Higher education
The Diploma in Travel and Tourism has been designed to provide a challenging and high quality programme of learning, equivalent to 3.5 A levels. Diploma students will have acquired analytical, research and practical skills and strong independent learning skills making the transition from school or college to university easier. Our consultation with higher education has been robust and in depth and has enabled us to develop a qualification that equips students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
So how has higher education been involved with the development of the Diploma?
- Providing guidance and feedback as part of the initial Diploma consolation process
- HE Stakeholder focus groups and online survey
- Membership of the Diploma Development Partnership (DDP) Steering Group through the Association of Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE)
- Membership of the DDP 'Expert Panel'
- Providing feedback on the draft content for the Principal Learning for the Diploma, to ensure a robust and challenging qualification
- Evaluating qualifications submissions from Awarding organisations which will form the Principal Learning of the Diploma in Travel and Tourism
- Providing guidance on specialist learning pathways
What are the benefits of the Diploma in Travel and Tourism to your Institution?
- Sustainability - helping to address increased competition for undergraduate places brought about by the declining 18 year old cohort in the UK and the decline in enrolment rates of students 16 - 19 on full and part time courses
- Raising awareness about Travel & Tourism undergraduate and post graduate programmes and extending the pool of applicants amongst those who might not have previously considered travel and tourism as a progression pathway
- Students who will have highly developed communication, numeracy, critical thinking and analytical skills which are valued by HEIs. These Personal Learning and Thinking skills are taught and embedded throughout the Diploma in Travel & Tourism and equip learners with the ability to think widely and to transfer their learning to a range of situations
More
- Reduced drop out rates - students will be better prepared to meet the challenges of a travel and tourism undergraduate programme as they will already have a good grounding in applying theoretical models to a range of practical situations in travel & tourism and related industries. Applicants are likely to be more motivated, settle down quickly and less likely to leave within the first year, as they have already selected travel & tourism as their preferred progression pathway
- Helping to address employer concerns (2) - The Personal Learning and Thinking skills are highly valued by employers - 86% of employers consider good communication skills to be important, yet many employers are dissatisfied that graduates can express themselves effectively. Soft skills such as team working are also vital and even more important than most hard skills, although numeracy and literacy skills are considered essential by 70% of employers. The Functional Skills of English, maths and ICT are embedded into Diploma learning programmes. There may be opportunities for HEIs to work with employers and other industry organisations to provide training to meet employer needs
- Opportunities for income generation by providing Continued Professional Development (CPD) training for the consortia teaching workforce.
How can your Institution get involved?
- Progression to HE - providing feedback on a range of additional specialist learning for the Diploma Catalogue which will aid progression to your undergraduate programmes in Travel and Tourism
- Joining a local Diploma Consortia to help to plan Diploma delivery in your local area and engage with key stakeholders
- Becoming more aware of the implications of Diplomas for Admissions and teaching and learning for your Higher Education Institution (HEI)
More
- Opening up resources such as museums, art galleries, libraries for the use of school and college students for their extended project work
- Providing taster days, summer schools and workshops for Diploma candidates which will widen participation and raise awareness of higher education progression pathways
- Involvement in local initiatives through local partnerships, and other organisations which inform curriculum change and progression routes
- Helping to widen participation by signing a progression agreement3 with one of the 30 HEFCE funded Lifelong Learning Networks
- Champion the Diploma in Travel and Tourism
The Travel and Tourism Diploma promises to equip students with essential and valuable skills which will form an exceptional basis for future personal development. The combination of practical and theoretical aspects in the delivery of the Diploma develops not only the students' skills necessary for entering employment, but will also provide the student with critical thinking skills and specialist subject knowledge that will ease entry into undergraduate programmes within Higher Education. - Peter Robinson BA, MA, MTS, MTMI Senior Lecturer (Leisure Industries) School of Sports, Performing Arts and Lesiure, University of Wolverhampton
Leeds Metropolitan University will welcome applications for its tourism courses from students who successfully achieve the Advanced Diploma in Travel and Tourism (level 3). The Diploma will effectively prepare students for a university degree in tourism. At Leeds Met our two year accelerated degree in tourism management will be an ideal progression course for Diploma students who wish to gain their degree through an intensive programme of study - David Hind, Head of Tourism, Global Leaders in Responsible Tourism, Leeds Metropolitan University
