Travel and Tourism - Level 3

Summary

If you're keen to develop a career in travel and tourism, the Level 3 Diploma will move you closer towards your goals. Gain a balance of academic and employability skills as our expert tutors introduce you to this exciting and fast-paced industry.

You will cover all aspects of travel and tourism and discover the vast range of career opportunities available with travel agencies, cruise line companies, aviation, tour operators, tourist attractions, tourist information offices and conference event organisations. A period of work experience in the travel and tourism capital of the UK will enhance your skills and confidence further.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
02 Sep 2026
Bispham Campus
2 Years

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This course will equip you to start work in the sector straight away in a range of job roles or progress to higher education either undertaking a standard degree programme or perhaps looking at a higher level apprenticeship gaining both valuable qualifications and experience. 

If you join us and find yourself resitting your GCSE in Maths or English, then successful completion of year one gains you the L3 Certificate in Travel and Tourism and, following progression, successful completion of year two leads to the L3 Diploma in Travel and Tourism. 

If you join us with the required GCSEs AND both Maths & English then you will gain the L3 Introductory Diploma at the end of year one and successful completion of year two will lead to the L3 Extended Diploma.

Next steps at B&FC

Having successfully completed a Level 3 qualification, students will be in a position to consider degree-level study and apply for higher and degree apprenticeships. At B&FC, there are degree-level business courses which could complement their existing travel and tourism knowledge and would allow them to apply for more senior roles in industry.

Other study options

There are a number of higher education institutions in the North West and further afield which specialise in degree-level travel and tourism qualifications. 

For students looking to pursue specific career paths such as cabin crew, in-company training programmes can offer a passport to these roles.

Employment Opportunities

This qualification could lead to a career in:

  • Resort Representative
  • Hotel / Hospitality Operations or Management
  • Air Cabin Crew
  • Cruise Industry
  • Retail / Business Travel Operations
  • Visitor Attractions
  • Customer Service Management

Key information

Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs grade 4 or above including English or maths grade 4 or above OR Level 2 vocational qualification in relevant subject and English or Maths grade 4 or above (Students can re-sit English or Maths GCSE alongside this course)

Plus

  • A successful interview with a tutor
  • The ability to study independently
  • A genuine interest in the subject
  • Good communication skills
  • Hardworking approach towards the industry

Qualification obtained

Diploma in Travel and Tourism

Fees and funding

Courses for learners who are 16-18 years old at the start of their course and resident in the UK are fully funded. You may also be entitled to further financial help to support your studies depending on your personal circumstances. For more details of these, please visit our page on Finance Support for School Leavers. 

If you are not a UK resident, we will confirm whether funding is available when we process your application. If not, you may be liable for course fees.

Extra costs and equipment

You will need to provide your own stationery, including pens, notepad and an A4 folder.

Residential and non-residential study visits are key to developing your industry experience and therefore compulsory; these are used to meet the requirements of specific units where practical application of skills is key for you to demonstrate what you have learned. The costs of these are subject to change so we will confirm exact amounts nearer the time, at open days, enrolment and induction.

What will I learn?

Over the course of your programme you will complete a range of units linked to the sector focusing on the wider UK travel and tourism industry, visitor attractions, airlines and airports, and travel and tourism destinations. All of these have been designed to provide you with a foundational understanding of the sector, how diverse and interesting travel and tourism is, and the opportunities open to you to help you decide on a chosen career path.

Over the course of 2 years you will complete a range of modules and work experience. The number of modules will depend on whether you are on the L3 Certifictae/Diploma route or the L:3 Introductory Diploma/Extended Diploma route.

Units covered may include:

  • The UK travel and tourism industry
  • Customer Service
  • Tour Guiding
  • Resort Reps
  • Hospitality in the travel and tourism sector
  • UK Visitor attractions
  • Preparing for a career in travel and tourism
  • Travel and tourism destinations
  • Responsible Tourism
  • Event Planning
  • The Cruise Industry
  • Airlines

Essential skills: English and Maths

All school leavers at B&FC are encouraged to continue developing their English and Maths skills as higher ability in both these subjects is linked to long-term career success and increased earning potential - irrespective of how well you performed at GCSE. If, however, you achieve a GCSE Grade 3 or less in one of the subjects, you will also have the opportunity to work towards re-sitting this to enhance your paper-based qualifications. 

This won’t delay your career journey because you will be undertaking this programme of study at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

This course features a compulsory work placement with the opportunity to develop your skills in a realistic industry setting and discover what an employer will expect of you in a similar role. 

There are compulsory field trips on this course, designed to enhance your understanding of the industry (see Equipment needed and cost for more details). We also offer a range of other trips to destinations such as tourist information services, tour guiding sites and visitor attractions in a variety of locations. These visits are compulsory and will form part of your assessment.

How will I learn?

You will spend approximately 18 hours a week in class studying on the main programme whilst also developing your Maths or English skills to the desired level required by the industry.

This programme incorporates periods of self-study, this means you will be expected to devote additional time (approx. 6 hours per week) outside of the timetabled hours to your studies.

Digital skills and e-learning are key elements of all our courses. We will use a range of online apps to support and enhance your learning. Don’t worry your tutors will guide you through these technologies and you will be introduced to them in the first couple of sessions.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

The course is assessed using 100% internal assessment, methods will be varied but could include, written reports, presentations, practical sessions and group projects.