Diploma in Tourism & Resort Management (N72)

Why TRM?

  • A versatile course that prepares you for diverse sectors such as events, leisure and lifestyle, hospitality and travel
  • Industry-focused curriculum that develops your ability to adapt, create and innovate in a dynamic environment
  • Gain sustainable tourism skills through our partnership with leading industry players to seize opportunities in the green economy 
  • Customise your learning by choosing the Business Digitalisation Track, Tourism Startup Internship Project, six-month local/overseas internship or one-year JobReady Programme

About TRM

With international tourism set to return to pre-pandemic levels, organisations will need to transform their products and offerings, and build new capabilities to position themselves for future growth opportunities. NP’s Diploma in Tourism & Resort Management (TRM) will provide you with in-depth industry insights to help you reimagine the tourism landscape, and equip you with competencies that are relevant across different industries. With TRM, you will go places!

You will gain a strong business foundation and business ideation skills in the first year. Your learning will also focus on key sectors of tourism such as events, leisure and lifestyle, hospitality and travel.

To help you cater to more discerning and digitally connected travellers, get acquainted with skills and knowledge whare are in demand in the tourism industry, such as tourism data analytics, digital marketing and service experience design.

In addition, you will get exposure to latest technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality, and understand how they can be applied to elevate the guest experience. Plus, get a chance to obtain Google Ads and Google Data Analytics Certifications, which will give you an edge in your future career.

You will also benefit from blended learning opportunities comprising masterclasses by industry experts, learning journeys, online courses, hackathons, company-based projects and research projects. Through our Business Digitalisation Track, you will get to go for multiple internships.

With more travellers going green, TRM will enable you to better apply sustainability concepts and practices. You will examine industry best practices and learn how to shape new sustainable futures. 

Thanks to our partnerships with leading industry players, you will get to propose and plan sustainability-related business solutions, such as working on advocacy campaigns that target guests and visitors, and education programmes on environmental conservation. To ensure industry-relevant learning, your solutions will be co-assessed by industry experts, who will provide feedback and guidance. 

Customise your own learning pathway in your final year by choosing either the Business Digitalisation Track to deepen your knowledge in emerging technologies, or embark on a Tourism Startup Internship Project, which will give you the chance to conceptualise and start a tourism-related business to tap current opportunities! 

Opt for a six-month internship or the one-year JobReady Programme for deeper industry immersion. You can look forward to local internships – at companies such as Experia Events, Tricom, Raffles Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, Hotel Fort Canning, Sentosa Development Corporation, and Changi Airport Group – as well as overseas internships at exciting destinations such as Thailand and Vietnam!
Photo of TRM graduate, Julie Tay

With its unique curriculum, TRM taught me to embrace innovation and take risks with an open mind! In fact, it inspired me to start my own bakery business!

Photo of TRM graduate, Edna Tan

TRM not only provided me with a solid business foundation but also taught me how to use technology to enhance the tourism experience. This has paved the way for my career as a digital product manager.

Overview of Your TRM Journey

Highlights

Improving Visitor Experiences

Photo of a group of students at Bird Paradise

Our second-year TRM students embarked on an integrated project in collaboration with the Mandai Wildlife Reserve to reimagine the product and service offerings at attractions such as Bird Paradise, Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. Subsequently, they employed design thinking methodologies along with the business model canvas tool to develop innovative proposals.

Say No! to Food Waste

Food Waste Awareness Campaign Food Waste Awareness Campaign

A group of second-year TRM students had the chance to turn their sustainable tourism concepts into reality for Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). For example, one of the teams decided to launch a food waste awareness campaign targeted at RWS staff.
Inspired by MasterChef Singapore, the team proposed an approach of spreading the message of reducing food waste: through posters put up in a staff canteen as well as via the NP Virtual World, a 3D immersive environment where RWS staff can access learning materials on reducing food waste.

The students also executed an onsite campaign at the canteen, where staff were invited to witness waste levels building up as they throw their lunch leftovers into a special dustbin with a transparent slit, as well as take part in interactive game booths to learn about food waste in a fun and interactive manner. 

The team’s proposal was commended by RWS who chose it for the team’s strong commitment and efforts to go the extra mile in understanding RWS’ objectives and target audience. 

Further Studies

As a TRM graduate, you can pursue a wide range of degree courses at all local and overseas universities. Some institutions may grant module exemptions. They include Australian universities such as Southern Cross University, University of Queensland, University of Southern Queensland and University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Russell Phua
Tan-Song-Yi

Careers

As Singapore develops into a global tourism destination, the demand for well-trained tourism professionals will continue to increase.

TRM graduates can find many job openings in the attractions, food and beverage, hospitality, MICE, travel and other tourism-related sectors.

You can look forward to pursuing careers in these job roles:

  • Attractions Operations Crew/Executive 
  • Business Development Executive 
  • Content and Experience Development Executive 
  • Coordination and Reservations Executive 
  • Customer Experience Executive 
  • Customer Support Executive 
  • Digital Marketing Executive 
  • Education and Programmes Executive 
  • Event Operations Executive 
  • Event/Project Executive 
  • Event Services Executive 
  • Front Office Executive 
  • Guest Relations Executive
  • Hybrid Events Planner
  • Marketing Communications Executive 
  • Operations & Compliance Executive
  • Product and Experience Development Executive 
  • Reservations Executive 
  • Remote Content Researcher 
  • Sales Executive 
  • Sustainability Officer
  • Travel Account Executive
Chea-Pui-Yee

Presenting myself in front of masses has been easy since NP days, and I strongly believe that this was attributed to the soft skills gained from the projects and presentations that we had to prepare throughout the three year course.

Entry Requirements

AGGREGATE TYPE ELR2B2-B

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must have the following GCE ‘O’ Level examination (or equivalent) results.

Subject'O' Level Grade
English Language1-6
Mathematics (Elementary/Additional)1-6
Any one of the 2nd group of Relevant Subjects for the ELR2B2-B Aggregate Type1-6

You must also fulfil the aggregate computation requirements for the ELR2B2-B Aggregate Type listed here (  33KB). 

For students with other qualifications, please refer to the NP website for the entry requirements and admissions exercise period.

What You Will Learn

Economics (3 Credit Units)
This module provides students with an understanding of the core principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics with an application of these concepts in real-world business scenarios. Topics include Demand and Supply, Price Elasticity, Market Structure, Gross Domestic Product, Unemployment, Inflation, Fiscal and Monetary policy.

Global Business (3 Credit Units)
This module provides students with fundamental knowledge of how the external business environment, consisting of country and industry level factors, affects the overall strategy, organisational structure and various internal functions of international businesses. Students will also discuss how contemporary world affairs, such as the impact of globalisation, terrorism, pandemics, emergence of economic powers in Asia and digitalisation present both opportunities and challenges to international businesses.

Makings of a Business (4 Credit Units)
Students will gain hands-on and real-world experience as they actively learn to integrate and apply knowledge and skills acquired in various modules to manage different types of businesses through game simulation. They will gain understanding of the inter-dependence of the different business functions, and to make data-driven decisions to address day-to-day operations of a business. They will also develop critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills as they analyse performance data and evaluate decisions to improve overall company performance.

Programming for Business (3 Credit Units)
This module provides students with fundamental programming concepts and best coding practices through the extensive use of in-class demonstrations and hands-on practices. Students will learn how technology functions by building digital solutions such as business applications and tasks automation by applying their programming skills. Students will learn how to problem solve through computational thinking.

Statistical Applications for Business (4 Credit Units)
This module introduces students to basic statistical concepts, tools and models. Students will learn how to organise and analyse data, as well as interpret results for decision-making in the business world. Students will apply and reinforce their learnings through data presentation and performing descriptive analysis on data generated from the Business Simulated Game.

Health & Wellness (1 Credit Unit)
This is a Level 1 Core module for all Year 1 students. The module will introduce students to the importance of maintaining both physical and mental health through the knowledge and monitoring of health indicators, and application through appropriate exercises. The aim of the module is to empower students with basic knowledge and skills to be independent and responsible in maintaining overall personal health. 

Innovation Made Possible^ (3 Credit Units)
English Language Express* (Credit Units - NA)
English Language Express aims to give you a better grounding in the English Language and to strengthen the written and oral communications skills that you will need in your academic and professional careers. You will be engaged in writing, reading, listening and speaking activities that will develop your ability to speak and write grammatically, coherently and clearly. You will also hone your reading and listening comprehension skills.

* This module is only offered to students who are weaker in the English Language.

^ Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) modules account for 10 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. IS aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

Business Communication 1 (3 Credit Units)
This module teaches students to effectively refine their written and spoken communication skills, discussion techniques, and people skills. Students will learn techniques to think on their feet to deliver an effective business pitch confidently. They will learn to persuasively communicate opportunities and ideas by creatively tailoring their business message for their target audience using storytelling techniques. Students will also develop their information literacy skills to craft clear business messages using APA style referencing.

Business Law (3 Credit Units)
This module provides students with an understanding of the basic knowledge of the law and its application in a business environment. Topics include the Singapore Legal System, Law of Contract, Law of Tort, Law of Agency/E-Commerce/Artificial Intelligence Law (E-Comm/AI Law), Law of Business Organisations, Introduction to Company Law and Intellectual Property Law. Students will also develop clarity of thought that requires a critical discerning eye and logical reasoning when applying legal principles to practical business decisions.

Kickstart a Business (4 Credit Units)
The module is designed for students to integrate and apply learning from the different modules to address real-world challenges provided by industry partners. Using the Lean methodology, students will build a Lean Canvas Model to develop and showcase a minimum viable product to address challenges and evaluate opportunities. They will learn about resource optimisation and value creation for businesses.

Finance & Accounting for Business (3 Credit Units)
The module imparts basic accounting and finance knowledge to students, in areas such as accounting equations, accounting principles, financial statements, ratio analysis, cash budgeting, short-term financing strategies, time value of money and capital investment analysis. Students will demonstrate their understanding by using financial software to interpret financial accounting information for decision-making in business environments when working on integrated project scenarios.

User-Centred Design for Business (3 Credit Units)
The module covers digital media design competencies with user-centered design principles. Students will learn to use design software and apply the design competencies on digital platforms such as web, mobile and desktop. Students will also learn to address digital design issues related to the user experience, presentation of the information, the imagery and the visualisation during their designing process.

Career & Professional Preparation (2 Credit Units)
This module supports students in their journey of self-discovery, character-building, NP values-inculcation, development of education and career goals via experiential activities and guided reflections with CPP coaches. To prepare them for their career and the future, students will also deepen their knowledge of the respective diploma curriculum and industries through learning journeys, mentorship and opportunities for interactions with alumni and industry practitioners. The module will incorporate a more comprehensive feedback and reflective approach from self, peers, tutors and the industry mentor to support students’ holistic growth and development.
Business Communication 2 (4 Credit Units)
This module builds on the foundation of Business Communication 1 and creates opportunities for students to strengthen their oral and written communication. Students will be required to enhance their presentation skills through impromptu speeches. Students will also learn how to prepare a business proposal. Job hunting and employment skills will be introduced to prepare students for a positive start to their careers. Students will learn about personal branding and will be taught to write application letters and resumes. Additionally, students will learn job interview techniques through role-plays and simulations.

Event Design (3 Credit Units)
This module aims at providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge to plan and organise successful events. Using experiential learning and service-learning as pedagogies, students learn the important mechanics of event management to apply these concepts in an industry project. Key topics include conceptualisation, programming, budgeting, marketing, risk management and logistics.

Leisure & Lifestyle Business (3 Credit Units)
This module aims to introduce fundamental knowledge of key tourism sectors to students. By collaborating with industry partners from the Attractions, Travel, Leisure & Lifestyle sectors, students will acquire first-hand understanding of their business and operations concerns through learning journeys and guest lectures. Students will also embark on tourism business ideation with the Business Model Canvas tool.

Tourism Analytics (3 Credit Units)
This module aims to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of business analytics. Students will learn how to clean and transform data for analysis. They will also develop proficiency in the use of analytic tools and techniques to efficiently analyse the data (both qualitative as well as quantitative), and to present insights to the data using visualisation tools.

Tourism Marketing (3 Credit Units)
The objective of this module is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of marketing principles and practices within the context of the tourism and hospitality industry. Singapore’s tourism sector initiatives and emerging marketing trends as well as an in-depth study of their implications will also be covered.

Service Experience Design (4 Credit Units)
This module focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills to curate memorable service experiences for guests in the tourism sector. Students will understand User Experience (UX) and use Design Thinking to create service experiences. Students will also be exposed to real-world scenarios to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to enhance the overall guest experiences.

Airline & Travel Business (4 Credit Units)
The module equips students with essential business knowledge of airport, airline, cruise and tour operations. They will learn about new developments in the travel industry such as changing business models, emerging distribution and product design strategies. Through simulation game, classroom discussions and projects, students will acquire a comprehensive perspective on the core operations in the travel industry.

Events in Action (3 Credit Units)
This module offers students a practical platform to actualise their project plans and conduct a post-event evaluation for a business and/or community entity developed in the preceding Event Design (EDE) module. Students will also gain insights into event operations through practicum opportunities and have the opportunity to consolidate their learning from the events industry through critical reflection journals.

Hospitality Management (4 Credit Units)
This module aims to familiarise students with the workings of key hotel departments such as front office, reservations, housekeeping, etc. and trains students in the use of the OPERA Cloud Property Management System. Students will also explore various topics including brand & marketing, pricing methods, channels of distribution, and the impact of meetings & events in relation to a global hospitality business.

Tourism Research (4 Credit Units)
The module aims to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to plan, design and conduct research projects within the context of tourism. Students will develop competencies in identifying research problems, selecting appropriate research methods, gathering and analysing data, and recommending a course of action grounded in data.

Sustainability in Tourism (2 Credit Units)
This module will equip students with fundamental knowledge in sustainable tourism. Students will gain a deeper understanding of sustainability in tourism businesses through discussions on case studies and best practices. Field trips, facility tours and a startup speaker series will be arranged for students to experience the applications of sustainable tourism and help them ideate sustainable business propositions.

World Issues: A Singapore Perspective^ (2 Credit Units)

^ Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) modules account for 10 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in communication, innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. IS aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

Business Persuasion & Influence (3 Credit Units)
This module teaches students persuasive communication and social influence. Students will master boardroom presentation skills and learn to apply personal branding and networking skills. They will be assessed on their pitch to industry partners as part of the capstone project, through role-plays simulating networking situations and telling a ‘visual story’ of their learning.

Digital Marketing in Tourism (4 Credit Units)
The module is designed to equip students with knowledge of digital technologies relating to tourism marketing. It aims to help students understand the benefits from employing search platforms, social marketing communications and mobile-based communications in the planning and implementation of tourism marketing strategies.

Revenue Management in Tourism (4 Credit Units)
This module will equip students with fundamental revenue management (RM) concepts and their application in the travel and tourism industry. Through case studies and hands-on exposure to RM tools, students will be introduced to strategic decision making in sectors including airlines, events and hospitality, and understand the relationship between RM and the overall financial performance of a company.

Tourism Business Innovation (6 Credit Units)
This module offers the opportunity for students to work in teams to actively learn through applying knowledge and skills to address a real-world challenge from the tourism industry. Key areas of focus include new product innovation, business process improvement and experience design. Industry practitioners are invited to provide students with in-depth insights into major sectors/areas such as attractions, food and beverage, hospitality, MICE, retail, cruise and travel. Students receive guidance and feedback from their tutors and industry partners, which help them to reflect on the project process and learning. Beyond learning discipline-specific knowledge, students develop higher-order thinking skills, collaboration skills and become self-directed learners.

Project ID: Connecting the Dots^ (4 Credit Units)

^ Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) modules account for 10 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in communication, innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. IS aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

Tech-Talk in Tourism (1 Credit Unit)
This module requires students to demonstrate their knowledge of trending technologies in smart tourism, such as virtual and augmented reality, recognition technology, mobile technology, financial technology, the Internet of Things, etc. Students will assess and evaluate the adoption and impact of these technologies to the industry, and present their knowledge through technology-related media.

6-Month Internship (20 Credit Units)
Students will be given the opportunity to work for about six months in tourism-related organisations and public sector firms. They will learn beyond the classroom boundaries with professional practitioners as their mentors.

OR

Tourism Startup Internship Project (20 Credit Units)
This track is offered to final year TRM students as an alternative to the conventional internship programme. Students will be assigned to an industry partner to work on their entre-/intrapreneurial project under the mentorship of this partner. While working on their project, they are expected to draw upon prior knowledge and skills they have acquired in the curriculum.

Year 3
Business Digitalisation Track

Digital Commerce (3 Credit Units)
Students will learn how technology is enabling brick-and-mortar businesses to sell their products and services through online digital platforms such as the web, mobile and a combination of online-offline commerce. Different digital commerce models such as B2C, B2B, C2C will be explored in the context of digital exchanges and the growing number of ecommerce platforms that cater to a variety of businesses such as F&B, retail, travel, hospitality, and finance for small and medium-sized businesses to large corporations. The end-to-end business processes in digital commerce will also be explored.

Digital Transformation Marketing Strategy (3 Credit Units)
Students will learn about the strategies in transforming Marketing through digital and social media for the purposes of stakeholder engagement, business expansion and brand building. Students will learn how digital and social media can shape new ways business organisations operate, and understand the impact of digital and social media on the business. Students will have the opportunity to learn through planning and developing a digital media strategy for a company and explore current digital media trends and strategies employed by successful organisations.

Emerging Technologies & Disruptive Innovation (2 Credit Units)
Students will survey the digital landscape and learn about emerging technologies such as AR/VR/MR, AI/Robotics, Analytics, Internet of Things (IoT) and the evolving nature of business platform models and the architecture of enterprise system. They will distil key lessons on the way these technologies are disrupting businesses and society. Students will learn about the innovation process in translating new and/or existing knowledge into marketable solutions. They will be able to better appreciate the disruptions facing businesses and acquire a change mindset.

Internship 1 (8 Credit Units)
Internship is the hallmark of the Business Digitalisation Track and exemplifies practical and real-life learning. It is a project-based internship where students work with an assigned company to complete a digitalisation project in eight weeks.

Project ID: Connecting The Dots^ (4 Credit Units)

^ Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) modules account for 10 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in communication, innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. IS aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

Advanced Applied Business Analytics (3 Credit Units)
Students will learn and apply the techniques in Business Intelligence and Analytics technologies to transform the reporting and analysis of businesses through visualisation and utilise the predictive capabilities of analytics. They will learn to aggregate diverse and complex data to build purposeful data repositories for analysis through business models such as regression, association, clustering and sales funnels. Students are expected to describe and analyse their findings through dash boarding and appropriate forecasting techniques.

Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (3 Credit Units)
Students will learn about the nature and types of AI and Robotics. They will also examine how these two areas are being applied in organisations and businesses. Students will go on learning journeys to see real life examples and applications and interact with its practitioners. Students will also need to complete practical projects on AI for an SME. For example, the project could be the implementation of AI in Human Resource. Students will also be exposed to the AI tools and applications in the marketplace and have the opportunity to learn, try and possibly create some of them.

Change Management & Persuasion (2 Credit Units)
Students will learn that digital transformation involves people and processes and changes involved in business digitalisation, such as an organisation’s goals, people, processes and technologies, needs to be anticipated and systematically managed. Students will learn about best practices in implementing strategies for effecting change, controlling change and helping people to adapt to change in the digital transformation process. Students will also learn inter-personal persuasion and influence skills.

Xtech (1 Credit Unit)
This competency area is introduced to familiarise students with trending technologies such as Financial Technology, Visual Technology, Enterprise Technology, and Mobile Technology. Students will be required to select and embark on a business project related to one of the trending technologies. These trending technologies may vary from year to year.

Internship 2 (12 Credit Units)
Internship is the hallmark of the Business Digitalisation Track and exemplifies practical and real-life learning. It is a project-based internship where students work with an assigned company to complete a digitalisation project in 12 weeks.

Year 3
One Year JobReady Programme

Industry Attachment 1 (18 Credit Units)
This industry attachment provides authentic learning experiences in a real-world, and self-driven learning environment for students to apply their competencies to practical work issues. Students will have the opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge by being placed in real-world work situations. Throughout the period of attachment, they will be coached by a mentor in the company.

Project ID: Connecting The Dots^ (4 Credit Units)

^ Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) modules account for 10 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in communication, innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. IS aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

Industry Attachment 2 (18 Credit Units)
This industry attachment provides students with an additional opportunity for on-the-job training. Besides gaining skills and knowledge through first-hand experience in the professional world, students are able to build up their network and portfolio. They will be coached by a mentor in the company throughout the period of attachment.