Tourism Programme code: W2-S2TR19.2023

In the 21st century, tourism is the most dynamically developing sector of the economy. The number of employees is increasing, and new types of tourism are being created, which are looking for specialists. The direction of tourism is intended to educate professionals in tourism services, so the educational content includes elements of management, marketing, geography, cultural and natural heritage, environmental protection, law, etc. The teaching of this major is interdisciplinary, combining many fields related to tourism activities. The graduate of this major will have competences and knowledge in piloting tours, working in a travel agency, hotel and gastronomy, organising large tourist events, as well as working in local government units. Thanks to the acquired additional skills of operating ICT programmes and GIS techniques, as well as the knowledge of finding oneself in the labour market, the student will gain a competitive advantage over graduates of other majors. Planned field exercises and work placements will provide an opportunity to acquire professional experience already during studies.

The condition for admission to the diploma examination is to achieve the learning outcomes provided for in the study program and to obtain a certificate of an appropriate level of language proficiency in a foreign language. The condition for graduation is to pass the diploma examination with at least a satisfactory result. A graduate receives a higher education diploma confirming obtaining the qualifications of the appropriate degree. Detailed rules for conducting the diploma examination are specified in the diploma regulations.

The Department of Tourism is consistent with the University's mission and the Strategy for the Development of the University of Silesia Strategic objective 1: Strong research teams and world-class research. The prepared interdisciplinary study programme will refer to the principles of raising the quality of scientific research to a world-class level. This will be achieved by conducting research with reference to global development trends from the tourism industry by addressing topics that are relevant to scientific understanding as well as socially and economically important. This interdisciplinary course will combine research from the natural sciences with the social sciences and humanities. A significant role will be played by the organisation of activities aimed at promoting research activities. Strategic objective 2: Innovative education and modern didactic offer The education will take place in the system of two-year second-cycle studies. Assumed learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences place great emphasis on their practical use by graduates. The specialisation will lead to cooperation with numerous business entities and regional administration institutions. The field exercises and apprenticeships offered at the Tourism faculty are an important form of cooperation with the economy, which in the didactic sphere will raise the level of preparation of graduates for entering the labour market. The versatility and interdisciplinarity of education increase the graduate's chances of finding satisfactory employment. Strategic goal 3: Active cooperation of the University with the environment The direction is a response to the needs of the labour market in the new reality in which tourism is a rapidly growing sector of the economy and new types of tourism such as post-industrial tourism attract a significant number of visitors. Engaging with the economy is a response to the global trend of practical application of knowledge. The didactic offer of studies in the field of Tourism will be continuously updated to make it an interesting proposition for students.