Who benefits from the Bachelor's distance learning course in Tourism and Event Management?

The distance learning course in Tourism and Event Management (B.A.) is suitable for anyone who wants to start, consolidate, or realign their career in the tourism or event industry. The target group includes school leavers with (advanced) technical college entrance qualification, working professionals with relevant training and practical experience, as well as career changers and lateral entrants seeking professional development. It especially appeals to people interested in international contexts, organisational talent, and communication. This offer is also suitable for working professionals who value flexibility and independent time management during their studies.

Admission: Which formal routes lead to the degree programme?

The formal admission requirements are diverse and allow several groups access:

• With Abitur or Fachhochschulreife: General university entrance qualification, subject-specific or technical college entrance qualification directly entitle enrolment in the Bachelor’s degree programme.
• With professional qualification:
  • At least a two-year recognised vocational training plus at least two years of full-time work in a related field. Additionally, a subject-specific university entrance examination must be taken.
  • Master craftsman’s examination, specialist, business administrator or technician qualification (advanced training with at least 400 hours of instruction). Here too, a subject-specific entrance examination is required.
  • Intermediate school leaving certificate and at least three years of vocational training (final grade 2.5 or better; in case of a lower grade, the university entrance examination must also be passed). In the 1st semester, 18 CP or in the 1st academic year 30 CP must be achieved (study agreement).

Personally, you should bring the following:

• Motivation for independent and self-organised learning in distance education
• Interest in other cultures, international economic contexts and the organisation of complex processes
• Communication skills and team orientation for later practice in tourism and event management
• Flexibility and perseverance to complete studies alongside work or other commitments
• Basic knowledge of handling digital media and willingness to learn and work online

Study Content in Detail: What Does the Bachelor Distance Learning Course in Tourism and Event Management Teach You?

In the distance learning course Tourism and Event Management (B.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius, you receive comprehensive training that combines business administration fundamentals with industry-specific expertise. The aim is to prepare you for responsible positions in tourism, event, and trade fair management. The following content is central:

• General Management: Introduction to business administration and economics, accounting, cost accounting, financial management, financial reporting, controlling, marketing and market research, human resource management, organisation and corporate management.
• Business Law: Teaching of legal basics for economic decisions in the tourism and event sector.
• Professionalisation: Intercultural Competence, Business Language Issues, academic work – you strengthen your communication skills and methodological competence.
• Digital Transformation: Content on IT security and data protection prepare you for digital challenges in the industry.
• Tourism Management: Tourism industry, various types of tourism, destination management and the economic conditions of travel offers.
• Event Management: International event and trade fair industry, strategic and operational event management, event communication, marketing, event conception and design, event technology, exhibition stand construction.

Specialisation options: You choose three focus areas from Functional Management in International Companies, Food and Beverage Management, Project and Quality Management, Practical Project "Start-up" or Leisure Psychology and Leisure Sociology. This selection enables individual specialisation and alignment with your career goals.

The following competencies will be acquired during the course of study:

• Analysis and evaluation of tourism and event-related business models
• Planning, organisation and follow-up of (large-scale) events
• Development of sustainable tourism concepts and destination strategies
• Intercultural communication and leadership in an international context
• Use of modern IT and marketing tools for the management of tourism products and events
• Implementation of data protection requirements in practice

Additionally, you benefit from free international certificates and masterclasses from Arizona State University (ASU) as well as the option to gain international experience and intercultural competence through internships abroad, language trips or excursions as part of your studies.

Course Structure: How Is the Distance Learning Course Organised?

The Bachelor’s degree is organised completely online and designed for maximum flexibility:

• You can start your studies at any time on the 1st of a month. There are no fixed semester start dates.
• You determine your own learning pace and choose between different duration models: 36, 48 or 72 months. A change is also possible during the course of study.
• The learning platform studynet provides you with all materials digitally: interactive study magazines (Studymags), video lectures, e-books, academic articles, exercises and access to the digital library.
• You decide whether to study purely digitally or additionally order printed study booklets for a fee.
• The course is completely location-independent. Optional workshops in the SaturdayOnly format additionally enable attendance phases for practical exercises and networking (not mandatory).
• You will be supported from the beginning by a personal study coach and have direct online access to lecturers and forums for exchange with fellow students.
• The examination format is particularly flexible: there are hardly any classic written exams. Instead, alternative examination forms predominate, such as term papers, open-book formats, online presentations, project work and 24/7 online exams. Only in exceptional cases is an on-site exam required, which will be announced well in advance.
• The distance learning course relies on state-of-the-art digital tools, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (e.g. AI platform NextGeneration:AI) for research, learning support and creative problem-solving.

The curriculum is based on 180 ECTS credits and largely allows you to determine the examination requirements and the order in which to complete the modules yourself. This enables you to tailor the course optimally to your personal or professional situation.

Career Opportunities & Job Prospects: Where Will Your Degree Take You?

A successful completion as a Bachelor of Arts (Tourism and Event Management) opens up diverse career prospects at home and abroad. Typical fields of work and industries include:

• Event Management: Planning, organising and executing corporate events, trade fairs, congresses, festivals and private events
• Tourism Industry: Positions with tour operators, destination agencies, cruise companies or airports
• Hotel and Hospitality Management: Managerial roles in hotels, resorts, gastronomy or the hospitality industry
• Marketing and Sales: Development of marketing strategies, communications management, customer service
• Project and Quality Management: Control and optimisation of tourism projects, introduction and support of quality management systems
• Cultural Management: Activities in cultural institutions, non-profit organisations and foundations
• Trade Fair Services: Organisation of national and international trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses

Furthermore, the course opens up prospects in consulting, the start-up environment (e.g. own start-up projects) and companies in the digital and experience economy. With the internationally recognised degree, you are also qualified for advanced master’s degree programmes at home and abroad.

Costs and Financing: How Do You Invest in Your Future?

The distance learning course at Hochschule Fresenius is associated with planned tuition fees. The monthly costs vary depending on the chosen duration model:

• 36 months: €375.00 per month (with discount: €333.75 per month)
• 48 months: €325.00 per month (with discount: €289.25 per month)
• 72 months: €235.00 per month (with discount: €209.15 per month)

The total cost of the course – depending on the model – is approximately €12,420 (as of 2024, information without guarantee). The price includes all digital learning materials, online access to the library and learning platform, individual support by study coaches and all regular examination fees. Additional costs may arise for optional face-to-face workshops, travel to individual exams or the purchase of printed study booklets.

Various options are available for financing:

• Flexible payment models and discount promotions (e.g. code START11)
• Possibility of cost-reducing recognition of prior achievements from training or previous studies
• Funding opportunities such as BAföG (if conditions are met), scholarships (e.g. Deutschlandstipendium), study loans (including KfW student loan) and education loans
• Support from the employer if the course is relevant for professional development
• Tax deductibility of tuition fees as income-related expenses or special expenses

The monthly instalments and largely digital teaching formats keep the financial burden predictable and manageable.