Tourism and
Catering, BSc

About the programme

The Tourism and Catering BSc prepares students for careers in one of the most dynamically growing sectors of both the global and Hungarian economy. During the programme, you will learn the fundamentals of hotel and hospitality management, event planning, travel organisation, and destination management. Moreover, you will gain an understanding of the economic foundations of tourisms through insight into international and domestic market trends, the impacts of tourism, best practices in sustainable and responsible tourism, as well as the operational characteristics and processes of various tourism and catering sectors.

Future graduates can apply their knowledge and expertise in hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, event management companies, tourism organisations, or even in their own businesses. Alternative career opportunities include working as a programme organiser or tour guide at various attractions, as a concert organiser, or even in the field of consulting.

If you are interested in tourism and catering, and you enjoy creating experiences and working with people, then join our Tourism and Catering BSc to gain marketable knowledge and essential management tools for the sector.

The programme is accredited by the internationally recognised Institute of Hospitality.

The number of tourists visiting Hungary is soon expected to reach 20 million per year, accounting for approximately 50 million guest nights. This makes tourism a strategically significant sector in Hungary, contributing more than 10% of the country’s economic output, leading to a continuously growing demand for well-trained economists in this field. Hungary ranks among the world’s TOP20 travel destinations, and here in Budapest you will find extensive opportunities not only for study, but also for gaining professional experience through internships.

Upon completing the programme, you will receive a degree certifying your qualification as an Economist in Tourism and Catering. Moreover, the Tourism and Catering BSc at the Budapest University of Economics and Business is accredited by the Institute of Hospitality, and this international accreditation ensures that the knowledge acquired is recognised globally.

The programme is taught at our city centre campus and is also offered full-time in English.

This programme provides you with a broad knowledge base, enabling you to build a successful career in the dynamically evolving tourism and catering industry. We will equip you with comprehensive knowledge of economics and tourism management, with specialised tourism and catering modules that will help you to gain a deeper understanding of industry trends and explore the workings of the global and European economies, all while developing the necessary industry-specific competencies, such as strategic planning and project management. Additionally, interdisciplinary material will enhance the skills you need to navigate complex, international business environments successfully.

The table below lists the courses during the eight semesters of the BSc in Tourism and Catering programme. It also indicates how many ECTS credits you receive upon the completion of that specific course.

Course ECTS credits
Economics, Methodology and Business Module:
Business Mathematics 6
Basics of Statistics and Probability Studies 6
Statistics for Business 6
Economics 1 6
Economics 2 6
Basics of Business Economics 3
Organisational and Human Resource Management 6
Introduction to Finance 6
Information Technology and the World 6
Introduction to Accounting 6
Business Communication 3
Elective Remedial Courses:
The Basics of Business Mathematics 0
IT Skills Development 0
Basics of Scientific Knowledge 0
Remedial Course in Foreign Language 0
Professional Foreign Language Module:
Foreign Language for Business I/1 3
Foreign Language for Business I/2 3
Foreign Language for Business II/1 3
Foreign Language for Business II/2 3
Social Sciences Module:
Basics of Business Law 3
Limited choice elective subjects in Economic and Social Sciences:
Quantitative Methods for Decision-Making 3
International Economics 3
Responsible and Sustainable Company 3
Environmental Economics 3
Economic Policy 3
Economic Geography 3
Introduction to the European Union Studies 3
Validating Legal Claims in Practice 3
Elective subjects (unlimited choice):
Study Techniques 3
Presentation Skills Development 3
International Negotiation Techniques 3
Intercultural Communication A 3
Career Development 3
Economic History 3
Sociology 3
Psychology 3
Political Science A 3
Cultural History 3
Professional Module:
Introduction to Sustainable Tourism 6
SMEs in Tourism and Hospitality 6
Hotel Management 1 3
Hotel Management 2 6
Hotel Management 3 6
Tourism Marketing 6
Introduction to Gastronomy 6
Tourism Geography of Hungary 3
Limited choice professional elective subjects 1:
Hotel F&B Management 6
Food and Drink in Hospitality 6
Limited choice professional elective subjects 2:
International Trends in Tourism Development 3
Ethics and Consumer Protection 3
Cuisines of the World 3
Group Project 3
Group Project (Hospitality) 3
Case Studies in Tourism 3
Elective subjects (unlimited choice):
Business Games in the Hospitality Industry 3
Creative Tourism 3
Spa Management 3
Regional and City Marketing 3
The Legal Environment of Hospitality 3
Legal Regulation of Accommodation and Hospitality 3
History of Hospitality 3
History of Tourism 3
Environmental Protection in Tourism 3
Destination Country Studies 3
Appliances and Equipment for the Hospitality and Hotel Industry 3
Introduction to Sommelier 3
Special Ingredients for Cooking 3
Beer Culture in Hungary 3
Brandy and Other Spirits 3
Safety in Tourism 3
Tour Guiding 3
Quality Management in the Destinations 3
Tourism in Protected Areas 3
Heritage Tourism 3
Castle Tourism 3
Anthropology of Tourism 3
Rural Tourism 3
Cultural Tourism 3
Gastronomy Tourism 3
Online Marketing in Hospitality 3
Basics of Business Coaching 3
Decision Support with BI Tool 3
The World of Desserts 3
College for Advanced Studies 1 3
Student Research Project 1 3
College for Advanced Studies 2 3
Student Research Project 2 3
Specialisation: Commercial Hospitality:
F&B Management 1 3
F&B Management 2 3
Restaurant and Kitchen Practice 6
Student Project (Hospitality) 6
F&B Management 3 3
Knowledge of Food and Drink 6
Food Safety and Nutrition 3
Specialisation: Travel and Event Management:
Tour Operation 6
Sales in Travel Business 6
Travel Agency Operations 6
Event Management 6
MICE Tourism 3
International Tourism Geography 3
Specialisation: Health, Eco and Sports Tourism:
Health Tourism 6
Sports Tourism and Sports Events 6
Student Project (Health, Sport, Ecotourism) 6
Ecotourism 6
Recreation 3
Healthy Nutrition 3
Other Requirements:
Physical Education 1 0
Physical Education 2 0
Research Methodology 3
Bachelor of Sciences Thesis 7
Elective Internship and Mobility Modules:
[Subjects completed during a period of study abroad] 30, 20
Internship 30
Internship 20
Course ECTS
Economics, Methodology and Business Module:
Business Mathematics 6
Basics of Statistics and Probability Studies 6
Statistics for Business 6
Economics 1 6
Economics 2 6
Basics of Business Economics 3
Organisational and Human Resource Management 6
Introduction to Finance 6
Information Technology and the World 6
Introduction to Accounting 6
Business Communication 3
Elective Remedial Courses:
The Basics of Business Mathematics 0
IT Skills Development 0
Basics of Scientific Knowledge 0
Remedial Course in Foreign Language 0
Professional Foreign Language Module:
Foreign Language for Business I/1 3
Foreign Language for Business I/2 3
Foreign Language for Business II/1 3
Foreign Language for Business II/2 3
Social Sciences Module:
Basics of Business Law 3
Limited choice elective subjects in Economic and Social Sciences:
Quantitative Methods for Decision-Making 3
International Economics 3
Responsible and Sustainable Company 3
Environmental Economics 3
Economic Policy 3
Economic Geography 3
Introduction to the European Union Studies 3
Validating Legal Claims in Practice 3
Elective subjects (unlimited choice):
Study Techniques 3
Presentation Skills Development 3
International Negotiation Techniques 3
Intercultural Communication A 3
Career Development 3
Economic History 3
Sociology 3
Psychology 3
Political Science A 3
Cultural History 3
Professional Module:
Introduction to Sustainable Tourism 6
SMEs in Tourism and Hospitality 6
Hotel Management 1 3
Hotel Management 2 6
Hotel Management 3 6
Tourism Marketing 6
Introduction to Gastronomy 6
Tourism Geography of Hungary 3
Limited choice professional elective subjects 1:
Hotel F&B Management 6
Food and Drink in Hospitality 6
Limited choice professional elective subjects 2:
International Trends in Tourism Development 3
Ethics and Consumer Protection 3
Cuisines of the World 3
Group Project 3
Group Project (Hospitality) 3
Case Studies in Tourism 3
Elective subjects (unlimited choice):
Business Games in the Hospitality Industry 3
Creative Tourism 3
Spa Management 3
Regional and City Marketing 3
The Legal Environment of Hospitality 3
Legal Regulation of Accommodation and Hospitality 3
History of Hospitality 3
History of Tourism 3
Environmental Protection in Tourism 3
Destination Country Studies 3
Appliances and Equipment for the Hospitality and Hotel Industry 3
Introduction to Sommelier 3
Special Ingredients for Cooking 3
Beer Culture in Hungary 3
Brandy and Other Spirits 3
Safety in Tourism 3
Tour Guiding 3
Quality Management in the Destinations 3
Tourism in Protected Areas 3
Heritage Tourism 3
Castle Tourism 3
Anthropology of Tourism 3
Rural Tourism 3
Cultural Tourism 3
Gastronomy Tourism 3
Online Marketing in Hospitality 3
Basics of Business Coaching 3
Decision Support with BI Tool 3
The World of Desserts 3
College for Advanced Studies 1 3
Student Research Project 1 3
College for Advanced Studies 2 3
Student Research Project 2 3
Specialisation: Commercial Hospitality:
F&B Management 1 3
F&B Management 2 3
Restaurant and Kitchen Practice 6
Student Project (Hospitality) 6
F&B Management 3 3
Knowledge of Food and Drink 6
Food Safety and Nutrition 3
Specialisation: Event Management in Hospitality:
Etiquette, Protocol, Behavioural Culture 3
Sales for Events 3
Event Gastronomy 6
Event GHP and Nutrition Knowledge 3
Theory of Event Planning 3
Event Management (Hospitality) 6
Event Planning Project 6
Specialisation: Travel and Event Management:
Tour Operation 6
Sales in Travel Business 6
Travel Agency Operations 6
Event Management 6
MICE Tourism 3
International Tourism Geography 3
Specialisation: Tourism Development and Destinations Management:
Student Project (Tourism Planning) 6
Regional Infocommunication Systems 3
Municipal Development and Regional Geography 3
Tourism Planning and Regional Development 6
Tourism Destination Management A 6
Product Development in Tourism 6
Specialisation: Health, Eco and Sports Tourism:
Health Tourism 6
Sports Tourism and Sports Events 6
Student Project (Health, Sport, Ecotourism) 6
Ecotourism 6
Recreation 3
Healthy Nutrition 3
Other Requirements:
Physical Education 1 0
Physical Education 2 0
Research Methodology 3
Bachelor of Sciences Thesis 7
Elective Internship and Mobility Modules:
[Subjects completed during a period of study abroad] 30, 20
Internship 30
Internship 20

For non-EU students: 2,750 EUR per semester

For EU students: 690,000 Hungarian Forint per semester

For non-EU students:
31 May 2025

For EU and visa-free countries:
15 June 2025

Start of study
September 2025

Study location
Budapest, Hungary

Faculty
Faculty of Commerce, Hospitality and Tourism, see on map

Duration
4 years (8 semesters)

Study language
English

Title of the qualification on the diploma
Economist in Tourism and Catering

Programme level
Bachelor’s programme (BSc)

Entry qualification
High school / secondary education (or higher)