Courses in

The tourism industry is an exciting and varied industry with many opportunities, both at home and abroad. 

This course will prepare you for many of the business roles available in the tourism industry.

You will develop skills appropriate to both operational and supervisory levels. The course will also develop entrepreneurial skills to facilitate new business start-ups and, in today’s economic climate, these skills will prove invaluable upon graduation. 

Students can expect to participate in a significant number of field trips which will support college-based learning activities.

For more information on why so many people choose to study and work in tourism, check out these websites:

Tourism Insight - provides valuable insights for secondary school students interested in tourism, including career options within the tourism industry.

Get a Life in Tourism - the insiders’ guide to working in the tourism industry.

Year 1 - Semester 1

• Introduction to Tourism
• Communications and Customer Care
• Information Technology
• Learning and Innovation Skills

Year 1 -Semester 2

• Hospitality Industry Skills
• Management Principles
• Information Technology 2
• Tourism Geography

Year 1 - Yearlong module

• History, Heritage and Culture in the Tourism Industry

It is vital for any student wishing to pursue a career in tourism to have a second language.  Therefore, students must choose to study a Language & Culture module in one of the following languages: French, German, Spanish, or Gaeilge).  Prior study of a language is not required.

Field trips are a key component of this programme and students will be given a full schedule of trips at the beginning of the year.

Work placement 1 – 12-weeks after year one examinations (normally June, July, and August). This is to take place in Ireland and is supported and co-ordinated by the LINKS office in conjunction with the student.

Year 2 - Semester 3

• International Tourism
• Marketing Principles
• Introduction to Accounting and Business Maths
• Placement Reflection and Reporting

Year 2 - Semester 4

• Introduction to Tourism Law
• Tourism Industry Skills
• Financial Accounting

Year 2 - Yearlong module

• Guiding

Field trips are again a key component of year two and students engage fully with the trips as part of their guiding module.

In Year 2, students are encouraged to continue studying an international language during the remainder of the programme should they wish to progress to the Level 7 programme. Alternatively, students can continue chose the Travel Trade module.

Students wishing to progress to the Level 7 Bachelor of Business in International Tourism Management will be required to complete a second work placement after year 2 examinations.

Work placement 2 – 12-weeks after Year 2 examinations (normally June, July, and August). This is to take place in an international destination and is supported and co-ordinated by the LINKS office in conjunction with the student.

Upon completion of this course you will be capable of undertaking a wide range of roles within the tourism industry, both at home and abroad.

The course will also provide a foundation for the development of entrepreneurial activities.

The inclusion of modern European languages will also aid your mobility within the European Union and further afield.

Graduates of this course may progress to the third year of the Bachelor of Business in International Tourism Management programme (Level 7) and subsequently the Bachelor of Business (Hons) in International Tourism Management programme (Level 8). 

Students take part in a mandatory International Field Trip to a European destination in year three of the Level 7 & 8 programmes.

Work Placement

• At the end of year one, there is a ten week mandatory work placement in an approved Irish tourism business, organised by the LINKS office in conjunction with the student.
• If students are considering an international career, the College would encourage students to study an international language during their two years of study and to complete their international placement in a location that supports the development of the language.

Field Trip Destinations include:

• Inis Mór, Aran Islands
• Connemara and the Oughterard Heritage Walk
• Walking and food tour of Galway city
• Dublin – Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery, Airbnb, etc.
• Walking Tour of Limerick & King John’s Castle
• Clonmacnoise, Lough Boora, and Newgrange
• The Burren & the Cliffs of Moher

* on occasion students will be asked to contribute towards the cost of bus hire, visitor attraction admission, guides, etc.

International Links

The college has extensive international links with hotels, tourism organisations, educational organisations and many hotel college associations such as Association of European Hotel & Tourism schools (AEHT) and the Council for Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (CHRIE). In addition, links with EU and American colleges also open up exciting possibilities for periods of exchange study and work.

Additional Costs

View Student Costs for First Years (PDF).