Studying Business Management (Tourism)

Introducing your course leader, Karl McCormack

Hi, I’m Karl McCormack and I’m the course leader for the BSc (Hons) Business Management course.

I’ve been teaching for over ten years and am passionate about helping students develop the skills needed to succeed in business management. Before this, I worked in retail and finance, and these experiences allow me to bring real-world insights into my teaching, bridging the gap between theory and practice. My research focuses on student expectations, innovation in teaching, financial regulation, and fraud management.

I’m looking forward to welcoming you to the University of Staffordshire and supporting your journey in business management.

Take it from me, it was amazing!

Business Management graduate Eleri, talks about the array of transferable skills she gained during her time here at University of Staffordshire and all the great things about her course. She loves how passionate the lecturers are about what they teach, which made the course really engaging and fun.

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Real-world challenges and community impact

As a Business Management student you will get to apply your learning to address real problems in communities. Our recent Entrepreneurship Week challenge allowed students to pitch to local business owners, giving them valuable employability skills.

Listen to Emele talk about her experience of pitching for a cultural hub in Stoke-on-Trent.

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Frequently asked questions

Are there opportunities for work placements or studying abroad?

Yes, students can choose to complete a 12-month work placement between the second and final year of the course. There are also opportunities for international study exchanges with partner universities in countries such as Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.

What career opportunities can I pursue after graduating?

Graduates can pursue various careers such as Marketing Manager, Visitor Attraction Manager, Public Relations Officer, Conference Centre Manager, Customer Service Manager, Passenger Transport Agent, Outdoor Activities Manager, Ski Resort Agent, and roles in ecotourism and sustainable tourism.

What types of projects will I work on during the course?

Students will engage in various projects, including live industry briefs, creating their own consultancy to support existing tourism organisations, and conducting feasibility studies for new tourism initiatives. These projects provide hands-on experience and practical skills.

How is the course assessed?

The course is assessed through a combination of coursework, presentations, practical projects, and exams. This variety ensures that students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills in different ways.

What current trends in tourism will I learn about in this course?

The course covers various contemporary trends in tourism, including digital innovation, sustainable tourism practices, and the impact of globalisation on tourism development. You will explore how technology, such as virtual tours and mobile apps, is transforming customer experiences.

Teaching staff

Amanda Payne

Senior Lecturer

Amanda is an active researcher and Course Leader for the FdA Visitor Attraction and Resort Management. She is working towards A PhD and is currently researching poverty alleviation through art and cultural tourism in Cambodia.

Amanda's profile

Karl Mccormack

Senior Lecturer

Karl has experience teaching on Apprenticeship and Foundation Degrees, BA accounting programmes, MBA modules. He has also taught as a subject specialist in forensic accounting, computerised accounting and management accounting.

Karl's profile

Frances-Marie Hitchen

Lecturer

Fran is a lecturer in Visitor Attraction and Resort Management, Business Management (Tourism & Events) and Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeships and has vast industry experience enabling her to provide real life industry knowledge.

Frances-Marie's profile

Dr Mohammad Wasim

Senior Lecturer

Ali has industry experience in roles such as product management, brand management and operations. He joined Staffordshire University in 2017 after completing his PhD in Management. He is Deputy Award Leader for Undergraduate Business Management.

Mohammad's profile

Paul Dobson

Senior Lecturer

Senior Lecturer at Staffordshire Business School for over 17 years, specialising in digital and strategic marketing. This includes local, national and international Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), and Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO).

Paul's profile

Dr Joe Hazzam

Interim Course Director

Joe is a Senior Lecturer, and course leader of the BSc digital and social media programme. Joe delivers workshops and masterclasses on social media and digital marketing strategies with 17 years of experience in strategic and digital marketing

Joe's profile

Your next steps

  1. Accept your offer

    An exciting new chapter awaits you here at University of Staffordshire - we can't wait to meet you. Before you can progress with finance or accommodation choices, you'll need to confirm your offer via UCAS.

    Accept your offer

  2. Apply for student finance

    It's best to arrange your student finance before starting University. You can learn more about student finance and make an application at www.gov.uk/student-finance. Our support team is here to help, get in touch if you have any questions about student finance.

    Enquire about finance

  3. Apply for your accommodation

    We have a range of accommodation to choose from to suit all lifestyles and budgets, including en-suite and accessible rooms. Browse rooms and find out how to apply.

    Browse University accommodation
for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021