The program combines tuition on campus with paid industry experience. Students have access to the Macquarie University library for study and research. Each academic year consists of two terms of tuition on campus and one term of paid industry training off campus. The first year provides a grounding in hotel operations concentrating on food and beverage operations, restaurant service, rooms division and housekeeping, and front office. It also includes training on the latest computer software packages, business communications, hospitality accounting practices, and organisational behaviour.
Students also learn a foreign language and can choose between French, German or Japanese.
The College has instituted a number of programs to ensure students have the opportunity to showcase their skills to the industry by participating in actual, 'real world' events. An arrangement with a nearby international hotel also provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in rooms division operations. The second year embraces the complexities of hotel management and administration, human resource management, accounting, law, asset management, and is designed to develop each individual student's leadership potential. During both years, students participate in hotel and hospitality related tours, and guest lectures. Third Year Students who have completed the Diploma of Hospitality Management are required to achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 at the completion of Year 2 to qualify for entry into Year 3 leading to the award of Bachelor of Business, Hospitality and Tourism in association with Macquarie University.