Travel and Tourism: Extended Diploma

An Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism is a practical, work-related course. You will learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, visits and activities from the travel industry. Good organisation skills and the ability to meet deadlines are of paramount importance to be successful on this course.

It is equivalent to three A Levels therefore you can choose to go into employment or on to higher education. Career options include being tour operators, holiday representatives, airline staff, customer service and many more. Past students have gone on to tourism degrees or related subjects such as event management.

A period of work experience forms an important part of the learning programme. Residential trips in the past have included destinations such as New York, Iceland and San Francisco. Day trips are regularly used to link learning with practical experience of travel and tourism.

Course structure

The course is made up of four core units and the equivalent of fourteen specialist units. Students normally study the course over four days and take the equivalent of nine units in each year of the two year programme.

Core units include:

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

Specialist units include:

• Marketing Travel and Tourism Products and Services
• Preparing for Employment in Travel and Tourism
• European Destinations
• Long-haul Travel Destinations
• Investigating the Cruise Industry*
• Specialist Tourism
• Working as a Holiday Representative
• Events Conferences, and Exhibitions*
• Hospitality Operations in Travel and Tourism*
• Retail / Business Travel Operations
• Responsible Tourism
• UK Visitor Attractions
• Entertainment for Holidaymakers
• Organising a Travel and Tourism Study Visit*
• Work Experience in the Travel and Tourism Sector
• Residential Study Visit in Travel and Tourism*
• Handling Air Passengers

*Half a unit value.

All units are internally assessed and graded but moderated by Edexcel exam board. The grade profile consists of Pass, Merit, Distinction and Distinction* which is the equivalent of A* at A level.