Cork is well placed sitting between the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East and if you have an interest in promoting cork and Ireland by becoming involved in the Tourism sector then this is the course for you. You will learn about practical tour guide training, the IT skills needed to work in travel administration and receive training in Amadeus (GDS) used by travel agents and airlines worldwide.
1 year
QQI Level 5 Certificate in Tourism with Business 5M5011
QQI Component Maths 5N1833 (available as option in evening for learners requiring Maths for progression)
Amadeus Certificate and a package holiday booking system qualification awarded by the International Academy of Travel
€700 including QQI examination fees. (Medical card holders exempt from €250). See Payment for details.
Leaving Certificate, LCA or QQI Level 4. Mature students are exempt from Leaving Certificate requirement. All applicants are interviewed. An offer of a place on this course is contingent on the applicant meeting the entry requirements set out here and satisfactory presentation at interview
Excellent progression opportunities including:
- CCOC: QQI Level 6 Advanced Tourism (6M5012)
- CIT: Tourism Management Level 7 (CR041)
- CIT: Tourism Management Level 8 (CR660)
- UCC: Arts Level 8 (CK101)
Excellent progression opportunities to UCC and other Higher Education colleges. Special arrangements in place with CIT (CCPS), Tralee IT and Waterford IT for preferential entry for College of Commerce students. Up to 390 CAO points for any Institute of Technology can be attained by successful completion of this course. See Progressions for details.
Tour operations, tourist offices, tour guides, hotels and conference organisers, retail agencies, cruise liners. All students can access the Jobs Advice Hub.Graduates can subscribe to ‘CCOC college jobs register’ and CCOC LinkedIn alumni for up to date vacancies and networking.
The Level 5 Travel & Tourism course led me straight to employment in the Tourism sector. I attended the course as a mature student who had recently returned from spending two years in Australia. Upon returning home, despite already having a degree, I found it difficult to find employment which I felt suited me, so I hoped that doing this course would give me the tools to find such employment. One thing that worried me about doing the course was that all the students would be a lot younger than me, but I was delighted to find that the students in my class were a mix of all ages and nationalities. I made many friends from the class who have I stayed in contact with.
During my year, I learnt a lot about what it takes to work in Tourism. We also visited many heritage sites around the country, my favourite being the Rock of Cashel. At all the sites we visited, the staff gave us an insight into their jobs and how they acquired them. We also received many talks from guest speakers in the sector, giving us tips and suggestions on ways to gain employment in fields such as Tour Guiding and Travel Agencies, among others. When I completed the course, I was told about job opportunities as a tour guide on Spike Island in Cork Harbour. After attending an interview, which I was extremely prepared for having done interview training as part of the course, I was offered a position which I accepted. It was definitely thanks to the Level 5 Travel & Tourism course that I got this job, and I look forward to working in Tourism for many years to come
John Goulding, Tour Guide, Spike IslandInternational Airline Studies was an ideal choice for me. As a person who is big into travelling, it suited me so well, and it made a brilliant foundation for the pathway I intend to take for my future career. It helped me to discover my flair for languages, especially Spanish. I have now gone onto further studies of Spanish as parts of an Arts degree in UCC. I hope to go on and become a translator in airport security or possibly teach Spanish.
Edel O'Meara Ryan, UCC studentThe Level 5 Travel & Tourism course led me straight to employment in the Tourism sector. I attended the course as a mature student who had recently returned from spending two years in Australia. Upon returning home, despite already having a degree, I found it difficult to find employment which I felt suited me, so I hoped that doing this course would give me the tools to find such employment. One thing that worried me about doing the course was that all the students would be a lot younger than me, but I was delighted to find that the students in my class were a mix of all ages and nationalities. I made many friends from the class who have I stayed in contact with.
During my year, I learnt a lot about what it takes to work in Tourism. We also visited many heritage sites around the country, my favourite being the Rock of Cashel. At all the sites we visited, the staff gave us an insight into their jobs and how they acquired them. We also received many talks from guest speakers in the sector, giving us tips and suggestions on ways to gain employment in fields such as Tour Guiding and Travel Agencies, among others. When I completed the course, I was told about job opportunities as a tour guide on Spike Island in Cork Harbour. After attending an interview, which I was extremely prepared for having done interview training as part of the course, I was offered a position which I accepted. It was definitely thanks to the Level 5 Travel & Tourism course that I got this job, and I look forward to working in Tourism for many years to come.
John Goulding, Travel and Tourism