Tourism

​Course Coordination

António José Freire Pires Pinheiro

coord.tur@umaia.pt

Description

The Bachelor’s degree in Tourism aims to further knowledge about the tourism industry and train a group of professionals who are duly equipped with a range of tools to be applied as tourism techniques. Similarly, it is hoped to meet the challenges faced in Portugal and in Europe regarding the use of information technology by strengthening skills in that area. It aims to develop students’ ability to create new products and opportunities and provide them with inclusive technical skills that stimulate entrepreneurship and to provide knowledge on the country’s potential for tourism and heritage, particularly focusing on emerging clusters that are part of the knowledge and innovation economy.

Admission exams 2026/2027

Holders of a Portuguese secondary education diploma may apply through one of the following options:

OR

Calculation of the Application Score

The calculation of the application score depends on the number of admission exams used in the application:

OR

The curriculum is highly interdisciplinary, covering the various fields and professions within the tourism sector. The various modules place a strong emphasis on practical components and tasks in real-world contexts, such as event organisation, the use of booking simulation software in travel agencies, the development of tourist itineraries, and the learning and application of three foreign languages.

Students benefit from the strong links between the degree programme and its lecturers with the companies and organisations that make up the labour market, ensuring an optimal connection between teaching and the tourism sector. The third-year work placement allows for the practical application of the skills acquired in a real-world, supervised environment and is a key factor in the high employability of this course.

This degree programme is associated with the CEDTUR laboratory – Centre for Tourism Development Studies, a member of ATLAS – Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research. The lecturers and researchers from this UMAIA research unit form part of GR3 – Tourism at CEGOT (uID 4084/FCT), which was rated ‘Very Good’ in the international evaluation conducted by FCT, and of which the University of Maia is a ‘Participating Institution’.

Work-based learning is encouraged through curricular placements, which have helped to significantly boost students’ employability.

Placement candidates must meet the requirements set out in the University of Maia’s Assessment Regulations regarding progression to the next year.

Students must undertake their placement in a real-world work environment in any of the following areas:

• ​Tourist Accommodation (hotels or other types of tourist establishments);
• Tourist Entertainment;
• Travel Agencies and Tour Operators;
• Tourist Information;
• Transport (cruises, aviation and handling services);
• Event Organisation;
• Tourism Promotion.

• Tourism businesses (hotels, holiday villages and holiday apartments, rural tourism and holiday rentals);
• Private accommodation providers;
• Travel agencies and tour operators;
• Theme parks;
• Tourism entertainment companies;
• Tourist Guides and Interpreters;
• Cruise Lines;
• Airlines;
• Handling Services Companies;
• Event Management Companies;
• Tourism Product Managers;​
• Consultancy firms;​
• Cultural activities programming;
• Public administration;
• Regional tourism bodies;
• Development agencies and companies;
• Local authorities and associations of municipalities;
• Regional/local development associations;
• Education/research.​
  

Registry​

Publication in the Official Gazette

Accreditation of the Study Program​

Study Program Evaluation