FdA Business with Travel and Tourism

To gain entry to the programme you must satisfy the standard or non-standard entry requirements detailed below. The following admissions criteria will apply at level 4:

• applicants applying for this programme will be a minimum age of 18 years old and are expected to hold a relevant Level 3 qualification in a related subject with a minimum of 32 UCAS points (For example A Level Business Studies, BTEC Diploma in Business Studies or T Level Business Management).
• applicants will require 4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including at least grade 4 or above in GCSE maths and English or to have demonstrated ability in maths and English within further studies (such as functional skills at level 2).
• consideration of qualifications in non-business and human resource management areas at Level 3

all applicants will have a standardised admission interview (online or in-person)

Non-Standard Entry Requirements (including Mature students)

Students aged at least 21 by the start of the academic year of admission, or applicants with non-standard qualifications and/or experience and whose qualifications and/or experience is deemed to be appropriate to gain entry onto a named foundation degree may be admitted onto a foundation degree programme. For applicants with non-standard backgrounds, we consider relevant work experience and demonstrated skills that indicate an ability to engage with the programme material at this level.

The following admissions criteria will apply:

• All applicants will have a standardised admission interview (online or in person). • A personal statement submission is mandatory, allowing the admissions tutor to assess academic writing, grammar, and motivation to join the programme • evidence of employer references to support an application, which demonstrates work experience in the sector. • applicants are also required to have at least grade 4 or above in GCSE maths and English or to have demonstrated ability in maths and English within further studies (such as functional skills at level 2)

International Applicants:

Applicants applying at Level 4 who do not currently have permission to study in the UK will need to prove their English Language ability as part of the College application process and the UK Visa and Immigration process (UKVI).
New College Durham require students to take an English language test from one of the UKVI's approved test centres at an approved test centre location. For example, this could be an IELTS test or a Pearson test. A full list of approved tests and approved test centre providers can be found at www.gov.uk.

• The test must have been taken in the last two years.

• Applicants will be required to achieve a score of IELTS 5.5 or comparable to B2 on the European Qualification Framework (CEFR).

  • The Admissions Tutor will, where necessary, liaise, with the International Office to determine the academic standing of the applicant’s qualification.

  The following admissions criteria will also apply: • All applicants will have a standardised admission interview (online or in person). • A personal statement submission is mandatory, allowing the admissions tutor to assess academic writing, grammar, and motivation to join the programme.

Due to the nature of the programme there may the opportunity to participate in a variety of trips and visits, as these can alter annually the programme team will be able to advise of the most up to date cost of any planned visits.

You will meet with a member of the course team. Please bring evidence of your relevant qualifications.

Please report to the Main Building reception when you arrive.

The Foundation Degree in Business with Travel and Tourism (FdA) is a two-year programme designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to succeed in a business, travel and tourism roles, with a particular emphasis on small businesses and entrepreneurial environments. In Year 1 (Level 4), students begin by exploring a foundational understanding of the tourism and event sectors in both UK and global contexts. It explores the historical development, scale, and structure of the industry, and introduces key concepts such as sustainability, globalisation, and destination management. Alongside this, modules in Business Environment and Principles of Marketing provide insight into how external forces impact businesses and how effective marketing strategies can be developed to engage target audiences. Students in Year 2 (Level 5) develop a critical understanding of sustainability and its application within the global travel and tourism industry. Students will explore how environmental, socio-cultural, and economic factors interact to influence sustainable development and management practices. Performance Management for Small Businesses module covers the full performance cycle, change management, and strategies for managing organisational growth. This comprehensive programme prepares students to thrive in Travel and Tourism and business environments, whether progressing into employment or further study.

At level 4 you will study

• Human Resource Management
• Business Environment
• Principles of Marketing
• UK and Global Tourism
• Special Interest Tourism
• Professional Skills

Level 5

• Performance Management for a Small Business
• Regenerative Travel and Tourism
• Business Finance
• Events Management
• Entrepreneurship for a small business startup

A full timetable will be provided at the start of your programme.

Any times indicated are based on current courses and may be subject to change in future years. Full timetables will be confirmed at the start of each course.

A wide range of teaching and learning methods appropriate to the nature of the programme is used across the modules.

At Level 4, the teaching and learning strategies used include formal lectures, group activities, case studies, discussion, and role-play. These place emphasis on the development of knowledge, understanding, analysis and application, and tutors promote the relevance of these to the workplace through the use of work-related examples and case studies. Although initially sessions are tutor-led, independent learning is encouraged and supported at Level 4 and reinforced at Level 5.

The teaching and learning strategies used by tutors at Level 5 are designed to develop the higher order intellectual skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, particularly through the completion of an Enterprise Project. In addition, you will recognise and action plan for your own developmental needs in terms of academic and career progression, including identifying and participating in value added work experience and volunteering.

Independent learning will be encouraged and supported using Schoology to enable you to enhance your classroom learning, reading and access to programme information and pastoral care.

Employer involvement and industry links are embedded throughout the programme and reflects the collaborative nature of the sector.

Throughout your studies our links can include: • guest speakers from airlines, hotels, attractions, destination management organisations and events companies • employer-led case studies and live briefs for you to work on • industry visits linked to modules such as UK & Global Tourism or Events Management

Students gain early access to industry expertise and up-to-date sector trends. This ensures the programme remains aligned with employer priorities such as digital adoption, customer experience, sustainability, and service innovation. Additionally, the curriculum integrates exposure to emerging technologies that employers increasingly rely on, including AI-assisted planning, forecasting tools,data-driven customer insight, booking and CRM systems, and digital sustainability tracking—strengthening students’ digital employability. Students will look at how AI is used ethically in the travel and tourism industry.

Although this foundation degree has no formal placement all students are encouraged to seek out work experience opportunities across a variety of businesses. This experience will provide you with the knowledge and transferable skills needed to be successful in this competitive environment.

You could progress to our BA (Hons) Management (Top up) programme at New College Durham or apply for alternate top-up degrees such as the BSc (Hons) International Tourism & Hospitality Management (Top-up) at alternate local universities.
You could also choose to seek employment within the tourism and events sector or travel industry