Leisure, Sport and Tourism

Check out the professional bodies’ own entries in the Profession Finder

For more detailed information on the types of jobs available check out Hobsons and Prospects.

There are a number of professional bodies covering these sectors.  Here you will find information on:

• Jobs and salaries
• Routes and Qualifications
• Funding

Jobs and Salaries

Leisure

Are you considering a profession in Leisure?  Visit ISPAL (The Institute for Sport, Parks and Leisure)

Sport

There are also links to other websites containing information on further areas within sport, including

The British Paralympics Association, University Sports Association and Sports Aid.

If you are interested in the Science behind sport, visit the BASES (The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences). 

What is Sports and Exercise Science?

Tourism

Are you interested in Travel and Tourism?

Routes and Qualifications

Leisure

There are many courses and development programmes aimed to keep professionals up to date with the latest industry developments.

Sport

Courses on Physical Education, designed to help you continue your professional development.

What courses are available in Sports and Exercise Science?

There are internship opportunities to help build up your experience and show your interest in Sports and Exercise Science?

Tourism

Watch the ITT’s (Institute of Travel and Tourism) video on Education and Training.

Further careers advice from the ITT 

Information on apprenticeships in these areas.

Funding

The cost of courses varies. 

Check out prices of ISPAL (Institute for Sports, Parks and Leisure) courses.

What’s it like working in this sector?

• Working can often be long and irregular with employees often required to work shift patterns and weekends.
• Typical salaries after training range from £20,000 to £35,000 (Graduate Recruitment Bureau, 2007).
• There are jobs in leisure, sport and tourism throughout the UK although, obviously, many jobs relating to the travel, tourism and holiday sectors are concentrated in popular tourist destinations.

What do employers look for?

• Requirements for jobs in this sector vary greatly, some demand specific qualifications while others require no formal qualifications at all.
• There are many courses that can help prepare for entry to these areas of work, ranging from GCSEs, A levels, or equivalent, through to degrees and postgraduate qualifications. The Diploma in sport and active leisure and the Diploma in travel and tourism may be relevant for some jobs.
• New entrants often receive on the job training and many people also work towards work-related qualifications, such as NVQs or awards from bodies such as ISPAL, the professional body for the sport, parks and leisure industries.