TOURISM, HOSPITALITY & EVENTS MANAGEMENTWITH SPECIALISMS - HOSPITALITY Level 5 Foundation Degree HLA

Level 5
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Newry Campus
Ulster University

Overview

Subject to Revalidation

The Hospitality, Tourism & Events with Specialisms Foundation Degree HLA is a comprehensive programme designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the diverse and exciting field of hospitality and tourism. This foundation degree offers students the opportunity to specialise in one or more areas of the industry, enabling them to develop expertise in their chosen fields and pursue rewarding careers in various sectors.

Throughout the course, students will explore a wide range of subjects related to hospitality such as management, event planning, food and beverage operations, customer service, destination management and facilities operations. Students will gain a deep understanding of the hospitality industry, its global trends, and the challenges and opportunities it presents.

This course is designed to provide and equip students with subject knowledge, leadership and management, industrial experience and practical skills for the hospitality industry.

The programme is designed to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving hospitality industry. Throughout the course, students will be supported by experienced faculty staff who are experts in their fields. Students will benefit from a supportive learning environment that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application. They will have opportunities for industry placements, guest lectures from industry professionals, and networking events to enhance their practical skills and industry connections.

Typically, weekly contact hours are scheduled for one day per week term time. The other four days with be with an employer learning hands-on skills.

Please note this programme is currently under review and some content may be subject to change.

The over-riding consideration in admitting applicants to the course, is evidence that the learner or apprentice is likely to be able to complete the course satisfactorily.

Attendance at Individual or Group Pre-Entry Advice Sessions (IPEAS and GPEAS) may be required. These interviews may take place either on campus, via telephone or video call (Microsoft Teams) and will play an important role in the selection of all courses.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age on or before 1st July in the year of proposed entry to the course.

Applicants should normally have obtained a minimum of 56 UCAS points achieved through the completion of A-Levels, National Awards, Access or other alternative approved level 3 qualifications.
Applicants must have attained at least 15 points at Level 2 or above (e.g. GCSE) or have alternative approved qualifications. In addition, applicants must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English Language. For entry to this programme, applicants should have attained a C grade in GCSE English language and a C grade in GCSE Maths (or equivalent).
For those entering a Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA), employers may further enhance the entry criteria at their discretion. All applicants for HLAs will be interviewed by prospective employers to decide their suitability prior to being employed by a company. Each applicant must be employed or be about to take up permanent paid employment as an apprentice, or be an existing employee moving to a new job role, with a Northern Ireland based company. All apprentices must work a minimum contract of 21 hours per week (which includes time for ‘off-the-job’ training) and have achieved all necessary entry qualifications determined by the relevant sector. Applicants need to meet other eligibility considerations, for example you may not be eligible if you are a non-EU national, a public sector worker or based on the qualifications you have previously been awarded. Further details can be found at NI Direct.

The College’s Admissions Policy reflects the expectations of the UK Quality Code May 2023. Please note that applicants progressing to higher education courses at Level 4 and above in the College or UK Universities may require a specific GCSE/A-Level profile. In some cases, the Essential Skills in Literacy and Numeracy may not be a suitable alternative to a GCSE. The list of acceptable qualifications for equivalency to English and mathematics for Ulster University is available from the following link: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/entrance-requirements#eng. It is the responsibility of the applicant to check each University’s progression requirements before enrolling on a course at the College.

Please note that for Ulster University qualifications, the general entry requirements for Ulster University must also be met in addition to those listed above.

To find out more about the application process for Higher Level Apprenticeships please see Information on Higher Level Apprenticeships.

The entrance criteria above may change subject to awarding body regulations. The College reserves the right to enhance the entrance requirements where demand exceeds the number of available places. In addition, where places remain available the College reserves the right to offer places to candidates with a profile less than that listed above.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria outlined above but have evidence of substantial knowledge or relevant industrial experience and skills, which has not been formally assessed, should refer to the College’s Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) Procedure.

For further detail on our entry requirements please review our Admissions Policy & Criteria.

Modules include:

Introduction to Hospitality, Tourism & Events
Management in Action
Food and Beverage Service Operations
Events Operations
Facilities Operations
Personal Professional Development
Introduction to Work Based Learning
Work Based Learning in Practice
People Management
Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Food and Beverage Management

Students will be assessed on a regular basis throughout the course, using a range of appropriate assessment methods which include:

Written coursework
Practical work
Class tests
Seminars
Presentations

This Higher Level Apprenticeship is FREE, fully funded by the Department for the Economy.

Uniform: It is a mandatory requirement for students to also wear a uniform for Year 1 Food and Beverage Service Operations. These items may be purchased on their own behalf or via the College.

Field Trips: It is also highly recommended that students attend and participate in approximately 3 field trips throughout the duration of the course to enhance thir learning experience and to provide them with an insight to progression opportunities for employment and higher education. Each trip may incur a cost of up to £10 for travel, which you will be expected to pay 3 weeks prior to the trip taking place.

Students may wish to complete a summer bridging course and then progress to the final year of BSc (Hons) in International Hospitality Management at Ulster University or apply to other universities.

The Tourism, Hospitality & Events with Specialisms (Hospitality) provides a pathway for students to pursue various career paths in the hospitality industry. Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates will be well-prepared for roles such as: