Professional development and training in hospitality, tourism and sport

Postgraduate study and professional qualifications could help you climb the career ladder in the sector.

Do I need to do postgraduate study?

It isn't a requirement for many occupations in the sector to have a postgraduate degree.

However, for some roles extra qualifications are necessary. For example, to become a sports coach you often need to complete your coaching qualifications, while progression to management in hospitality, tourism and sport could be facilitated with professional management training or a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

For more information on entry requirements and career development in the hospitality, tourism and sport sector, see types of jobs.

To find postgraduate hospitality, tourism and sport courses in the UK,search courses and research

Should I join a professional body?

The answer really depends on the type of job you are aiming for.

Entry qualifications for some jobs are provided (or accredited) by professional bodies. Where this is so, you might need to join the professional body to become qualified to do the job, which could mean membership is compulsory.

For other jobs, being a member of a professional body is voluntary and can be valuable for to demonstrate your expertise and enhance your status within the field. 

• Other advantages of membership of a professional body include:
  access to training, events and qualifications;
• opportunities to network and build contacts;
• the chance to keep up with the latest industry news.

Professional bodies can be particularly helpful in the sport industry, as they often do a lot of work to help professionals advertise their services.

Which professional qualifications are recognised in the sector?

• Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality  - This is a professional body and award qualifications in tourism and hospitality. It offers a range of professional qualifications, including a postgraduate diploma in hospitality and tourism management.
• Institute of Hospitality  - The organisation, for managers and aspiring managers in hospitality and tourism, provides numerous qualifications in management and leadership.
• Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity  - The organisation offers courses related to the operation and management in sport and physical activity and provides a framework to keep a record of continuing professional development.
• Register of Exercise Professionals - This is the UK regulator for fitness professionals to ensure they meet the national occupational standards. It provides courses in continual professional development to help maintain registration.
• UK Sport - has a list of national governing bodies, for example UK Athletics, Badminton England, Professional Golfer’s Association (PGA), that provide coaching qualifications in a range of sports.