Tourism and Aviation Management with Integrated Foundation Year
Tourism and aviation management brings together two of the most dynamic and globally significant industries, examining how people move around the world and how the sectors that facilitate that movement are organised, managed, and sustained. Tourism is one of the world's largest economic activities, generating income and employment across hospitality, attractions, destinations, and transport infrastructure. Aviation is its critical enabler, and the management of airlines, airports, and air travel systems involves complex logistics, commercial strategy, regulation, and an increasing focus on environmental sustainability.
Studying both together gives you a genuinely integrated understanding of the global travel industry.
At the University of Sunderland this four-year full-time programme begins with an integrated foundation year, which provides a smooth and supportive entry into degree-level study. You will develop knowledge across tourism management, destination development, airline operations, airport management, and the business principles that underpin both sectors. You will examine the economic, environmental, and cultural dimensions of tourism and aviation, and engage with the challenges the industries face in managing growth, sustainability, and changing consumer behaviour.
The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, giving you extensive professional and international experience alongside your academic studies.
Graduates from tourism and aviation management programmes work in airlines, airports, travel agencies, tour operators, destination marketing organisations, hotels, and public sector bodies focused on tourism development and transport policy. Roles in operations management, marketing, revenue management, and customer experience are all common career paths. Some graduates go on to postgraduate study in tourism, hospitality management, or business administration, while others build careers in the rapidly evolving sustainable tourism and aviation sectors.