BTEC Higher National Diploma

Course Highlights

The two-year HND has been designed in partnership with industry leaders to ensure relevant skills for young working professionals. Students can major in either Business & Marketing or Travel & Tourism, with one internship for practical experience.

The Pearson advantage

Pearson is the UK’s largest educational qualifications provider encouraging learning for life. When you graduate, you can get straight to work or transfer to a Pearson partner university and continue with a bachelor’s, graduating in only one additional year.

AIHM students practicing English for Business and Academic Study through group work and presentation skills, writing on a board during hospitality management class.

Business & Marketing
Curriculum

blue section btec hnd scaled
As a Pearson-approved study centre, we follow the internationally recognised BTEC curriculum which balances practical and professional skills.
YEAR ONE
  • Business in a Business Environment
  • Marketing Process & Planning
  • Leadership & Marketing
  • Entrepreneurial Venture
  • Managing a Successful Business Project
  • Managing the Customer Experience
  • Human Resource Management
  • Accounting Principles
  • English for Business
  • Principles of Operations Marketing
  • Financial Marketing
  • Digital Marketing
  • Launching a New Venture
  • Pitching & Negotiations Skills
  • Organisational Behaviours
  • English for Business
  • Research Project

Travel & Tourism
Curriculum

Curriculum blue section
YEAR ONE
  • The Contemporary Travel & Tourism Industry
  • The Travel & Tourism Business Toolkit
  • Managing the Customer Experience
  • Online Travel Marketing
  • Leadership & Marketing for Service Industries
  • Corporate Travel Marketing or Global Tourism Destination
  • Entrepreneurship & Small Business Marketing or Essentials of Marketing in Travel & Tourism
  • Professional Identity in Practice
  • English for Tourism
  • Tourism & Consumer Behaviour Insights
  • Adventure Tourism
  • Innovative Cultural & Heritage Marketing
  • Digital Sales & Marketing
  • Launching a New Business
  • Research Project

Business And
Marketing

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Travel &
Tourism

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Admissions requirements

01

TOEFL: 525/70 / IELTS: 5.0 average / Cambridge: B2 First

02

17 years of age at date of entry
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APPLY

Take the first step to a brighter future. See where AIHM can take you.

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See What Our Students
Have To Say

Andrew Rohrbach

Before AIHM, I wasn’t a leader.

I was more of a follower. I hadn’t discovered my real strengths. But when I joined, my passion for the hospitality industry grew, and that’s when my leadership mindset began to form. I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved at AIHM. AIHM builds leaders for the real world.

Andrew Rohrbach

Class of 2024

Andrew Rohrbach

Before AIHM, I wasn’t a leader.

I was more of a follower. I hadn’t discovered my real strengths. But when I joined, my passion for the hospitality industry grew, and that’s when my leadership mindset began to form. I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved at AIHM. AIHM builds leaders for the real world.

Andrew Rohrbach

Class of 2024

Andrew Rohrbach

Before AIHM, I wasn’t a leader.

Before AIHM, I wasn't a leader. I was more of a follower...

Andrew Rohrbach

Class of 2024

Andrew Rohrbach

Before AIHM, I wasn’t a leader.

Before AIHM, I wasn't a leader. I was more of a follower...

Andrew Rohrbach

Class of 2024

Blogs

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29 MAY

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FAQs

What is the BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND)?

The BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) is a two-year international qualification from Pearson UK that develops professional knowledge and leadership skills in business, marketing, travel, and tourism.

It is equivalent to the first two years of a UK Bachelor’s degree, allowing students to enter university at final-year level after completion.

The HND is designed for students who:

  • Have completed high school (Mathayom 6, IB, A Levels, GED, or equivalent).
  • Are at least 17½ years old at the time of enrolment.
  • Want to earn an internationally recognised qualification while gaining practical experience in hospitality, business, or tourism.

 

The BTEC HND also suits working professionals who wish to upgrade their skills and advance to management roles.

Students can choose between two main study tracks:

  • International Business & Marketing
  • Travel & Tourism Management

 

Each track includes both Level 4 (HNC) and Level 5 (HND) modules, combining strategic theory with applied projects.

Core learning areas include:

  • Business and Marketing Strategy
  • Leadership and Human Resource Management
  • Accounting Principles and Finance
  • Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship
  • Managing Customer Experience
  • Research Project and Professional Identity

 

All courses are taught by experienced faculty with real industry backgrounds.

Yes. Every BTEC HND student undertakes one professional internship (approximately 3 months) during the two-year programme.

This internship can be with Minor Hotels or other leading hospitality and service companies in Thailand or abroad.

Applicants should:

  • Be at least 17½ years old at entry.
  • Have completed Mathayom 6, IB, O-Level, GED, or Grade 12 equivalent.
  • Have English proficiency at IELTS 4.5 (or equivalent).

 

Students may take an English preparation course if they need additional support.

Graduates can:

  • Top up to a Bachelor’s degree at many universities in Thailand or the UK within one to two additional years.
  • Enter the workforce directly in supervisory or junior-management roles in hotels, resorts, travel companies, or marketing agencies.
  • World-class affiliation: AIHM was founded by Minor Hotels and is part of a global hospitality network.
  • Hotel-inside-a-hotel campus: learn and train within a fully operating luxury property.
  • Small, bilingual classes with personal mentorship from experienced lecturers.
  • International credibility: Pearson qualifications recognised in over 100 countries.

The BTEC Higher National Diploma has two intakes per year — January and September.

Students are encouraged to apply early for English placement, internship scheduling, and scholarship review.

You can always find the most up-to-date information on AIHM’s [Tuition & Fees page].


There, you’ll see a clear breakdown of tuition, fees, and other costs for the BTEC HND—as well as for every other AIHM academic programme.

The application process for AIHM’s BTEC Higher National Diploma is simple and straightforward.


Visit the [Admissions page] to see full details on how to apply or to submit your application online.

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