English Bachelor's Degree

International Tourism and Leisure

Mechelen

English

Also available in:
Dutch
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Turn your passion for travel into a genuine profession

  • Unique, full English programme in Tourism and Hospitality Management to prepare you for your international future.
  • Transform your love for travel into a thriving career in the dynamic world of international tourism and hospitality.
  • Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary to create transformative solutions in this fast-evolving industry. 
  • Learn to apply disruptive business models, to design innovative, memorable travel experiences and unique tourism products, that have a sustainable impact on the tourism ecosystem.
  • Discover emerging trends in this fast evolving industry, and identify solutions that support inclusive and sustainable tourism development.
  • Elevate your international network by creating valuable professional connections while you study, giving yourself a head start in the competitive job market. 
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Choose your programme type

International Tourism and Leisure

  • Are you taking this course in a full-time program? You can complete your studies in three years.
  • You will take 180 credits divided into three phases.
  • You take classes during the week in daytime classes.
  • Grow and nurture your multilingual, multicultural and multidisciplinary skills during an unforgettable international study exchange and an inspiring international internship.
  • Get the flexibility to start this 6-semester programme either in February or September.

 

Practical information

  • Duration

    3 years (6 semesters)

  • Credits

    180 ECTS

  • Where

    On campus

Programme

  • Phase 1 | Here, we establish the groundwork for our cutting-edge travel and tourism programme, ensuring you gain a comprehensive industry perspective through a curriculum that includes classes on tourism, languages, management, and communication.
  • Phase 2 | From phase 2 onwards, you will further develop your commercial flair and financial insight. As well, you'll get an immersive learning experience during the courses Immersive Tourist Experiences Lab (SEM 1) and Strategic Hospitality lab (SEM2). Connecting theoretical concepts and trends with practice and within a simulated environment.
  • Phase 3| During phase 3, you will get to know various players in the Corporate Travel Management sector and work on a real-life assignment during the course Corporate Travel lab.  Additionally, you'll be prepared to effectively tackle your bachelor project and embark on your 15-week international internship.

Below you can find an overview of the courses ( under reservation of changes), with the number of credits per phase. Credits express how many hours you need on average to process the subject matter (incl. lessons). Count about 25 to 30 hours for 1 study credit. 

  • We have explained the most important courses in a blue tooltip.  
  • Would you like to know the detailed content of each subject? Check the programme guide.

 

Fase 1 2 3
TOURISM AND LEISURE
Tourism Destinations i 3
Tourism Fundamentals i 3
Travel Accommodations i 3
Business Travel Fundamentals i 3
Culture & Art Topics i 3
Destination Management and Incoming Tourism i 3
Hospitality Basics i 3
Tourism Exploration Project i 3
Trends in Tourism i 3
Aviation Lab i 3
Design Thinking in Tourism i 3
Immersive Tourist Experiences Lab i 6
International Tourism Project i 3
Tourism Research i 3
Travel Technology 3
Strategic Hospitality Lab i 6
Leading Transformation i 3
Hospitality Business & Experience i 3
Corporate Travel Lab i 6
Crisis & Quality Management in Tourism i 3
Sustainable Tourism Development i 3
BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT
AI Tools i 3
Business Fundamentals 3
Fase 1 2 3
Digital Skills i 3
Marketing Fundamentals in Tourism 3
Introduction to Financial Management 3
Business Intelligence Fundamentals 3
Financial Management in Tourism 3
Web Content & Design i 3
BI Tourism Lab i 3
Corporate Social Responsibility 3
(E-)Marketing in Tourism 3
Tourism Legislation and Regulations i 3
COMMUNICATION & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Personal Development i 3
Intercultural Communication in Tourism 3
Business Communication Topics 3
Management Skills i 3
Sales skills in Tourism 3
Personal Branding i 3
LANGUAGES i 12 6
Major language choices (French - Spanish - Chinese - German - Dutch)
AT WORK
Bachelor Project i 7
Internship i 23
MORE À LA CARTE
Electives 3 3

This programme offers a February start date and guarantees a 6-semester (3-year) study path.  Check the  admission requirements for international degree students,  apply and you’re in! Of course, we’ll organise Welcome Days for you too!

Need some advice before deciding when to start?

We understand that you may need some more personal guidance when making a decision on your start date. We’ve got you covered! Check out our  Meet us page to connect with us through webinars, open days and more!

Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to the programme manager of your programme. Plus, our admissions team  and international support are always there  to help you with more general questions!

 

 

For an overview of the courses  and the organisation of the semesters, check our programme guide and choose the option 'Start February'.

 

Eyecatchers

Let’s connect

Immerse yourself into the global community when you choose for an international study exchange in phase 2 of the 3-year programme and embark on an international internship in phase 3 of the 3-year programme or in the short programme. With over 100 partner schools and an extensive internship database, your possibilities are boundless. Steer towards an exciting international career in the Tourism, Travel or Hospitality sector.

Learn from professionals

Dive into the world of hands-on learning through real projects, co-created with industry professionals. Elevate your experience with a spectrum of exciting extracurricular activities, including the EuroChrie University Challenge, Young Hospitality Summit and exclusive workshops with industry partners. Your education extends far beyond the textbooks, propelling you towards a future enriched with practical wisdom and industry connections.

Future proof study

The evolving nature of this exciting industry is driven by changing trends. By using  highly relevant teaching content curated by organisations like GBTA, UNWTO, and co-created with industry partners, we commit that you receive a comprehensive education responsive to evolving needs of this diverse sector, so you are fully prepared to become the 'Hospitality Innovator' or 'Tourism Experience Architect' of Tomorrow.

In practice
 

Thanks to our Partners in Education network, we are privileged and able to invite top industry guest lecturers during several classes and seminars. You can learn from the experts first-hand, in the classroom, online or during field trips.

In the last semester of your studies, you will work full-time for 15 weeks during an instructive internship abroad. This is your chance to prove yourself and build further on your network.

In addition to your degree, you have the opportunity to earn an internationally recognized certificate in the aviation and/or travel industry by completing IATA courses. Thomas More stands as the sole recognized certification center in Belgium. 

Go international
 

Going international is key. You will have classes with students from various countries. This will help you develop intercultural and multilingual skills to be fully prepared for a fantastic international career.You can opt for ACEEPT, a short-term international project organised by and for tourism students of our international partners. You will learn even more tricks of the trade going abroad on your international study exchange and by selecting an internship that is aligned with your professional aspirations. For your international study exchange, we offer you a wide variety of 80 partner schools, within and outside of Europe, so you can really pick the right match. In the last semester of your studies, you will work full-time for 15 weeks during your international internship. We provide a jam-packed internship database or you apply for your own internship. These international experiences will help you become a true globetrotter.

 

Studenten klaar voor vertrek in Centraal Station

Personal coaching

Yes, we care. During your time here, you can count on a whole support team to truly make you feel at home at Thomas More. Our study Counsellors, Student Services (STUVO), all of our lecturers and many more will personally guide you to ensure that you blend in from the beginning and prosper so that we help you to deploy and nurture your talents. You will never feel alone.

Got questions?

Programme coordinator

Liesbeth Uvin

For all your questions on the content and promotion of the programme.

liesbeth.uvin@thomasmore.be +32 15 68 83 13
Programme manager

Rudy Geens

Questions about the programme.

rudy.geens@thomasmore.be
Study path coach/coordinator & inclusion coordinator

Ariane Buysschaert

Questions about your individual study programme & on studying with use of facilities.

ariane.buysschaert@thomasmore.be
Admissions

Admissions Officer

For all your questions about Admissions & Application.
Available by phone 9.00 - 15.00

admissions@thomasmore.be +32 15 36 92 50

The word: our students tell us

Studying in Mechelen

Mechelen is hip and happening. A student-sized city. With a cappuccino on the go from the station to campus. After your exam, lunch in the sun and a quick visit to the shop. Back into the learning centre to study, quickly drop off books at kot and you can leave to party! In Mechelen, everything is close by. #2800love, indeed!

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