Tourism and Aviation Management

Tourism and aviation management is a degree that addresses two of the most globally significant and interconnected industries in the modern economy. Tourism is one of the world's largest sectors, encompassing the movement of billions of people across the globe for leisure, business, culture, and healthcare, and requiring the coordination of transport, accommodation, attractions, and services on an enormous scale. Aviation is both the infrastructure that enables modern tourism and a major industry in its own right, encompassing airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers, and the complex regulatory and operational frameworks that keep the world's air travel system functioning.

At the University of Sunderland you will study this three-year programme with a foundation year option for students who need additional preparation. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, giving you direct professional experience in the tourism and aviation industries and international exposure before you graduate. You will engage with field trips in the UK and abroad that bring the industries to life, alongside study of management, marketing, operations, finance, and the specific knowledge of the tourism and aviation sectors that professional roles require.

Graduates work in airlines, airports, tour operators, travel agencies, destination management organisations, hotel and hospitality companies, cruise lines, and the growing world of sustainable and adventure tourism. Roles include flight operations manager, airport services manager, tourism marketing executive, destination experience coordinator, travel product manager, and aviation business analyst. The combination of tourism and aviation knowledge gives graduates versatility across two related but distinct industries.

Postgraduate study in tourism management, aviation management, hospitality, or international business is an option for those who wish to develop specialist expertise or move into senior management roles. The sector offers internationally mobile careers in one of the world's most geographically diverse industries.