Travel And Tourism BTEC National Certificate

TRAVEL & TOURISM BTEC NATIONAL CERTIFICATE
This course will give you the foundation for a career in the travel industry. You will study a variety of destinations both in the UK and worldwide and gain skills in Customer Service, Event Management, and as a Holiday Representative to name but a few. The course provides an excellent grounding for either further study or direct entry into employment within the industry. The BTEC National Certificate is equivalent to 2 A levels.

What and how will I be studying?
You will have a mixture of classroom-based lessons, group work, practical sessions, group and individual field visits and the chance for independent study. In a typical lesson you will be taught relevant Travel and Tourism theory, which you will then apply to the written assignment or the practical session that you being assessed in. The course gives you the opportunity to focus upon specific areas that interest you.

Your work is assessed internally by your teachers and externally moderated by Edexcel.

What skills will I need and be developing during the course?
The course is coursework based with some practical assessment as part of some units. In addition to gaining travel industry knowledge you will have the chance to develop your organisational skills, as well as the ability to work to deadlines, and learn to work as part of a team. You will also have lots of opportunities to develop the research, team working and presentational skills valued by universities and industry.

What units will I be studying?
Students must take the following four units:

• Investigating Travel and Tourism
  
• The Business of Travel and Tourism
  
• The UK as a Destination
  
• Customer Service in Travel and Tourism
  

Students will then take eight specialist units.

• Roles and Responsibilities of Holiday Representatives
  
• Entertainment for Holidaymakers
  Cruise Sector
  
• Events Conferences and Exhibitions
  
• Residential Study Visit
  
• Work Experience
  
• Handling Air Passengers
  
• Preparing for Employment
  

What career opportunities are there?
The BTEC qualifications are recognised by most universities and therefore successful completion will enable students to continue their studies in higher education on a related course. Alternatively students will find that BTEC qualifications are valued by employers and can lead to career opportunities in the travel and tourism industry such as Hospitality, Events Management, Cabin Crew, Travel Agents, Transport Operators, Hotels and Visitor Attractions.

...and what else?
There are no exams in this qualification. There will be a wide variety of visits throughout the two years in order for students to gain an understanding of the industry and how it operates.