OTHM Management Qualifications
For the Tourism and Hospitality Industry

OTHM qualifications have been designed by practitioners and academics to give a useful basis for a management career in the tourism and hospitality industry. OTHM qualifications enable students to develop the skills that are essential to their progress within the industry:

OTHM qualifications progress through four levels and can lead to degree level study. The level you start on depends on the qualifications and experience that you have. The level you reach depends on your determination and aspirations.

• OTHM Introductory Certificate - (Intro Cert OTHM)
• OTHM Certificate - (Cert OTHM)
• OTHM Diploma - (Dip OTHM)
• OTHM Higher Diploma - (HDip OTHM)

Students who have successfully completed the OTHM Higher Diploma have direct access to the final year of London South Bank University's BSc(Hons) in Tourism and Hospitality.

Students following OTHM courses are automatically members of OTHM which in addition to being an examining body is a professional membership body supporting the needs of the industry.

Study Schedule

OTHM students typically follow this pattern of study:

• Year 1 - OTHM Introductory Certificate and OTHM Certificate
• Year 2 - OTHM Diploma
• Year 3 - OTHM Higher Diploma
• Year 4 - transfer to London South Bank University for final year of BSc(Hons)

OTHM Introductory Certificate

• Understanding the Global Environment
• The structure of the Hospitality Industry
• The Hospitality Industry
• Tourism in Action
• Working in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry

How will I be assessed?

Firstly, you will have to write a project with the guidance of your tutors. Then you will take a multiple choice on-line examination.

OTHM Certificate

• 5 GCSE's at C+ or 5 O'Levels or
• equivalent academic qualifications or
• mature students with at least 5 year’s relevant experience

Evidence of English Language Competency if your first language isn’t English – please consult your training centre

What will I learn?

• Introduction to Travel, Tourism and Hospitality
• Introduction to the Business Environment
• Introduction to Business Communication and Customer Care
• Introduction to Business and Finance

How will I be assessed?

The OTHM Certificate is assessed by four three hour written examinations marked by the OTHM examiners.

Further Study

Satisfactory completion of the Certificate allows you to progress to the OTHM Diploma, which is the next stage in the OTHM qualifications track.


OTHM Diploma

• qualification equivalent to OTHM Certificate or
• mature students with a minimum of 8 year's experience including 3 year's management experience

Evidence of English Language Competency if your first language isn’t English – please consult your training centre

What will I learn?

• Tourism Marketing and Management
• Hospitality Marketing and Management
• Human Resource Management
• Tourism and Hospitality Operations Management
• Financial Management and Information Systems
• Customer Relations and the Business Environment

How will I be assessed?

The OTHM Diploma is assessed by six three hour written examinations marked by the OTHM examiners.

Further Study

Satisfactory completion of the Diploma allows you to progress to the OTHM Higher Diploma, which is the next stage in the OTHM qualifications track.

OTHM Higher Diploma

• qualification equivalent to OTHM Diploma or
• 1st Degree or HND/HNC or equivalent

Evidence of English Language Competency if your first language isn’t English – please consult your training centre

What will I learn?

• Marketing Communications for Tourism and Hospitality
• International Tourism and Hospitality Business Environment
• Corporate Business Strategy and Finance
• Management Information Systems
• Strategic Human Resource Management
• Project: Operations Management in the Business Environment

How will I be assessed?

The OTHM Higher Diploma is assessed by five three hour written examinations marked by the OTHM examiners and a work-based project which is double marked by your study centre and verified by OTHM.

Further Study

The OTHM Higher Diploma (HDip OTHM) gives direct entry to the final year of London South Bank University's BSc(Hons) in Tourism and Hospitality..

Exceptionally, students who have successfully completed the HDip OTHM and who have at least two year’s management experience in the tourism and hospitality industry will be eligible to apply for direct entry into LSBU’s MSc programme in Tourism and Hospitality.