Hospitality Management 

ABOUT THE COURSE

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1: Why choose a BTEC Higher National qualification? 

 

BTEC is globally recognised for its applied learning approach, engaging students in practical, interpersonal, and cognitive skills for over thirty years. These qualifications are tailored for individuals starting their careers or those already employed seeking advancement opportunities. BTECs facilitate progression into the workforce, either directly or through further university study, and are designed to align with employer needs. They are highly regarded by both industry and higher education institutions as leading career-focused qualifications at Levels 4 and 5. 

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In developing BTEC Higher National qualifications, Pearson collaborates with a diverse group of students, employers, higher education providers, colleges, and subject matter experts to ensure the qualifications meet their needs and expectations. Pearson also engages with professional bodies to ensure alignment with recognised standards. The Pearson BTEC Higher National qualifications address the growing demand for high-quality professional and technical education at undergraduate Levels 4 and 5. They offer students a clear pathway to employment and the option to pursue a degree at Level 6. 

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As the awarding body, Pearson has approved The City College to offer a variety of Higher National qualifications. The College’s management and lecturing team is responsible for ensuring that the quality of the provision meets Pearson’s exacting conditions and standards. Quality is monitored regularly through visits from Pearson’s External Examiners and a regular Pearson Annual Management Review. 

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In addition, once you become a student, the BTEC HN Global website provides a specially designed range of digital resources to give you the best possible experience during the BTEC Higher Nationals course. (Please find the link in the section Useful Links below) 

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2. Why choose a Higher National Qualification in Hospitality Management? 

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The purpose of these qualifications is to develop students as independent-thinking professionals who can meet the demands of employers and adapt to a constantly changing world. They aim to widen access to higher education and improve career prospects. 

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Objectives of the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Hospitality 

 

The objectives of these qualifications are to: 

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• Develop the skills, knowledge, and understanding needed for high performance in the hospitality environment. 

• Foster enquiring minds with the abilities and confidence to work across different hospitality functions, lead, manage, respond to change, and tackle complex situations. 

• Provide core skills for a range of careers in hospitality, including food and beverage, culinary arts management, and front office operations. 

• Balance employability skills with essential knowledge for entrepreneurial, employment, or academic ambitions. 

• Enhance understanding of the impact of new digital technologies on the hospitality environment. 

• Offer insights into hospitality operations and the opportunities and challenges of a global marketplace. 

• Equip students with knowledge of culturally diverse organisations, cross-cultural issues, diversity, and values, allowing flexible study to meet local and specialist needs. 

 

KEY INFORMATION

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Starting Dates:                   January / April / September

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Mode of Study:                   Full-time 

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Duration:                             HND – Two years

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Awarding Body:                  Pearson

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Award:                                 BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Hospitality Management

Award:                                 BTEC HND Diploma in Hospitality Management (General Pathway)                                                                  :                   ​

Price:                                   Full-Time (On-site Learning) £6,355/year 

                                            Full-Time Distance Learning (Off-site Learning) £6,355 

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* STUDENT LOAN AVAILABLE *

 

 

3: Aims of the Level 4 and 5 Higher Nationals in Hospitality 

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Aims of the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Hospitality? 

 

The Level 4 units provide a broad introduction to hospitality management, laying the foundations for learning. These units develop and strengthen core skills, preparing students for specialist subjects at Level 5 or for employment in roles that require some personal responsibility. 

 

Students will gain extensive hospitality management knowledge linked to practical skills acquired through research, independent study, directed study, and workplace scenarios. They will engage in vocational activities that help them develop the attitudes and approaches required for competence, known as vocational behaviours, as well as transferable skills. Transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, research, and analysis, are highly valued in higher education and the workplace. 

 

By the end of Level 4, students will have a solid understanding of the basic concepts of hospitality management. They will be proficient in a range of subject-specific skills and general skills relevant to key areas of hospitality management. 

 

Aims of the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Hospitality Management  

 

The Level 5 units offer students the opportunity to specialize in a hospitality management-related occupational area and to progress to degree-level study. These units prepare students to advance to specific areas of hospitality management at Level 6 or to enter employment in roles that require personal responsibility and decision-making. 

 

Students will develop and apply their own ideas to their studies, handle uncertainty and complexity, explore solutions, demonstrate critical evaluation, and integrate both theory and practice in various hospitality management situations. 

By the end of Level 5, students will have a solid understanding of the principles in the area of Hospitality management- General pathway and will know how to apply those principles more broadly in the business world.  

Developing Employability and Academic Skills 

 

The BTEC Higher Nationals in Hospitality support the development of key employability skills, including problem-solving, independence, interpersonal skills, commercial awareness, and business management. These skills enhance your career prospects and personal development, providing a vocational context for deeper learning and progression to university degree courses. 

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4:  What employment and further study opportunities could these qualifications lead to? 

 

The Level 4 Higher National Certificate provides a solid grounding in hospitality management, which students can build on if they decide to continue their studies. The Level 5 Higher National Diploma allows students to specialise by committing to specific career paths and progression routes to degree-level study. 

 

Once students have achieved the Level 5 Higher National Diploma, they can develop their careers in the hospitality management sector by: 

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• Entering employment 

• Continuing existing employment 

• Linking with the appropriate professional body 

• Linking with the appropriate vendor-accredited certificates (if appropriate) 

• Committing to continuing professional development (CPD) 

• Progressing to university 

• Progression to University 

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The Level 5 Higher National Diploma is recognised by higher education providers as meeting admission requirements to many relevant undergraduate hospitality management-related courses, for example: 

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• BSc (Hons) in Hospitality and Events Management 

• BA (Hons) in Hospitality Management 

• BA and BSc (Hons) in Culinary Arts Management 

• BSc (Hons) in International Hospitality Management 

 

Students should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes at specific Higher Education providers where they wish to gain admission and ‘top-up’ their HND.

 

Degree Finder 

 

Pearson's Degree Finder (DF) tool has been created for students studying a Pearson BTEC Higher National qualification who are looking for progression options to university.  

 

You can use the DF before, during, or after completing your Pearson course to help you plan your next steps. It is recommended that you read through the user guidance before searching. Look for a direct pathway by entering the specific Higher National subject, including the level and pathway, to find out where your qualification can take you. 

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Follows the ‘General Hospitality Management’ pathway.

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TQT is an estimate of the total amount of time that could reasonably be expected to be required for a student to achieve and demonstrate the achievement of the level of attainment necessary for the award of a qualification. It can include, for example, guided learning, independent and unsupervised research/ learning, unsupervised coursework, watching a pre-recorded podcast or webinar, and unsupervised work-based learning.

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GLH are defined as the time when a tutor is present to give specific guidance towards the learning aim being studied on a programme. This definition includes lectures, tutorials and supervised study in, for example, open learning centres and learning workshops. Guided Learning includes any supervised assessment activity; this includes invigilated examination and observed assessment and observed work-based practice.

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The 240 credits achieved by successful completion of the HND is equivalent to completing the first two years of a Hospitality related honours degree at a UK university (see section 8 below).

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5: Programme structure 

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The regular timescale for achieving a Level 5 HND by full-time study is two-years. Progression to Year 2 of the programme is dependent on satisfactory completion of  

 

Year 1. 

Level 4 HNC: 

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• Requires successful completion of 8 units ​

• 5 Mandatory units plus 3 optional units selected by the College, each with a value of 15 credits (120 total) 

• Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 1200 hours

• Total Guided Learning Hours (GLH) is 480 hours 

• The total independent learning hours for Higher National Certificate (HNC) is 720 hours 

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Follows the Hospitality Management pathway.  

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Year 2 

Level 5 HND: 

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• Requires successful completion of a further 7 units (therefore 15 in total) 

• Mixes 2 mandatory plus 5 optional units selected by the College, each with a value of 15 credits except the

• Research Project which is 30 credits (240 total minimum) 

• Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 2400 hours 

• Total Guided Learning Hours (GLH) is 960 hours 

• The total independent learning hours for Higher National Diploma (HND) is 1,440 hours. 

 

Follows the Hospitality Management General pathway. 
 

TQT (Total Qualification Time) is an estimate of the total amount of time that could reasonably be expected to be required for a student to achieve and demonstrate the achievement of the level of attainment necessary for the award of a qualification. It can include, for example, guided learning, independent and unsupervised research/ learning, unsupervised coursework, watching a pre-recorded podcast or webinar, and unsupervised work-based learning. 

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GLH (Guided Learning Hours) are defined as the time when a tutor is present to give specific guidance towards the learning aim being studied on a programme. This definition includes lectures, tutorials and supervised study in, for example, open learning centres and learning workshops. Guided Learning includes any supervised assessment activity; this includes invigilated examination and, observed assessment and observed work-based practice. 

 

Independent learning hours are the hours when a student is learning without the direct guidance of a member of the centre staff. They are critical to the student’s ability to develop knowledge and skills, as well as providing them with the opportunity to develop key transferrable skills such as self-discipline, time management and self-motivation. 

 

The 240 credits achieved by successful completion of the HND is equivalent to completing the first two years of a Business-related honours degree at a UK university (see section 8 below). 

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6: What is studied and how is it timetabled and assessed? 

 

The academic year is divided into three terms and in each term you will normally be timetabled to study 2-3 units. You will usually be timetabled for at least two to three days per week and it must be noted that the timetable changes from term-to-term as the programme develops and units are completed. 

 

A variety of forms of assessment evidence will be used, suited to the type of learning outcomes being assessed. Some units, for example, require a practical demonstration of skills, while others require students to carry out their own research and analysis, working independently or as part of a team. 

 

Methods of assessment may include, for example, writing a report or essay, recording an interview or role play, examination or in-class tests, giving a presentation with assessor questioning, making a PowerPoint presentation, creating academic posters, displays or leaflets, or keeping a reflective journal. 

The specification below covers Higher Nationals in Hospitality taught from the academic year September 2025 onwards.  

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Year 1

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