Full comparison of business vs hospitality management degree (2024)

Are you a visionary leader ready to take on the world of business and leave your mark? Do you dream of taking on big responsibilities and making a difference? With the right degree program, you can gain the skills and expertise required to make your dreams a reality. Wondering which path to choose between business management and hospitality management? EHL Insights has got you covered. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of both programs and make an informed decision to pave the way for a successful career.

First things first: What is the difference between Business Management and Hospitality Management degree courses? To answer this question, we shall address each subject in turn, taking a closer look at potential career outcomes.

What is a Business Management degree?

A Business Management degree, studied at the Bachelor’s level, is a broad course of education that conveys insights into the way companies and organizations are run. Business operations are considered from a financial and administrative perspective, among others. A feel for efficiency, a grasp of systems, and an understanding of organizational behavior and structure is cultivated, as well as of cause and effect with regard to external influences, particularly economic changes. In addition, subject matter is dealt with on topics such as business policy and strategy, markets, customers, communication, and information technology.

Business Management degree courses tend to address business issues at the European and international levels, incorporating case-based learning and real-world examples. They teach skills that are applicable in several industries, such as time management, analytical and critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making, numeracy, presentation and research skills. They equip students to properly interpret business and financial data as a solid foundation for wise business transactions.

What can you do with a Business Management degree?

The content covered in Business Management degrees is typically fairly general in its application, which is why the course is often studied in combination with another subject, such as accounting or marketing. It also acts as a stepping stone to other specializations, a basis for an MBA or other graduate degree course, or even a bridge to some legal professions by way of a graduate diploma in law. Those looking to focus on a specific commercial role might like to consider a graduate training scheme.

Usual career paths for Business Management graduates may lead into consultancy, human resource management, marketing, sales or insurance. Employment may be found in seemingly endless different industries, from utilities and construction to chemicals, health and even fashion. The private, public and voluntary sectors can all put graduates’ skills to good use. Relevant job titles include:

Business analyst
Corporate adviser
Business development manager
Project manager
Risk manager
Supply chain manager
Management accountant
Data analyst

What is a Hospitality Management degree?

Much like a degree in Business Management, a Hospitality Management degree offers comprehensive insights into the structure and functioning of companies and organizations. Students are taught the respective management skills, such as leadership and delegation, teamwork and communication, IT, analysis, critical thinking and problem-solving.

The Hospitality Management syllabus, however, is tailored to the hospitality sector, which epitomizes customer service. This adds flavor to the course by aiming to truly understand customer requirements and how to meet them, drawing upon an attractive set of hard and soft skills and – in the case of high-ranking hospitality management schools – insights from affective hospitality. This trains students to fully immerse themselves in the guest perspective in the pursuit of service excellence.

A high degree of hands-on experience demands from students that they rise to the challenge of an extremely demanding, fast-paced industry. The ensuing resilience makes graduates an asset to many a sector, far beyond the realms of hospitality.

What can you do with a Hospitality Management degree?

A Hospitality Management degree is a highly versatile qualification that opens doors in the private, public and voluntary sectors. Career opportunities may be found among employers such as hotel chains, conference and exhibition centers, events venues, bars and pubs, restaurants or even airlines, railways, hospitals, universities or the armed forces. Typical job titles include:

Hotel manager
Resort manager
Conference center manager
Public house manager
Restaurant manager
Catering manager
Event coordinator
Chef

Thanks to the adaptable and sought-after skills, not to mention the admirable work ethic developed on a course of this kind, a hospitality management career trajectory can take graduates in any manner of direction. Marketing, sales, public relations, human resources, customer services, and tourism along with finance and accounting are all possible areas of employment.

As is the case with Business Management, a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management can be an excellent starting point for further education or professional training. Students may choose hospitality management for the practical experience and to hone their ability to tune into what customers want before specializing or transitioning to a related area.

Business Management vs Hospitality Management degrees: the pros and cons

For ease of comparison, the main advantages and disadvantages in a nutshell: