Qualification Structure

The Qualifi Level 5 Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management is an Ofqual-regulated qualification accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 1200 hours and 600 Guided Learning Hours (GLH), with 120 credits.

Assessment for the Qualifi Level 5 Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management is assignment-based. Learner work is assessed in accordance with Qualifi assessment and quality assurance requirements to ensure that learners demonstrate the required knowledge, understanding and application of hospitality and tourism management principles.

To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete all four mandatory units.

Core Study Units

Unit 1. Tourism Destination Management

Learning outcomes:

• Understand current trends affecting national and international tourist destinations.
• Analyse major tourist destinations based on visitor numbers and income generation.
• Assess current and future trends affecting tourist destinations.
• Examine the cultural, social and physical characteristics of tourist destinations and their influence on destination appeal.
• Evaluate the characteristics of developing tourist destinations and their impact on tourists and tourism.

Unit 2. Entrepreneurship in Tourism and Hospitality Management

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the skills and characteristics required for successful entrepreneurship in the travel and tourism industry.
• Evaluate entrepreneurial skills and identify strengths and areas for development.
• Understand the processes involved in developing an enterprise within the travel and tourism industry.
• Evaluate factors contributing to the development and implementation of a successful business plan.
• Develop a business start-up plan for a niche travel and tourism market.
• Evaluate available business funding sources and justify an appropriate funding option.

Unit 3. Cultural Tourism Management

Learning outcomes:

• Evaluate the development and purpose of the heritage and cultural sector within travel and tourism.
• Evaluate the growth and development of the heritage and cultural sector.
• Assess potential conflicts in managing heritage and cultural resources and approaches to resolving them.
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of organisations within the heritage and cultural sector.
• Evaluate how different ownership models affect the management of heritage and cultural sites.
• Evaluate methods used to interpret visitor experiences within the heritage and cultural sector.

Unit 4. Research Project

Learning outcomes:

• Develop a structured research proposal relevant to an appropriate hospitality or tourism topic.
• Identify factors influencing research-project selection and develop an appropriate research plan.
• Formulate research questions and hypotheses and select suitable research resources and methods.
• Conduct an independent research project and collect relevant data.
• Apply appropriate research techniques to evaluate findings.
• Interpret research outcomes to develop conclusions and recommendations.
• Present research findings to an appropriate target audience using suitable formats and media.

Who Is This Qualification For?

The Qualifi Level 5 Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management is designed for learners seeking to develop higher-level knowledge, analytical skills and management capabilities for the hospitality and tourism industry. The qualification is particularly suitable for those progressing from Level 3 or Level 4 study, experienced hospitality and tourism professionals, and graduates from other disciplines who want to develop their knowledge of hospitality and tourism management.

This qualification is suitable for:

• Hospitality and tourism professionals seeking to strengthen management knowledge and progress towards greater responsibility within the industry.
• Learners with Level 3 or Level 4 qualifications who want to progress to a higher-level qualification in hospitality and tourism management.
• Hospitality managers and supervisors who want to develop a stronger understanding of destination management, entrepreneurship, cultural tourism and research.
• Career-focused learners aiming to build specialist knowledge relevant to tourism destinations, hospitality enterprises and tourism-related organisations.
• Entrepreneurial learners interested in developing business ideas and understanding enterprise opportunities within the tourism and hospitality sector.
• Graduates from other disciplines who want to develop a focused academic and professional foundation in hospitality and tourism management.
• International learners seeking a UK-regulated RQF qualification that develops transferable management, analytical, research and communication skills applicable across the global hospitality and tourism sector.
• Learners planning further academic progression, as the qualification can support progression to related Level 7 study or the final year of a bachelor's degree, subject to the receiving institution's requirements.

The qualification is especially relevant for individuals who want to combine hospitality and tourism management theory with applied analysis, research, problem-solving and independent study. Its four mandatory units cover Tourism Destination Management, Entrepreneurship in Tourism and Hospitality Management, Cultural Tourism Management, and a Research Project.

Career Opportunities

The Qualifi Level 5 Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management provides learners with advanced knowledge of key hospitality and tourism management concepts and practices. The qualification develops understanding of tourism destination management, entrepreneurship in tourism and hospitality, cultural tourism management, and independent research, helping learners build analytical, management and research skills relevant to the global hospitality and tourism sector. It is suitable for learners in the UK and internationally seeking to progress to higher-level study or develop their academic and professional capabilities in hospitality and tourism management.

Future Progression

The Qualifi Level 5 Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management provides learners with advanced knowledge for further academic study and professional development in the hospitality and tourism sector. The qualification develops understanding of tourism destination management, entrepreneurship in tourism and hospitality, cultural tourism management, and research, providing a broad foundation relevant to hotels, resorts, tourism organisations, destinations, attractions, and related service environments.

Academically, learners may progress to Level 6 or Level 7 qualifications in hospitality, tourism, business, management, or related disciplines, subject to the entry requirements of the receiving institution. The qualification may also support progression towards undergraduate degree completion or other higher-level academic pathways where accepted by the relevant university or institution.

Professionally, this diploma can support progression towards roles such as Tourism Manager, Hospitality Manager, Destination Manager, Tourism Development Officer, Hotel Operations Manager, Cultural Tourism Manager, Tourism Marketing Coordinator, Visitor Experience Manager, and Tourism Research Assistant, depending on the learner’s experience, professional background, and employer requirements. The knowledge developed through the qualification supports destination analysis, tourism enterprise development, cultural tourism management, research, strategic thinking, and the application of management concepts to practical hospitality and tourism contexts.