International Hospitality Business Management top-up online

Awarding university and fee

This degree is awarded by the University of Derby and accredited by the Institute of Hospitality. The fee is all-inclusive.

About the hospitality top-up

This top-up is the final year of a UK degree in hospitality management. It builds on your HND and your work in hotels, restaurants, events or tourism, and moves you into strategy, leadership and the business side of running hospitality operations across cultures.

The course is built for people already working in the industry. You apply each module to your own workplace and finish with a management research project on a real hospitality issue.

Typical topics in the final year

• Strategic hospitality operations management
• Leadership and management in hospitality
• Managing cultural issues in service delivery
• Service quality and the guest experience
• Consumer behaviour and global strategy
• Management research project

Course structure

You take four 20-credit core modules and choose two 20-credit options, 120 credits in total at Level 6. Assessment is 100% coursework. The university may update modules from year to year.

Entry requirements

You need an HND or Foundation Degree (240 credits) in hospitality, tourism or a related subject, at least six months of full-time hospitality work, and IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. Applicants with strong supervisory or management experience may also be considered. See the full UK bachelor's pathway.

Careers after a hospitality management degree

Other top-up degrees

What is a hospitality management top-up?

A top-up degree is the final year (Level 6, 120 credits) of a UK bachelor's degree with honours. If you already hold a Level 5 qualification such as an HND in hospitality or tourism, you do not need to start a three-year degree from the beginning. You join the final year and graduate with a full BA (Hons) International Hospitality Business Management.

The degree sits at Level 6 of the Regulated Qualifications Framework, the same level as any honours degree in the UK. It is awarded by the University of Derby and accredited by the Institute of Hospitality, the professional body for hospitality managers.

Who is this top-up for?

• Hotel supervisors and assistant managers who need a degree to move into management.
• Restaurant, café and food and beverage team leaders.
• Events, tourism and travel professionals.
• Anyone working in hospitality in Turkey, Syria, the Gulf or elsewhere who wants a UK degree without moving to the UK.

How to apply in four steps

1. Send your documents: your Level 5 certificate and transcript, a CV showing your hospitality experience, passport copy and, if you have one, an English test result (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).
2. Check your eligibility: we review your qualification and experience and confirm whether you meet the entry requirements.
3. Receive your offer: the university reviews your application and issues the offer.
4. Pay and start: pay the all-inclusive fee and begin studying online at the next intake.

Frequently asked questions