipline of tourism and business management.

• KU2: Exhibit knowledge and understanding of the role of business leadership and management practices in the effective functioning of tourism organisations.

• KU3: Evidence an understanding of relevant ethical issues in a range of business and tourism contexts.

• KU4: Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of a variety of contemporary and prevalent issues and their impact upon the functions of tourism and business organisations.

Subject-specific and professional skills

• SPS1: Develop an understanding of the frameworks, theories and principles of leadership and management in business and tourism.

• SPS2: Demonstrate an ability to interpret financial data using financial procedures.

• SPS3: Develop an understanding of the role of entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, businesses owners, leaders, and managers in tourism within the society.

• SPS4: Develop an awareness of the interpersonal skills required for effective leadership and management in a professional context.

• SPS5: Demonstrate an ability to engage in reflective practice for the purpose of decision making.

Intellectual skills

• IS1: Present data and information from a range of sources in order to make effective judgements about the challenges faced in tourism and business organisations.

• IS2: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scholarly frameworks and theories to seek solutions in specified organisational scenarios.

• IS3: Demonstrate the use of initiative to develop proposals for successful outcomes in tourism and business projects.

• IS4: Utilise digital technology effectively and demonstrate the ability to write, discuss and present knowledge and understanding using appropriate academic conventions.

Transferable skills

• TS1: Communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions using a variety of established business techniques.

• TS2: Demonstrate the ability to independently find, evaluate and use a wide range of information and data in specified contexts.

• TS3: Demonstrate an ability to evaluate arguments, assumptions, and abstract concepts in order to identify and address tourism and business problems.

• TS4: Demonstrate an understanding of responsible and ethical digital literacy and its application.

• TS5: Demonstrate an understanding of how numerical skills can be used to interpret data in order to make sound judgements in accordance with basic theories and concepts.

On successful completion of a Diploma of Higher Education in Tourism and Business Management students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

• KU1: Demonstrate a knowledge and a critical understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in the discipline of tourism and business management and broader global context of tourism and business.

• KU2: Exhibit a critical and analytical evidence-based knowledge and understanding of the role of leadership and management practices in the effective and efficient functioning of organisations.

• KU3: Evidence a critical understanding of relevant responsible and ethical issues in a range of business and tourism contexts.

• KU4: Demonstrate a critical awareness and understanding of a variety of contemporary and prevalent issues and their impact upon the management of tourism and business organisations, for example: change leadership and risk management.

Subject-specific and professional skills

• SPS1: Develop an understanding of frameworks, theories and principles of leadership and management in order to propose effective resolutions to complex business and tourism problems.

• SPS2: Demonstrate an ability to Interpret a range of business and tourism data using statistical functions and procedures.

• SPS3: Develop an applied understanding of the role of organisations, entrepreneurs, businesses owners, leaders, and managers in society.

• SPS4: Demonstrate the use of initiative, creativity, and commercial acumen to evaluate strategies and risks in complex organisational situations in business and tourism.

• SPS5: Demonstrate an ability to engage in reflective practice for the purpose of decision making in complex organisational situations in tourism and business.

Intellectual skills

• IS1: Present, evaluate and analyse data and information from a range of sources in order to make effective judgements about the challenges facing tourism sector business organisations.

• IS2: Demonstrate an ability to critically select knowledge and understanding of scholarly frameworks and theories to propose solutions in specified organisational scenarios.

• IS3: Work collaboratively demonstrating emotional intelligence and empathy, appropriate understanding, sensitivity, and understanding of culturally diverse organisations.

• IS4: Utilise a digital technology, to convey ideas and arguments effectively to a range of audiences, and demonstrate the ability to write, discuss and present arguments and ideas using appropriate academic conventions.

Transferable skills

• TS1: Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

• TS2: Demonstrate the ability to independently find, apply, evaluate, and use a wide range of information, data, or tools accurately in specified contexts.

• TS3: Demonstrate the ability to evaluate arguments, assumptions, and abstract concepts to identify and address business and tourism problems.

• TS4: Demonstrate responsible and ethical digital literacy.

• TS5: Deploy numerical skills effectively to interpret data, using it to evaluate business and tourism problems.

21a

Structures, modes of delivery (eg FT/PT etc), levels, credits, awards, curriculum map of all modules (identifying core/option status, credits, pre or co-requisites) potential entry/exit points and progression/award requirements

Semester 1

14 weeks

Core:

FDY009_1.0

Academic Skills

28 weeks

Core:

FDY010_1.0

Introduction to Higher Education

14 weeks

Option 1:

FDY012_1.0

Working with Evidence

11 weeks

Option 2:

FDY013_1.0

Introduction to Data

11 weeks

Semester 2

14 weeks

Core:

FDY011_1.0

Critical Thinking and Engagement

14 weeks

Option 1:

FDY014_1.0

Big Thinkers and Ideas

11 weeks

Option 2:

FDY015_1.0

Community and Social Purpose

11 weeks

21b

Module Structure

Core & Optional Modules

Code

Status

Module Title

Period
(number)

No of credits

FDY009_1.0

CORE

Academic Skills

1 & 2 (Autumn & Spring)

N/A

FDY010_1.0

CORE

Introduction to Higher Education

1 (Autumn)

N/A

FDY011_1.0

CORE

Critical Thinking and Engagement

2 (Spring)

N/A

FDY012_1.0

Optional

Working with Evidence

1 (Autumn)

N/A

FDY013_1.0

Optional

Introduction to Data

1 (Autumn)

N/A

FDY014_1.0

Optional

Big Thinkers and Ideas

2 (Spring)

N/A

FDY015_1.0

Optional

Community and Social Purpose

2 (Spring)

N/A

Module Code

Module Title

Credits

Indicative
Assessment Type and weighting

Indicative

Submission

Indicative Assessment Date

FDY009_1.0

Academic Skills

N/A

Portfolio

50%

1500 words

Sem 1

November

Portfolio

50%

1500 words

Sem 2

April

FDY010_1.0

Introduction to Higher Education

N/A

Portfolio

100%

1500 words

Sem 1

January

FDY012_1.0

Working with Evidence (Option)

N/A

Poster

100%

1500 words equivalent

Sem 1

January

FDY013_1.0

Introduction to Data (Option)

N/A

Poster

100%

1500 words equivalent

Sem 1

January

FDY011_1.0

Critical Thinking and Engagement

N/A

Essay OR Report

100%

2000 words

Sem 2

May

FDY014_1.0

Big Thinkers and Ideas (Option)

N/A

Presentation

100%

10 mins + 5 mins Q&A

Sem 2

May

FDY015_1.0

Community and Social Purpose (Option)

N/A

Presentation

100%

10 mins + 5 mins Q&A

Sem 2

May

21a

Structures, modes of delivery (eg FT/PT etc), levels, credits, awards, curriculum map of all modules (identifying core/option status, credits, pre or co-requisites) potential entry/exit points and progression/award requirements
 

Semester 1

TOR 41126

The Contemporary Tourism and Hospitality Industry 15

BUS41523

Marketing Fundamentals 15

BUS41623

An Introduction to Human Resource Management 15

TOR42126

Tourism Management Principles and Concepts 15

Semester 2

BUS41823

Finance and Business Performance 15

BUS41723

An Introduction to Leadership and Management 15

TOR43126

Destination Strategy-Case Study 15

TOR44126

Understanding Global Tourism Environment 15

Level 5

Semester 1

BUS53123

Exploring strategy and Risk Management 15

TOR51126

The Business of Tour Operations 15

BUS5323

An Introduction to Organisations 15

TOR 52126

Responsible and Sustainable Management in Tourism 15

Semester 2

TOR53126

Tourism Impacts and Challenges 15

TOR54126

Managing Quality and Customer Service 15

BUS53523

Change Leadership and Decision Making 15

BUS51922

Digital Marketing Strategies 15

Level 6

Semester 1

TOR61126

Tourism Dissertation 30

Research Methods and proposal (Semester 1) Research Project and write up (Semester 2)

BUS63123

Exploring Professional Practice 15

TOR62126

Tourism Business Start-up 15

BUS63023

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Workplace 15

Semester 2

BUS63323

Social Innovation, Social Inclusion & Entrepreneurship 15

TOR63126

International Hospitality Operations 15

TOR64126

Crisis Management in Tourism 15

Core Modules

Code

Status

Module Title

Semester

No of credits

TOR41126

Mandatory

The Contemporary Tourism and Hospitality Industry

1

15

BUS41523

Mandatory

Marketing Fundamentals

1

15

BUS41623

Mandatory

An Introduction to Human Resource Management

1

15

TOR42126

Mandatory

Tourism Management Principles and Concepts

1

15

BUS41823

Mandatory

Finance and Business Performance

2

15

BUS41723

Mandatory

An Introduction to Leadership and Management

2

15

TOR43126

Mandatory

Destination Strategy-Case Study

2

15

TOR44126

Mandatory

Understanding Global Tourism Environment

2

15

Core Modules

Code

Status

Module Title

Semester

No of credits

BUS53123

Mandatory

Exploring strategy and Risk Management

1

15

TOR51126

Mandatory

The Business of Tour Operations

1

15

BUS53223

Mandatory

An Introduction to Organisations

1

15

TOR52126

Mandatory

Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Management

1

15

TOR53126

Mandatory

Tourism Impacts and Challenges

2

15

TOR54126

Mandatory

Managing Quality and Customer Service

2

15

BUS53523

Mandatory

Change Leadership and Decision Making

2

15

BUS51922

Mandatory

Digital Marketing Strategies

2

15

Core Modules

Code

Status

Module Title

Semester

No of credits

TOR61126

Mandatory

Tourism Dissertation Semester 1

1

-

BUS63123

Mandatory

Exploring Professional Practice

1

15

TOR62126

Mandatory

Tourism Business Start-up

1

15

BUS63023

Mandatory

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Workplace

1

15

TOR61126

Mandatory

Tourism Dissertation-Continued

2

30

BUS63323

Mandatory

Social Innovation, Social Inclusion & Entrepreneurship

2

15

TOR63126

Mandatory

International Hospitality Operations

2

15

TOR64126

Mandatory

Crisis Management in Tourism

2

15

22

Curriculum Design

The curriculum has been designed in line with the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Events, Hospitality, Leisure, Sport, and Tourism (EHLST-QAA Nov 2023), and Business and Management (QAA 2023) and aims to develop enquiring, critical and reflective students that respond well to challenge enabling them to contribute proactively to the world of private business, public or ‘third’ sector organisations, the main tourism and business-related professions, self-employment, including tourism related and the wider society and environment within which businesses and tourism organisations operate.

In the first year, at Level 4, students will study eight 15-credit tourism and business modules that give them a solid foundation for further study. As there is no pre-requisite to have studied Tourism or Business previously, students are introduced to the contemporary tourism and hospitality industry along with other modules such as tourism management principles and concepts as well as the core business modules such as human resource management and marketing fundamentals. In Semester 2, students study modules centred around core tourism subjects, including destination concepts along with leadership and finance.

With a solid foundation in both tourism and business. at Levels 5, students will study a diverse array of contemporary 15-credit modules before proceeding to the next level. Here, students are introduced the concept of organisations in business and change leadership leading to exploring decision making process in tourism and business organisations. Moreover, students will be exposed the concept of quality management and customer service in tourism organisations in semester 2. Furthermore, students on the programme will be exposed to the business of tour operations and digital marketing as well. Also, students will be challenged to act in line with the ethos of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through the modules of responsible and sustainability tourism management as they explore the beneficial and adverse impacts of tourism.

At level 6, through the module of professional practice, students will understand the importance of professionalism in the tourism sector operations while maintaining a professional development plan. Also, based on the preparation in their previous year, students now have the opportunity to put together and present a sound implementation plan for the proposed business start-up project while reflecting on social innovation and inclusion in entrepreneurship. In the second semester, all students complete a module in International hospitality operation along with an exposure to crisis management in tourism and hospitality.

Moreover, the 30-credit module of dissertation in tourism affords students the opportunity to undertake a research project in tourism or related tourism related business management discipline and thus develop their research and analytical as well as project management skills. Students will use their methodology skills that they learned in semester 1 to carry out the research project. Dissertation students will be encouraged and supported by their module tutor to undertake their projects in a chosen tourism or related management field of personal interest allied to a discipline that reflects their career goals. The curriculum maps to the Lincoln Bishop University Graduate Attributes Award further promotes the completion of the Graduate Attributes Excellence Award in the Level 6 module ‘Professional Practice.’ Thus, the programme structure aligns to the development of Lincoln Bishop University Graduate attributes as follows:

1: Academic Literacies - students are enabled to develop academic literacy through engagement with evaluating and synthesizing original empirical research into their assignments. These skills are developed from the start of study at Level 4 with an increase in complexity in the types of sources used through the course of study. Additionally, assessments are specifically designed to support students in developing their academic competency, with levels of complexity increasing as the students’ progress through the programme.

2: Global Citizenship – Students will develop a global perspective of Tourism and Business through specific modules such as ‘Understanding Global Tourism Environment,’ Responsible and Sustainable Management of Tourism,’ and ‘International Hospitality Operations’. Furthermore, as mentioned previously the curriculum is reinforced by its commitment to uphold the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).

3: Information Literacy – Information literacy will be developed throughout the programme although specifically in modules such as ‘Tourism Dissertation’ in which students will be required to independently search for academic sources through for example electronic library databases and Google Scholar.

4: Digital Fluency – Assessments are designed to support students in developing digital fluency through a range of assessments including narrated PowerPoints and through employing a commercial understanding of digital skills to produce a digital marketing plan in the level 5 module Digital Marketing Strategies. The teaching team will also model the use of technology through session delivery as appropriate.

5: Employability – Employability is a key focus of the course, and a balance has been sought between creating a vocational course while meeting the demands of degree level study. As graduate attributes are embedded into all modules, it is anticipated that all students will develop the transferable skills necessary for employment / self-employment / portfolio careers. The modules that form the programme have been designed to build and enhance employability skills reflecting employer needs. Carrying out assignments as well as other modes of assessments such as class presentations encompass several hours of independent work activity involving the development of new and creative tourism and business concepts that are commercially feasible and pitching to investors, and thus leading to building key transferable skills required for self-employment and by graduate employers.

6: Being Enterprising – the course discipline coupled with the practical nature and characteristics of the course means that students are supported to develop creative problem-solving skills through directed independent learning. BA (Hons) Tourism and Business Management students have the benefit of studying Entrepreneurship through business start-up module. These modules provide students with the opportunity to develop more commercially minded enterprise skills. Throughout the programme, students will be challenged to develop intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial thinking and competency.

23

Learning and Teaching Strategies

• Moving from the foundation programme, year 1 (level 4) teaching and learning helps students acclimatise to Higher Education and supports them through the different types of assessment they will engage with throughout the duration of the programme. Alongside the study skills taught by the programme’s tutors, generalised and individual study skills support is provided by the delivering tutors and the academic team in various forms.

• Induction/transition sessions are included at the college on commencing level 4, 5 and 6, to support student expectations of the progressive academic requirements of each level of study.

• Within the programme, modules are taught by tutors with relevant professional knowledge, experience, and qualifications in both tourism and business management. Tutors will employ a range of teaching strategies that include interactive lectures, seminars/workshops and tutorials and use web-based tools to enable learners to engage with module content and issues related to assessments.

• E-resources such as e-library, e-books, and web-based materials and a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) are used to support and augment in-person teaching, learning and assessment through activities such as directed reading. ICON VLE remains an active part of student learning and teaching process.

• As appropriate to the module and content, the teaching team will utilise opportunities to teach students both in whole group situations and smaller seminar groups. In smaller group tasks, students are encouraged to peer-support one another through group projects, dialogue and collaborative learning.

• Student cohorts enter the course with a range of experiences, skills and/or qualifications. To support the students’ variable needs, teaching and learning is differentiated. For example, key concepts may be contextualised to the students’ professional experiences, through discussions relating to practice and practical activities. The aim is to create authentic, collaborative learning experiences within the classroom and independent study environments.

• Guest/visiting tutors from within ICON College, partner university and/or from local and national statutory, private and voluntary organisations in the tourism sector might also be utilised to support subject-currency and expose students to wider perspectives and/or specialised knowledge, where appropriate to do so.

• Students are supported by individual and group tutorials that are embedded into each module.

• Students will be exposed to the real-world experience through industrial and tourism destination visits so that their learning can be enhanced.

• Module assignments and other assessment tools are designed to further enhance and facilitate the entire students’ learning process and engage in ethical research practices, enrich their analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills that are necessary for gaining employment in the tourism sector.

24

Assessment Strategies

Module assessments provide opportunities for students to acquire, develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, subject specific, intellectual, and transferable skills. A range of assessments, both formative and summative, are used which are relevant to the individual demands of the subject matter and enable students to participate in a varied and engaging educational experience. Assessments are used to appropriately test and encourage students to apply different areas of knowledge and demonstrate a wide range of skills, including their competency in applying digital technology and tools of artificial intelligence but being aware of the limitations and ethical boundary.

Students are assessed by a single piece of summative assessment within each module in most cases and two pieces of assessment in a few modules that may include a presentation along with a written coursework. Across to the programme workload for students is also carefully managed through the effective scheduling of assessments and the use of a consistent rubric.

For written work consisting of a single piece of assessment at Level 4 a rubric of 2,000 words per 15 credits is applied. Similarly, at Level 5, a rubric of 2,500 words per 15 credits is applied and at Level 6 a rubric of 3,000 words per 15 credits is applied. For presentations, at Level 5, a rubric of 15 minutes per 15 credit is applied and at Level 6 a rubric of 20 minutes per 15 credits is applied.

Group work is not used as a summative assessment strategy although students can expect to work with others throughout the duration of their programme. Furthermore, formative assessment strategies will be employed throughout the programmes duration to monitor student learning and understanding, and to ensure that learners are in receipt of ongoing dialogue and feedback on their learning and progress. Learners will be engaged as partners in this process and will develop skills such as self-assessment and peer-assessment. Students’ knowledge, skills and critical understanding of the subject are assessed as follows: