OTHM Accreditation, Recognition and Relationships

(information dated August 2008)

Recognition is multifaceted, with relationships with government bodies, accreditation bodies, universities, employers, stakeholder colleges and members. As the OTHM mission is to supply experienced, focused and high quality individuals for the Tourism and Hospitality industry, then our qualified members are our ambassadors of Quality.

Page contents

Section I - Our Key Academic partners
Section II - Accreditation bodies in the UK
Section III - Relationships with Employers
Section IV - Relationships with OTHM Centres
Section V - OTHM Relationship with Students

Section I - Our Key Academic partners

The London South Bank University (LSBU) is the original academic partner of OTHM; supporting and advising OTHM on the design and structure of OTHM levels and individual units.

We are Accredited and Recognised by LSBU through a detailed Articulation Agreement, covering issues of quality control, centre listing, confirmation of examination results, appeals procedure, the workings of the OTHM examination board, the release of transcripts, certification and progression arrangements for OTHM qualified students to access the BA (Hons) in Tourism and Hospitality and the MSc/PGDip in International Tourism Marketing.

Special Note: London South Bank University has held awarding powers for taught and research degrees from the Privy Council since the passing of the Further and Higher Education Act in 1992.

Additional Recognition by Universities

Thames Valley University (TVU)

Salford University

Hertfordshire University

University of Huddersfield

The following universities are also pleased to accept OTHM qualified students to forward applications for direct entry into year one, year two and final year of their BA (Hons) in Tourism & Hospitality or in relevant cases direct entry into Post Graduate and Masters level programmes at the university.

Special Note: OTHM have been approached by a number of universities keen to recruit OTHM students to their programmes. We will update the website as new relationships are confirmed.

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Section II - Accreditation bodies in the UK.

BAC- The British Accreditation Council www.the-bac.org

ASIC-Accreditation Service for International Colleges (ASIC) www.asic.org.uk

People 1st www.people1st.co.uk

FAB www.awarding.org.uk

BAC and ASIC are the two leading accreditation bodies for Independent Further and Higher Education colleges in the UK, recognise colleges offering OTHM programmes. OFSTED www.ofsted.gov.uk appointed ASIC and BAC to assist with the accreditation and monitoring of quality standards in this sector.

OTHM has close working relationships with both bodies on matters concerning college compliance, quality control and CPD training activities.

People 1st: View letter of support from People 1st

FAB: View letter of support from FAB

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Section III - Relationships with Employers

OTHM have made presentations to a number of British and International employers in the Tourism and Hospitality industry, in order to promote the OTHM Brand, course structures, syllabus and the credentials of newly qualified OTHM students. We aim at an ongoing relationship with employers to secure safe entry pathways to the world of full-time work.

A recent OTHM student survey confirmed a number of employers currently accepting students for part-time or full-time work opportunities.

As part of the OTHM experience, OTHM centres place students with recognised employers to gain relevant industry experience during their OTHM studies.

The following is a selection of employers accepting OTHM students and OTHM Professional Diploma and Professional Higher Diploma holders (information source: OTHM student surveys February to June 2008).

Hilton
Marriot etc.

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Section IV - Relationships with OTHM Centres

The demand to be listed as an OTHM centre continues to grow both in the UK and overseas. OTHM requires ALL UK centres (recruiting international students) to be BAC, ASIC or OFSTED approved in 2009.

English Language centres teaching OTHM are normally accredited by Accreditation UK. See the dedicated page on the British Council website.

Centre Support

We are pleased to invest time and energy to encourage and support centres to provide a quality service for our students. Centres are required to attend compulsory ‘Induction Training’ and also workshops over the year covering areas such as: Marketing, Tutor Training, Student Care, Administration of Courses and achieving higher Quality Standards.

OTHM also visit centres and conduct an annual audit including student sampling - with Confidential Feedback Questionnaires.

Centres are encouraged to work in partnership with OTHM and a number of centres now benefit from recruiting and teaching viable cohorts of OTHM students.

Listed below is a selection of comments from active OTHM centres:

London Crown
London Trinity etc.

For a full list of OTHM centres, go to listed centres on the OTHM website.

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Section V - OTHM Relationship with Students

Our first priority is to ensure that the OTHM courses, syllabus, examination and certification procedures are designed and administered at the highest level. Therefore our work of the OTHM Examination Board and the OTHM Quality, Accreditation and Audit Committee (QAAC) ensure standards are maintained, reviewed and improved as an on-going procedure.

Access to Employers in the Tourism and Hospitality industry

As mentioned in Section III, OTHM is keen to increase the number of employment and promotion opportunities for our students. The four current levels of Introductory Certificate, Professional Certificate, Professional Diploma and Professional Higher Diploma allow our students to access a high and wide level of subjects, relevant to the tourism and Hospitality industry.

Many employers are encouraged by the quality of OTHM graduates working both in the UK and overseas.

Student Prize Winners

Top performing students are invited to the annual awards evening held at the LSBU each October.

Access to BA (Hons) and Post Graduate level programmes in Tourism and Hospitality.

OTHM students have a variety of choices on where to access British University graduate and postgraduate level programmes. Many British University Graduates are also considering the OTHM Professional Higher Diploma as a worthwhile professional industry qualification.

Student Testimonials

Below is a selection of OTHM student testimonials.

Hina Qadri

International student from India

"Choosing to do OTHM Course was a good decision for me. It has given me an opportunity to earn degree level qualifications from a University, helped me to find direction for my future, and helped me to develop skills that I will need in my career.

OTHM Curriculum provides students with a sound understanding of the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality field and skills essential for successful employment in the Industry. OTHM provided all the resources in terms of their professionally prepared lecture notes and guidance for me to successfully complete my Higher Diploma. I passed my Higher Diploma with great results and won BEST OVERALL PERFORMANCE AWARD in June 2007 Exams. I now feel confident and prepared to excel in Tourism and Hospitality Industry, thanks to the knowledge gained from OTHM Qualifications."

Leon Corriea

Professional Higher Diploma

I did a twin diploma in Hospitality management from India and wanted to further to increase my array of knowledge in the hospitality and tourism sector.
OTHM being a level 5 is just the right platform that I needed.
The modules that are in the OTHM course are of a senior management level which simply help boosting up an individual's leadership skills.

And having won an award in the Strategic Human resource management module,has practically enhanced my confidence in managing people at work since I work as an Asst. Manager in night front office operations for Marriott International Hotels limited.
This has further strengthened my self belief and has eventually provided me a strong base to achieve my academic vision which is seeing myself as an MBA passout.

Milon Mahmud

After finishing my Masters in Accounting I worked six years as an officer in a five star hotel named Dhaka Sheraton hotel.

But when I think to improve my career I chose OTHM (The Organisation for Tourism and Hospitality Management) course for specialised and competitive knowledge. I feel the course very attractive. This is very useful course to make career path of life. I won four times best student award by OTHM. With the OTHM higher diploma I got the opportunity to take admission in Masters Level (M.A in hospitality) at famous Thames valley University. Thanks OTHM for help me to choose right way of study and life.

Nova Kudan

Leaving my country, the Philippines, and coming to London, UK to study Tourism and Hospitality Management, I had high hopes that doing so would give me a better fighting chance towards a brighter future.

Through OTHM's exceptional mentoring, I have learned a lot about the Tourism and Hospitality industry for just a few months of membership. The modules are up-to-date and real-life based which will surely give me an edge as soon as I graduate. More importantly, OTHM recognizes and advocates professionalism, ethics and environment awareness as core principles for the industry. And so, looking ahead, I'm certain that I'll have a bright future afterall.

OTHM's for me and I won't settle for anything else!

Fatima Kanis Nayan

London College of Law and Management

I became encouraged once I saw the OTHM program at London College of Law and Management (LCLM). The program has all the elements of a good solid program I was looking for, while also providing me with some flexibility on studying, as it is based on three individual levels. Our Lecturers are industry experienced and share their experiences with the students. The program also has a good group of students from international backgrounds bringing and sharing their experiences and know-how in the classroom and making the class discussions very enriching. This highly encouraged me to enrol in the program.

On a personal level, working in the Tourism and Hospitality industry has been my interest, and the OTHM Program at LCLM fits my future career and personal goals. I am doing a part-time job at Hilton London Metropole Hotel while I am studying this course. In fact I have been privileged to get this job because of my current course. Last year I was one of the OTHM award winners from LCLM for excellent exam results. I have always enjoyed travelling. This expands my horizon, introduces me to new cultures and broadens my knowledge about other countries. Obtaining a degree in the field of Tourism and Hospitality Management will provide me with the opportunity of having a career in an area that I enjoy very much. Also, this will prepare me to contribute to my country, as the overall region I come from in South Asia is a thriving region with a strong emphasis on tourism to make the overall region a major attraction for international tourism.

Living in London, where tourism is a key economical contributor to the UK wealth, made me realise how important this sector is to the economical well-being of a country. Living in London encouraged me to pursue this program. I am really glad I did it here at LCLM.

Mr Zubair Ahmed

London Trinity College - London

I moved to London from Bangladesh to study the Tourism & Hospitality Management stream with my guide dog Sandy, with the aim to studying for a degree in Tourism & Hospitality.

I chose to study with OTHM because it is an international organisation whose qualifications are highly transferable and recognisable worldwide, meaning that I can study and work anywhere in the world with my qualification.

OTHM have been highly supportive of my problems and the courses are extremely flexible making part time employment easy to accommodate.

I am currently working for McDonald’s as a Manager which is extremely rewarding as it is an industry which I feel very strongly about. This experience, combined with my OTHM qualification, will help me to achieve my goal of studying for a degree in the Hospitality sector.

Ms Barsha Mahzabin

London Trinity College - London

I heard about OTHM when I was in my country and looking to take up a course to further my studies. I believe it was London Trinity College that introduced this course to their students. I liked the interesting subjects (and still do!) that were being offered on the course.

It has helped give my resume a boost and given me a better chance of being called for interviews. Recently when I was on training for customer care, I was able to understand the intensity of customer care much better.

I'm planning migration to Canada, and if successful, I hope these qualifications can secure me a position with my current working experience and help me progress even further when opportunities arise within the company.

Mr MD Zahed Uddin

London Trinity College - London

Taking the OTHM Travel, Tourism and Hospitality course was not only an opportunity, but also a challenge for me. My biggest problem when I started was the language barrier. English is not my first language and there were some frustrating times, but my teachers and friends encouraged me and gave me lots of help. I also used the OTHM website to get a lot of support.

I did not give up and I am now heading for my diploma.

For me the main benefit of taking OTHM is that it gives me rapid progression to obtaining a degree. Each course also offers excellent subjects that closely link with, and reflect, the global business environment.

I am currently working Hotel JW Marriot, Regent Park, London as a Food & Beverage Personnel which is really complementing. This experience, adding up with my OTHM qualification, will really boost up my career which I dreamt of.

OTHM has truly broadened my horizons.

Vasoodeo Bullah-Danah

I am Vasoodeo Bullah-Danah from Mauritius I was student of OTHM. I did Diploma in Hospitality Management, a specialization course in Food and Beverage, and Event & Conference Management with OTHM in London. Actually I am back to Mauritius, working in a 5 Stars Resort for the Beachcomber group of Hotels at Shandrani Resort & Spa as a trainee Food & Beverage Manager. The course I did with OTHM has helped me a lot to attain this position, which is a good start obviously. I highly recommend OTHM courses to students who want a career in the hotel industry I would like to thank all the OTHM management team for all their support and help throughout my studies.

Tim Murari and Vasoodeo Bullah-Danah Thank you all

Kinds Regards

Vasoodeo Bullah-Danah

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