Studium Tourism and Leisure Management - Frau steht vor einem Lift

Tourism and Leisure Management bachelor degree programme

What are tourists’ top needs? What might tourism products look like in the future? How do you market a tourist destination? How do you stage an event and what challenges are involved?

You’ll work on these and other business-related questions in our full-time bachelor programme. And on top of this, you'll learn a foreign language in addition to English, our language of instruction, allowing you to benefit from countless international connections and relationships. In three years, you'll be ready for an international career!

The degree programme

In an age of rapidly changing global markets, prospective managers are constantly facing new challenges. The Tourism and Leisure Management bachelor degree programme provides you with the tools to succeed locally and internationally in this environment.

The aim of this English-language bachelor programme is to equip you with in-depth business administration expertise. The tourism and leisure industry is the centre of attention throughout the programme.

Tourism and Leisure Management was IMC Krems’ first degree programme. So we have maintained close contacts with the tourism sector for more than 25 years. You profit from this as well!

The degree features an ideal blend of theoretical elements with practical insights and discussions. It also stands out for its strong international focus. You study with fellow students from all over the world, and have the opportunity to spend semester 3 abroad at one of our partner universities.

Semester 4 has a particularly strong international flavour since you spend it abroad working at an internship provider of your choice.

Your previous knowledge counts!

Did you attend a hotel management or a tourism school? Or have you already gained some initial professional experience in tourism? In the bachelor programme Tourism and Leisure Management you get the opportunity to have individual courses credited after an unbureaucratic review.

Tip

A particularly attractive option is the dual degree we offer in conjunction with the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland or the KEDGE Business School - Campus Bordeaux, France. Besides obtaining a bachelor of arts at IMC Krems, you will also be accredited with a degree from our partner institution.

Student stories

Business administration

Business administration focuses on how organisations and companies are managed.

In other words, it examines business processes with the aim of providing insights into the planning, implementation and evaluation of responsibility, approaches and objectives in different parts of a business.

Business administration topics include: accounting and finance, marketing, human resources and logistics.

Core topics of the Tourism and Leisure Management degree programme

Tourism is an umbrella term for travel. It’s not only one of the largest, but also one of the fastest growing industries worldwide. Furthermore, it’s considered to be one of the world’s most significant sectors for employment.

In addition to the travel industry, the hospitality and leisure industries are also elements of tourism.

There are a number of specialised areas in the tourism and leisure industry as well. These are covered in our bachelor programme in the Specialised Tourism Studies module. To give you a few examples: event management, tourism with an emphasis on sport, culture and health, and sustainable travel.

Studium Tourism and Leisure Management - Studierende im Untergeschoss
Studium Tourism and Leisure Management- Frau hält ein Buch nach oben
Studium Tourism and Leisure Management- Studierende lesen ein Buch

" One of the hallmarks of the tourism industry is its internationality. Learn new languages, study with classmates from different nations and take the opportunity to go on an exchange semester. You can also do your internship in a company abroad. In short: have the time of your life! "

Programme director Claudia Bauer-Krösbacher

A formula for success: theoretical knowledge + practical experience

The programme is built on three pillars.

  1. 1

    1. The basics

    Semesters 1-4

    In the programme’s first few semesters, you'll mainly cover the basics of business administration, including marketing, management, and accounting – in terms of how they apply to the tourism industry.

    You'll also focus on language skills – choosing an additional foreign language from a pool of 6 languages – international tourism markets, research methods, and soft skills. Then you'll concentrate on another key element of the programme: cutting-edge information and communications technology (ICT).

  2. 2

    2. Practical training and time abroad

    Semesters 1-6

    All courses have a strong practical focus. Most of the teachers come directly from the tourism industry and use real-world examples to illustrate course content.

    In semester 3 you have the option of taking a semester abroad at one of our 170+ partner universities, while in semester 4 you will work for at least 22 weeks at a company of your choice abroad.  This gives you the opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge in a professional setting. And when looking for a suitable internship provider, you can draw on our large, global company database. So you can look forward to gaining experience abroad!

  3. 3

    3. Advanced courses

    Semesters 5-6

    In the final two semesters you’ll delve into more detail, learning more about various aspects of tourism. From event management to sustainable tourism to sports, cultural and health tourism: you’ll gain extensive insights into these specialised areas of tourism and future growth markets.

    This is the perfect opportunity for you to discover your interests, contribute new ideas and implement projects.

Curriculum

What can you expect from your studies? The curriculum provides an overview.
​​​​​​​Click on the individual courses for further information.

  1. CourseSWSECTS
    Accounting and Financing
    Accounting I 24
    Accounting Exercises I 1
    Marketing
    Marketing I 23
    Management
    Principles of Management 23
    Sustainability and Ethics in Leadership 11
    Fundamentals of Tourism
    Understanding Tourism 23
    Tourism Geography 22
    Business Mathematics and Statistics
    Business Mathematics
    Business Mathematics - Theory 12
    Business Mathematics - Exercises 12
    Scientific Methods and Tools
    Foundations of Empirical Social Research 11
    Tourism Research Exercises 11
    Principles of Business Data Analysis 23
    Soft Skills
    Rhetoric and Presentation 11
  2. CourseSWSECTS
    Accounting and Financing
    Accounting II 23
    Accounting Exercises II 1
    Marketing
    Marketing II 22
    Economics
    Microeconomics 23
    Fundamentals of Tourism
    Event Management 23
    Tourism Sector
    Hospitality Management 22
    Destination Management 22
    Business Mathematics and Statistics
    Business Statistics
    Business Statistics - Theory 12
    Business Statistics - Exercises 12
    Scientific Methods and Tools
    Qualitative Research Methods 24
    Soft Skills
    Group Dynamics 11
  3. CourseSWSECTS
    Accounting and Financing
    Managerial Accounting and Decision Making 23
    Marketing
    Multi Channel Distribution Systems 23
    Tourist Behaviour and Psychology 23
    Economics
    Macroeconomics 33
    Fundamentals of Tourism
    Sustainability in Tourism 12
    Current Issues in Tourism 12
    Tourism Sector
    Transportation 23
    Tourism Intermediaries 22
    Scientific Methods and Tools
    Quantitative Research Methods 23
    Computational Thinking 12
    Soft Skills
    Intercultural Competence 22
  4. CourseSWSECTS
    Practical Training
    Practical Training Semester 028
    Practical Training Semester Coaching 12
  5. CourseSWSECTS
    Law
    International and Tourism Law 23
    Accounting and Financing
    Finance and Investment 23
    Marketing
    Digital Tourism 23
    Management
    Human Resource Management 22
    Project Management 12
    Economics
    Economics in Tourism and Leisure 23
    Fundamentals of Tourism
    Culture, Heritage and Tourism 22
    Specialised Tourism Management
    Hospitality Consulting 24
    Destination Consulting 24
    Scientific Methods and Tools
    Bachelor Seminar I 13
    Soft Skills
    Negotiation and Sales Skills Training 12
  6. CourseSWSECTS
    Accounting and Financing
    Controlling 23
    Marketing
    Digital Marketing 23
    Management
    Entrepreneurship and Start-Ups 24
    Specialised Tourism Industries
    Congress, Events and Conference Management 23
    Global Wellness and Spa Management 23
    Adventure, Events and Sports Tourism 23
    Fundamentals of Tourism
    Experience Design in Tourism 34
    Scientific Methods and Tools
    Bachelor Seminar II and Bachelor Paper 18
    Bachelor Exam 02

Study abroad

Spend a semester or more at one of our 170+ partner universities. A unique experience!

The exchange semester

Key features

What makes our Tourism and Leisure Management degree programme so special? Here’s an overview.

Studying and working the international way

Linguistically, you'll grow by leaps and bounds by perfecting your English skills – after all, the lectures are held in English and you’ll be studying with classmates from all over the world. In addition, you’ll learn or further improve another foreign language during your degree, choosing between Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese or German.

You have the option of spending semester 3 at one of our 170+ partner universities. And by the time semester 4 rolls around, you'll need to pack your bags again: you'll be working for at least 22 weeks at a company of your choice abroad – the perfect opportunity to further develop your cross-cultural skills.

Ideally equipped for the globalised world

While you’re still at university, you’ll cultivate contacts with important representatives of the tourism industry – during the excursion to ITB Berlin in semester 3 or an optional excursion to the IMEX Future Leaders Forum in semester 6, for instance.  And lectures in Krems are held by experts in their field, who incorporate lots of practical examples and projects.

Your training will be concluded with a sharp focus on an increasingly important set of soft skills. They’ll help you to become a confident and self-assured tourism professional. In seminars and workshops you’ll develop your presentation, negotiation and sales skills as well as explore teambuilding methods. You’ll also learn to set your own personal goals and to rigorously pursue them.

Discover your interests

One in ten jobs worldwide is directly linked to tourism – a good argument for pursuing a career in this sector. The Krems bachelor programme centres on the operational aspects of this fast-growing industry.

In addition to general lectures on the tourism industry, towards the end of your studies you’ll delve into specialised areas of tourism and leisure. In addition to event management, you’ll look at the specific features of cultural, sports, health, and sustainability tourism, as well as destination management and the convention industry.

Career options

After completing the Tourism and Leisure Management bachelor degree programme, you'll have the world at your feet. Whether you decide to go abroad or work in Austria, you will be qualified to assume entry-level positions in a wide-range of industries and departments.

You have the choice of starting a career or enrolling for a related full-time or part-time master degree.

A wide range of options will be open to you – at IMC Krems, for instance, you can register for the master degree programmes:

Alternatively, you can take a master degree in business at another Austrian or foreign university.

  • The professional areas open to graduates include
  • Hotel industry, system catering, and catering
  • Travel agencies and tour operators
  • Tourism travel operators such as airlines and bus companies
  • Regional tourism planning and development organisations
  • Tourism information and communication technology companies
  • Sports organisations and sports event management
  • Casinos and theme parks
  • Event agencies
  • Conference centres
  • Arts and cultural institutions 
  • Spa and wellness facilities
  • National park centres
10 good reasons

What makes us special? We are more than happy to tell you about the aspects of our university, which we are especially proud of.

Krems

Friendly and cosmopolitan: The city attracts students from all over the world, who come to study, research and work together.

Service centers

Our university has removed a host of administrative hurdles, leaving you free to concentrate fully on your studies.

Advisory Service

Do you have questions regarding our degree programmes or the application? Contact our Prospective Student Advisory Service.

Find out more

Subscribe to our newsletter for prospective students

Sign up for our newsletter for prospective students to receive valuable tips on starting your studies directly in your inbox. Information about our comprehensive study and service offerings, as well as upcoming info events, is naturally included. We are confident: Our newsletter will make the path to your dream studies much easier.

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Request our programme brochures

Are you interested in receiving brochures conveniently at your doorstep? Within Europe, we will send you our programme brochures by mail.

Order our brochures now

Opinions: Tourism and Leisure Management

Click through the videos of the degree programme.

Information events

Our team

Get to know the core team of our bachelor degree programme Tourism and Leisure Management.

  • Prof.(FH) Mag. Claudia Bauer-Krösbacher, PhD | Programme Director Tourism and Leisure Management - IMC Fachhochschule Krems
    Prof.(FH) Mag. Claudia Bauer-Krösbacher, PhD
    Programme Director Tourism and Leisure Management

    Programme Director Tourism and Leisure Management

    Prof.(FH) Mag. Claudia Bauer-Krösbacher, PhD

  • Hon.Prof.(FH) Mag. Alfred Siedl
    Lecturer Institute Business Administration and Management
  • Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn. Sarita Paudel
    Senior Lecturer Institute Digitalisation and Informatics
  • Prof.(FH) Mag. Michael Reiner
    Professor (FH) Institute Digitalisation and Informatics
  • Prof.(FH) Denise Kleiss, MSc., MBA, B.A.
    Professor (FH) Institute International Trade and Sustainable Economy
  • Vanessa Reisecker, MA
    Scientific Project Staff Institute International Trade and Sustainable...
  • Prof.(FH) Dr. Alina Schoenberg
    Programme Director International Business and Economic Diplomacy
  • Prof.(FH) Dr. Claudia Dolezal, MSc, BA
    Professor (FH) Institute Tourism, Wine Business and Marketing
  • Prof.(FH) Giancarlo Fedeli, PhD, MA, BSc, PgC
    Professor (FH) Institute Tourism, Wine Business and Marketing
  • Hon.Prof.(FH) Dr. Elisa Hergueta-Covacho, E.H. Lic., MA
    Senior Lecturer Institute Tourism, Wine Business and Marketing
  • Dr. Larissa Neuburger, MA, MA
    Senior Lecturer Institute Tourism, Wine Business and Marketing
  • Prof.(FH) Priv. Doz. Mag. Dr. Arthur Posch
    Professor (FH) Institute Tourism, Wine Business and Marketing
  • Prof.(FH) Dipl.-BW(FH) Dr. Albert Franz Stöckl, MA
    Programme Director International Wine Business
  • Mag. Stephanie Tischler
    Lecturer Institute Tourism, Wine Business and Marketing

Application and admissions – the next steps

You've found a course that's a perfect fit? Great – you’ve already taken the most important step! We’ve put together an overview to guide you through the next steps.

What are the admission requirements for bachelor programmes?

To qualify for admission to a university of applied sciences bachelor degree programme, you must have an Austrian school-leaving certificate or an equivalent qualification.

Do you have a school-leaving certificate issued outside Austria?

We’ll check to make sure it’s equivalent to an Austrian certificate in accordance with section 4 of the University of Applied Sciences Studies Act (FHG) when you’ve sent us all the relevant documentation via our online application tool. If it is not an equivalent, you’ll receive information on the supplementary examinations you’ll need to pass. In a nutshell, you will have the option of completing a summer school and the necessary supplementary examinations at IMC Krems or look for an external provider. In that case, you might consider our cooperation partner, the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria: It offers a one-year International Foundation Programme which provides you with all the necessary qualifications you need in order to start your studies in Krems.

What proof of your language skills is required for our English-language bachelor degree programme?

We’ll assess your English language proficiency at your interview, so there is no need to provide additional evidence of your English skills. 

Important​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​
Do you still need to complete your military or alternative service?  If you’re a male Austrian citizen, we strongly recommend completing your compulsory national service before beginning your studies. This will allow you to finish your degree with no interruptions and start your career without delay afterwards.

 

Application interview

We would like to get to know you as a person:
As part of the online application you will have to write a statement of motivation and a short essay on a topic relevant to the degree programme. Predefined questions about your motivations as well as the requirements and topics for your essay can be found in the online application. You choose one of the suggested topics, conduct research to broaden your knowledge, deal with the issues and bring your own point of view to the essay. Your answers are to be entered in the fields provided.

Your statement of motivation and your essay form the basis for your application interview. Every applicant has an opportunity to introduce themselves in a face-to-face discussion, usually with the degree programme director. In addition to the personal introduction and your motivation to study, the applicant and the interviewer discuss the topic selected and the arguments used in the essay, as well as the topic’s relevance for the degree programme.

The application interview is held in the language of instruction of the degree programme and can take place either online via Microsoft Teams or in presence.

After the application interview, your statement of motivation, the essay and your performance throughout the interview are assessed on the basis of the content-related remarks, the manner in which they express themselves and the arguments used.
 

Interview dates

There is usually a selection of dates to choose from, with quotas allocated for each date. You can select a preferred date and time slot for your admission interview during the online application process. In order to still benefit from the full selection of dates, we recommend that you submit your application in good time.

Get an overview of the dates for your programme.

Admission interview
21/03/202411/04/202426/04/202430/04/202417/05/202424/05/202427/05/202403/06/202421/06/202402/07/202410/07/2024

After you have successfully completed your online application, your application will be checked for completeness and correctness. As soon as this process is completed, we will inform you by e-mail and confirm the date for your admission interview. We will send you the Microsoft Teams Meeting Link in a separate e-mail a few days before the application interview date.

Application deadline for EU nationals 15/04/2024
Application deadline for non-EU nationals 15/04/2024
Apply now

You've decided for one of our degree programmes? First of all: congratulations and thank you for choosing us! We’ll be happy to guide you step-by-step through your online application.

Details

You would like to plan ahead and would like to know when your degree programme starts? Here you will find the answer!

Details

Questions about the degree programme?

Prospective Student Advisory Service


Do you have questions regarding the entry requirements, the admission procedure and more? Our Prospective Student Advisory Service is happy to help.

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Ask Nikola

Ask Nikola


Would you like first-hand information about the Tourism and Leisure Management degree programme? Contact Nikola directly, she will be happy to answer all your questions about the study programme.

[email protected]