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.
Business & Marketing
Curriculum
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
YEAR TWO
- Principles of Operations Marketing
- Financial Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Launching a New Venture
- Pitching & Negotiations Skills
- Organisational Behaviours
- English for Business
- Research Project
INTERNSHIP
Travel & Tourism
Curriculum
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
YEAR TWO
- Tourism & Consumer Behaviour Insights
- Adventure Tourism
- Innovative Cultural & Heritage Marketing
- Digital Sales & Marketing
- Launching a New Business
- Research Project
INTERNSHIP
Business
And
Marketing
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Travel &
Tourism
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Admissions requirements
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See What Our Students
Have To Say
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
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
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
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
From Thailand to Spain: Building a Career Across Two Continents
Melissa So began her studies at AIHM Bangkok before transferring to Les Roches Marbella, demonstrating how a two-country hospitality education builds global perspective and international career opportunities.
5 Essential Soft Skills for 2026
Explore the 5 essential soft skills for hospitality professionals in 2026 and learn how executive training improves leadership, service excellence, and business results.
From Degrees to Skills: Rethinking How Capability Is Recognised
As roles evolve faster than traditional credentials, employers ask: what can this person actually do? Chris Meylan explores why degrees alone fall short and how micro-credentials make skills visible and assessable.
Light the Way: Rethinking Career Planning
Struggling with 5- and 10-year career plans? Learn a practical framework to clarify your goals, explore your strengths, and pursue internships and future opportunities with confidence and purpose.
Pitch Like a Pro: Turning Ideas into Real Business Concepts
AIHM’s Pitch Like a Pro masterclass guided students through the fundamentals of business pitching, helping them refine ideas, build confidence, and prepare for the AIHM Business Plan Competition.
High Stakes Gaming: AIHM Student Takes on Macau
In Macau, gaming is chance. At WorldSkills, it is skill. AIHM student Irin Phoorukissaraphab represents Thailand in a high-pressure hotel reception competition under real-world pressure.
Your Career Passport: 12 Destinations a Hospitality Degree Can Take You
A hospitality degree is more than hotels. Discover 12 global career paths and where your hospitality career could take you next.
Looking Ahead to 2026: From Potential to Proof at AIHM
What should students expect from AIHM in 2026? Jobs, confidence, and real-world impact—backed by proof, not promises.
AIHM Opens Registration for the Business Plan Competition 2026
Registration is now open for the AIHM Business Plan Competition 2026 for Year 10–12 students interested in hospitality, business and entrepreneurship.
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.
Who should apply for the BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND)?
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.
What specialisations are available in the BTEC HND?
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.
What are the key subjects in the BTEC Higher National Diploma?
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.
Do BTEC HND students complete an internship?
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.
What are the admission requirements for the BTEC HND?
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.
What can I do after completing the BTEC HND?
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.
What makes AIHM the right place for BTEC HND study?
- 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.
When can I start the BTEC HND?
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.
How much does the BTEC HND cost?
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.
How do I apply to AIHM’s BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND)?
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.