BA (Hons) Heritage and Tourism
Planning a career in heritage, travel or tourism? Our Heritage and Tourism degree is the perfect place to start your professional journey. This degree is delivered jointly by the University of Stirling and Forth Valley College.
Key facts
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date August 2024
- Duration 48 months
- Mode of study full time
- Delivery on campus
- UCAS Code 8V74
- Study abroad opportunities
Overview
If you have aspirations of working in the heritage and tourism sectors, our dedicated Heritage and Tourism degree is the perfect starting point. This course is an integrated degree taught in conjunction with Forth Valley College. You'll spend the first two years studying at the college and the final two studying at the University of Stirling campus, whilst benefitting from dual registration and the full range of their combined resources and facilities.
The course is supported and shaped by leading organisations such as Historic Environment Scotland, VisitScotland and Scottish Canals, and delivered jointly by the University of Stirling and Forth Valley College. Your studies will reflect the importance of combining academic knowledge with a firm grasp of management and business. You’ll learn about heritage, tourism, history, exhibition design, sociology, marketing and environmental studies – as well as the challenges facing the management and promotion of historic and natural environments in Scotland and beyond.
The course is informed by the internationally-recognised expertise of our academic staff and their extensive networks with professional partners, helping to distinguish our programme from other heritage and tourism courses. You can be confident that everything you’re learning is rooted in the latest academic and applied industry thinking, and designed to prepare you for a career in the heritage and tourism sectors. You’ll also apply your skills in real-world settings while you study – further sharpening the skills you’ll put to use when you transition into the exciting professional world of heritage and tourism.
Top reasons to study with us
Prizes or awards
Past students from this degree have been awarded a range of prizes within the Division and Faculty, including the Independent Research Project Prize (for dissertations and heritage portfolios).
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
BBB
GCE A-levels
BB
IB Diploma
28
BTEC (Level 3)
MMM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other Scottish qualifications
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Advanced entry is not available for this course
Additional information
Start dates
This four-year course is a collaboration between Forth Valley College and the University of Stirling. In Years 1 and 2, you will be taught at Forth Valley College's Stirling Campus, where the teaching terms start in August each year (see Forth Valley College's term dates). You will then transfer to the University of Stirling for Years 3 and 4, where the teaching semesters start in September each year (see University of Stirling's semester dates).
How to apply
To apply for a full-time undergraduate degree, you should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can apply for up to five courses on your application.
Direct applications
If you would like to apply only for this integrated degree course, you can use our direct application form (instead of completing a UCAS application for multiple course choices).
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact Forth Valley College’s University Partnership Officer, Lisa Baxter at lisa.baxter@forthvalley.ac.uk.
Other routes of entry
We will consider applicants for direct entry into Year 3 who hold an HND in Travel and Tourism (A or B classification in graded units).
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 56 overall with a minimum of 51 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
The first two years of this course are based at Forth Valley College’s Stirling campus, while Years 3 and 4 are taught at the University of Stirling.
Course structure
Year 1 (at Forth Valley College)
- Structure of the Travel and Tourism Industry
- Applying Marketing Principles in Travel and Tourism
- Creating a Culture of Customer Care
- Preparation for Employment in Travel and Tourism
- Providing Information on the Scottish Tourism Product
- Scottish Tourism Product: Niche Markets
- Research Skills
- Visitor Attraction Operations
- Countryside Recreation and Access
- Scottish Natural Heritage Tourism
- Personal Development Planning
- Using Software Application Packages
- Communication: Analysing and Presenting Complex Communication
- Travel and Tourism Graded Unit 1
Year 2 (at Forth Valley College)
- Influences on the Travel and Tourism Industry
- Marketing and Planning in Travel and Tourism
- Planning and Sustainable Development in Tourism
- Tour Operations
- Food Tourism and Culture
- Visitor Attraction Management
- Practical Travel and Tourism Visit
- Work Experience
- Role of History, Culture and Genealogy in Scottish Tourism
- Countryside Visitor Management
- Heritage Studies: Scotland
- Historical Reputations (taught at the University of Stirling)
- Travel and Tourism Graded Unit 2
Years 3 and 4 (University of Stirling)
In the final two years, students are taught at the University of Stirling and have the opportunity to engage in advanced study in specialised areas. There is a core module in year 3 focusing on Heritage Protection. Students also have the opportunity to take modules focusing on Museums, Heritage, Colonialism, Globalisation, Heritage and Identity, Public History, and Interpretation and Exhibition Design. A distinctive aspect of the degree is the opportunity to complete either a Dissertation or a Heritage Portfolio during Year 4. Teaching and learning is informed by the research and expertise of academic staff, and students have the opportunity to create their own specialised pathway drawing on 30-40 option modules from across the University. Further information about modules in years 3 and 4 can be found below.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
Teaching
You’ll learn through a combination of lectures and small group sessions, as well as gaining valuable insight into the heritage and tourism industries through work placements and field trips. A variety of student centred teaching methods and digital platforms are designed to put you at the heart of the learning process, playing an active role in shaping your degree and your future. Our academic staff will support and inspire you with their friendly, approachable manner and their passion for the subject.
Fieldwork
Field trips to heritage sites, museums and tourism assets are an important part of the programme. Our teaching and learning engages directly with 'real world' issues and problems illustrated by specific heritage sites, museums and tourism assets. Seeing these first hand is an essential part of your learning. Field trips also provide an exciting arena for discussion and debate, whilst playing an important role in building a cohesive and supportive peer community.
Assessment
You’ll acquire a wide range of skills and experience a diverse range of assessments, such as examinations, essay writing, workshop reports, oral presentations and exhibition design. In Year 4, you will undertake an independent, supervised research project leading to either a dissertation or a Heritage Portfolio (based on your choice). Your final Honours classification will be based on work done in Years 3 and 4. Modules are typically assessed by a combination of coursework and examination, with the weighting varying depending on the nature of the material taught and the module outcomes specified.
Classroom hours
Classroom hours vary as you progress through the degree programme. During years 1 and 2 you will spend a good proportion of the week in the classroom, whereas in years 3 and 4 you will become more independent in your learning, spending time doing supervised research and directed reading in preparation for seminars and assignments.
Work placement opportunities
There is a work placement module in Year 2, administered by Forth Valley College.
Study abroad
As a University of Stirling student, you’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Contact
Paul Cunningham, Curiculum Manager Forth Valley College
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| International students (including EU) | £16,400 | £17,200 |
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Heritage and tourism play a vital role in the economy, and offer diverse and rewarding forms of employment. This degree programme combines applied business and tourism-specific skills with the academic skills from the study of history, heritage and conservation. Those skills are highly sought after by not only employers within the tourism, conservation and heritage sectors, but have a wide appeal to employers from all career sectors.
What jobs can you get with a Heritage and Tourism degree?
A degree in Heritage and Tourism from the University of Stirling opens the door to opportunities with a wide range of organisations. You’ll acquire skills that will be ideally suited to roles such as:
- heritage manager
- historic buildings inspector or conservation officer
- museum education officer
- museum or gallery curator
- museum or gallery exhibitions officer
- education
- visitor attraction operations
- tourism management
A Heritage and Tourism degree is also well suited to jobs in education, journalism, marketing and communications, the civil service and many other fields. Further postgraduate training will be required for some of these fields.
Companies we work with
The course is supported and shaped by our work with leading organisations such as Historic Environment Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, VisitScotland and Scottish Canals.
What our students said
France
BA (Hons) Heritage and Tourism
Read Philippe's storyThe first thing that attracted me to this course was the fact it was a combined degree with college and university. I hadn't been in education for about 20 years, so it allowed me to restart without having all the pressure of studying a university degree straight away.
Flexible study
This course is not available as a combined degree.