Programme Overview

The global cruise industry is experiencing rapid growth internationally, there are countless opportunities for rewarding careers on-board ships for those seeking to combine global travel and a career in hospitality and tourism. This programme has been offered at University of Plymouth since 2004 in the UK. During this period many of the graduates have pursued permanent careers in the cruise ship sector working with companies such as Celebrity cruises, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruises, Princess Cruises as well as P&O and Cunard.

This programme aims to enable students to gain a thorough understanding of this unique employment area and have a critical awareness of the issues that underpin best practice. In addition, the programme enables students to develop vocationally relevant managerial skills needed for employment in the global cruise industry and the wider hospitality sector. Overnight cruise line field trip and cruise terminal visits will be arranged for students to deepen their understandings of the cruise industry (where possible). Students will also have the opportunity to apply for the short-term internship on international cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean International, and Kai Tak Cruise Terminal as this programme aims to provide a world class education for those considering the cruise industry as a genuine career choice.

Programme Highlights

Our degrees develop vocationally relevant managerial skills needed for employment in the global tourism industry and the wider hospitality sector, so that you are well-prepared to meet the changing demands of society and the economy.

• Ranked 14 for Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management in 2018 for Guardian Subject League Table;
• Plymouth is renowned for high quality, internationally-leading education, research and innovation and ranked top 50 research university (Research Fortnight Research Power League Table 2014) ;
• 7 modules are assessed by assignments only;
• Offered different work placement opportunities, where possible, to enrich your RESUME;
• Gained integrated knowledge from two parts of the world, UK and HK;
• Blended learning mode during the COVID-19 pandemic: Face-to-face and online teaching by both Plymouth and local lecturers;
• Provided a valuable opportunity to take part in Plymouth Summer School and 3-month student exchange opportunities in Plymouth, UK;
• Graduates are highly recognised by employers and awarded a reputable and achievable UK Bachelor Degree and move up your career path anywhere in the world!

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion, graduates should be able to / have developed:

A. Knowledge and understanding

1. demonstrate a detailed understanding of relevant concepts and characteristics appropriate in the study of tourism and be able to apply them creatively; 
2. generalise and question the nature, structure and significance of tourism;
3. identify and illustrate the importance of planning, development and management of tourism and tourists in a variety of contexts; 
4. demonstrate an understanding of the underpinning principles of business and the ability to apply them creatively; 
5. integrate subject specific knowledge and transferable skills to conduct a research investigation, and effectively report the findings. 

B. Cognitive and intellectual skills

6. analyse new and/or abstract information and situations without guidance, using a range of appropriate techniques;
7. critically evaluate evidence to support conclusions and/or recommendations, reviewing its reliability, validity and significance;  
8. manage contradictory information and identify reasons for contradictions;  
9. be confident and flexible in defining complex problems and apply appropriate knowledge and skills to their solutions

C. Key and transferable skills

10. communication skills;
11. interpersonal and team working skills;
12. self-management and professional development skills;
13. ICT skills;
14. numeracy skills.

D. Employment related skills

15. problem solving and research methods skills;
16. understanding of a variety of common responses to gather relevant information;
17. learning skills (reflection/evaluation, synthesis).

E. Practical skills

18. presentation and oral communication skills;
19. written communication skills;
20. information management technology skills. 

Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates should be able to ( i ) critically evaluate the service delivery and management of the on-board cruise ships, and ( ii ) strategically analyse the business environment of the cruise industry for business continuity.

Sharing from Teaching Staff

“The theories and real life examples taught in the HKU Space’s Cruise Management Program allows students to get an understanding of the real happenings in the cruise industry and how each of the theories are applied flexibly on a day to day basis.  This knowledge and experience will be invaluable in boosting the students ahead when they are forging their career in the cruise industry.”

By Mr. Kenneth Yau, Teacher

Sharing from Programme Leaders

Sharing from Plymouth Graduates

Programme Information & Student Sharing

University of Plymouth 
英國普理茅斯大學

The University of Plymouth, which celebrates its 160th anniversary in 2022, is one of the UK’s most prominent and dynamic universities with an educational history dating back to 1862. The University of Plymouth was ranked 41st overall in The Guardian League Table 2022 UK universities ranking. Described by Times Higher Education as among the newly-emerging ‘modern global elite’, University of Plymouth is ranked inside the top 280 universities in the world, and 42nd in terms of those aged under 50.

The University of Plymouth is renowned for high quality, internationally-leading education, research and innovation.

With a mission to Advance Knowledge and Transform Lives, Plymouth is consistently rated amongst the top modern universities in the UK, woith over two thirds of research rated as "world leading" or of "international quality" in the most recent Research Excellence Framework 2021.. A three-time winner of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, the University continues to grow in stature and reputation.

It has a strong track record for teaching and learning excellence and has one of the highest numbers of National Teaching Fellows of any UK university. With over 19,000 students, and a further 9,500 studying for Plymouth degree at partner institutions in the UK and around the world, and over 135,000 alumni based in 135 countries around the globe pursuing their chosen careers globally, it has a growing global presence.

The mission of Plymouth Business School is to put business ready graduates on the path to a successful career and happy life. With a focus on learning by doing through live briefs, experiential education and students as active researchers the lecturers are dedicated to building resilience, decision making and leadership capabilities in our students.

Staff within the Tourism and Hospitality teaching team also undertake exciting and innovative research covering such subjects as: genocide heritage; tourism and crime prevention; tourism employability; and the development of tourism and heritage related narratives. Plymouth staff have also published articles in top-rated tourism journals such as the Annals of Tourism Research and Tourism Management.

The Guardian recently voted University of Plymouth as one of the top 29 providers of Hospitality, event & tourism courses in the UK

Plymouth has been ranked 29th by the Guardian University Guide 2022: League Table for Hospitality, Events and Tourism. The Complete University Guide 2022 ranked the programme 11th place out of 57 for Hospitality, Leisure, Recreation & Tourism.

More Programmes:

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) Business Management
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) Events Management
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) Hospitality Management
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) International Tourism Management

ARTICULATION PATHWAY:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Branding and Event Management
• Postgraduate Diploma in International Live Entertainment and Event Management
• Master of Science Tourism and Hospitality Management

Programme Structure

The entire programme consists of 7 modules (20 credits each, except for Honours Project and The Tourism Experience with 40 credits). Students who complete all modules (180 credits) will obtain Bachelor of Science (Honours) International Tourism Management (Cruise). Under extenuating circumstances, students may be eligible to exit from the programme and obtain an ordinary degree, Bachelor of Science International Tourism Management (Cruise), upon completion of 140 credits (40 credits at FHEQ level 5 and 100 credits at FHEQ level 6, or 60 credits at FHEQ level 5 and 80 credits at FHEQ level 6).

*Specialism modules may be delivered in weekday evenings and/or weekend daytime. 

Award

This bachelor programme confers offshore degrees carrying the same academic status and recognition as that offered to University of Plymouth’s on-campus graduates.

Students are expected to graduate from the registered programme of study upon satisfactory completion of all stated modules and the honours project, and they will be awarded the Bachelor of Science (Honours) International Tourism Management (Cruise) from University of Plymouth.

Work Placement

Students will have opportunities to voluntarily participate in various tourism, hospitality, event, and cruise related job placements & internship in Hong Kong in order to gain more exposure and polish their customer service skills. 

Career Opportunities

This programme designed with the vision of developing high-calibre tourism, hospitality, cruise and event managers with an international perspective. Each course is designed to produce graduates who have the skills to function and communicate in the exciting industry, one of the world’s fastest growing fields. Learning is enriched through a wide range of activities, in particular professional talks, case study discussions and field trips (where possible) which blend business management perspectives with local insight. Graduates can also consider working in service industries that appreciate their transferable management skills and aptitude developed from the programmes.

The University of Plymouth has strong links with a number of global cruise companies and work in partnership with Celebrity Cruises (RCL), P&O and Cunard (Carnival UK). Currently, there are students working onboard as Guest Relations officers, Food and Beverage officers and in Shore excursions departments with both Celebrity cruise lines and P&O cruises.

Further Studies

Upon graduation, students will have developed independent thinking skills, critical analysis of current hospitality and tourism management knowledge. Honours degree students will have undertaken a final-year project which includes data collection and analysis, therefore, students will be well-equipped with research skills necessary for further studies. Graduates with second-class honours are eligible to apply for the Master of Science Tourism and Hospitality Management programme, in collaboration with University of Plymouth at HKU SPACE (Full time: 12 months; Part time: 18 months), and they can enjoy 10% alumni discount on tuition fee.

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee* for the 2025/26 academic year is HK$110,250, payable over three semesters. The fee for textbook, re-submission of assessments, and repeating the studies for each module of study is not included. Additional fees of overnight cruise line field trip are not included.

*The tuition fee is reviewed annually and is subject to change without prior notice.

Financial Assistance Schemes

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Tourism Management programme is accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ). Programme titles and respective validity periods of the accreditation status are at https://www.hkqr.gov.hk/HKQRPRD/web/hkqr-en/. Full-time students are eligible to apply for Hong Kong government grants and low-interest loans, i.e. Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) and Non-means tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS). For details, please refer to www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Rudy Choy Educational Fund Scholarships (Subject to availability)

Two scholarships will be awarded by the Rudy Choy Educational Fund under SKAL International Hong Kong to new Tourism, Hospitality and Cruise Management students with outstanding achievements in their Higher Diploma studies in HKU SPACE Community College/ HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College. Each scholarship is worth HK$10,000.

IC Scholarship 

more Details ​

Entry Requirements

Applicants shall:

Since the teaching of the additional module(s) will start in mid-June, students who are required to take additional module(s) need to apply the programme BY MAY 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

Progression Path