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Access to HE Diploma (Travel and Tourism)
Access to HE Diploma (Travel and Tourism)
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Course Outline
Course Outline
The Access to HE Diploma (Travel and Tourism) is a full Level 3 qualification awarded by AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group and recognised by universities across the UK.
The course combines:
Travel and tourism-specific units that explore industry structure, destinations, and impacts.
Business and economics units that provide commercial and financial understanding.
Environmental studies that highlight sustainability challenges in tourism.
Study skills units that prepare you for higher education success.
This balance of subject knowledge and skills ensures you are ready to progress to degrees in Travel and Tourism, Aviation Management, International Business, or Hospitality and Events Management.
Modules
Modules
Academic Study Techniques (6 credits)
Develop core academic abilities such as essay writing, referencing, note-taking, and time management. This unit builds your confidence in independent study.Independent Research (3 credits)
Learn how to plan, carry out, and present a small-scale research project. You’ll choose a topic, gather evidence, analyse findings, and reflect on the process — skills that prepare you for larger university projects.Developing Critical Thinking (3 credits)
Learn how to question assumptions, analyse arguments, and evaluate evidence. This unit builds reasoning skills that are essential for academic and professional success.Progressing to Higher Education (3 credits)
Prepare for university admissions. You’ll refine your personal statement, practise interview skills, and explore what higher education will expect from you.The UK Aviation Industry (9 credits)
Examine the role of aviation in the UK’s travel and tourism sector. Topics include the history and structure of the industry, key organisations, safety regulations, and the impact of aviation on the economy and environment.Travel and Tourism – Issues and Impacts (3 credits)
Explore the positive and negative impacts of tourism on destinations, communities, and the environment. You’ll consider issues such as sustainability, cultural preservation, and mass tourism.Tourist Destinations (6 credits)
Study a range of popular tourist destinations, both in the UK and abroad. Learn what makes them attractive to visitors and how they are marketed and managed.The UK Travel and Tourism Industry (9 credits)
Gain an overview of the travel and tourism industry in the UK. You’ll study its structure, key players, trends, and contributions to the economy.Europe as a Tourist Destination (6 credits)
Explore Europe’s role as a leading global tourist destination. This unit looks at major attractions, tourism flows, cultural influences, and the economic and social importance of tourism in Europe.Demand and Supply (3 credits)
Understand how demand and supply shape markets and influence prices. Apply these economic concepts to tourism, considering seasonal demand, consumer behaviour, and industry responses.The Economic Environment (3 credits)
Study how economic factors affect business and tourism. Topics include inflation, employment, globalisation, and government policy, giving you insight into the wider context in which the industry operates.Conservation (3 credits)
Explore the importance of conservation and how it links with tourism. You’ll study strategies to protect biodiversity and how sustainable tourism can support conservation goals.Pollution and Human Population (3 credits)
Examine the environmental challenges created by population growth and travel. This unit considers pollution, over-tourism, and strategies for reducing negative impacts.
Enrolment Requirements
Enrolment Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements, but learners are normally expected to be working at:
Level 2 in English
Level 2 in Mathematics
At Access Courses Online, we provide advice and support before enrolment to ensure you are prepared and confident to succeed.
Assessments
Assessments
Assessment is coursework-based, not exam-based. Tasks may include:
Essays and reports
Case studies
Presentations
Research projects
Reflective assignments
To achieve the diploma, you must complete 60 credits:
45 graded credits at Level 3 (Pass, Merit, or Distinction).
15 ungraded credits at Level 2 or 3.
All assessments are internally marked and externally moderated by AIM for quality and consistency.
Qualification
Qualification
On successful completion, you will be awarded the QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma (Travel and Tourism), Level 3 (OFQUAL Ref: 400/1549/X).
This diploma is awarded by AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group, regulated by Ofqual, the QAA, and Qualifications Wales.
It is accepted by UK universities as an entry qualification for travel, tourism, and business-related degrees.
Careers
Careers
This diploma can lead to university degrees such as:
Travel and Tourism Management
Aviation Management
Hospitality and Events Management
International Business
Geography and Tourism
With a degree, career options include:
Tourism Manager – overseeing operations in travel agencies, tour companies, or visitor attractions.
Aviation Manager – working in airline or airport management roles.
Hospitality and Events Coordinator – managing large-scale events, conferences, or hotels.
Destination Marketer or Tourism Officer – promoting and managing destinations to attract visitors.
Sustainability Officer – helping organisations and destinations reduce their environmental impact.
Travel Writer or Consultant – providing insight and expertise within the global travel industry.
The travel and tourism industry is global, versatile, and ever-evolving — this diploma is your entry point to a career that can take you anywhere in the world.
Our Guarantees
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Affordable Learning
We offer flexible payment plans to make learning more accessible and affordable. Spread the cost of your course over manageable monthly payments, so you can focus on achieving your goals without financial stress.
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Application Support
We provide UCAS application support to help you navigate the university admissions process with confidence. From personal statement guidance to application tips, we’re here to support your journey to higher education.
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Exam Free Learning
Our courses are completely exam free. Instead of exams, you'll complete assignments and coursework designed to develop your knowledge and skills in a supportive and flexible learning environment.
Meet your expert friendly tutor
FAQs
Travel and Tourism
What is the Access to HE Diploma in Travel and Tourism?
It’s a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification designed for adults who want to progress to university but don’t have A-Levels. The diploma develops subject knowledge in tourism, hospitality, events, and business alongside academic study skills.
Who is this course suitable for?
This diploma is ideal for:
· Adults returning to education.
· People working in travel, tourism, or hospitality who want to move into management or higher-level roles.
· Learners interested in university study in tourism, business, or related fields.
Do I need previous experience in travel or tourism?
No — previous industry experience isn’t required, but an interest in tourism, events, or hospitality is important. Any customer service or travel experience you do have will strengthen your university application.
What support will I get during the diploma?
You’ll receive one-to-one tutor support, feedback on assignments, academic skills workshops, and guidance on career and university progression.
Tutoring
Who will be my Tutor?
We have professionals that are current in their practice of their chosen fields to support you. For example, you will be able to take directly to a Midwife/Nurse and get guidance and support directly from these professionals as you complete your course.
This is on top of a Faculty Leader in Science who has worked as a Science Teacher for more than 10 years.
Will I get some 1:1 support?
Yes! We help our students personally navigate their career options with online video calls and messenger chats.
We provide 1-1 specialist support to you when you need it.
Working in partnership with you, we will provide a personal service of meeting individual educational needs and career options.
Experience
Do I need to be ‘good’ at science?
You experience of science at school will likely be in an exam-based system that places high importance on being able to remember knowledge and ‘perform’ under exam conditions. This course is completely different, instead of covering vast discipline of science this course focussing on the key foundation knowledge that you’ll need in the next step of your learning journey. Teaching difficult concepts is our expertise, we will meet you where you are and get you where you need to be. By the end of the course, you’ll love science and have produced some useful learning resources to take you into your next stages of study.
I’m anxious about sitting exams, will I have to sit exams either face-to-face or online?
This course is completely online, and you’ll be glad to hear that there are no exams. The course leader will assess your understanding and knowledge of the subject but setting you assessments with clear criteria and assessment descriptors. You will submit your assignment for grading, either ‘pass’, ‘merit’ or ‘distinction’.
I’m nervous to present or talk to the group online, will I be forced to do this?
We will meet you where you are, if you want to develop this skill ready for university then we can arrange smaller group sessions or one-to-one sessions to support you, or you can choose an alternative format for your presentation. We want you to feel comfortable and supported on this course.
University
Will I have support applying for university?
Absolutely, we will hold your hand every step of the way, you can talk to us about course choices, we’ll help proofread your personal statement, provide references. As promised, we will get you to university.
I haven’t decided which exact route I’d like to take within the profession, does it matter?
No, not at all, we’ll introduce you to a number of different professionals within the health services so you can hear about their journey, experience and careers.
Lessons
Will I have to do practical experiments at home?
The investigation skills unit is based around a practical investigation of red peppers. The equipment that you’ll need is limited to things you’d find in your kitchen but you don’t need to carry out the investigation yourself if you don’t want to as your course leader will demonstrate it.
What are the assignments like?
We set a variety of assignments that will set you up with skills that will be useful in your future studying and career. We encourage essay writing with referencing, but don’t worry, we’ll show you how! We also set presentations, video tasks, leaflet and poster design and we show you how to use great free tools like Canva to make it super easy.
Do I have to attend live lessons and switch my camera on?
No, not at all. Many of our students are busy people working shifts and managing several commitments. You can watch the session recordings and then arrange a time to meet with your tutor to ask any questions or get further support. As for the camera, switch it on if you feel comfortable, don’t worry if not. We’ve created a culture of supportive and collaborative students in our online community, but all approaches are respected and accepted. Do what makes you feel comfortable.