Bachelor's in Tourism (joint degree)

In your first year, your adventure begins with introductory courses on tourism, sociology, economics, environmental sciences, and research methods. You get to apply the knowledge you gain in the second half of the year in more advanced courses and during the National Field Practicum, where you go out into the field in the Netherlands to study tourism in practice. 

Courses first year.

In your second year, you dive deeper into subjects such as development and intercultural studies, as well as landscape planning and environmental systems analysis. You’ll also take part in various tourism simulations that model different types of impact, and you’ll continue to build your academic skills. To top it all off, you end the year with an international field practicum in Europe (or another region).

Courses second year.

You begin year 3 with elective courses that match your interests. After that, you deepen your knowledge through Wageningen specialisations such as risk communication, environmental economics, community development, or innovative policy interventions. You finish the year with your bachelor’s thesis.

Courses third year.

During your third year, you can broaden or deepen your knowledge with a minor or elective subjects. Consider, for example, courses in international development studies or environmental sciences. You can even follow courses at another university, in the Netherlands or abroad! 

The course consists of:

• Lectures: a lecturer will present the course material to the class;
• Problem-Based Learning (PBL) tutorials: you will work with a group of students and a supervisor on a case study that you must solve, completing both group and individual assignments;
• Self-study: self-study is included in your schedule, but you can also schedule it outside of it.

At WUR, you're not alone. We believe personal guidance is incredibly important. That's why you'll receive support from a whole team during your studies: lecturers, study advisors, and study counsellors. And there are more of them than at most other universities in the Netherlands. This reduces the chance of you getting stuck, and you'll get more out of your studies. Because when you grow, we grow with you.

Some bachelor's programs are somewhat similar. We've listed the key differences for you:

• BSc International Development Studies
  Work on current development issues such as poverty reduction, refugee flows, and food security. You'll address changes in the living conditions of people in developing countries and Europe.
• BSc Environmental Sciences
  To solve environmental and sustainability issues, you'll combine scientific knowledge with technological possibilities and aspects relevant to people and society. You'll work in multidisciplinary teams where you can contribute your own ideas.
• BSc Forest and Nature Management
  You'll learn how important nature is to society. You'll delve into the ecological processes of natural areas around the world, including the role of animals, forests, other vegetation, and the landscape. You'll also address the more societal aspects of nature, such as policy, the economy, and how people experience nature.
• BSc Communication and Life Sciences
  Bridge the gap between science and society and facilitate negotiations on land use, nature, the environment, water, and health. You'll learn about effective communication strategies, media, and the conditions needed to develop effective messages.
• BSc International Land and Water Management
  You'll gain knowledge of agriculture, development, and soil and water management. This will help you ensure the efficient use and fairer distribution of land and water in an international context. This is crucial, especially as our natural resources become increasingly scarce.

Curious how the Bachelor's in Tourism compares to similar programs at other universities? Check the figures here.

Wondering what it’s like to study Tourism at Wageningen University & Research? Try the online trial classes with mini-lectures and interactive assignments. This way you can find out if the content matches your interests.

Many students pursue a master's degree after completing their bachelor's program. This provides them with even more knowledge and skills. These master's programs are a good fit for:

• MSc Tourism, Society and Environment
• MSc International Development Studies

Another Wageningen master's program is also an option. In that case, in the third year of your bachelor's program, you can choose electives that will facilitate your entry into your preferred master's program. Your academic advisor will help you plan this route. With the right minor, you can, for example, pursue these master's programs at WUR:

• MSc Management, Economics and Consumer Studies – Minor in Management Studies
• MSc Environmental Sciences – Minor in Environmental Sciences, Society and Environment 

You can also pursue another master's program at Breda University of Applied Sciences:

• MSc Tourism Destination Management
• MSc Leisure and Tourism Studies

The possibilities with this program are endless. For example, you could work as:

• Junior in strategic policy positions
• Junior in marketing or management
• Researcher at research and consultancy firms

Student Career Services facilitates WUR students towards the labour market. If you need help in your orientation towards your future career. 

Have a look at the Application & Admission page for starting at Wageningen University & Research and check whether your prior (international) education qualifies you for this bachelor's programme. 

Are you a Dutch student? Switch the language to Dutch at the top of these pages to view the admission information that applies to you.

Studying costs money. But what exactly will you pay if you enroll in the Bachelor's program in Tourism? You can find all the information about the costs of this program on this page.

Your student days are about more than just attending lectures. Wageningen offers a diverse, enjoyable, and amiable student community. Despite being a small town, you get to know people from all over the world because of Wageningen University & Research's global atmosphere. Everything in town is relatively accessible by bicycle, and the campus is contemporary and green. Whether it's a sporting event, a party, or a laid-back evening with friends at one of the student associations, there's always something going on. Additionally, there are parks, forests, and a river nearby, so if you enjoy the outdoors, you're in the right area. Everything you need to know about student life in Wageningen can be found here.