A group of tourism students from Riverside College put together their own package holidays as part of a field trip to Manchester Metropolitan University, in a project organised by Halton Borough Council the College.

The Btec National Diploma students took part in the visit to discover more about university life and learn about the different tourism related degree programmes MMU has to offer.

The students took part in an informative programme of activities focusing on a day in a life of a typical student studying Tourism at MMU.

Students began by having the opportunity to research and develop their own detailed package holiday and present their work back to the group. This practical activity allowed the potential students to interact with current tourism students and use the facilities available on campus.

With MMU Tourism Degree Courses designed with careers in mind, a group of current undergraduate students gave an inspiring placement opportunities talk that demonstrated how the courses at MMU are both vocationally relevant and how they provide exciting opportunities for work placements both in the UK and abroad.

For many students this has led to them to seriously consider a Sandwich Degree as a real positive option for their future.

To close the day an undergraduate student panel allowed Riverside students to reflect on what they had learnt and gave them the chance to ask questions they have about university which proved to be a great success.

Halton Borough Council's Executive Board Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Tom McInerney, said: "This activity enabled students to realise the benefits of gaining skills that are needed in a professional working environment whilst studying a degree."

Reflecting on the day Ben Parker, the Higher Education Advocate, who works for Halton Borough Council and Riverside College, said:

"The quality of work produced by those attending was outstanding and it was refreshing to experience a personalised programme of activities specifically tailored to the students."

Aimhigher staff would like to thank everyone involved in the day, including Claire Colligan, the Programme Leader, Principal Lecturer Andrew Hollingsworth and Education Liaison Officers Richard Evans and Laura Ackroyd at MMU.