Travel Industry Studies at South Chelsea College

The Travel and Tourism Department offers Association of Business Executives (ABE) programmes leading to internationally respected and accredited qualifications. It offers those with an interest in travel and tourism an opportunity to gain a relevant qualification and skills required for employment in this area.

The Association of Business Executives (ABE) is a professional organisation offering public examinations in Business Administration and Travel and Tourism at certificate, diploma and advanced diploma levels. To sit these examinations you have to become a member of the ABE, and the College will assist students in applying for membership. A small membership fee will apply.

Students are placed on either:

• a ‘Degree Access route’, which will enable them to gain a Certificate in Travel Tourism and Hospitality Management, which is a qualification at level 3 of the National Qualification Framework (NQF), or
• an ‘Advanced Diploma route’ where students will undertake a 3 year programme leading to a professional qualification from the ‘Association of Business Executives’ (ABE), at NQF level 6. This qualification is equivalent to the end of second year BA(Hons) or foundation degree level of a UK Business Studies degree programme.

Successful SCC Travel Industry Students on both the Degree Access and the Advanced Diploma routes gain internationally recognised ABE qualifications. Students completing their Diploma in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management are invited by several British Universities to apply for the second year of a BA (Hons) Degree programme in Tourism Management. An ABE Advanced Diploma gives access to a BA (Hons) in Tourism Management via a one year “top-up” course.

ABE examinations are accepted by the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.

All students intending to study Travel Industry Studies at SCC will need to be able to demonstrate that they have prior learning experience to a minimum of NQF level 2 (GCSE’s or equivalent). Students will be re-assessed upon arrival at the College and advised as to which level is most suited to their needs, taking into account previously gained recognised qualifications

DEGREE ACCESS ROUTE

Business Technology (Bus)/Advanced Business Technology (Bus)

Students are introduced to a range of computer applications and to a course in sales and marketing, as well as strengthening their numerical and communicative skills, before moving on to the Association of Business Executives - ABE Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Management syllabus.

Course Subjects:

• Integrated Business Technology [Analysis, Structure and Presentation of Information using Database, Spreadsheet, Word Processing and Graphics Applications] – Accredited by Association of Computer Professionals – ACP
• Sales and Marketing – Accredited by Association of Business Professionals – ABP
• A Numeracy and Communications component
• Presentation Skills – an internally devised subject, specific to SCC students
• An introduction to Travel and Tourism – an internally devised subject, specific to SCC students.

This section of the course is studied together with Business Studies students and will normally take two years, depending on progress and prior learning experience of the student.

ABE Certificate in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality

Course Subjects:

• Business
• Accounting
• Travel, Tourism & Hospitality
• Business Communications.

Success in these examinations qualifies the student to progress to either further study at diploma level or appropriate employment. Students who enrol for three years on the Degree Access route and who successfully complete the Certificate in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality at the end of their second year, will be permitted to progress to the first year of the Diploma route.

Entry requirements

Students must demonstrate competence in English Language and must be able to show evidence of having gained qualifications at NQF level 2 (GCSE’s or equivalent).

ADVANCED DIPLOMA ROUTE

Diploma in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management

This programme enables students to develop analytical skills and a deeper understanding of the business and management problems covered at certificate level.

Diploma 1 – Course Subjects:

• Organisational Behaviour
• Economic Principles and their Application to Business
• Financial Accounting
• Travel, Tourism & Hospitality.

Diploma 2 – Course Subjects:

• Human Resource Management
• Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Operations Management
• Marketing Policy, Planning and Communication
• Managerial Accounting
• Principles of Business Law.

On completion of the diploma programme, students will be well qualified to progress to either the advanced diploma, the second year of a BA (Hons) degree at a British University, further professional development or appropriate employment.

Entry requirements

ABE Certificate or Two ‘A’ level passes plus four GCSE passes at grade A-C, two of which must be English and Maths. or Overseas qualifications which, following University of London or NQF guidelines, may be accepted by ABE as being equivalent to the above.