Bachelor of Hospitality Management

Purpose

The primary purpose of this Bachelor of Hospitality Management is to equip learners with a well-rounded knowledge base, comprising the appropriate theoretical and methodological depth and the necessary practical workplace skills critical for the hospitality management sector. This qualification will enable learners to practise and demonstrate their responsibility and initiative in the hospitality management context through Work Integrated Learning modules in all three years of study, for employment in both the private and the public sector. The demands of a dynamic industry necessitate the development of integrated competencies as it draws on various disciplines, including management, entrepreneurship, finance, law and legislation of the broader hospitality product. Also, this qualification will support the learners' ability to act ethically and professionally and formulate sound academic and work-related arguments to solve problems and advance the discourse in the hospitality sector.

The secondary purpose of this qualification is to focus on life-long learning and development, which includes a research module in the qualification design. The research will prepare learners for Postgraduate studies at NQF 8. While the inclusion of strategic management at NQF 7 provides for the future development of learners into more general management roles within the hospitality and related sectors.

This qualification will enable learners to strategically, professionally and ethically contribute in a meaningful way to the South African hospitality industry through professional service delivery of specialised hospitality products and services. The qualification design facilitates the development of a well-rounded hospitality learner. Learners will have a solid foundation in hospitality operations, hospitality management and business management that allows for comprehensive, in-depth theoretical knowledge and understanding within the context of the hospitality industry. Studying hospitality operations and functions together with management related modules, provides a competitive advantage to learners graduating at the end of the qualification. The inclusion of management-related modules up to third-year supports the teaching of competencies required for contemporary, small business and strategic management within the hospitality industry.

In the first year, learners will participate in the basic activities, functions and services of business management and the hospitality industry. Learners will be able to demonstrate an informed understanding of the core functional areas of a hospitality establishment. As the key concepts, theories and practices lay the foundation for learners before progressing into the second year of study. The modules, Business Management 1, Hospitality Management 1A: Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism, Hospitality Management 1B: Food Service Management, Hospitality 1A: Food and Beverage Studies, Hospitality 1B: Rooms Division Operations, Events Management, Basic Accounting, and Work Integrated Learning cover the basic functions, activities and services of a hospitality establishment. The Work Integrated Learning Module introduces learners to the world of work within the hospitality industry through a work placement qualification that is managed by the campuses in conjunction with industry partners. During this work placement learners will be exposed to the practical functions and activities of the rooms division department and the food and beverage department, in a fully operational hospitality establishment. The work placement modules allow learners to demonstrate the ability to identify and solve defined, routine and new problems within a familiar concept. They will be able to communicate these effectively and accurately to the relevant supervisor or line manager. Also, the work placement allows a learner to demonstrate the ability to evaluate his/her performance and take appropriate action where necessary to promote individual learning.

In the second year of the Bachelor of Hospitality Management, emphasis will be on effective management of the daily operational functions, activities and services of a hospitality establishment. Learners are required to provide detailed knowledge of the core areas of the hospitality establishment and demonstrate the ability to apply key concepts, theories and practices to both familiar and unfamiliar hospitality scenarios. Learners will demonstrate the ability to identify and analyse problems through the gathering of information and applying solutions and procedures are appropriate to the context of the problem. Learners will get the opportunity to present and communicate information that is reliable and coherently using appropriate academic and professional or occupational conventions, formats, technologies for a given context. The Small Business Management module will assist learners in developing advanced knowledge through the application of key concepts, facts, principles and theories to real hospitality and business scenarios. The modules assist in developing learner's critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The Work Integrated Learning module within the second year will enhance the learners' employability skills through daily engagement within a fully operational hospitality business, specifically in the front office and lodging and accommodations departments. The work placement module provides learners with the opportunity to make decisions and act appropriately in familiar and new context within the hospitality industry, by accessing, processing and managing and utilising information to apply well-developed processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation to the sourced information.

In the final year of the Bachelor of Hospitality Management, learners must demonstrate integrated knowledge of the theories, principles and practices central to the hospitality industry necessary to analyse, evaluate and critically reflect on addressing complex hospitality establishment challenges and opportunities. The modules offered in the third year of the Bachelor of Hospitality Management will equip learners with the theoretical and practical skillset. They will also have the knowledge to manage and develop employee competencies in the use of systems and processes within the hospitality industry, design hospitality business and marketing strategies, and successfully develop and grow a sustainable hospitality establishment.

Rationale

The hospitality and tourism industry in South Africa and other African countries continues to be one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant sectors of Africa's economy (African Tourism Leadership Forum, August 2018, Accra, Ghana) despite the socio-economic and related challenges globally. This growth trend also appears in the PricewaterhouseCoopers Hospitality Outlook Report (2018 - 2022), which states that tourism in Africa has seen a steady increase for the past 15 years. Africa's hotel sector, therefore, has the potential for further growth that is evident in the expansion of hotel chains on the continent. This expansion reinforces the hospitality sector's untapped potential for business growth. Multinational hotel groups have entered the African market but face the challenge of employing unskilled people from local communities. Thus, it could potentially impact the hotel chains and the economy of that local community.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation, as well as the PricewaterhouseCoopers Hospitality Outlook Report (2018 - 2022), has identified hospitality and tourism industries as key drivers of economic growth and job creation. The tourism and hospitality sectors are vitally important to the South African economy and that the sectors should follow a sustained and inclusive growth. Therefore, considering the growth indicators in the tourism and hospitality industries, there is an obligation on higher education institutions to provide appropriately qualified and employable learners into the marketplace.

This qualification is responsive with a focus on sustainability encompassing the economic, environmental and social challenges that exist more broadly in society. The Bachelor of Hospitality Management will provide learners with the necessary employable skillsets required within a fully operational hospitality establishment. During the curriculum design process, the institution consulted industry partners, academics, alumni and trainers to confirm the need and curriculum specific requirements for this qualification.

This qualification will, therefore, serve the needs of learners who aspire to become leaders in the hospitality industry. Learners will work as general managers, sales and marketing managers, food and beverage managers, revenue managers and front-of-house managers, amongst other hospitality leadership positions.

The specific skillsets incorporated into this qualification presents a combination which is highly attractive to prospective employers and adds significant value to the workplace environment.

Learners of this qualification will work in a hospitality service environment and after that to the managerial activities related to the particular hospitality service.

Learners will develop a broad knowledge base, in-depth theoretical knowledge and applied competencies within the hospitality and management disciplines. Such knowledge enables learners to proceed to further study, enter the world of work or establish a hospitality business venture.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Credit Accumulation and Transfer, Recognition of Prior Learning and qualification Completion Policy RPL procedure govern the RPL process.

In addition to RPL, a Credit Accumulation and Transfer mechanism exists for access and advance standing for formal learning from a recognised, a registered and accredited institution for a registered and accredited qualification.

If an applicant applies for an RPL admission, the learning assumed to be in place for the qualification is assessed against the Exit Level Outcomes of the formal learning required for admission. This evaluation would include an evaluation of the content as well as the learner's cognitive and technical competence. Learners will prepare a portfolio against these stated requirements, which are then assessed by a team of experts/academics in line with the policy.

Awarding of Recognition is as follows

• Learning, and not for experience per se;
• Learning that is on the level of the specific level descriptors of the qualification/ unit standard; and
• Learning that is in line with applied competence and has a balance between theory and practical application appropriate to the subject or unit standard.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's studies.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational) NC (V), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate (SC), NQF Level 4, with endorsement.

Or

• Higher Certificate in a cognate field, NQF Level 5.

Or

• An Advanced Certificate in a cognate field, NQF Level 6.

Or

• 240 or 360 Credit Diploma in a cognate field, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6, and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 5, 120 Credits

• Hospitality Management 1A: Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism, 15 Credits.
• Hospitality 1A: Food and Beverage Studies, 15 Credits.
• Business Management 1, 15 Credits.
• Events Management, 15 Credits.
• Hospitality Management 1B: Food Service Management, 15 Credits.
• Hospitality 1B: Rooms Division Operations, 15 Credits.
• Basic Accounting, 15 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning 1, 15 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 6, 120 credits

• Hospitality Management 2A: Front Office Management, 15 Credits.
• Hospitality 2A: Hospitality Marketing, 15 Credits.
• Small Business Management, 15 Credits.
• Financial Management for Hospitality, 15 Credits.
• Hospitality Management 2B: Human Resource Management, 15 Credits.
• Hospitality 2B: Lodging and Accommodation Operations, 15 Credits.
• Hospitality Law and Legislation, 15 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning, 15 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7, 120 credits

• Hospitality Management 3A: Systems and Strategic Marketing Management, 15 Credits.
• Hospitality 3A: Training and Development, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Research, 15 Credits.
• Strategic Management, 15 Credits.
• Hospitality Management 3B: Hospitality Operations and Risk Management, 15 Credits.
• Hospitality 3B: Organisational Behaviour, 15 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning 3, 15 Credits.
• Research Practice, 15 Credits.

1. Analyse and manage the complexities of the various hospitality departments to deliver services efficiently and effectively, solve challenges, and exploit business opportunities for new or enhanced products and services.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the operational systems, processes, procedures and management practices that facilitate the development, implementation, management and evaluation of hospitality products and services.
3. Apply the concepts, principles, policies and practices relating to the allocation, direction and control of resources used in the hospitality business industry, about legal, ethical and sustainability requirements and obligations.
4. Propose solutions to challenges and opportunities drawing on environmental factors and trends to contribute to the development of the hospitality industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyse the interrelated nature of the various departments and activities within a hospitality organisation.
• Develop and implement standardised hospitality, operational compliance procedures to provide quality hospitality products and services.
• Apply the best principles and practices to manage the complexities within a global hospitality environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply legal, operational practices and principles required to conduct business activities within the hospitality industry.
• Evaluate the potential risks for a given hospitality scenario and make recommendations on how to mitigate the identified risks.
• Identify the training and development needs for a hospitality organisation to address the shortcomings in quality service delivery.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Undertake the process of establishing a hospitality venture, including the development of a comprehensive business plan.
• Analyse and respond to global trends within the hospitality industry.
• Outline the concepts of strategic management approach within a contemporary hospitality establishment.
• Analyse and manage risks within a hospitality business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Conduct research within the hospitality industry applying relevant research methodologies.
• Communicate well-formulated arguments in response to industry challenges and opportunities using appropriate occupational discourse.
• Apply an ethical decision making to business development opportunities in the hospitality industry.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment

Learning and assessment are cohesive. Continual formative assessment is required so that learners receive feedback on their progress in the achievement of learning outcomes. The scheme of work includes assignments, real-world briefs, tests and an integrated qualification portfolio based on the learning material and learners receive feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited numbers of outcomes.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning about the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement includes integrated assessments which test the learner's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Examinations, projects, reports or equivalent assessments, such as a portfolio of evidence, assess a representative selection of the Exit Level Outcomes practised and assessed. The summative assessment also tests the learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module.

The institution designed the integrated assessments to achieve

• Integration of the achievement of Exit Level Outcomes in a way which demonstrates that the purpose of the qualification is achievable.
• The evaluation of learner performance, which can provide evidence of applied competence as well as Criterion-referenced assessment.