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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Health Tourism under the number 141310c. Who is the Bachelor's Degree in Health Tourism Suitable For?
The distance learning Bachelor of Arts in Health Tourism (Tourism Management in Health & Wellness) is aimed at individuals interested in management tasks at the interface of health, wellness, and tourism. It is especially targeted at professionals from the tourism, hotel, or health sectors who wish to move into leadership roles or specifically expand their business management expertise. The programme is also designed for career changers who intend to specialise in health tourism in the medium term or seek a career step in the future-oriented fields of prevention, wellness, or international tourism management. The programme is ideal for people who want to develop and evaluate innovative offers in the tourist health market or wish to make an impact in regional management, event, and destination management.
What Formal Admission Requirements Do You Have to Meet?
There are two admission pathways based on the regulations of the Bremen Higher Education Act:
- Admission pathway 1 (direct university entrance): You need a general university entrance qualification (Abitur), technical college entrance qualification or a subject-specific university entrance qualification (depending on suitability). Alternatively, a master craftsman certificate, advanced vocational training (e.g. business economist), a completed university degree, at least three years of professionally relevant vocational training, or an equivalent foreign university entrance qualification are sufficient.
- Admission pathway 2 (studying without Abitur): With a completed vocational training of at least two years (or comparable relevant knowledge), you can be admitted to the programme subject-specifically after passing a placement test.
The degree programme is without a numerus clausus (NC) and can be started at any time. Recognition of prior learning from related degree programmes, training, or further education in the healthcare sector is possible and can shorten the duration of study.
Personal requirements: You should have an interest in the topics of health, wellness, tourism, and prevention and show openness to societal trends. Self-motivation, structured time management, and the willingness to independently engage with business, legal and intercultural issues are expected. Strong communication skills, planning competence and creativity are advantageous as the programme is heavily focused on the development and presentation of innovative concepts. Initial experience in tourism, healthcare, or management facilitates entry but is not mandatory.
Study Content in Detail
The Bachelor’s programme in Health Tourism provides you with comprehensive knowledge in tourism, health economics, and management – with a special focus on prevention, wellness, sustainability, and business skills. Among other topics, you will deal with the following key areas:
- Tourism Economics and Destination Management: You will learn how national and international tourism markets function, as well as methods of sustainable destination management.
- Business Administration Fundamentals: Insights into accounting, controlling, investment and financing, quality management, and planning of health tourism enterprises prepare you for business challenges.
- Health, Prevention and Wellness: You will analyse public health approaches, concepts of prevention and rehabilitation, as well as wellness-oriented offerings in tourism.
- Marketing and Event Management: The course provides you with strategic and operational marketing knowledge, especially for health tourism products, as well as skills in event and experience management.
- Intercultural Communication and Tourism Psychology: You will deepen your skills in dealing with international guests, tourism and motivation psychology and develop sensitivity to cultural differences.
- Sustainability and Environment: Content relating to environmental factors, climate change, sustainable development, and environmental management in the tourism sector forms another focus area.
- Research Methods and Scientific Work: You will gain a solid foundation in planning, conducting, and evaluating empirical studies in a tourism context.
- Elective Areas such as advertising and marketing psychology, environment and health, disaster risk reduction, or travel and infectious diseases allow individual specialisations.
The training is practice-oriented: during the internship you can apply what you have learned and independently work on a health- or tourism-related issue in your Bachelor thesis.
How Does the Distance Learning Course in Health Tourism Work?
The programme is designed as a part-time distance learning course, enabling you to study independently of time and location. You can start at any time. The standard period of study is 36 or 48 months with a total of 180 ECTS. A free extension of up to 50% (18 or 24 months) is possible.
- Study Materials are provided at regular intervals digitally or by post. You can decide for yourself in which format you want to study (digital, print, audio).
- Learning Formats are varied: study booklets, web-based trainings, learning videos, audio files, digital platform with online campus.
- Examinations take place flexibly. Online exams are possible as well as exams at numerous locations in German-speaking countries or at partner institutions worldwide.
- Mandatory Seminars and the introductory seminar are offered either online or as in-person events.
- Practical Phase: Through an integrated internship or the recognition of relevant professional experience, the course is supplemented with practical experience, which you reflect on in the internship report.
- Final Thesis: The Bachelor thesis forms the scientific conclusion of the course.
Career Opportunities & Job Prospects
With the degree Bachelor of Arts (B. A.) in Health Tourism you secure access to management and specialist positions in a growing sector. Typical fields of work for graduates include, among others:
- Hotels and Resorts: Development of health-oriented offers, management of wellness and spas, leadership of health programmes
- Tourism and Spa Authorities: Design and implementation of health-promoting destination strategies, regional marketing
- Specialised Tour Operators and Tourism Agencies: Consulting and sales of health trips, product management
- Wellness and Fitness Providers, Thermal Baths: Quality management, operation and further development of tourist health facilities
- Public Administrations, Associations and Federations: Project planning and coordination of health-related leisure offers and prevention initiatives
- Event and Congress Management: Planning and organisation of health-related events and functions
Self-employment in the consulting sector (tourism or health consultancy) or a subsequent master’s degree – for example in health, tourism or public health management – are also possible.
Your Study Location: Digitalisation Meets Flexibility
The study programme is offered exclusively as an online distance learning course. The APOLLON online campus is the central platform for learning materials, communication with lecturers as well as for seminar and examination dates.
- Studying Without Being Bound to a Location: You are independent nationwide and internationally and can complete all study achievements online.
- On-site Seminars and Examination Centres are available on request at numerous locations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and worldwide.
- The university study centre is in Bremen. However, attendance on site is not required for the distance learning course.
Costs and Financing
The total costs for the Bachelor’s programme in Health Tourism amount to €12,780. The monthly rate is €288 (for 36 months); alternative models and promotional prices (e.g. from €249/month including discount) are possible depending on the variant. Included are study materials, support, online campus, examinations and seminars.
- Free Extension: Up to 50% of the standard period of study (18 or 24 months).
- BAföG Eligibility: The programme is eligible for BAföG funding, provided the individual requirements are met.
- Further Financing Options: Educational loans, scholarships, tax deductibility, support from employers as well as discounts and promotional prices.
- 4-week Free Trial Study: You can test the course risk-free and cancel free of charge within the trial period.
- Recognition of Previous Achievements: Already completed modules, vocational training or certificate courses can be recognised, which can reduce overall costs and study duration.
Advisory Service
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