School of Business and Law

BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management with Sandwich Placement

BA (Hons) Sandwich 4 years

Historically acclaimed in the subject disciplines of international hospitality management, the University of Wolverhampton offers this exciting, innovative course to students seeking employability and critical business skills for the rapidly expanding hospitality industry. 

Historically acclaimed in the subject disciplines of international hospitality management, the University of Wolverhampton offers this exciting, innovative course to students seeking employability and critical business skills for the rapidly expanding hospitality industry. 

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026, 11 January 2027, 10 May 2027
UCAS Code
N295
Course specifications
Course length
Sandwich (4 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

The BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management with Sandwich Year Placement programme at the University of Wolverhampton offers a distinctive learning experience that integrates academic excellence, practical application and strong industry engagement. Developed in line with the University’s Curriculum Framework, the course is shaped by four key pillars: balanced, flexible and scaffolded learning; supportive, engaging and research-informed teaching; career-ready, industry-connected and future-focused education; and a commitment to creating an accessible, equitable and diverse learning environment. This structure ensures that students graduate with the critical knowledge, operational expertise and personal attributes required to excel in the fast-evolving global hospitality industry.

What makes this course distinctive is its strong emphasis on practical learning, innovation and gaining employability skills through a real workplace setting. This provides you with the opportunity to graduate with the skills and confidence to thrive in diverse industries.

From the outset, the course explores the role and scope of the international hospitality sector, examining its structure, operational functions and the ways in which service delivery, guest experience and management intersect across different contexts. Students critically engage with contemporary issues such as digital transformation, sustainability and changing global trends, allowing them to connect theory with real-world practice. Learning is scaffolded across all levels of study, supporting students’ development as they move from foundational understanding to strategic analysis, leadership and innovation.

A defining strength of this course is its strong industry connectivity and focus on gaining valuable real-world experience to boost your employability. Through our close links with the Institute of Hospitality (IoH), students benefit from opportunities to engage with sector professionals, access industry insights and develop their understanding of current professional standards and expectations. This connection, alongside placements, guest lectures and networking activities, ensures that students are exposed to relevant industry practices and supported in building strong professional networks. Research-informed teaching and authentic assessment practices further prepare students to apply their learning in professional contexts.

The course is designed to be inclusive and flexible, with blended teaching methods and tailored academic support to meet diverse learning needs. Students will study within modern Business School facilities, benefiting from a supportive academic community that encourages collaboration, personal growth and the development of professional identity.

By the end of the course, graduates will be digitally fluent, globally aware and professionally confident, equipped with a strong mix of analytical, operational and leadership skills. They will be ready to shape the future of the international hospitality sector as adaptable, innovative and socially responsible professionals.

What's unique about this course?

  • We find many opportunities for you to work with practising managers, from company projects, guest lectures.
  • Studying at Wolverhampton will allow you to develop the skills businesses demand including IT, project management, team working and leadership.
  • The tutors on this programme will have had experience as practicing managers, have worked with business in an advisory capacity or will be researching

What happens on the course?

With the hospitality industry making huge, vital moves in the wake of impact by Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, it is crucial that you not only approach potential careers with a base of subject knowledge, but initiative, inspiration and innovation. Fuelling your creativity, engagement with the industry is embedded throughout the curriculum where your research may be applied. Informed and endorsed by the University’s research, publications and engagement with professional bodies such as the ITT, ABTA and ATHE, this course’s approach has consistently led to employment for alumni at the most senior management levels worldwide.

Online and face-to-face components of the programme are integrated into a complimentary learning experience, incentivising enquiry and formative feedback to build your evaluative and problem-solving abilities. The standard layout of Business School for topics studied in this blended approach ensures that all students will stay on the same page, the University valuing consistency and familiarity in this aspect. Peer-to-peer sessions such as small group case study analysis, assessment unpacking, discussion and seminars will also be featured, offering further opportunities for reflection and practice of communicative skills.

You will learn about the global marketplace within which the hospitality industry operates, building an invaluable sense of digital literacy and developing business skills which will aid in strategic planning, organisation and sustainable management of international hospitality operations. Your problem-solving and critical thinking skills will also be trained, crucial for success in modern organisations. The strong theoretical underpinning of this course – revolving around principles of innovation and enterprise, sustainability, responsibility and digital awareness – has led to many of the University’s alumni seeking further education, progressing to a PhD level and entering education as lecturers themselves.

Sandwich Year

You will have the opportunity to undertake a 40 credit placement at Level 5 of study.

 

Placements on the course

We’ve built professional placements into every degree, every student will be guaranteed a professional placement. Our placements give you the real-world exposure and proven experience your CV needs, while building the industry networks essential for your career.

These short-term, structured experiences include:

  • Short duration: condensed work-like experience in professional environments
  • Academic integration: always linked to coursework, assessments or professional development modules
  • Project-based learning: students work on specific tasks or research with an organisation
  • Flexible format: can be in-person, remote, hybrid or virtual
  • Skill development: enhances workplace skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving
  • Experiential learning: helping to close the gap between knowledge gained and the skills needed to succeed

Employability on the course

Our courses are designed from day one to prepare you for your future career. You will benefit from:

  • Extended induction: a period to familiarise yourself with your new university
  • Structured learning pathways: courses are crafted with a focus on preparing students for future careers
  • Hands-on project experience: projects and practical activities designed around real-world activities
  • Embedded professional development: all courses are designed with workplace skills development and professional placements as part of the course
  • Industry-informed modules: course content is kept up-to-date with industry standards through our industry links, staff's research and work in the field
  • Placement opportunities: professional development placements for every student

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

This course prepares you for many managerial roles including those in hotels, restaurants, contract catering, arenas, pubs and nightclubs. Employers range from family-run businesses to multi-national brands, with opportunities for self run businesses. Positions held by former graduates include: Unit Managers in Marriott Hotels, Wetherspoons, Welcome Break, and Yates Wine Lodge. Other graduates have become Operations Co-coordinator at Telford International Centre; Personnel Manager at Adams Beach Resort, Cyprus; Hospitality Manager at Molineux Football Stadium; and Events Coordinator at Best Western Valley Hotel.

 

 

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

The BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management prepares you for management roles in the dynamic and global hospitality industry. By studying this programme you will acquire industry relevant knowledge and develop skills to help you plan and manage resources and enhance consumer experiences. You will be equipped to work within the contemporary hospitality industry and prepared for management careers with worldwide work opportunities. The course incorporates excellent links with industry partners and students enjoy subject related field trips e.g. ExCeL, London. In the first and second year of the course you will enhance your employment prospects by completing a work placement in the Hospitality industry; your tutor will work with you to identify your aspirations and to find a suitable placement, a number of placements lead to employment opportunities on Graduation.

We make sure that you have opportunities to gain professional qualifications alongside your degree – for example you can study at a greatly reduced rate for the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH), which is essential for anyone wishing to work as a licensee in the UK. Work based practice and employability are key themes of this course and you will engage with industry experts throughout your studies, making sure that you are equipped to work within the contemporary hospitality environment and are able meet the challenges of enterprise in the digital age. 

 

 

As a graduate of this course you will be able to:

  • strategically analyse and evaluate the regional, national and international business environment and its impact on the local hospitality environment
  • demonstrate the knowledge and enterprising skills required in managing an international hospitality function
  • use industry-specific digital technology, in the context of developing and managing a contemporary hospitality business
  • recognise and value the importance of the hospitality consumer, their needs, experience, and diversity, in both the operational and strategic contexts
  • apply appropriate theoretical concepts to dynamic and diverse hospitality concerns such as gourmet restaurants, pub franchises or international hotels
  • manage the complex relationships between the key industry players, whilst acknowledging the social responsibility of the 21st century hospitality manager.

 

 

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Jan intake Fee May intake Fee Year
Home Sandwich £9790 per year £9790 per year £9790 per year 2026-27
International Sandwich £17600 per year £17600 per year £17600 per year 2026-27

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.


If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

Typical entry requirement: 96 UCAS points

  • A Levels - grades CCC / BCD
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grades MMM
  • BTEC L3 Diploma - grades DD
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (96 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)
  • T Levels with an overall grade of Pass and a minimum grade of C in Core.

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

Other Requirements

Students must usually have studied for a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, we will consider applications from mature students who do not have two years of post-16 study, where they have relevant work experience. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

“Having chosen to undertake a degree at the University of Wolverhampton, I was happy to have my expectations exceeded on almost all accounts. A key focus during the course was the ability to fully understand the industry and also to gain the skills and knowledge that set me above others during the recruitment process.”

I am convinced that the degree, and the knowledge I gained through it, gave me a fantastic platform for my development and opened up great career opportunities. I owe a considerable amount of my success to my lecturers. Combined with an unforgettable social life and lifelong friends, the years I spent there benefit me every day."

Institute of Hospitality (IoH)

"Accredited by the Institute of Hospitality that academic, vocational and professional standards achieved are appropriate and programme content and delivery meet international Institute of Hospitality benchmark standards."

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

Order a prospectus

How we compare

Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses.

Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses.

Sandwich Course