Marketing, Tourism And Hospitality subject guide 2015

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WELCOME

www.beds.ac.uk

The University of Bedfordshire has won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2011, the most prestigious corporate award that any UK business can win.

con t e n t s 3

Welcome. If you’re looking to make your mark in the fast-paced worlds of marketing, tourism & hospitality, we can set you on the right track.

We’ve spoken to students past and present who’ve told us about their exciting areas of study and how they got ahead.

Plus, we hear from the staff who will be teaching you everything they know! And, we take a look at the impressive facilities that are designed to get you thinking creatively...

© University of Bedfordshire, 2014. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part strictly prohibited without the permission of the publishers. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the University of Bedfordshire or Axon Publishing Ltd. Information correct at date of publication, but subject to change.

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NEWS

The latest developments from the department

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BELIEVE THE HYPE

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IT ALL ADDS UP

Students and staff give us the lowdown on reaching the top

We take a tour of the University’s fabulous campus facilities

10 SUCCESS STORIES

Our former students reveal the secret of their Advertising, Marketing and PR success

MARKET

11 YOURSELF

Our wide range of degree courses will help you get ahead

Subject Guide Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality 93% overall satisfaction on the Advertising & Marketing Communicat ions course (Natio nal Student Survey 2014)

Thomas with fellow University of Bedfordshire Regional Winner, Kristina Saulenaite

Advertising and marketing communications student wins national student employee of the year University of Bedfordshire student Thomas Hedison has won the prestigious National Student Employee of the Year – Step up to Leadership award, following on from this success at winning the regional title in the same category.

21-year-old Thomas, a third-year Advertising and Marketing Communications student, combined his degree study with part-time work as a retail assistant at Next PLC, where he was quickly promoted to Office Manager. Thomas also works as a Student Ambassador for the University and is Co-President of the Bedfordshire Enactus Society.

Thomas, who was presented with his award at a ceremony during July 2014, said that he

was proud and amazed by this win, adding: “This competition was fierce with so many great young leaders in the country, so I was extremely surprised to win the regional award. I can’t really put into words how I feel about winning the national award too!”

Thomas was nominated for his award by Next PLC Store Manager, Craig Stevenson and the University’s Recruitment Services Manager, Priya Chauhan. Craig praised Thomas stating that “his communication and team working skills are exceptional”. Priya, who was delighted at Thomas’s success, said that he is “an excellent student role model and ambassador. Thomas is someone that fellow students should aspire to emulate”.

Advertising students present live to the USA In what must be a first for the University of Bedfordshire, and part of the Business School’s Practice-Based approach, final year undergraduate students on the BA Advertising and Marketing Communications course presented their ideas live across the ocean to the USA. Final year students on the Marketing Communications Practice unit had been given a ‘real-world’ brief to come up with ideas for promoting Liquid Sun Rayz, an American-based top end spray tanning product range. The student groups presented their ideas in Luton to a British representative of the company, Louise Beard, herself a former BA Public Relations student of the university.

Through the magic of Skype, the students were able to present simultaneously to Liquid Sun Rayz in the USA. Misty McMinn, the company’s US social media director was located in West Virginia, USA and was live on Skype watching presentations from students and she gave them important feedback. This link up was important as the students had been briefed to come up with ideas

for both US and UK markets and so it was only right that both these were represented.

It was a unique experience for the students and the two clients were very impressed with the ideas shown to them, many of which will be discussed very soon with the CEO and founder of the company and quite possibly be implanted. The feedback was both positive and constructive and the whole session was high on education as well as excitement. Louise Beard said: “This was a really terrific day and the students’ ideas were very strong”.

Neville Hunt, the tutor for the unit and Louise’s former course leader said “These experiences with industry are of such value to the students. They literally grow up in front of your eyes. This latest opportunity to link up with the USA was a real coup!”

Neville has been running this practice-based scheme for the past 12 years, since 2002, and literally hundreds of students over the years have benefited and produced some amazing results and used the experience to jump-start their careers.

Bugatti alumnus passes on experience to students An alumnus who is working for one of the most illustrious car brands in the world told business students that one of the keys to success is building networks with corporations.

Bugattti Automobiles’ Digital Marketing Manager Nil Buntrock was in his final year at the University studying a BA (Hons) Public Relations degree when he was given an opportunity to work with the real world of marketing.

Nil came to the University as a mature student, who had already built a career in Advertising, Marketing and PR, but without any post-secondary school qualifications.

Within the first year of his course, he was moved up to the second year of the programme due to his experience – a move which proved valuable, both for him and his peers, who benefitted from his knowledge and his willingness to share it.

Since graduating, he has worked at Volkswagen headquarters in Wolfsburg and has been promoted to his current role at Bugatti, where he helps run the social media sites, improve the company website and much more.

He has now used his position to take on fellow University alumni and following his recent visit, the students were given their chance to impress. The task was to work up a creative social media proposal for Bugatti, the ultra-elite automobile brand which was first produced in 1909. The alumni were due to present their ideas to Nil and his digital marketing team at their offices during May 2014.

Commenting on the day, BA (Hons) Public Relations Course Co-ordinator, Neville Hunt said: “Nil is another in a growing line of Bedfordshire alumni who asks to work with students in this way as a direct result of their own very positive experiences. We must be doing something very right”. www.beds.ac.uk 3

MEET THE PEOPLE

BELIEVE THE HYPE Staff and students are here to tell you there’s no false advertising when it comes to the quality of our education Our BA (Hons) Marketing and BA (Hons) Advertising and Marketing Communications course have exemptions from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), whilst the BA (Hons) Public Relations degree has been recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and offers students free Student Membership of the CIPR for the time they are studying. This gives them access to work placements and internships and free copies of PR Week as well as case studies and a whole load of other useful tools and information.

The University of Bedfordshire Business School is also a member of the Institute of Travel and Tourism – the only professional membership body for individuals employed in the travel and tourism industry.

Studying a Marketing, Tourism or Hospitality related course offers many exciting opportunities. Previous students have been successful in securing work placements in a range of organisations, from the Hilton London, and Park Inn Hotel and Conference Centre, to TUI Travel PLC in Spain. During Practice Weeks, students have been able to liaise with companies such as Age Concern, who have previously provided scenarios for students to work on. These essential business links, and practical hands-on experience have enabled many of our students to gain employment as they graduate.

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Subject Guide Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality

Name

Neville Hunt title

PR Manager and Senior Lecturer in Marketing Q What is your background?

A Although I have a degree in Fuel Technology and Chemical Engineering from the University of Sheffield, I moved immediately into advertising. I worked for two major international advertising agencies for about 18 years on well-known brands including Mars, Johnson and Johnson, and Wilkinson Sword.

In the mid 80s, I started and ran a headhunting business for the advertising and marketing communications industries. I have worked at the University since 1993 and teach Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing Communications and employability skills. I lead and manage the University’s PR degree, which is approved by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). I was pleased to receive the Norman Manners PR Professional of the Year award from the CIPR in 2008. This was an honour as it was the first time it had been awarded to someone outside the PR industry.

Q What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

A The students and their achievements. And, if I’m honest, the feedback they give to me.

Q Do the students leave the University prepared for getting a job in the real world?

A Students’ employability is really important to us and we have close links with the PR industry.

There are some opportunities for work placements with top PR agencies in the final year, which means students get an experience second-to-none of working in the real world.

Some students have got jobs following graduation because of this.

Q What advice would you give to new students?

A You can! You’ll need to work, but you can. And if you approach your course with enthusiasm, it will show through. www.beds.ac.uk 5

Graduate - 2013 MEET THE PEOPLE

Q What made you choose UoB?

A The

other

Name

Angelo Karvelas Business School course

Name

was brand new and the facilities were far

BA (Hons) Marketing university I visited.

I also liked the idea of the Business Pod Q What did you like most about your

Dr Annie Danbury better than any TITLe

Lecturer in Marketing setSenior up that made Communications

learning feel like a business environment.

That is why I chose Beds.Q What is your background? course?

A The course shares equal focus on practice and theory giving you a full spectrum of skills.

Many of the lecturers are industry professionals; you can’t get much better than that.

Q What did you like most about the course?

A I studied modern languages and economics in Denmark before moving to the UK 20 years ago.

I’ve worked in marketing in the computer, drinks, and finance industries. Completing a BA (Hons) Marketing degree as a mature student inspired the interest in Marketing Communications that led to a PhD in Advertising.

What did youget like most about the A I think the best aspect of the courseQ was we to take on a real business brief University of Bedfordshire?

A I probably enjoyed the variety of being at Bedfordshire as a whole as there are so many opportunities to experience new things. The University is friendly, engaging and diverse.

and present our solution and campaign to a real PR company!

Q How has your course prepared you for the real world?

Q What’s the best thing about Bedfordshire?

A Its multicultural environment. Students and lecturers from all over world come together at the University and this makes for a very stimulating place to study and work.

Q How well do the business courses prepare students for jobs in the real world?

A This is our key strength. Our courses are designed to give students the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a contribution in the real world as soon as they graduate.

A My aim is to have a successful career in PR and I believe my time at the university Name A I think the best aspect of the course was Vivienne Long

we get to take on a real business brief and

BA (Hons) Public Relations

PR company!

has helped me achieve this goal. I did present a year-long our solution placement and campaign to aat realthe Luton Town course

Q What is the most rewarding part of your Football(Sandwich) Club asgraduate a Marketing/PR Assistant within theprepared Commercial Department.

After – 2013 Q How has the course you for job at Bedfordshire? the real world?

A To see our students grow academically and

Q What made youreturning choose the University is to have a successful career in real life my placement and to study IA My feltaimmore able in applying experiences. personally during their time with us – then I of Bedfordshire?

A The Business School was brand new and the facilities were far better than any other university I visited. I also liked the idea of the Business Pod set up that made learning feel like a business environment.

That is why I chose Beds.

PR and I believe my time at the university has helped me achieve this goal. I did a year-long placement at the Luton Town Football Club as a Marketing/PR Assistant within the Commercial Department. After my placement and returning to study I felt more able in applying real life experiences.

On the course I improved my time management, punctuality, team work, creativity, and became a good communicator.

know that we have made a difference.

On the course I improved my time management, punctuality, team work, creativity,

and became a good communicator.

Q What did you like most about the course?

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Q Any advice for students considering coming to Bedfordshire?

A Come to be inspired, come to prepare yourself for the world of work, but most of all come to take an active part in the diverse learning opportunities that we offer.

Q Three words to describe the department?

A Cutting-edge, creative and caring.

Subject Guide Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality

Sarah Khan BA (Hons) Advertising & Marketing Communications What’s the best thing about the University?

The lecturers are friendly and they go out of their way to provide the help and support you may need. And you’re not just reading big books of theory – you also get the hands-on experience that large companies look for. Luton is just a few miles away from London. And it is a friendly, multicultural society where, if you work hard, the opportunities are endless.

Name

Ismael Noorally course

BA (Hons) Travel & Tourism Q How are you finding your course?

A It is insightful and very well structured. I can gear it towards an area of the industry that interests me – which in my case is hotel marketing.

Q Do you think it is preparing you for your chosen career?

A Yes! I’ve been to Mauritius for research purposes, which was insightful, fun and in keeping with what a career in this field will involve.

Q What do you think of the teaching?

A Excellent! It’s one of the best things at Bedfordshire. My lecturers are experts in their fields and are also researching topical areas like environmental management.

How well do you think your course is preparing you for a job when you graduate?

The experience of lecturers gives you an insight into the marketing industry. Also, the course structure is designed to prepare you for the real world. There’s an opportunity to do a work placement year, which is seen as an advantage for companies hiring graduates.

The Careers and Employment Service at UoB supported me in finding my work placement with a global company as a Marketing Executive.

What three words would you use to describe your course?

Exciting, refreshing and innovative!

What are your plans when you finish?

To work as a Marketing Executive and, after a few years, to start my own marketing business.

Name

Alin Dobrea course

BA (Hons) Advertising & Marketing Communications Q Can you tell us a bit about the work placements and part-time work you have undertaken?

A Last summer I did a ten-week internship with a digital advertising agency in London called I Spy, as part of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) Summer School Programme. This has given me an invaluable insight into agency life, reinforcing my desire to work in the industry. I am currently doing a twelve-month work placement with the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at the University as a Student Liaison Officer. So far, I’m really enjoying it!

Q What advice do you have for students thinking of coming to Beds?

A Make the most out of your time at university. Study something that you like and feel good about, and get involved in as many things as possible – every experience is important and it will help you in the future. www.beds.ac.uk 7

CAMPUS facilities FACILITIES campus

It all adds up With facilities like these, you can see why our Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality courses are among the highest ranked by students in the UK Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality forms part of the University’s innovative Business School – the largest in the region. Following a refurbishment, Bedfordshire’s unique facilities set us apart from other UK departments. We pride ourselves on pioneering a new approach to education, in which students have the opportunity to perform executive roles in work-based projects for local firms. The wealth of resources and the enjoyable real-life experiences lead the way to employment.

Business Pods

Providing work and chill-out areas, as well as brainstorming, meeting and boardroom areas, our Business Pods recreate a 21stcentury hi-tech office environment. The Pods enable first-year students to take on the role of junior executives, carrying out a series of work-based projects for local organisations.

Not only does this practical approach improve our students’ employability, it also makes learning more fun.

Gemini Suite

The Gemini Suite allows our Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations students to develop their ideas in state-of-the-art surroundings. One of the rooms has subdued lighting, sofas, armchairs and interactive touchscreen TVs to encourage the creativity that’s so important in these industries, while the other has cutting-edge equipment to help students complete their projects.

Links with industry

Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality students benefit from the Business School’s excellent links with companies such as easyJet, the BBC and AstraZeneca. There are many opportunities to 8 www.beds.ac.uk

do work placements and dedicated staff at both Luton and Bedford to help organise this, whether it’s abroad or in the UK. In the final year, some students will get the chance to work closely with top London agencies on real world PR assignments.

Getting personal

Teaching staff on our Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality courses are friendly and approachable, and students have a personal tutor to support them throughout their course.

Business and Management Research Institute

The Business School has its own Research Institute, with three separate centres promoting research into business applications, as well as the English language. Additionally, the University of Bedfordshire Business School is also home to the Institute of Tourism Research (INTOUR) which concentrates on sustainable development, poverty reduction and climate change, as well as social inclusion and community cohesion to name just a few. UBBS is also home to the Centre for Advances in Marketing (CAM) which focuses on research into branding, cross-cultural marketing and marketing communications. Our students are able to benefit from the very latest knowledge and thinking in these exciting areas.

LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE

Our students will soon be able to benefit from a brand new state-of-the-art library at our Luton campus – ready in 2015. Head over to the website to see artist impressions and an interactive tour.

An excellent resource

Open seven days a week, the Learning Resources Centre at the Luton campus has

more than 300,000 books and 19,500 periodicals. There are 1,000 seats, video-viewing rooms and 300 networked PCs, which, for extra-dedicated students, are available until 2am four days a week. Students can communicate with each other and their tutors through podcasting, voice email and voice discussion boards using the Wimba suite of voice tools.

The library at the Bedford campus contains more than 120,000 loan and reference materials, plus an IT training suite and 120 networked computers. In addition, the campus’s Learning Hub offers a dynamic environment that encourages interaction and group learning.

Going the distance

By logging on to the web-based virtual learning environment Bedfordshire Resources for Education Online (BREO), students can access lecture notes, blogs, podcasts, discussion boards and course announcements at any time.

Beyond graduation

Set in 45 acres of countryside, the Putteridge Bury campus is home to the Business School’s postgraduate courses, the University Conference Centre and the Knowledge Hub. The latter runs a series of free lectures on ‘Basics of Building a Business’, which are open to students and staff, and are designed to promote entrepreneurship at the University. They explore the practicalities involved in starting a business and are presented by successful entrepreneurs in the field, including Marketing and PR professionals.

Putteridge Bury also has its own Learning Resources Centre equipped with PCs, which allow access to more than 2,000 electronic periodicals. It also hosts Business Without Borders, an international conference and awards programme that helps companies and their workforces become more efficient.

Subject Guide | Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations Subject Guide Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality Â

Tourism students work effectively in teams to develop problem solving skills, whilst working in a professional environment.

Study on a course which integrates academic theory and real world business practice.

Advertising, Marketing and PR students learn through creative collaborations on real world business projects, thanks to the innovative teaching methods used in the Business Pods. www.beds.ac.uk 9

successful alumni

success stories Ingrida Bertasiute GRADUATED BA Advertising & Marketing job

Andy Cockburn GRADUATED BA Public Relations job Press Officer, TUI UK

Andy Cockburn works in the PR department of the biggest travel company in Europe.

After a stint working for a PR agency in London, Andy joined TUI UK in 2008, soon after the merger of TUI AG (Thomson Holidays) and First Choice Holidays. He was one of the first employees to be recruited after the merger and soon became part of a team of 15 people responsible for brands that include the UK’s largest travel agency network and tour operater, as well as the second largest cruise line and third largest airline.

TUI employs more than a thousand people to look after its UK and Ireland operations in its modern, open plan offices in Luton. Andy’s duties in the press office include liaising with journalists, writing press releases, providing statements as a company spokesperson, hosting events, and organising and accompanying press trips to a range of 10 www.beds.ac.uk

Thomson holiday destinations. The travel industry suits Andy well. “What makes the job satisfying is that everyone is working towards the goal of ensuring customers have a great time on holiday,” he says.

Plus Andy is delighted with the work/life balance in his job. “The hard work that people put in is rewarded with numerous social events and good perks such as discounts off holidays,” he explains.

Andy credits a lot of his success to his PR degree from the University – it taught him the skills he continues to use every day. He describes the degree as “really well balanced and mixing theory with a number of practical elements.” He’d recommend the University to anyone who’s interested in working in public relations. “The degree was well-linked to industry and the assignments were relevant to what happens in the real world.”

Communications Marketing Assistant, University of Bedfordshire; Finance Director, 4 Movement; Dance Captain and Choreographer, Unseen Shadows

Ingrida Bertasiute doesn’t spend a lot of time sitting still. The Advertising and Marketing Communications graduate, originally from Lithuania, works for the University as a Marketing Assistant and has recently started a dance company, 4 Movement.

Ingrida’s degree taught her many of the skills she uses in her job as a Marketing Assistant and she now works with many of her former lecturers.

Ingrida prepares marketing materials for the University, updates the website, interviews staff and students, and organises events including open days and school visits. She also takes photographs and shoots videos for the Marketing department: “I didn’t study that in my degree, but I was interested, and the University sent me on courses to learn about it.”

“At first it was difficult to be in the same environment with new people and duties, but I prefer working to being a student!” she says.

Ingrida hasn’t started taking things easy now she is no longer studying though. Instead of poring over assignments, she now spends her evenings on company finances and dance routines.

Ingrida won the 2009 UK Street Dance Championships with her duo Unseen Shadows.

And, in 2010, she and her partners launched 4 Movement, a business to promote dance in Bedfordshire. They have organised several dance events so far and more are in the pipeline.

With advice from her colleagues at Bedfordshire and from the Business Adviser she was able to consult through The hat Factory, things have gone smoothly so far.

“When you have a wish for something, good education and people you can trust, you can do whatever you want to do,” Ingrida says confidently.

Subject Guide Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality

ON COURSE Give yourself the best chance to

get ahead by choosing from our exciting courses

BA (Hons)

Advertising & Marketing Communications This degree includes core business subjects modelled around activities that you can expect to undertake in your first job after graduation. You will learn in a new, purposebuilt facility, designed like a modern office.

Underpinned by a sound appreciation of business and marketing, the course covers all aspects of promotional activity and stresses an integrated, ‘holistic’ approach.

BA (Hons)

Event Management You will gain a range of skills to enhance your employability – specifically within the events industry and more generally within the leisure, sport and tourism management industries.

You will also have the opportunity to volunteer for events staged at the University for local authorities as well as national events.

BA (Hons)

Hospitality & Tourism Management This course is focused on the hospitality and tourism industries as areas of study and it is taught by a dynamic team of highly qualified staff. It is also underpinned by the work of world-class researchers based at the University.

BA (Hons)

Marketing This BA (Hons) Marketing course has full exemption from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) professional examinations.

The course is designed to provide you with an interesting blend of theory and practical application, and reflects the needs of students who have made a considered choice to enter the world of marketing.

Full details for all our courses are available to download at www.beds.ac.uk/courses

BA (Hons)

Public Relations We were one of the first UK universities to offer a course tailored to the needs of the Public Relations industry. Developed with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the course includes business core subjects that are modelled around real-life activities and taught in a new facility that feels like a modern office. Highly enjoyable and commercial in emphasis, the course provides a direct route into employment.

There are close links with the PR industry and plenty of opportunities for both work placements and permanent jobs.

BA (Hons)

Travel & Tourism Tou can structure your course, gearing it towards particular sections of the industry that interests you most. Years one and two provide insights into the tourism industry and knowledge of the underlying business and management disciplines required to be a successful manager.

PHOTOGRAPHY: LAURIE FLETCHER

BA (Hons) refers to three- or four-year Bachelor’s Honours degrees. FD refers to two-year foundation degrees, some of which are run at our partner colleges, intended for people already in relevant employment, or students looking for classroom-based learning with an employment focus. A final year (stage 3) can be completed at the University in order to ‘top-up’ to an Honours degree.

The University of Bedfordsh ire is ranked first for improving the student experience (N ational Student Survey 2014)

BA (Hons)

International Tourism Management This course links theory to practice, and focuses on global issues such as the development and management of sustainable tourism. You will study some of the most pressing issues in international tourism management.

www.beds.ac.uk 11

Luton campus University Square Luton LU1 3JU

Bedford campus Polhill Avenue Bedford MK41 9EA

Course enquiries: 0300 3300 073