Choosing a Course

In the tourism and leisure industries, there are a number of professional bodies that validate courses. Graduates of those courses are then entitled to member-ship of the body and thus professional status. If you're treating this as a vocational degree, then check that the appropriate bodies (the Tourism Society or the Institute of Travel, for example) validate the course. It could save a lot of bother later.

And check the nature of the study. Some courses demand a dissertation, and it can come as a shock to those who think they have opted for a work-based qualification to find that they have to undergo such an academic test. Such things are not for everyone. Similarly, the methods of assessment vary widely - from end of term exams to projects to continuous assessment. These all tend to prompt different stress patterns, so work out which suits you best.

Make sure a degree course is best suited to your needs. Many HE and further education colleges offer excellent higher national diplomas (HNDs) which are usually two-year courses when taken full-time or can be done part-time when you're already working. Think hard - and talk to your careers advisers - before you take on a full degree course.

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