International Tourism and Leisure (short programme in English)

Short Programme of the Bachelor's Degree International Tourism and Leisure

Location: Belgium - Mechelen -Campus De Vest

Make a living from your lifestyle in one academic year

  • You already have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Business / Communication / Office / Hospitality Management? 
  • Obtain this diploma in 1 year. Start this 2-semester programme in February or September.  
  • Short track students have their own class group 
  • The world is your playground and every horizon, an invitation to go further.
  • Unique, full English programme to prepare you for your international future.
  • Turn your passion for travel into a genuine profession in the tourism or hospitality sector.
  • Get ready for an inspiring international career in leisure and business travel. 
  • Learn how to apply disruptive business models and innovative marketing and distribution channels to create new commercial opportunities.  
  • Discover solutions to reduce tourism’s social and environmental impact.  
  • Grow and nurture your multilingual, multicultural and multidisciplinary skills during an inspiring international internship.  

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The programme
in short
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Liesbeth Uvin
Liesbeth Uvin
Programme Coordinator
For all your questions on the content and promotion of the programme.
rudy
Rudy Geens
Programme Manager
Questions about the programme.
Ariane Buysschaert
Ariane Buysschaert
Study Counsellor & Care Coordinator
Questions about your individual study programme & on studying with use of facilities.
Admissions
Admissions
Contact our admissions team.
Mon - Fri: 9.00-15.00 (BXL Time)
Fanni
Student
Got a question? Ask one of our students!
Klementina
Student
Got a question? Ask one of our students!

Eyecatchers

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Let’s connect

During this one-year study programme and your 9-week international internship, you will blend into the international community, and acquire the skills needed to communicate, interact and thrive in a multicultural and diverse world. Direction fascinating tourism or hospitality job in an international context.

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Learn from professionals

During guest lectures and field trips the top of the tourism industry will share their experience and you will collaborate on real assignments in co-creation with industry professionals. Furthermore, we offer a wide range of extracurricular activities: e.g. EuroChrie University Challenge, Young Hotelier Summit, IMEX Future Leaders Forum, and  workshops with industry partners.

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Future proof study

The unprecedented challenge of COVID-19 has completely changed the travel industry. But tourism is alive and kicking! Our programme is continuously evolving to ensure that with a degree in tourism and leisure management you are fully prepared to become the Travel Consultant of Tomorrow.

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Programme

  • Structure
  • Targeted students
  • Courses
  • Your schedule
  • In practice
  • Specific diploma requirements
  • Personal coaching
  • Go international
  • Structure

    •  SEM 1 | During the first semester, you get to dive into the world of travel and tourism. Both Business and Leisure travel, both domestic and international tourism, both incoming and outgoing tourism are covered.  You'll get an immersive learning experience during the course Immersive Tourist Experiences Lab, connecting theoretical concepts and trends with practice.  Often we’ll take you into the real world of tourism by inviting industry experts, or by taking you to tourism organisations.
       
    • SEM 2 | Your second semester will turn you further into a tourism professional. During the course Strategic Hospitality Lab, you will learn to make strategic revenue decisions while working within a simulated online environment. In the end, practice by internship, makes perfect. You will have the choice to either take your 9 week internship during summer (July-August) and thus finish in exactly 1 year, or to plan your internship in the adjacent semester. In the latter case you will graduate in 3 semesters.
      • We offer a wide choice of internship positions, both in Belgium and across the globe, so you can jump-start your international career. Please note that International Tourism and Leisure students always take an international internship. 
  • Targeted students

    Are you a creative, communicative travel savvy who wants to become a tourism professional? Do you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Business (Marketing, International Business and Trade, Logistics,…), Communication Management, Office Management or Hospitality Management? Which means your current bachelor’s degree contained mainly business/management courses and languages?  Then we are happy to invite you to our one-year International Tourism and Leisure programme! 

  • Courses

    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.
    Semester12
    COMPULSORY
    Aviation Lab 3
    Sustainable Tourism Development i 3
    Crisis & Quality Management in Tourism 3
    Tourism Fundamentals i 3
    International Tourism Project i 3
    Tourism Legislation and Regulations i 3
    Immersive Tourist Experiences Lab 6
    Design Thinking in Tourism i 3
    Tourism Destinations i 3
    Travel Accommodations 3
    Travel Technology i 3
    Leading Hospitality Transformation 3
    Business Travel Fundamentals 3
    Semester12
    Trends in Tourism i 3
    Strategic Hospitality Lab 6
    Web Content & Design 3
    Culture & Art Topics i 3
    Hospitality Business & Experience 3
    YOUR CHOICE 3
    Essentials for Business Performance
    Tourism Exploration Project
    Financial Bizz Game
    Hospitality University Challenge (online & short mobility)
    IATA Fares & Ticketing (100% online)
    Discovery Internship 2 (20 days = 6 stp)
    @WORK
    Internship in Tourism & Leisure (9 weeks) 14
    Semester12
    COMPULSORY
    Aviation Lab 3
    Sustainable Tourism Development i 3
    Crisis & Quality Management in Tourism 3
    Tourism Fundamentals i 3
    International Tourism Project i 3
    Tourism Legislation and Regulations i 3
    Immersive Tourist Experiences Lab 6
    Design Thinking in Tourism i 3
    Tourism Destinations i 3
    Travel Accommodations 3
    Travel Technology i 3
    Leading Hospitality Transformation 3
    Business Travel Fundamentals 3
    Trends in Tourism i 3
    Strategic Hospitality Lab 6
    Web Content & Design 3
    Culture & Art Topics i 3
    Hospitality Business & Experience 3
    YOUR CHOICE 3
    Essentials for Business Performance
    Tourism Exploration Project
    Financial Bizz Game
    Hospitality University Challenge (online & short mobility)
    IATA Fares & Ticketing (100% online)
    Discovery Internship 2 (20 days = 6 stp)
    @WORK
    Internship in Tourism & Leisure (9 weeks) 14

    Timetable

    Check out an example timetable for phase 1.

  • Your schedule

    • 26 course weeks, two semesters, 1 academic year, 77 credits
    • Short track students have their own class group
    • Overlapping of courses is absolutely avoided by our planning team. At Thomas More, we guarantee you can take your courses without any double bookings.
  • In practice

    • You will have the choice to either take your 9 week internship during summer (July-August) and thus finish in exactly 1 year, or to plan your internship in the adjacent semester. In the latter case you will graduate in 3 semesters time.
    • We offer a wide choice of internship positions, both in Belgium and across the globe, so you can jump-start your international career. Please note that International Tourism and Leisure students always take an international internship.
  • Specific diploma requirements

    In addition to the general admission requirements for an English bachelor programmes, these are the specific diploma requirements for the abbreviated/one year degree:

    • You have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Business (Marketing, International Business and Trade, Logistics,…), Communication Management, Office Management or Hospitality Management.
    • And/or your current bachelor’s or master’s degree contained mainly business/management courses and languages.
  • Personal coaching

    Yes, we care  

    Throughout your student career, 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.   

  • 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 carrier. You will learn even more tricks of trade going abroad on your international internship that is aligned with your professional aspirations. Our staff will help you in your exciting journey to select the internship of your dreams. This international experience will help you become a true globetrotter.

After Graduation

  • The job of your life
  • Additional Studies
  • Working in Belgium
  • The job of your life

    You can work as an advisor, project or sales manager, marketeer, executive, supplier or a buyer in the broad tourism and hospitality industry:

    • Hotels and other lodging facilities
    • Tour operators & travel agents
    • E-tourism, marketing and distribution providers. 
    • Event and incentive companies
    • Tourism boards, incoming or destination management companies
    • Conference or congress centers
    • Theme parks, airlines, cruise lines
  • Additional Studies

    IATA  
    Earn your IATA Certificate at Thomas More – the only IATA Authorized Training Center in Belgium. This certificate demonstrates your expertise and commitment to employers across the globe.  

    Bachelors 
    Extra bachelor in a one year abridged programme at Thomas More 

    Masters 

  • Working in Belgium

    Search Year

    International students can apply for a new residence permit status upon graduation and extend their stay in Belgium up to 12 months to find work! Eager to launch your career in Belgium after your studies? No worries! We’re here to help you navigate the Search Year application process. 

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