Bachelor of Business (Tourism, Leisure and Event Management)

This degree is for people who want to work in the business of travel, hospitality, leisure and events. Over three years of full-time study you'll cover tourism and leisure theory, event planning and operations, marketing, visitor economy management, and the business fundamentals that sit underneath all of it, accounting, economics, management and law. The University of the Sunshine Coast sits in a region where tourism is a major employer, so the coursework leans on local operators, venues and destinations as examples and partners.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees are made up of units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You accumulate credit points across semesters until you meet the total required for the award. At USC the academic year typically runs in two main semesters, with an optional summer session, and most students take four units per semester. The degree is three years full-time; part-time study stretches it out. You'll usually complete a set of core business units, a tourism, leisure and event major, and electives you can use to specialise or to try something outside your field. A capstone unit in your final year pulls the strands together, often a real project for a tourism or events client rather than an exam.

Work-integrated learning

Tourism and events is a field where you learn by doing, and Australian degrees in this area normally include a placement or industry project. That might mean working with a regional tourism organisation, a hotel or resort, a festival or major event, a council's economic development team, or a tour operator. Placement hours count towards your degree and give you referees and a work history before you graduate. Confirm the specific placement requirements, hours and any pre-placement checks on the official course page.

What you'll get good at

You'll learn to plan and run events, read a market and build a marketing plan, manage budgets and rosters, understand the regulatory side of tourism and hospitality, and handle the logistics that make or break a visitor experience. You'll also get practice in the softer skills that employers in this industry actually hire for, dealing with customers, coordinating suppliers, working in teams, and communicating with stakeholders from council officers to venue managers.

Who it suits

It suits school leavers who want a business degree with a clear industry focus, and people already working in hospitality, travel, events or local government who want to move into management. If you're an international student, note the English requirement: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the usual undergraduate standard, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and USC's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. While studying, a student visa generally allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight during term. After graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia, check current rules with the Department of Home Affairs. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 066415J. Always confirm structure, placement requirements and entry details on the official USC page.

• Event coordinator or event manager, festivals, conferences, weddings, sporting events, council-run events
• Tourism operations or destination marketing officer, regional tourism organisations, visitor information centres, tourism boards
• Hotel or resort supervisor and duty manager roles, front office, food and beverage, guest experience
• Tour guide, tour operations coordinator or inbound travel consultant
• Marketing and promotions assistant in hospitality, travel or leisure businesses
• Venue and facilities coordinator, stadiums, convention centres, community venues
• Local government tourism and economic development officer
• Airline, cruise or transport customer service and operations roles

Australian employers in this space include hotels and resorts, tour and transport operators, event production companies, councils, state tourism bodies, wineries and attractions, airlines, and the many small businesses that make up the visitor economy.