Sarah Cook – BA (Hons) Hospitality Management

'Hospitality Management teaches you an array of subjects combining both the academic, such as strategic management, with practical skills such as hospitality operations, which are crucial to the hospitality industry to give you an overall realistic picture of what working in the industry will be like.

I have always had a passion for hospitality and chose the course at Portsmouth because it is bespoke to the industry and you know that upon graduation you will be able to use the qualification, which is not the case with many other degree courses.

I chose the University of Portsmouth because of its fantastic facilities in the new Business School and the overall ‘can do’ and ‘be successful’ attitude that came across on the Open Day I went to.

I learned so much from studying the hospitality management course! How to put theory into practice and apply my knowledge in the real world of work was one of the most important things.

The work placement (compulsory third-year element) taught me how to be a successful employee in a large team, organising incredibly complex events such as the BRIT Awards and the London International Horse Show. The course has also taught me independence and social skills, which are important for both work and life.

After graduating from Portsmouth I was immediately employed by the company I did my work placement with. This just proves how beneficial doing a placement can be and the high level of employability it leaves you with.

I am currently an Event Coordinator organising conferences and shows at Earls Court and Olympia Exhibition centres. I really enjoy my job and am able to constantly apply what I learnt on the course to my everyday work, which is after all one of the biggest reasons for studying a degree.'

Fleur Antoine – BA (Hons) Hospitality Management

'I chose the BA (Hons) Hospitality Management because I wanted a career in events management and a good knowledge of food and beverage, hotel, and general business operations would be necessary for this.

Portsmouth offered the perfect course for me as it gave me so many additional subject options to choose from at each level. The obligatory subjects at each level gave students a good grounding knowledge of the industry as a whole, and the options enabled students to specialise in particular areas such as tourism,conferences and banqueting, languages or IT, to name but a few. The variety of the course enabled me to continue learning new things all the time which I loved.

The practical nature of the industry was reflected in the teaching and assessment of the course. We were involved in organising, serving and cooking at our own events, several presentations, tastings and demonstrations, and plenty of group activities. The student events are even more exciting now that the new state-of-the-art Highbury College has moved to the city centre, where we worked with catering staff. The course also involved a compulsory placement year which was an amazing learning experience.

The Portsmouth Business School, where the course is based, offers more than the necessary IT equipment and expertise needed for all aspects of the course. More importantly, for me, were the staff at the Business School. I cannot say that I ever met anyone there who wasn’t happy to help me and all my lecturers and their support teams were great.'

Isobel Marshall – BA (Hons) Hospitality Management

'The course has been challenging, but definitely enjoyable. I have developed a broad range of knowledge in a variety of topics, which will help me when I leave university and find a job.

I also learnt a lot during my year on placement working in the industry. All the lecturers are accessible; you can email or telephone and they are always able to point you in the right direction.

The facilities here are really great too. The Library range is extensive. It holds loads of books relevant to my course and all the lecture theatres are modern and well equipped.'

Alex Pope – BA (Hons) Hospitality Management

Alex chose to move to Portsmouth from his hometown of Worcester in the Midlands to continue his love of sailing. Portsmouth was recommended by a friend as a great city to live and study in, and after an informal interview with the Department, he chose to study the BA (Hons) Hospitality Management.

'I have been working in kitchens and bars since I was sixteen, and cooking from a much younger age, so the course really appealed to me. I like putting the theory we learn in the classroom into practice in the excellent facilities at Highbury College.'

Alex is still in his first year, but is already planning his year placement. He would like to work in one of the top restaurants in either California or Sydney.