Degree in Tourism
240 credits - Faculty of Tourism
The Degree in Tourism aims to provide students with specific training in managing businesses and institutions that are part of the most important economic sector in the Balearic Islands: tourism. The training received by students combines both theoretical and practical elements, with a structure characterised mainly by a multi-disciplinary nature combining:
- Main core training in tourism business management (business management systems for tourism enterprises, marketing techniques, quality management, strategic positioning, accounting, etc.) and the economics of tourism (measuring and assessing the economic impact of tourism, assessing the environmental impact of tourism, etc.).
- Language training (English, French and/or German) specifically applied to the tourism sector: specific vocabulary for tourism businesses, presentation techniques, common expressions, etc.
- Training in tourism law (analysing the specific legal framework of the tourism sector), the geography of tourism (land resource planning and management) and cultural heritage management.
- The practical application of knowledge acquired on the degree programme through work experience at a renowned tourism business or institution, both on the islands and overseas, lasting around 4-5 months.
- The Final Degree Project, which is the last stage of the Degree in Tourism, where students will use the knowledge they have acquired throughout the degree programme.
International Curriculum Pathway
Students are offered the chance to attain International Pathway accreditation where they fulfil the following requirements:
- Passing a minimum of 30 credits for subjects taught in English (not including English language classes)
- Meeting at least one of the following criteria:
- A one-year stay at an overseas university studying in a foreign language and passing 48 credits
- A single semester stay at an overseas university studying in a foreign language and passing 24 credits, as well as passing a further 24 credits in subjects taught in English on the degree course
- Doing their Practicum with an intensive use of a foreign language (18 credits) or taking an additional 18 credits on their degree course taught in English
- Writing their Final Degree Project in English (six credits).
In any event, the number of credits and subjects taken in English and whether the student followed the Pathway will be shown on the European Diploma Supplement, as well as any stays overseas.
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Specialisation
There are two specialisations: Management and Planning. Where students take at least 24 elective credits in the fourth year on the same pathway, the corresponding specialisation will be included on their degree certificate:
- The management specialisation requires broad knowledge in business and process management at tourism companies (accommodation, marketing, events organisation and MICE, technology applied to tourism, transport, etc.)
- The planning specialisation requires knowledge on tourism land-use planning, environmental resources management and regional tourism promotion to provide advice services within public administrations or through consultants.
Credit Summary
| Core Training | Mandatory | Elective Subjects | External Practicum | Final Degree Project | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 126 | 30 | 18 | 6 | 240 |
Subject list by year and semester
Subjects
First Year
First Semester
Economic Environment*
Basic Notions of Law*
Introduction to Markets and Financial Operations*
Geography of Tourism*
Introduction to Tourism*
Second Semester
Introduction to Business*
Public Law in Tourism*
English I*
Quantitative Analysis of Tourist Activity
Cultural Heritage Management*
Second Year
First Semester
Organisational Design and Human Resources
English II
Financial Accounting I
Tourism Marketing I
German I or French I**
Second Semester
Territorial Resources*
Financial Accounting II
Microeconomic Analysis of Tourism
Tourism Industry Contracts
German II or French II **
Third Year
First Semester
Tourism Marketing II
Tourism Operations Management
English III
French III or German III**
Taxation System
Second Semester
Environmental Economics in Tourist Areas
Corporate Finance
Tourism Intermediaries
Quality Management and Customer Service
Macroeconomic Analysis of Tourism
Fourth Year
First Semester
Strategic Management
Elective credits
Internship I
Internship II
Final Degree Project
* Core Training
** Students must select one of the two languages
Second Semester
Elective credits
Internship I
Internship II
Final Degree Project
Skills
General or Cross-cutting Skills
- Demonstrate, possess and understand basic knowledge in topics related to tourism in different scientific fields, their epistemological progression and how they are connected to one another, based on skills acquired during secondary education up to a level that ensures knowledge of the latest advances in this discipline.
- Knowing how to apply technical and methodological knowledge to work professionally, integrating the different fields of study looked at and linked to tourism, having the required skills demonstrated by producing and defending different reasoning, as well as problem solving within the corresponding area of study.
- Having the ability to gather and interpret relevant quantitative, qualitative and spatial data to provide opinions that include a critical consideration of relevant topics linked to tourism in terms of land, social, economic, legal, scientific and ethical issues.
- Being able to pass on information, ideas, problems and solutions in any tourism-related topic to a specialised and general audience.
- Developing the necessary learning skills that enable professional tasks and postgraduate studies in tourism to be undertaken with a high level of independence.
Specific Skills
- Knowledge of English and other languages that guarantees understanding, expression and application of specific terminology linked to tourism.
- Acquiring a comprehensive vision on tourism and understanding the relationships between the different subsystems and disciplines it comprises.
- Recognising the ways in which social and territorial organisations in society can influence tourism models, how resorts are developed and the impact tourism has on the natural and human environment in those places where tourism exists.
- Being able to conceptualise patterns, processes, interactions and exchanges in the tourism field, understood as a system within a wider range of spaces.
- Showing overall knowledge of the different types of tourism areas around the world, as well as having the ability to analyse the different factors involved in their composition.
- Acquiring a critical awareness of the importance of economic processes, business relations, market policies and global economic development that largely impact tourism flows.
- Learning to gather, process, analyse and interpret information to respond to tourism issues through developing specific skills to work in the different areas of tourism, including the appropriate use of information and communication technology (ITC).
- Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of different languages other than one's native language, as well as mastering technology linked to the general tourism market: acquiring and analysing data, statistics, online booking techniques, qualitative analyses and computer applications.
- Applying the main technologies aimed at studying the relationships that are established between the physical and human environment in different tourism activities, specifically those aimed at assessing the environmental impact of these activities, their impact on the landscape and transmitting scientific content so as to facilitate its application in academic and professional settings.
- Applying concepts, techniques and knowledge from different scientific fields to solve problems (with sufficient legislative knowledge), favouring development, creating wealth and improving standards of living (both for tourists and residents) through private and public sector planning, land management, hazard prevention, conservation, and sustainability and equality policies, in a constant search for quality of life and tourist experience.
- Knowing and applying the concepts, methods and tools that enable responsible management of natural resources, environmental protection and the sustainable use of land that is compatible with responsibly fulfilling the growing requirement for resources amongst the local population and tourists.
- Having the ability to suitably manage a tourist establishment at any stage of the process (travel agency, tour operators, accommodation, supplementary services, etc.).
- Showing mastery over a wide range of analytical and observational strategies developed from common research methods in different scientific areas throughout academe and using them in a corresponding area of work.
- Applying the knowledge, methodologies and techniques acquired during the degree course to a professional setting and further developing them with a high level of responsibility, ethical commitment and an ability to join multi-disciplinary teams.