Why choose this program?

Ask just about anyone where the job market is booming and they will probably mention tourism, event management, hospitality, property or sport management and with Australia’s continued economic growth, they show no sign of slowing. These business degrees allow you to capitalise on this growth by providing you with specialist knowledge of service industries combined with professional leadership and business management skills.

The following degree options are available at the Gold Coast campus:

• Bachelor of Business (Event Management)
• Bachelor of Business (Hotel Management)
• Bachelor of Business (Real Estate and Property Development) [new in 2008]
• Bachelor of Business (Sport Management)
• Bachelor of Business (Tourism Management)

Bachelor of Business (Event Management)

Event management is a central feature of the social and cultural basis of Australia and has become big business with events such as grand prixs, super car races, triathlons, cultural presentations, music festivals, rock concerts or carnivals as well as trade shows, conventions, fund-raisers and awards ceremonies. Consequently, more and more qualified people are being sought to manage and promote these events. This degree equips you with professional leadership and business management skills combined with specialist knowledge of the event management industry. However, it is not all theory. Through this degree you will have the opportunity to complete either the work-integrated learning practicum as part of your study or a minimum of 250 hours of relevant industry experience. The Griffith Business School has placed students in internships with the Lexmark Indy 300, V8 Supercars, Surfing Queensland and the Brisbane Lions. We will get you out of the lecture theatre and into the real world so you can see first-hand what things will be like when you are a full-time professional.

Bachelor of Business (Hotel Management)

The hotel industry has been undergoing major changes for several years. Gone are the days when they were simply a place to drop in for a quick drink after work and catch up with a few friends for a chat. Today, hotels are a major player in the hospitality industry by providing venues for socialising for singles, couples and families through a range of dining venues, entertainment and accommodation. The responsibility for ensuring today’s multifaceted hotel operates smoothly falls to hotel managers who understand all areas of its operations including staff management, stock control, entertainment, marketing and accounting. This program combines the theoretical education with practical training and industry experience to ensure you graduate fully attuned to the culture, service and competitive aspects of hotel corporations. You will receive a thorough education in hotel management underpinned by integrated core business courses. You will also have the opportunity to complete either the work-integrated learning practicum as part of your study or a minimum of 250 hours of relevant industry experience. Practical skills in food preparation and service are taught in our state-of-the-art training restaurant (CJ’s at the Link).

Bachelor of Business (Real Estate and Property Development)

One thing that everyone wants is a home of their own - whether that is a small apartment or a large house. And once they have that, many people want to invest in a development property. The demand for property is with us on a daily basis - just look at the real estate pages of your local newspaper to see what is being offered for sale and the many property investment opportunities being promoted. People with the skills to manage property are needed around the country whether it is in project management, marketing promotion or valuation. Especially in demand are graduates who combine professional leadership and business management skills designed for the property industry - two core areas which influenced the design of this specialised business program. This degree will develop your specialised financial, management and technical skills to prepare you for a career in property development, management and real estate. It will give you the opportunity to complete either the work-integrated learning practicum as part of your study or a minimum of 250 hours of relevant industry experience.

Bachelor of Business (Sport Management)

Some people say that Australian life revolves around sport whether it is one of the football codes, swimming, basketball, hockey, track and field, golf, surfing, cricket or netball. You name it, we are probably interested in it. Sport has always been a central feature of the social and cultural aspects of life in Australia and given our interest in it, sport management has become big business. If you are interested in sport - and let us face it, you probably are - a career in sport management might be just for you. Do not think you have to be a sporting star to succeed in sport management - some of the best managers in sport never played a game of anything in their life. What you need is specialist knowledge of the industry backed up by a sound grounding in business skills. Youll get all that and more through this degree’s sport management and business courses which are supplemented by either the work-integrated learning practicum or a minimum of 250 hours of relevant industry experience. The result is that you will graduate with all the skills necessary to succeed in sports management - all you have to do then is give 110%!

Bachelor of Business (Tourism Management)

The tourism industry is one of Australia’s most important industries and it is said to be the one which is growing the quickest. The industry caters for hundreds of thousands of overseas visitors every year who want to see one of the world’s last frontiers. This is more than matched by the number of Australians who travel around their own country to see the attractions they have heard about all their life. Tourism is not just about moving people from one place to another and making sure their travel, accommodation and tours are booked. Sure, travel agents and tour operators play a major role in tourism, but the industry also extends to tourism planning, marketing and promotion and economic development organisations which operate from local to national and international levels. It also covers specialised sectors such as the wine industry, cultural tourism and ecotourism. This program will give you a thorough education in tourism management underpinned by integrated core business courses developed further through study of your selected areas of specialisation. All courses emphasise the generic skills, specialist knowledge and understanding required to operate effectively within each sphere of the tourism industry.

Program structure

In Year 1, you will complete the core business courses. In Years 2 and 3, you will complete the courses for the chosen award major (see above) and undertake either a work-integrated learning practicum or a minimum of 250 hours of relevant industry experience. You can also supplement your studies with a choice from the following:

• an overseas internship or exchange
• an additional area of specialised study offered by the Business school
• a specialisation offered from other areas of the University

Attendance

This program is offered full-time on-campus at the Gold Coast campus. You may choose to study courses at other campuses if or where the program structure allows.

As a full-time student you will generally attend 10–15 hours of scheduled classes per week throughout the semester. Classes may be scheduled during the day and evening throughout the week.

Students may take a reduced study load. You will be classed as a part-time student if you enrol in less than 30 credit points per semester. . International students must maintain a full-time study load.

Work-integrated learning activities integrate theoretical learning with its application in the workplace. The inclusion of work-integrated learning activities in the degree program demonstrates Griffith’s commitment to preparing its graduates for success in their working life. In this program you will be required to complete a minimum of 250 hours relevant and approved industry experience or complete a semester of study including 150 hours of time engaged with workplace/professional issues through 2212HSL [Work-integrated Learning Practicum]. Further, if you have completed 2212HSL you may wish to add a Work-integrated Learning Internship [3221HSL] which could involve course work, a practicum and an applied research project.

Professional recognition

Depending upon your choice of award major, you may be eligible for admission to one of the following professional bodies:

• Hotel and Catering International Management Association
• Australian Property Institute

Career opportunities

Event Management: In a rapidly expanding and dynamic industry, graduates are highly sought after by employers in both the public and private sectors. Your options include local, state and federal government departments, sporting clubs, sport tourism, marketing, media and athletic organisations.

Hotel Management: You can expect to be highly sought after and confident in starting a management career with international hotel and resort groups, independent restaurants and internationally recognised chains, entertainment and leisure providers, suppliers of goods and services to the hospitality industry, airlines and a wide range of other related industries.

Real Estate and Property Development: The Gold Coast region is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia and presents graduates with significant opportunities for employment in the property management industry including the commercial, residential and tourism sectors. This program will provide you with the necessary skills for a career in a wide variety of property-related fields including property development, valuation, real estate agency and management, investment management and property finance.

Sport Management: In this rapidly expanding and dynamic industry, you can expect to be highly sought after by employers in areas including government departments, sporting clubs, event management, sport tourism, marketing, media and athlete representation.

Tourism Management: You will have the necessary skills and knowledge to enter a wide range of managerial positions in both the public and private sectors. Your options include resorts and the accommodation sector, attraction/theme parks, tourism operators, travel operators, local, state and federal tourism and regional planning authorities.

Acclaimed as one of the best places to study business in Australia, the Griffith Business School offers a wide range of programs that will enable you to increase your options. The following student profiles clearly demonstrate how you too can enhance your career opportunities with a degree from the Griffith Business School: