What is... Languages & International Tourism?

Tourism is now the largest industry in the world. This exciting new programme is unique in bringing together the study of both tourism and languages. This four year Honours Degree programme, including a year abroad, offers a high level of linguistic proficiency, cultural awareness and training in business skills for tourism. It will enable graduates of the programme to function in the competitive but rewarding field of international tourism.

What are my... Career Opportunities?

Graduates of this programme will have a wide range of employable skills for which demand can only grow. They will have preferential access to careers in fields of International Tourism, in the private and State sectors as well as in international organisations. They can work in heritage and related cultural areas where high levels of linguistic proficiency are essential or they can be active in research conducted in the academic sphere, by national and other tourist organisations.   

What other options do I have after completion?  

Graduates of the programme who have reached the appropriate Honours standard may have access to a range of Masters Degrees in DIT and elsewhere in Higher Education.   

Learning Outcomes: What will I Study?  

Students will receive a dual qualification in languages and tourism. The language modules provide the opportunity to gain professional competence in one or more languages through traditional linguistic studies, contemporary cultural studies and translation studies. Tourism modules introduce students to the business of tourism and explore exciting fields such as Sustainable Tourism and Enterprise Development. 

Prospective students should have a keen interest in the culture and heritage of Ireland as well as the countries of their chosen language.  The programme is shared equally between the School of Languages and the School of Hospitality Management and Tourism at DIT. This means that graduates will study the language(s) of their choice, and also have a broad level of exposure to the tourism industry. They will benefit from the international reputation of both schools whose experience and knowledge is reflected in the modules which this programme offers.  

Module Listing 

Year One 

Language Modules: 

• French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Studies Language 1A (Post-LC)
• French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Studies 1

Options: 

• Either French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Studies Language 1A (Post-LC)

Or Chinese/French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Language 1B (Beginners) 

Tourism Modules:  

• Tourism Studies
• Tourism Marketing
• Computer Applications
• Tourism Destinations
• Management
• Accounting for Tourism 

Year Two

Language Modules: 

• French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Language 2A
• French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Studies 2

Options: 

• Either French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Language 2A

Or Chinese/French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Language 2B

Or a Cultural Module (e.g. Culture, Image, Identity and Memory, Intercultural Studies, Introduction to Linguistics, World Cinema)

Tourism Modules: 

• Sustainable Tourism
• International Human Resource Management
• Heritage Culture and Tourism
• E-Tourism
• Tourism Law
• Global to Local Tourism 

Year Three 

Spent in Partner University abroad and in placement in country of student’s major language. 

Year Four

European Language Modules: 

• French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Professional Communication

Two Options from: 

• Either French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Translation and Interpreting

Or French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Dissertation

Or French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Current Affairs

Or French/German/Irish/Italian/Spanish Literary and Cultural Studies

Or Professional Communication in a Second Language

Or a Cultural Module (e.g. Art, Heritage and History of France, Creative Writing, Modernism, English Literature of Ireland, Hispanic Identities, The American West) 

Chinese Modules

• Chinese Written Communication
• Chinese Oral Communication

One Option from:

• Either Chinese Cultural Studies

Or Dissertation

Or Professional Communication in a Second Language

Tourism Modules: 

• Applied Project Management
• Contemporary Tourism Issues
• Festival and Events Impacts
• Research Methods
• Strategic Management Seminars (double weighting)

Are there study abroad options?

Students are required to spend the third year of the programme in the country of their major language. This involves studying in a partner college and undertaking a supervised placement in the tourism industry of that country.

Further Information  

School of Languages 

T: 01 402 4673 / 402 2843 

E: languages@dit.ie 

W: www.dit.ie/schooloflanguages

What our Students say!  

"Languages and International Tourism is a degree unlike any other. The equal weighting of languages and tourism in this degree is unique. The tourism modules such as management and tourism destinations enable us to learn about the dynamic and varied tourism industry as well as having valuable language skills that will provide opportunities in the future. The Erasmus year abroad will not only allow you to experience college in the country of your chosen language but also to complete work experience in the tourism industry. The small classes in DIT have allowed us to progress in our chosen languages. I have always found everyone to be friendly and am really enjoying my time at DIT."