Arctic Adventure Tourism - bachelor

Programme description

This international program is aimed at people interested in pursuing a career in the diverse and exciting tourism industry. The study is given in Alta, and the language of instruction is English. Arctic Adventure Tourism is the right study program for those of you who like to work with ogher people; have a "can-do" attitude; welcome challenges; and love designing and producing outdoor and cultural experiences. The program will provide you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to develop an strengthen the tourism industry at every level. The value basis of the program is the respect and concern for nature and culture.

The study program is a full-time program comprising 180 ECTS.

To give the candidates a more specialized study, we offer students the possibility to replace the entire second year with a year where students can specialize in event planning, economy/innovation, and more. More information about these options are provided by the student advisor during the first year of study.

Programme structure

Learning outcomes

Knowledge
After completing the study program, the candidate will:

• have knowledge of the Arctic region, its nature, peoples and cultures;
• have knowledge of tourism research, the theoretical foundations of tourism subjects and key topics, issues, processes, tools and methods within the field of study;
• be able to understand tourism as both a phenomenon and an industry, and know the basic historical development of tourism; and
• have knowledge of tourism experience production, consumption, management and design, and of risk management in a natural environment.

Skills
After completing the study, the candidate will:

• have gained practical skills, methods and routines regarding disigning, selling, organizing and leading of safe, responsible tourism experiences;
• be able to disseminate this knowledge as a host or a guide to the guests, on the basis of knowledge about Arctic nature, culture and its people;
• be able to compromise risk in nature-based activities, without letting this affect the overall tourist experience; and
• have gained analytical skills that enable them to use relevant information for the improvement of products and employee actions
• have practical skills regarding storytelling and presentation techniqes
• have basic skills in conducting a minor research project
• have experience from practical training in a tourism business

General competence
After completing the study prgram, the candidate will:

• have gained an understanding of the relationship between theory, practice and the dissemination of knowledge, and be able to critically assess the values and attitudes that characterise today's tourism and tourist practices;
• be able to present and communicate relevant theories, issues and solutions orally and in writing, both in a businesses and in an academic context;
• be able to contribute to the development of smaller tourism businesses, and to the designing, leading and selling of safe, fun and responsible tourism activities; and
• have gained e deep understanding of the relationship between tourism, society, culture and the natural environment.

Admission requirements

Higher Education Entrance Qualification and certified language requirements in English.

Applicants from Norway or other Nordic countries:

Generell studiekompetanse eller realkompetanse

Søknadsfristen er 15. april.

Realkompetanse:
Ifølge forskrift om opptak til høyere utdanning § 3-1, punkt 3, må utdanningsinstitusjonen vurdere om søkere har faglige forutsetninger for å kunne bli vurdert som realkompetent. Institutt for reiseliv og nordlige studier har definert faglige forutsetninger som: Kunnskaper i norsk og engelsk med karakter 2 eller bedre etter minimum 2 år på vgs, eller har hatt fagene på høgskole/universitet tidligere, eller kan dokumentere det på annet vis.

Applicants form outside Nordic countries:

• The deadline for autumn semester admission applications for self-financing and quota scheme applicants is December 1st
• Online application: Søknadsweb

Teaching and assessment

The course activities consist of different teaching methods. Lectures will give candidates an overview of the theoretical field and deeper knowledge of the challenges in Arctic edventure tourism. Candidates will analyse, discuss and position their knowledge into relevant contexts. External lectures, field trips and training will lead to practical skills, and help candidates to gain an overall insight of the tourism industry. Through group work, candidates will be able to discuss subjects for a deeper understanding. In individual tasks, candidates will use theoretical literature and examples from the tourism industry. Candidates will receive supervision and individual guidance in writing essays, group assignments and writtens exams. Candidates are expected to perform independent studies, including curriculum not specified in the scheduled teaching.

Practical tasks and field trips, which take place in a natural environment, are an integrated part of this study.

The following requirements must be approved before the candidate is allowed to take the exam:

• Participation in all practical tasks and field trips, including preparation and follow-up work.
• Work requirements, reports and any type of follow-up work included en every course. The lecturer will decice what type of work will be carried out in relation to every course.
• Planning, implementation and presentation of group projects.

Practice

Although practical exercises are integrated into every course, and are an important part of the learning and practical experience process of each candidate, the fifth semester of this program is solely practice-based. Candidates will work on assignments that are especially designed for them by themselves and the businesses they work for.

Language of instruction

English

Exchange possibilities

Students may apply for international exchange during the fourth semester.

Job prospectives

Upon completion of the study, the "Bachelor in Arctic Adventure Tourism" will provide candidates with an opportunity to work with all manner of businesses, from small enterprises to multinational companies.

Candidates will acquire the practical skills, knowledge and attitude required to embody a leader role within a team, with the potential to advance to a managerial position. They will also gain knowledge of how to establish their own small business ventures.

The candidate will have an opportunity to seek a career in:

• Activity and adventure companies
• Businesses where host-guest interaction is crucial
• Destination marketing companies
• The hospitality industry
• Teaching and research institutions (requires further education).

After completion of this bachelor study, the candidate can proceed an specialize in guiding, operations management, marketing, sales, human resources, finance, training, product&business development and event planning.

Access to further studies

With Bachelor's degree in Arctic Adventure Tourism students can apply for admission to a Master's program at UIT The Arctic University of Norway.

Study plan

Study-plan-Bachelor-AAT-2015-2016
Study-plan-Bachelor-AAt-2014-2015