Practical is the keyword: learning by doing! 60% of the International Tourism Management bachelor programme has a practical focus. The curriculum was designed in collaboration with trade association ANVR, the Fellowship for Event Managers and Thuiswinkel.org and experts from the field. This ensures the study programme ties in well with the sector’s needs and the latest trends.
Curriculum
Below, you will find an overview of the courses and projects you will attend at Tio’s International Tourism Management bachelor’s degree. The curriculum is divided into five components: international tourism, event management, e-commerce & management, intercultural communication and internship & final thesis.
Given the importance of having international experience, you complete at least one component of your study programme abroad (e.g. an internship, graduation project or an international exchange programme).
International tourism
Travel destinations, tour operating and tour management: expertise is the foundation needed to provide custom solutions. You will learn all there is to know about tourism, leisure and business trips and you will visit renowned organisations in the industry. You will put your knowledge into practice during the Tourism Business Innovation project that is hosted in cooperation with the branch association ANVR.
You will immediately put your knowledge of tour management and destination management into practice. Together with a team of fellow students, you will compose two trips: an incentive trip and a group holiday. The team with the best trip will get the opportunity to actually go on that trip. As a future travel professional, you will also organise your own study trips in the first and second academic year. Each group is given a budget with which to compose, book and carry out the trip.
Company visits
Visiting a tour operator, travel agency, trade fairs and/or ferry company. Visiting a business travel agency, trade fair, conference and/or tour operator.
International study trips
Trips within Europe. Together with your fellow students you carry out research into the possibilities for further development in the tourist industry. In the third year you visit partner universities, attend international lectures, conduct case studies and visit multinationals.
Destination management
The mapping of a destination. Positioning, communicating and building a (brand) name for vivid destinations.
Tourism business innovation
During the project Tourism business innovation you battle in teams to give the best advice. Your team will be presented with problem cases from various travel agencies. You present your opinion as original as possible.
E-touroperating & business travel
You will be trained for developing a tourism product, e.g. an incentive trip or a business trip. The entire tour operating process is covered: purchasing, production, distribution, and sales.
Tour operating
In collaboration with a fellow student you put a unique trip together for two people. The team with the best travel plan gets to pack their suitcases and go off on this trip themselves.
Guest lectures
Three guest lecture days, workshops given by experts from within the industry.
Law and tourism
International law, private law, public law, tax law, company law, employment law.
Tourism and leisure
Forming the way one spends one’s leisure time, tourism issues, sustainable tourism, influence of tourism on the economy and society.
The course Tourism Theory and Research provides an insight into tourism from a scientific perspective. In addition to knowledge of tourism in general, attention is also paid to more transcending topics such as the economic, social and cultural consequences of tourism and sustainability.
Tour management
Guidance during a trip, preparing a tour/trip, group processes, briefing.
You get introduced to the Dutch travel industry. Basic concepts and travel-related jargon are taught. You will get acquainted with various travel organisations, their diverse offerings and other travel-related organisations and products.
Travel destinations
From the Caribbean to Japan and from South Africa to Patagonia. Everything concerning the most important touristic places of interest.
| Courses | Projects |
|---|---|
Company visits0 | International study trips6 |
Destination management4 | Tourism business innovation4 |
E-touroperating & business travel4 | Tour operating6 |
Guest lectures1 | |
Law and tourism2 | |
Tourism and leisure4 | |
Tourism theory & research4 | |
Tour management2 | |
Travel and product knowledge2 | |
Travel destinations2 |
* EC stands for European Credit. One EC equals a workload of 28 hours. Subject to changes.
Event management
Tourism involves much more than just booking a trip. MICE has become an inseparable part of the tourism sector. Event management is therefore an important aspect of the International Tourism Management bachelor’s degree.
Attending events
Visiting an event, backstage analysis and providing feedback with suggestions for improvement.
Incentive & event travel
Create an incentive travel plan for seven people, one that is as challenging and original as possible. The budget is one thousand euros per person. The group with the best trip gets to go on it free of charge.
Creative concept design
The creation of a business concept in the field of tourism or events. Devise and present an unforgettable experience.
Event management
During Event Management course, you will meet the world of event management. You get introduced to the sector, the management style and various suppliers. You will also look at event agencies, specific risks and the various event forms with their characteristics.
Event management advanced
During the course Event Management Advanced you will increase your knowledge of the course Event Management. The study unit consists of 5 themes:
- Branding & live communication
- City marketing
- International Events
- Trends and developments
- Safety and events logistics
Marketing
Analysis of trends and developments, competition analysis, swot-analysis, confrontation matrix. Strategic analyses, marketing mix, operational marketing plan, strategic plan.
Master classes
Divers master classes in event management, marketing and tourism. For example a workshop at a travel agency.
Meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions (MICE)
Event management involving large groups, obviously well planned in advance, are brought together for a specific purpose.
| Courses | Projects |
|---|---|
Attending events0 | Incentive & event travel2 |
Creative concept design2 | |
Event management2 | |
Event management advanced4 | |
Marketing12 | |
Master classes0 | |
Meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions (MICE)2 |
* EC stands for European Credit. One EC equals a workload of 28 hours. Subject to changes.
E-commerce & management
As a result of significant changes in the tourism sector, International Tourism Management focuses extensively on e-commerce. You will learn to promote a trip online and how to optimise a website to allow visitors to quickly and easily book their holidays.
Corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is a form of doing business in which People, Planet and Profit are central.
Digital marketing
Knowledge and application of digital marketing, with which the marketing objectives of the company are realized through online and interactive media.
E-commerce
Buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. Think of booking a hotel or trip or selling products through a webshop.
Finance & accounting
The ambition level of the Finance & Accounting course is to teach students the theoretical and practical principles of business economics. In the first and second year the course outlines financing a company and costs of the company. In the third year you will gain insight into financial reporting.
Human resource management
Recruit, selection, personnel planning, performance reviews, career guidance.
Information management
During and after your bachelor programme you will get to work with CRM, CMS and other information systems. Together with the IT department you convert information needs and wishes into information applications, in which you as key user play a big role in the design and improvement of these systems.
Management skills
Leading meetings, motivating others, conflict management, conversation techniques, management styles.
Operations management
Efficiency and effectiveness of business processes in the tourism industry. Design and analysis of processes, quality assurance.
Organisational behaviour
Management process, information flow, organisational culture, organisational models, decision-making process, management change.
Professional development
Careers counselling, competence development, job interview training.
Project management
Working together, taking initiative and participating in the project team.
| Courses |
|---|
Corporate social responsibility2 |
Digital marketing4 |
E-commerce4 |
Finance & accounting10 |
Human resource management4 |
Information management4 |
Management skills2 |
Operations management2 |
Organisational behaviour4 |
Professional development2 |
Project management2 |
* EC stands for European Credit. One EC equals a workload of 28 hours. Subject to changes.
Intercultural communication
This bachelor programme focuses extensively on learning to communicate. With the help of role-playing scenarios, you will learn how to handle complaints, sell holidays and present products. You will practice your language skills and learn to do business with people from other cultures.
Business correspondence
Writing business letters, commercial texts, reports.
Commercial skills
During the Commercial Skills course you will work on your commercial skills. You learn to recruit prospects, conduct a structured sales call, negotiate and deal with complaints.
Communication
Presentation techniques, providing advice, interview techniques, bad news interviews, meetings, assertivity.
Corporate communication
Corporate identity, image, brochures, advertisements, press communication, dm, annual reports.
Cross-cultural communication
Intercultural interaction, communication and conflict management, cultural sensitivity. Dealing with cultural differences within a team, to use cultural differences to achieve optimal results.
English
Industry-oriented communication at management level, listening, reading and writing of social as well as work related texts.
German, French, Spanish
Industry-oriented communication with guests and colleagues paying attention to grammar, pronunciation, presentation, listening skills, reading and writing professional texts.
In addition to English, one other language is mandatory. German 2 and French continue at the level of final exams taken at senior general secondary education (Havo). If you choose German 1, you are obliged to complete German 2 in your second year. If you choose Spanish 1, you are obliged to complete Spanish 2 in your second year and Spanish 3 in your third year. You will not receive any additional ECs.
| Courses |
|---|
Business correspondence4 |
Commercial skills2 |
Communication1 |
Corporate communication2 |
Cross-cultural communication2 |
English8 |
German, French, Spanish4 |
* EC stands for European Credit. One EC equals a workload of 28 hours. Subject to changes.
Internship & final thesis
During the two (international) internships, you will apply what you have learned into practice. Everything comes together in your final thesis.
Data analysis
Applying business models, gathering information and drawing conclusions.
Final thesis
You are going to do research independently or within a company.
Graduation plays an important role within the bachelor programme. During your final thesis project you work as a professional to bring your knowledge and skills into practice. You will be working on developing the latest skills you need for your future profession. Graduation takes place through the successful execution and completion of a final thesis. This thesis assignment is usually done for an organisation with a problem. Students can also do a final thesis assignment at the one of the professorships of Tio, or graduate independently. During the graduation, the student carries out applied research. That means deliberate and methodical search for knowledge and understanding concerning practical problems, in the form of answers to previously asked questions.
Preparation for the final thesis
The aim of this course is to prepare for the final thesis assignment by laying the foundations for the independent research assignment and writing a final thesis proposal.
Market research
Working in groups of two, students will complete a sector-related research assingment (qualitative research, quantitative research, or a combination of the two). Students must formulate a research problem, set up an investigation, assemble data, analyse the data and draw conclusions. A research report will be submitted as an end product.
Research methods
The research methods course aims to teach students various research skills. In particular the practical aspects of research. The research proces is discussed in all its aspects, such as the preparation of a problem statement, the choice of a research method, questionnaire structure, fieldwork and reporting.
Minor
Besides the major, during which you attend the subjects of the curriculum, you can choose a minor of 30 ECs or two minors of 15 ECs to specialise and further expand your knowledge. Which minor suits you best?
(International) Internships
Chose an (international) internship to gain your first work experience. The two internship periods are at least 13 weeks.
| Courses | Projects |
|---|---|
Data analysis2 | Final thesis30 |
Preparation for the final thesis2 | Market research4 |
Research methods4 | Minor30 |
(International) Internships40 |
* EC stands for European Credit. One EC equals a workload of 28 hours. Subject to changes.
Optional
The subjects and courses listed below are optional and therefore not mandatory. Exception is the Introduction to Finance & Accounting course, which is mandatory for students whose prior education does not include Management & Organisation.
Additional language
German 1-2, French and/or Spanish 1-2. Only German 1 and Spanish 1 are at beginner’s level.
Aviation Service provision
Taking care of your physical appearance, check-in procedures, travel documents, aircraft technology, aggression, cultural anthropology, security risks, tropical diseases. With this optional course you can also start working as a steward (ess) or do a stewardess internship.
This course is only offered in Dutch.
Cooking 2.0
Based on eight gourmet chefs you will go through the gourmet kitchen. Every week, a gourmet chef is central and his philosophy and way of life is discussed and finally you cook a recipe that characterizes this chef.
This course is only offered in Dutch.
Company emergency response
Topics covered include First Aid in Accidents and your responsibilities at fire casualties and evacuation and communication.
This course is only offered in Dutch.
Excel
Being able to work well with Excel has a great added value in execute your study assignments and in your future career.
Introduction to finance & accounting
Introduction to business economics, where you learn important basic principles of business economics. For those who did not attend business economics in their preliminary education. Optional, but mandatory for students without Management & Organisation in their prior education.
You can organise 4 ECs completely free. For example help at one of the edcation fairs Tio participates in or assist on the open day.
Photography
Do you want to be more creative with photography? Insight into photography and the technology behind it not only helps you personally but also on a business level. You learn what diaphragm is and what you can do with it, what the influence of the shutter speed is on your photos. And do not forget the ISO: that indicates how quickly the sensor responds to the light that passes through the lens on the sensor.
There is so much to learn!
This course is only offered in Dutch.
Search engine marketing
Search engine marketing is the specialty that makes web pages findable in search engines. You learn digital analysis through Google Analytics, advertising in search engines and how to reach high rankings in search engine search results (SEO).
Study coaching
Introducing structure, study methods, completing homework together.
Wine study
Wine knowledge, food & wine combinations, vinification, gastronomy, wine tasting and optional wine trip.
| Optional courses | Seminars |
|---|---|
Additional language4 | Aviation Service provision0 |
Cooking 2.02 | Company emergency response0 |
Excel2 | Introduction to finance & accounting0 |
Free choice4 | Photography0 |
Search engine marketing2 | Study coaching0 |
Wine study2 |
* EC stands for European Credit. One EC equals a workload of 28 hours. Subject to changes.
(International) internships and final thesis
Tio believes in education with a practical focus. Besides the projects, the best examples of this approach are the internships and your final thesis. These have you put all your knowledge into practice and develop your communication and research skills. Many students therefore view the internships as one of the best parts of their education.
Where will you be going for your internship next year?
Gain work experience during your internship at top organisations all over the world
Will you create the most awesome trips as the product manager of a major tour operator? Perhaps you would rather show off your e-commerce skills while working at an online travel specialist? The sky is the limit during your internship. At Tio, you complete two thirteenweek internships and a twenty-week research project in unique locations at top organisations or niche players. Think of e.g. tour operators in New Zealand, Cambodia or Los Angeles or the head office of Thomas Cook. This is the perfect way to get to know the sector and it will do wonders for both your personal development and your CV!
Internship period
Depending on whether you are taking a three or four-year programme, you either take part in two internships during the summer (three-year programme), or your second internship is scheduled during the third academic year (four-year programme). Internship positions automatically become available to Tio students as a result of Tio’s long-standing relationships with major companies in the industry. Students can also suggest their own internship positions. You complete your bachelor programme with a final thesis project at a company. After graduating, many students are offered a job at the company where they did their final thesis.
Guidance
At the start of the academic year, your study coach will tell you everything you need to know about your internship. You can look into hundreds of available positions via Tio’s student web. Before you apply for an internship position, you must inform your internship coordinator about your preferences. Every internship organisation must demonstrate its ability to offer students the necessary guidance and supervision. You will be visited by your internship coordinator. Most students who take their internship abroad can also expect a visit. Every student will also receive guidance and supervision via telephone, Skype and email.
Exellent network
Tio maintains intensive contacts with companies and multinationals in the hotel, event, tourism and business industry. From ID&T and the Ritz-Carlton to ABN AMRO and from fonQ and TUI to Unilever.
Career event
Every year, Tio organises the Career Event for all its students. This is the perfect opportunity to look for an internship at the well-regarded companies that are present. You can also attend guest lectures and take part in workshops hosted by professionals from the industry.
Internship compensation
As a guideline for the compensation you will receive from your internship organisation, Tio has set a gross sum of €62 per week. However, there are also organisations which do not offer any internship compensation.
Contribution
The internship organisation pays a fee for mediation and supervision to Tio (€23 per week). In some cases, the internship organisation will not pay this fee. In that case, these costs will be charged on to the student. The contribution will not be charged to students who graduate on their own. Foreign internship organisations (and the students who do their internship or final thesis project there) are exempt from this contribution.
Benefit from international experience
International experience on your CV is a plus. You learn to solve problems on your own, meet new people and improve your language skills. Tio therefore offers you plenty of opportunities to develop yourself on an international level. At several stages during your studies, you will have the opportunity to go abroad.
International experience
All of Tio’s bachelor students gain international experience abroad, e.g. via an international internship, a final thesis project or a period spent studying abroad. You learn to solve problems on your own and to take initiatives. You come into contact with new cultures and improve your language skills. An internship lasts at least 13 weeks, although they can go on for a longer period of time in countries outside the Netherlands. Students are often required to be at least 18 years old to be eligible for an internship abroad.
Costs for an international internship
In Europe, you can live off of around €675 per month; €375 for housing and €300 for household expenses. A return ticket can be as cheap as €125. Outside Europe, the costs are often higher; the return ticket usually costs at least €1,500 and a visa costs another €320. These amounts are estimates. Students who receive student finance are eligible to receive compensation for the duration of their foreign internship in return for temporarily cancelling their public transportation card. Combined with the optional Erasmus Scholarship, this sum may be more than €400 per month.
The costs for an international internship are not included in the tuition fees.
Erasmus+ scholarship
The Erasmus+ Scholarship is a scholarship for bachelor students who want to study or take part in an internship abroad (within Europe). Whether or not a student can receive a scholarship depends on the sum allocated to Tio. Depending on the country, the Erasmus scholarship varies from €430 to €910 per application.
Visa
If a non-EU/EEA student completes a part of the study programme outside the Netherlands (e.g. internship, minor international exchange, international study trips), additional visa and/or work permits are required. Obtaining a visa and/or work permit is the student's own responsibility including the costs for these documents.
Excursions
Every year, you can take part in several intra- and extracurricular study trips, international excursions and excursions hosted by the Cognatio student society, including a winter sports trip.
Study abroad
Tio works together with various partner universities in and outside of Europe. During the minor phase, students can spend a semester studying abroad at one of Tio’s partner universities. With this, Tio offers students a perfect opportunity to develop themselves and prepare for an international career. Of course, a time spent studying abroad is also a wonderful personal experience. Students often live on a campus and study in an international class with students with different nationalities.
Grand international tour
If you take part in the four-year bachelor’s course, you can choose to participate in the grand international tour. Your second-year internship is replaced by an extra semester spent studying abroad. You can then spend a year studying at one or two of Tio’s partner universities.
International cooperation
Tio has extended and professionalised the international network in the last few years. This has led to partnerships with several partner institutions. Institution that, like Tio, believe in the power of personal attention for each student. The expectations for the future growth of the network are big. This way Tio offers students the chance to prepare well for the international work field. With a Tio degree, the world is at your feet!
Selection of partner universities
Tio has selected the partner institutions on a number of criteria:
- The education of the partner needs to be in the field of business, marketing, hospitality, event management or tourism.
- The offered courses at the partner are attractive for Tio students and the language of instruction needs to be in one of the foreign languages taught at Tio.
- The semesters need to be more or less equal, the education is practice-based and the degree programme has been accredited.
- The city and area are of importance, as well as the supervision the partner can offer.
- Arranging housing for incoming students and the facilities are also factors in the final decision.
In other words, these universities – like Tio itself – have real added value!
Overview of partner universities
- Abertay University - Scotland
- Arcada - Finland
- Beykent University - Turkey
- Cracow University of Economics - Poland
- Emirates Academy of hospitality Management – Dubai
- Erasmus University College Brussels - Belgium
- ESC Troyes - France
- Euroaula - Spain
- Fairleigh Dickinson University - USA
- FH Salzburg - Austria
- FH Westküste - Germany
- Griffith University - Australia
- Hotel and Tourism Management Institute (HMTi) - Switzerland
- Instituto Politechnico de Viseu - Portugal
- International School of Management (ISM) - Germany
- Institute Superieur de Gestion (ISG) - France
- Polytechnic Institute of Porto - Portugal
- Robert Gordon University - Scotland
- Ryerson University - Canada
- Soongsil University – South Korea
- SP Jain School of Global Management - Singapore
- Taiwan Providence University - Taiwan
- Taylor's University - Malaysia
- Technological Education Institute of Piraeus - Greece
- Toyo University - Japan
- Turiba University - Latvia
- Unisul - Brazil
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid - Spain
- Universidad de Alicante - Spain
- Universidad de Guadalajara - Mexico
- Universidad de Malaga - Spain
- Universidad Europea - Spain
- Universidad Finis Terrae - Chili
- Université du Québec à Montréal School of Management - Canada
- University College of Southern Norway (USN) - Norway
- University of Agder - Norway
- University of Central Lancanshire - United Kingdom
- University of Economics - Czech Republic
- University of Florence - Italy
- University of Seoul - Korea
- Zhejiang Sci-Tech University - China
Choose your minor
In addition to your major, in which you follow the courses from the curriculum, you can choose a minor of 30 ECs or two minors of 15 ECs to expand your knowledge. Which minor suits you best?
Digital marketing
Develop your own website and come up with the ultimate online strategy to sell your product or service. Learn all there is to know about SEA, SEO and content building. You can put your knowledge into practice straight away during an extra internship.
Marketing communication
A mixture of marketing communication and concept design & media: you learn to reach out to consumers with your communication strategy.
Entrepreneurship
Together with a team of fellow students, you run your own organisation, complete with a management team, shareholders and an innovative product that you come up with, develop and put on the market.
Practical minor
Put into practice what you have learned at the International Tourism Management programme during this extra practical internship.
Grand international tour
Instead of a second internship, you will study abroad for two semesters at one or two of Tio’s partner universities.
Only available as part of the four-year programme.
Research
This minor is the perfect preparation for an academic master’s programme and teaches you more about conducting research.
International business
You will acquire knowledge of international marketing, cultural differences and international management in order to be able to advise a global player.
Sales
Develop your sales skills: familiarise yourself with the ins and outs of customer relationship management, social selling and co-creation within the B2B sector.
International financial management
You analyse the international, business and financial risks of corporate acquisitions.
Stocks and bonds
Shares, bonds, options, futures and securities; after this minor, the financial market has no secrets to you anymore.
Management development internship
An intensive management internship for exceptional students that has you developing and applying your management skills.
Study abroad
Enrich your language skills and international contacts by studying one semester at a partner university abroad.
Because the start and end dates of the academic year at some universities do not match those at Tio, you may miss out on several weeks of lectures at Tio or possibly incur one or several months of study delay.
| Minors | Minors |
|---|---|
Digital marketing15 | Marketing communication15 |
Entrepreneurship30 | Practical minor15 |
Grand international tour50 | Research15 |
International business30 | Sales15 |
International financial management15 | Stocks and bonds15 |
Management development internship30 | Study abroad30 |
* EC stands for European Credit. One EC equals a workload of 28 hours. Subject to changes.
Bachelor’s degree in 3 years
Ambitious students can obtain a bachelor’s degree at Tio in just three years. If you achieve satisfactory results in the first year, you may qualify for the accelerated bachelor course. In the three-year course both internships will take place during the summer and this will shorten your summer holiday. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree you may carry the internationally recognized title Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).
September-January | January-May | June-August | |
|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | Lectures 1 | Lectures 2 | Internship 1 |
Year 2 | Lectures 3 | Lectures 4 | Internship 2 |
Year 3 | Lectures 5 | Minor | Final thesis |
Bachelor’s degree in 4 years
Students who opt for the four-year programme will be able to enjoy summer holidays (with the exception of the first year) and can also participate in the grand international Tour, which gives students the opportunity to study abroad at Tio’s partner universities for two semesters. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree you may carry the internationally recognized title Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).
September-January | January-May | June-August | |
|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | Lectures 1 | Lectures 2 | Internship 1 |
Year 2 | Lectures 3 | Lectures 4 | Holiday |
Year 3 | Lectures 5 | Internship 2 | Holiday
|
Year 4 | Minor | Final thesis |
Enrolment in January
If you want to spend a few months backpacking after earning your general secondary or pre-university diploma or if you chose the wrong study course, Tio gives you the option to start in January and still earn your bachelor’s degree in 3.5 years. You will not suffer any delays in your studies.
You can also enrol in January; however this does mean that the total duration of the bachelor course will be 3,5 or 4 years (including an extended registration). You will be attending many of the same lectures as the students from the September enrolment. This is possible given that the semesters within an academic year can be followed independently. Your internship will take place halfway through the academic year.
januari-mei | juni-augustus | september- januari | |
|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | Lectures 1 | Holiday | Lectures 2 |
Year 2 | Lectures 3 | Internship 1 | Lectures 4 |
Year 3 | Minor | Internship 2 | Lectures 5 |
Year 4 | Final thesis |
Campuses
Study load
The study load is ± 24 to 26 contact hours and ± 16 to 21 hours of home study per week, dependent on whether you are following the 3 or 4-year programme. In the final year, dependent on the minor(s) selected, you have fewer contact hours and more home studying.
Division of education time
