VOCATIONAL PROGRAMME LEADING TO AN UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL VOCATIONAL DIPLOMA
Hotel and Tourism Programme
Do you like being in the midst of the hustle and bustle? Do you enjoy working with people and have an interest in languages, travel and other cultures? If so, the Hotel and Tourism Programme may be right for you. If you want to work with tourism, hotel and conference activities in the hospitality industry, this is the programme for you.
Video: Video briefly describing the Hotel and Tourism Programme (Runtime: 4:40)
What you will learn in the Hotel and Tourism Programme
The hotels and tourism industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. In the Hotel and Tourism Programme, you will learn about the hospitality industry, that is, the industry that connects everything that has to do with tourism, hotels, travel and restaurants.
Working in the hotel and tourism industry involves many varied tasks — everything from receiving guests and using various booking systems to make reservations to organising and conducting various types of conferences and events.
You will get to hone your ability to interact with people and develop a professional relationship with guests and customers. You will practice searching for, analysing and evaluating information, as well as how to take responsibility and exercise good judgment.
You will learn about how to serve and treat people, communication, marketing, sales, entrepreneurship, languages, destinations and itineraries. You will also learn about planning, organisation, management, and finances, as well as about people’s needs, traditions and service expectations.
You will gain knowledge about hotels, conferences, tourism and travel (both national and international).
You will learn about the hospitality industry – both its history and future opportunities. You will also learn about sustainable development in tourism and about what laws and regulations exist.
I chose the Hotel and Tourism Programme because it’s vocational, so when I finish upper secondary school, it will be easier to get a job. It also sounded very interesting to learn more about hotels and tourism; you get broad knowledge of all kinds of things. I think it’s been a fun programme, and we’ve gone on a lot of study visits to different places.
Ottilia / Hotel and Tourism Programme
Intended learning outcomes
The intended learning outcomes define what a learner will have acquired and will be able to do upon successfully completing their studies in a particular upper secondary school programme.
Programme structure
In the programme structure, you can see which subjects and courses are included in the educational programme. You can also see how many credits are earned for each course.
Programme structure for the Hotel and Tourism Programme (pdf)
External link, opens in new window.
Specialisations
Starting in the 2021-2022 academic year, the Hotel and Tourism Programme no longer has any specialisations.
Diploma project
At the end of the Hotel and Tourism Programme, you must complete a diploma project in your chosen professional field in which you show evidence that you have the ability to perform the most common tasks necessary to start working in the area in which you have received your education.
Learning in a Work Environment
Parts of the educational programme are conducted at one or more workplaces and lasts for a period of at least 15 weeks. These elements are called Learning in a Work Environment (“APL”). This is an important element of your education. APL gives you experience and contacts that may be beneficial when you are looking for a job.
Through your APL in the Hotel and Tourism Programme, you will learn how to apply what you have read about in school. You get to use what you have learned in working life and meet new people.
You can do many types of workplaces in the hotel and tourism programme; you can carry out your APL at many types of workplaces. For example, you conduct your APL in more traditional workplaces, such as hotels, conferences, spas or ski resorts. You can also carry out your APL in another part of the tourism industry, for example as an activity leader at a ropes course, at an events company, or at a theme park. There may also be opportunities to conduct your APL abroad.
Apprenticeships
If your school offers upper secondary school apprenticeships within the framework of the programme, you can choose to take advantage of this opportunity. This means that you gain the same knowledge but carry out at least half of your studies in one or more workplaces.
Click here to learn more about apprenticeships as part of an upper secondary school education
Entering the workforce after graduation and examples of career paths
You can start working immediately after completing the programme. Below you will find examples of career paths. A career path is a suggestion of a profession in which you can work with after graduating from the vocational programme. The professional competence you acquire depends upon the combination of courses you choose within your programme specialisation. Below is a list of examples of possible career paths after graduating upper secondary school with a diploma from the Hotel and Tourism Programme. Next to each profession is a link to facts about the responsibilities of the position and average wages/salary.
Activity and event host, conference host, meeting, event and group booking
- Additional information about tourism professions
- Additional information about working as a tour leader
- Additional information about working as a guide
Receptionist and floor service
Further information about the responsibilities of these professions and forecasts regarding the future prospects of each profession can be found in the “Hitta yrken A–Ö” service (“Find a profession, A–Z”).
Well, I would really like to try working abroad, in some hotel – that would be a lot of fun. But I might also work here in the area. Where I live, the high season is during the winter, and in those months the hotels always need staff.
Ottilia / Hotel and Tourism Programme
Eligibility to continue your studies after graduation
Do you want to continue your studies at a university or other higher education institution after completing the programme? This programme provides you with the general entry requirements for studying at an institution of higher education. After completing the programme, you also have the opportunity to continue your education at a polytechnic or independent adult education college (folkhögskola).