Best Hospitality Management Colleges in UK: Rankings, Requirements

Studying Hotel Management in the UK gives international students the necessary background for a wide range of high-level careers in a competitive market. It gives students the latest understanding of the issues faced by the hospitality industry, and students get the opportunity to take a once-a-year work placement with international hotel chains as part of their course. This article includes a list of the best hotel management colleges in the UK.

The UK is amongst the most favoured destinations for studying hospitality management and related courses in the tourism industry. The UK has some of the best culinary training institutions, like Le Cordon Bleu, London. Tourism courses are gaining popularity, and they are designed to offer students practical knowledge about the everyday workings of hotels and resorts across the world. In India, a trainee at a five-star hotel starts with an annual salary of approximately Rs. 8 to 10 lakhs. The salary will increase as the student gains hands-on experience and completes the in-house training. This article contains the reasons to study hotel management courses in the UK and the top universities for hotel management in the UK.

Why Study Hotel Management in the UK?

A large number of tourists visit the country every year as the same is one of the most popular tourist destinations. This helps the hospitality sector flourish as the hotel and restaurant business never ceases to operate. Students pursuing a course in Hotel Management in the UK can be a part of various opportunities which can help them gain knowledge regarding the hotel and food industry. Another good thing is that the UK, being an English-speaking country, offers you a golden opportunity to improve your English language skills, which is a prerequisite for entering this field. 

Check: Study Guide to UK for Indian Students

Top 20 Hotel Management Universities in the UK 2025

Here are the best institutes in the world offering courses in hospitality management according to QS World University Rankings 2025.

Eligibility Requirements for the Best Hotel Management Colleges in UK

Every university in the UK might have different eligibility criteria for admitting overseas students to its hotel management and related courses. But we have listed some of the basic criteria which you'd be required to fulfil if you're seeking admission into this course in the UK.

Note that the majority of the higher education institutes in the UK require students to be good academically and hold strong grades. The candidate should hold a high school completion or equivalent certificate, which they would have obtained from their home country. Also, please note that universities in the UK impart lessons in this course in English. So, a candidate will have to provide evidence of their English Language Proficiency. There may also be a few institutes which may ask an international candidate to appear for extra entrance tests or assessments. You can confirm the same with the institute where you're applying. Here are the general eligibility and admission requirements for getting into the hotel management courses in the UK:

• Minimum Age: You must be at least 18 years old at the time of course commencement.
• English Language Proficiency (mandatory for all international students): Since Hotel Management programs are taught in English, non-native speakers must submit scores from an accepted English language test. The minimum scores required in various English tests are given below. However, note that some universities may have slightly higher or lower requirements based on the program.
  • IELTS: Overall score of 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5)
  • TOEFL iBT: Score of 80–90
  • PTE Academic: Score of 55–61 
• Academic Transcripts: You must provide official academic records from your previous education (translated into English if necessary).
• Personal Statement: A motivation letter outlining why you're choosing Hotel Management, your career goals, and relevant experience or interests in hospitality.
• Letters of Recommendation: Typically 1–2 references from teachers or employers, especially those related to hospitality, business, or customer service.
• Proof of Financial Support: Evidence that you can afford tuition and living expenses in the UK.
• Student Visa (UK Student Route): A valid Tier 4 (Student) visa is required, based on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued by a UK institution.

Details on Top Hotel Management Universities in UK

Check out specific details on some of the top hotel management colleges in the UK below.  

• University of Surrey, School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

The University of Surrey's School of Hospitality & Tourism Management is one of the most sought-after universities for hotel management in the UK. Students who wish to study hospitality management in the UK can apply here for different postgraduate, undergraduate and research programs taught by expert faculty. The institute ranks 1st in the UK and 16th globally for hospitality and tourism management in the QS World University Rankings, 2025. 

Alumni of this institute have obtained brilliant positions in the industry, such as Operations Manager (Virgin), Manager in Training (Four Seasons), Vita Futura Graduate Management Programme (Marriott International), and Graduate Management Trainee (Hilton Worldwide).

• Bournemouth University

Recognised among the top 100 young universities globally (as per THE Young University Rankings 2024), over 19,000 students are enrolled at Bournemouth University. Bournemouth University has won the "Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences" award by THE in 2024. The Institute of Travel and Tourism has been named a centre of excellence for tourism and is World Tourism Organisation certified. Six months after graduation, approximately 88% of the university students are employed or studying further, and 90% are at the postgraduate level in 2019. 

Related Read: What Do Students Do Post-taking Graduate Route? How Much Do They Earn?

• Oxford Brookes University, The Oxford School of Hospitality Management

Featured among the world's top universities in the QS World University Rankings, 2025, Oxford Brookes University has top industry experts and professionals teaching students. The latest (2019/20) employment report states that 90% of university graduates either had a job or were pursuing further studies 15 months after graduating. Also, 97% of the students studying a hospitality program stated that they would recommend the institution to others.

• University of Derby

The University of Derby sits in the heart of England and is the only university in Derby and Derbyshire. Students can pursue numerous undergraduate programs, master's programs, as well as foundation courses here. Its Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism holds accreditation as an International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education.

• Leeds Beckett University

Leeds Beckett University's School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management has been ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world in 2025 by QS World University Rankings by subject. The university stands 5th overall in the UK. The tourism institute has been rated five stars in parameters such as employability, teaching, online learning, inclusiveness, etc.

• Manchester Metropolitan University

The hospitality management program at Manchester Metropolitan University is an industry-centric course which will help students gain the latest practical and theoretical knowledge required for a successful future in this domain. The teaching faculty has great experience in the tourism and hospitality industry and will help you polish and build your professional skills.

• University of Exeter

A world-class university with a Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the University of Exeter is a Russell Group member and among the top 150 institutions in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025. More than 25,000 students from 130 nations are studying here at present. Subjects offered at the university, at the graduate and undergraduate levels, such as Computer Science, Data Science, Analytics, Business, Accounting, Finance, etc., are top-ranked. Students graduating from here obtain great pay packages after graduating.

• Ulster University

Northern Ireland's civic university, Ulster University, has made a mark as a great institution of research and teaching. More than 2,000 students from over 80 nations and alumni from 121 nations are a part of the university. The university offers Bachelor's and Master's programs, which are fully accredited. As per the latest data available (2018), more than 92% of the graduates obtained a job or continued their studies within six months of passing out. Students are also offered amazing bursaries and scholarships here.

• University of Leeds

A Russell Group institution set up in 1904, the University of Leeds is a world top 100 university as per the QS. It has earned its reputation for imparting quality education and is among the largest higher education institutions in the UK. Various full-time graduate and undergraduate courses are offered to students here. Also, one may opt for short online courses or MOOCs, which are mostly free of cost and do not require you to meet an entry requirement. Leeds has a total of 281,000 alumni in more than 190 nations and over 13,000 students from 137 distinct countries.

• Edinburgh Napier University

Ranked as the top university in Edinburgh in terms of overall student satisfaction from 2020-2022, the Edinburgh Napier University is the only Scottish university which was shortlisted for the Times Higher Education's University of the Year Award in 2022. Suha Jaradat of the Edinburgh Napier University has won the "Most Innovative Teacher of the Year" award by Times Higher Education (THE) in 2024 and has also been shortlisted for the "Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences" award by THE in 2024 itself.. 

Edinburgh Napier University has three campuses in Edinburgh and has more than 19,500 students from 140 nations enrolled on various courses. It is the 1st modern university in Scotland as per THE World University Rankings, 2023. It is also the top-ranking university in Edinburgh for student satisfaction for the 3rd time in a row.

Read More: 12 Most Affordable MBA Colleges in the UK 

This was all about the best UK Colleges to study Hospitality Management. If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.