Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Studies
About This Programme
Tourism management, heritage and hospitality studies.
Course Highlights
- Taught at UAEU, ranked #217 in the QS World University Rankings 2027
- American-style credit-hour degree taught in English
- UAE nationals are generally government-sponsored
What You'll Study
Taught full time, in person, on an American-style credit-hour system, primarily in English.
General Education
University General Education requirements (21 CH).
- GEEM110 Contemporary Emirati Studies3 credits
- GEAE101 Academic English for Humanities and STEM3 credits
- GEIT113 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3 credits
- GEIE222 Fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship3 credits
- GESU121 Sustainability3 credits
Plus additional General Education elective credits selected across Themes 6-11 (Quantitative Reasoning & Critical Thinking, Humanities, Behavioral & Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Health & Wellness, and Cultural Diversity), per the University's General Education framework.
College Requirements
- HSSR101 Fundamentals of Humanities and Social Sciences3 credits
- HSSR103 People, Places, and Society3 credits
Tourism Major Required Courses
45 CH.
- TOR101 Introduction to Tourism3 credits
- TOR140 Introduction to Museology3 credits
- TOR205 Introduction to Cultural Tourism3 credits
- TOR222 Principles of Tour Guidance3 credits
- TOR263 Tourism Resources in the UAE3 credits
- TOR350 Tourism and the Environment3 credits
- TOR403 Tourism and Society3 credits
- TOR404 Sustainable Tourism Development & Planning3 credits
- TOR416 Travel Writing & New Technologies3 credits
- TOR421 Intensive Research in Tourism3 credits
- TOR485 Integrated Capstone3 credits
- HIS121 World History: Origins to 15003 credits
- HIS133 Introduction to Art History3 credits
- HIS212 History of the UAE3 credits
- HIS381 UAE Architectural Heritage3 credits
Elective Courses: Cluster 1
Select 3 courses (9 CH).
- HIS312 Historical Preservation3 credits
- PSG120 Government & Politics of UAE3 credits
- PSG250 Principles of International Relations3 credits
- MKTG200 Principles of Marketing3 credits
- MGMT201 Fundamentals of Management and Organizational Behavior3 credits
- TOR202 Fundamentals of Heritage Management3 credits
- GEO432 Geography of the UAE3 credits
Elective Courses: Cluster 2
Select 4 courses (12 CH).
- HIS122 Modern World History3 credits
- HIS215 Ancient History & Archaeology of Near East3 credits
- HIS217 Material Culture of the Islamic World3 credits
- HIS310 Introduction to Archaeology & Museum Studies3 credits
- HIS318 History of the Arabian Gulf3 credits
- HIS372 Arch. of UAE & A. Gulf States3 credits
- HIS440 Oral History3 credits
- HIS471 Modern and Contemporary History of the Arab Gulf3 credits
- TOR322 Gulf Art and Design3 credits
Supplemental Languages
9 CH.
Complete one language sequence of 3 courses (9 CH): Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish, or German (Levels 1, 2, and Intermediate).
Internship
- TOR440 Internship in Tourism & Archaeology6 credits
Free Electives
Free elective credits selected from University course offerings.
Entry Requirements
UAE nationals are generally government-sponsored; non-UAE curricula require Ministry of Education equivalency.
Careers
Graduates pursue careers in government, policy, international organisations, research and the social sector, or continue to postgraduate study.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Licensed and accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA); UAEU also holds US institutional accreditation from WSCUC.
Programme Details
Award
Bachelor of Arts
Start Date
August (Fall intake)
Typical Offer
A UAE General Secondary Certificate (Grade 12) or accredited equivalent, typically 80% or above, with the subject grades required for the major.
Duration
4 years
Qualification
Bachelors
Subject Area
Social Sciences
Campus
Al Ain
Course Type
Bachelor of Arts
Study Pattern
Full time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 79,830/yr
Undergraduate applicants apply online (UAE nationals via the Ministry of Higher Education portal), sit the required tests, and submit attested certificates with Ministry of Education equivalency.