Bachelor of Science Tourism

Joint degree with Wageningen University & Research

Bachelor
3 years
Full time
English

Explore the potential of sustainable tourism

Curious to know how tourism impacts on society, the environment and the economy? Find out in the Bachelor of Science Tourism!

You will first study in Breda for two years and then at Wageningen University for a year. Pretty special, the BSc Tourism is the only academic bachelor's programme in the field of tourism in the Netherlands. It is a combination of economic, social and environmental sciences. Topics of research projects include sustainability, climate change, globalisation and health.

Joint degree with Wageningen University & Research

Logo WUR - Joint Degree met BUas

An inside view on the Bachelor of Science Tourism

  • Excellent opportunity to study tourism at an academic level and in combination with Wageningen University & Research 
  • Interdisciplinary degree programme with challenging research projects dealing with sustainability, climate change, health, etc. 
  • Small-scale and intercultural learning environment with a lot of attention for personal development 

The right choice?

Do you want to know if Bachelor of Science Tourism is the right choice for you?

Within five minutes you will find out if this study programme is the right fit for you!


Take the quiz

Zoom in on our Bachelor of Science Tourism

Programme content

International fieldtrips

Student City Breda

Campus favourites

Our introduction week

Study overview

Learning community

The Bachelor of Science (BSc) Tourism is a three-year joint degree programme delivered by staff from both Breda University of Applied Sciences and Wageningen University & Research. 

Years 1 and 2 take place in Breda. In the first year you will explore the complex and multifaceted tourism phenomenon from different angles. In the second year you will deepen your knowledge of sustainable tourism development. This year includes a research project at an international destination. The third year takes place in Wageningen and consists of a minor of your own choice and your academic bachelor's thesis.

During your studies you will move towards increased (educational) autonomy. This means that educational guidance in our learning community is at its height during the first year and gradually decreases over the next two years.

Course planning

Years 1 and 2 take place in Breda. In the first year you will explore the complex and multifaceted tourism phenomenon from different angles. In the second year you will deepen your knowledge of sustainable tourism development. This year includes a research project at an international destination. The third year takes place in Wageningen and consists of a minor of your own choice and your academic bachelor's thesis. You can find more information about the study programme and the courses in the complete programme overview. Below we explain what to expect each year:

 

 

Year 1: introduction to the phenomenon of tourism (Breda)

Get acquainted with the complex phenomenon of tourism (in Breda).   

The first year is divided into two semesters. Below you can see which courses and themes are covered in the lectures, webinars and practical assignments.   

Year 2: deepening your knowledge (Breda)

You will deepen your knowledge of tourism development, policy, governance and law, organisational behaviour and business management. You will also expand your academic skills and study philosophy of science. In the interdisciplinary courses in the fourth semester you will explore directions for sustainable tourism development. This year includes a four-week international research project.

Year 3: broadening your view (Wageningen)

In the first semester you will choose a minor - this may be related to your master’s degree or may involve pursuing your own personal area of interest. You can - for instance - choose a minor in international development studies, management studies or environmental sciences. You can also choose to do your minor at another university in the Netherlands, or abroad. In the final semester you will gain an insight into the principles of entrepreneurship and the latest innovations in policy, technology and sustainability. You will finish your major with a bachelor’s thesis.

Academic versus professional education

In general, the difference between academic and professional programmes lies in course content, teaching methods, level of autonomy, freedom of choice, course transferability, and graduation perspectives. Similarities can be found in terms of educational philosophy and mindset.

Differences

As opposed to a professional bachelor's programme, an academic bachelor's programme will:

  • In an academic (WO) programme, you will do more research than in a professional (HBO) programme and you will learn how to use scientific theories and models. You will learn how to place issues in a broader social perspective. 
  • An academic programme prepares you for a strategic role, in which analytical skills and critical reflection are very important. A professional programme prepares you for an operational or management role. 
  • In an academic programme, you will do a lot of literature research and write (individual and independent) research reports and papers.
  • In a professional programme, you will often work in project groups with other students on practical assignments. 
  • A professional bachelor’s degree will train you to work in a specific sector, whereas an academic bachelor’s degree will give you more flexibility, because you will have learned to think and work from a broader perspective.

Study load and coaching

During the programme, you will be guided – in terms of subject matter content - by experienced lecturers from both BUas and WUR. Student advisor Kelly is the first point of contact for all students. She can help you make choices or offer support if you get stuck during your studies or encounter any other problems. If necessary, she can refer you to a student counsellor or student psychologist.   
 
During your studies you can also take part, on a voluntary basis, in the masterclasses of educational psychologist and motivational speaker dr Martijn van der Spoel. In these inspiring lectures, he discusses common study obstacles and tools to overcome them. Just think of study delays, motivation problems and how to focus on your studies.

Entrepreneurship

At BUas you are trained to become an entrepreneurial professional. In all the professional bachelor’s programmes, you are given the opportunity to develop your entrepreneurial skills. Alongside your studies, you can join BUas Startup Support, BUSS. BUSS organises (networking) events and connects student startup entrepreneurs, there is even the possibility to apply for guidance from your own startup coach.

You can also graduate within BUas with your own company! Every academy offers this opportunity, though a selection process may apply. Maybe, by that time, you already have a small profitable business or have plans to start one? BUas Startup Support can help you.

More information on how to start your own business.

FAQs

How often will you go abroad?

In the second year of the study programme, the International Field Project takes you one month to an international destination.
In the third year, over 50% of the students go on international exchange for six months in the fifth semester.

Can I choose elective courses?

The program has deliberately chosen not to have specialization. The integrated approach to tourism from the angles of all three core disciplines (social, economic, environment) in most courses is the reason for this.

In the third year, however, the fifth semester is completely reserved for individual profiling. In this period you can choose a described minor from Wageningen University or another Dutch university, or go on an international exchange, or you can compile a package of courses from scratch, which must be tested by the Examination Committee for suitability for the program and internal consistency. So no fun package.

Over 50% of BSc Tourism students opt for an International Exchange.

The variety of chosen minors is large, for example:

marketing & consumer behaviour business management international development studies international land and water management anthropology | psychology climate studies | environmental sciences risk and disaster management

 

Bachelor of Science Tourism Eyecatchers

Admission

When am I admissible?

The Bachelor of Science Tourism programme is offered jointly by Wageningen University and Breda University of Applied Sciences. Application requirements can be found on the Wageningen University website.

 

What does this study costs?

In the academic year 2024-2025 the statutory tuition fee for bachelor's programmes is €2,530. In addition to the tuition fee, you will need to take into account additional costs for participation in the introduction week and the purchase of study materials such as textbooks and excursions. Read more about study costs.

 

How can I apply?

Application for and admission to this programme goes through Wageningen University. 

Apply via WUR

A multidisciplinary approach to sustainable tourism development

I work for Sea Going Green, which is a startup committed to reduce the negative impacts of tourism on the marine environment. I’m really grateful for the international experiences I had during the BSc Tourism. While working with international fellow students and during my field project in Indonesia, I learned a lot about intercultural communication. Working with multiple international partners and clients for me is a daily activity now.

Indy Schumacher

Graduate | Currently working as a Sustainable Tourism Consultant for Sea Going Green

I am really looking forward to my exchange in Spain

While working in a hotel in Berlin, I realized how much more can and should be done in the tourism sector with regards to sustainability. My Bachelor is a joint one with Wageningen University, which is why I ended up here and am really liking it. 

What else can you do to find out which programme suits you? Follow Your Road to Buas

Justine

Student Bachelor of Science Tourism

Your career

After your graduation from the Bachelor of Science Tourism degree programme you can decide whether to find a job in the (sustainable) tourism industry as strategic policy advisor, consultant or researcher, or continue on a master's programme such as one of the master's programmes at Wageningen University.

Learn more