Bachelor of Arts Hospitality Management (International Placement)

This is an exciting course, which includes a compulsory overseas work placement. You will study the full suite of topics related to managing hospitality at the highest level, including bar, restaurant, front office and food and beverage management. Tourism is one the largest indigenous employers in Ireland, with 230,000 people employed in the industry. In addition:

The tourism sector supports 150,000 in the accommodation and food sector alone (Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport);

Tourism is worth approximately 6billion to the Irish economy (Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport, 2020);

In 2019, UK holiday company Centre Parcs opened a new resort in Ballymahon. Center Parcs invested a 233 million in the development of the attraction and employs in excess of 1,000 people.

Listen: In this episode, lecturers Fiona Budds and Sean Connell give a detailed overview of this degree, including its unique international placement component.

What will I experience?

Business management modules, including HRM, Marketing, Accounting and IT

Hospitality management subjects, including culinary, restaurant, bar, front office

2 compulsory work placements, with at least one compulsory placement overseas

Students in the Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure are eligible to take part in annual international fieldtrips. In the last two years we have visited Italy, Spain, France, China and Dubai and Malaysia.

Find out more about this course and our facilities by attending one of our regular open evenings where you can meet teaching staff and current students.

You will visit 5* properties, Michelin star restaurants and have guest lectures from global authorities on tourism and hospitality during your time in AIT.

What opportunities might it lead to?

Your specialist knowledge of hospitality management will lead to a career in the hospitality, resort, hotel and tourism industries. Here are some routes our graduates pursue:

Food and Beverage Managers

Hotel Management

Hotel Revenue and Finance Careers

Hospitality Marketing

Careers in tourism and hospitality

Graduates have found employment in such companies as the Shelbourne Hotel, Merrion Hotel, Ashford Castle, Dromoland Castle, Ballyfin Demense, Adare Manor, Fitzpatrick Hotel in New York, on cruise ships, in ski resorts, airlines and banks.

Course spotlight: Lecturer Sean Connell takes you through the course and its exciting career prospects at home and abroad. He also discusses the practical and business skills you'll learn, including front office and food and beverage operations.

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Assessment Information

We place a lot of emphasis on student support and so we aim to provide a learning environment that is both stimulating and academically challenging, whilst also supporting your learning. You will encounter a range of teaching methods- from lectures, workshops and seminars to hands on practical food and beverage restaurant and kitchen classes. The course is taught by experienced lecturers with a track record of success in many sectors including the hospitality, tourism and culinary industries.

How are you assessed?

We appreciate that different students have different learning styles and so we provide a range of assessment approaches to suit everybody. Here are some of the ways we assess your work:

mini-projects

Presentations

Group work

Live client work

Examinations

Multiple-choice tests

Essays

Portfolio work

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum O6/H7 grades in the Leaving Certificate examination. One of the six subjects presented must include English. Two of the six subjects must be at a grade of H5 or above. Level 5 QQI: Any QQI-FET level 5 qualification is acceptable but must contain a minimum of 3 distinctions.

Foundation level programme: Certificate in English for Academic Studies: Minimum IELTS 4.5 or equivalent.

Pre-sessional Summer programme in English June to August: Minimum IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.

Undergraduate programmes: Minimum IELTS 5.5 with no Band less than 5.0.

Postgraduate programmes: Minimum IELTS 6.0 with no Band less than 5.5 *

*note some postgraduate programmes require minimum IELTS 6.5.

Work Placement

Students take two work placements during this course, in summer of 2nd year and in summer of 3rd year. The first work placement can be taken locally, nationally or internationally and is 3 month(s) in length. The second placement must be international and is six month(s) in length. The Department provides dedicated support with all work placements, including assisting students in finding opportunities and then making sure they have positive experiences in field. Depending on where you want to go, you may have to contribute to costs for transport/ accommodation at the placement, but this will often be employer funded. We will strive to find paid work placement opportunities for you.

Further Study

Progression to MA Tourism Management and Destination Leadership

Progression to the Master's Business Studies degree in the Department of Business and Management at AIT;

Progression to postgraduate courses in hospitality/ tourism/ event/ hotel management worldwide;

Progression to research master's degree in AIT.

Master of Business

Masters of Business

MA/PgDip in Tourism Management and Destination Leadership

Master of Arts/Post Graduate Diploma

Application Procedures for Non-EU Students

Students applying for entry to undergraduate or postgraduate programmes should supply the following information directly to the International Office, Athlone Institute of Technology on or before 1 May for programmes commencing in September:

• Completed AIT application form;
• Detailed curriculum vitae;
• Certified transcripts of examination results and English language translations of qualifications not issued in English
• Evidence of ability to follow classes in the English language (which must satisfy Institute entry requirements for the following programmes)

• Letter of recommendation from appropriate Head of Department of own institution
• Any other relevant information regarding qualifications or previous work experience.

Students from non-EU countries must apply for a valid study visa for the duration of the programme of study in advance of registration at AIT. Visa application guidelines can be found on Department of Justice & Equality website: http://www.inis.gov.ie/