diff --git a/admin/tool/usertours/amd/build/tour_filters.min.js b/admin/tool/usertours/amd/build/tour_filters.min.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..796ba8226b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/admin/tool/usertours/amd/build/tour_filters.min.js
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+define("tool_usertours/tour_filters",["exports"],(function(_exports){Object.defineProperty(_exports,"__esModule",{value:!0}),_exports.init=void 0;_exports.init=()=>{initConfigurationCategoryFilter()};const initConfigurationCategoryFilter=()=>{const categorySelect=document.querySelector("[name='filter_category[]']"),excludeSelect=document.querySelector("[name='filter_exclude_category[]']"),excludeCategoriesContainer=document.getElementById("fitem_id_filter_exclude_category");categorySelect&&excludeSelect&&(categorySelect.addEventListener("change",(()=>{updateExcludeCategories(categorySelect,excludeSelect,excludeCategoriesContainer)})),updateExcludeCategories(categorySelect,excludeSelect,excludeCategoriesContainer))},updateExcludeCategories=(categorySelect,excludeSelect,excludeCategoriesContainer)=>{const selectedCategories=new Set(Array.from(categorySelect.selectedOptions).map((option=>option.value))),excludeSelected=new Set(Array.from(excludeSelect.selectedOptions).map((option=>option.value))),excludeOptions=new Map,anySelected=selectedCategories.has("__ANYVALUE__");var select;Array.from(categorySelect.options).forEach((option=>{const isNotAny="__ANYVALUE__"!==option.value;if(anySelected&&isNotAny)excludeOptions.set(option.value,option.text);else if(isNotAny)for(const selected of selectedCategories){const selectedOption=categorySelect.querySelector('option[value="'.concat(selected,'"]'));if(option.text.startsWith("".concat(selectedOption.text," / "))){excludeOptions.set(option.value,option.text);break}}})),excludeOptions.size?(excludeSelect.innerHTML="",Array.from(excludeOptions).sort(((_ref,_ref2)=>{let[,a]=_ref,[,b]=_ref2;return a.localeCompare(b)})).forEach((_ref3=>{let[key,value]=_ref3;const option=document.createElement("option");option.value=key,option.text=value,excludeSelected.has(key)&&(option.selected=!0),excludeSelect.appendChild(option)})),(select=excludeSelect).size=Math.min(select.options.length||1,10),excludeCategoriesContainer.style.display="flex"):(excludeCategoriesContainer.style.display="none",excludeSelect.innerHTML="")}}));
+
+//# sourceMappingURL=tour_filters.min.js.map
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/admin/tool/usertours/amd/build/tour_filters.min.js.map b/admin/tool/usertours/amd/build/tour_filters.min.js.map
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0fbe9b3aad0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/admin/tool/usertours/amd/build/tour_filters.min.js.map
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"version":3,"file":"tour_filters.min.js","sources":["../src/tour_filters.js"],"sourcesContent":["// This file is part of Moodle - http://moodle.org/\n//\n// Moodle is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify\n// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by\n// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or\n// (at your option) any later version.\n//\n// Moodle is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,\n// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of\n// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the\n// GNU General Public License for more details.\n//\n// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License\n// along with Moodle.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.\n\n/**\n * User tours filters.\n *\n * @module      tool_usertours/tour_filters\n * @copyright   2025 The Open University\n * @license     http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html GNU GPL v3 or later\n */\nconst ANY_VALUE = \"__ANYVALUE__\";\n\nexport const init = () => {\n    // Initialize the category filter\n    initConfigurationCategoryFilter();\n};\n\n/**\n * Initialize the category filter for the configuration page.\n */\nconst initConfigurationCategoryFilter = () => {\n    const categorySelect = document.querySelector(\"[name='filter_category[]']\");\n    const excludeSelect = document.querySelector(\"[name='filter_exclude_category[]']\");\n    const excludeCategoriesContainer = document.getElementById('fitem_id_filter_exclude_category');\n\n    if (categorySelect && excludeSelect) {\n        // Add event listeners to update the exclude categories when the include categories change.\n        categorySelect.addEventListener(\"change\", () => {\n            updateExcludeCategories(categorySelect, excludeSelect, excludeCategoriesContainer);\n        });\n\n        // Initialize the exclude categories based on the selected include categories.\n        updateExcludeCategories(categorySelect, excludeSelect, excludeCategoriesContainer);\n    }\n};\n\n/**\n * Adjust the height of a select element based on the number of options.\n *\n * @param {HTMLSelectElement} select\n */\nconst adjustHeight = (select) => {\n    select.size = Math.min(select.options.length || 1, 10);\n};\n\n/**\n * Update the exclude categories based on the selected include categories.\n *\n * @param {HTMLSelectElement} categorySelect\n * @param {HTMLSelectElement} excludeSelect\n * @param {HTMLElement} excludeCategoriesContainer\n */\nconst updateExcludeCategories = (categorySelect, excludeSelect, excludeCategoriesContainer) => {\n    // Get the selected categories and update the 'Any' option.\n    const selectedCategories = new Set(Array.from(categorySelect.selectedOptions).map(option => option.value));\n\n    // Get the selected exclude categories and create a map of options.\n    const excludeSelected = new Set(Array.from(excludeSelect.selectedOptions).map(option => option.value));\n    const excludeOptions = new Map();\n\n    // Flag to check if 'Any' value is selected.\n    const anySelected = selectedCategories.has(ANY_VALUE);\n    Array.from(categorySelect.options).forEach(option => {\n        const isNotAny = option.value !== ANY_VALUE;\n\n        // If 'Any' is selected, include all options in excludeOptions.\n        if (anySelected && isNotAny) {\n            excludeOptions.set(option.value, option.text);\n        } else if (isNotAny) {\n            // Otherwise, check if the option is a child of any selected category.\n            for (const selected of selectedCategories) {\n                const selectedOption = categorySelect.querySelector(`option[value=\"${selected}\"]`);\n                if (option.text.startsWith(`${selectedOption.text} / `)) {\n                    excludeOptions.set(option.value, option.text);\n                    break;\n                }\n            }\n        }\n    });\n    if (excludeOptions.size) {\n        // Update the exclude categories select element.\n        excludeSelect.innerHTML = '';\n        Array.from(excludeOptions)\n            .sort(([, a], [, b]) => a.localeCompare(b))\n            .forEach(([key, value]) => {\n                const option = document.createElement(\"option\");\n                option.value = key;\n                option.text = value;\n                if (excludeSelected.has(key)) {\n                    option.selected = true;\n                }\n                excludeSelect.appendChild(option);\n            });\n\n        // Adjust the height of the select elements.\n        adjustHeight(excludeSelect);\n        excludeCategoriesContainer.style.display = 'flex';\n    } else {\n        // Hide the exclude categories container when no child categories exist.\n        excludeCategoriesContainer.style.display = 'none';\n        // Clear selections to prevent submitting excluded categories when container is hidden.\n        excludeSelect.innerHTML = '';\n    }\n\n};\n"],"names":["initConfigurationCategoryFilter","categorySelect","document","querySelector","excludeSelect","excludeCategoriesContainer","getElementById","addEventListener","updateExcludeCategories","selectedCategories","Set","Array","from","selectedOptions","map","option","value","excludeSelected","excludeOptions","Map","anySelected","has","select","options","forEach","isNotAny","set","text","selected","selectedOption","startsWith","size","innerHTML","sort","a","b","localeCompare","_ref3","key","createElement","appendChild","Math","min","length","style","display"],"mappings":"gKAwBoB,KAEhBA,yCAMEA,gCAAkC,WAC9BC,eAAiBC,SAASC,cAAc,8BACxCC,cAAgBF,SAASC,cAAc,sCACvCE,2BAA6BH,SAASI,eAAe,oCAEvDL,gBAAkBG,gBAElBH,eAAeM,iBAAiB,UAAU,KACtCC,wBAAwBP,eAAgBG,cAAeC,+BAI3DG,wBAAwBP,eAAgBG,cAAeC,8BAoBzDG,wBAA0B,CAACP,eAAgBG,cAAeC,oCAEtDI,mBAAqB,IAAIC,IAAIC,MAAMC,KAAKX,eAAeY,iBAAiBC,KAAIC,QAAUA,OAAOC,SAG7FC,gBAAkB,IAAIP,IAAIC,MAAMC,KAAKR,cAAcS,iBAAiBC,KAAIC,QAAUA,OAAOC,SACzFE,eAAiB,IAAIC,IAGrBC,YAAcX,mBAAmBY,IAnDzB,gBA+BIC,IAAAA,OAqBlBX,MAAMC,KAAKX,eAAesB,SAASC,SAAQT,eACjCU,SArDI,iBAqDOV,OAAOC,SAGpBI,aAAeK,SACfP,eAAeQ,IAAIX,OAAOC,MAAOD,OAAOY,WACrC,GAAIF,aAEF,MAAMG,YAAYnB,mBAAoB,OACjCoB,eAAiB5B,eAAeE,sCAA+ByB,mBACjEb,OAAOY,KAAKG,qBAAcD,eAAeF,aAAY,CACrDT,eAAeQ,IAAIX,OAAOC,MAAOD,OAAOY,iBAMpDT,eAAea,MAEf3B,cAAc4B,UAAY,GAC1BrB,MAAMC,KAAKM,gBACNe,MAAK,oBAAIC,UAAOC,gBAAOD,EAAEE,cAAcD,MACvCX,SAAQa,YAAEC,IAAKtB,mBACND,OAASb,SAASqC,cAAc,UACtCxB,OAAOC,MAAQsB,IACfvB,OAAOY,KAAOX,MACVC,gBAAgBI,IAAIiB,OACpBvB,OAAOa,UAAW,GAEtBxB,cAAcoC,YAAYzB,YAlDpBO,OAsDDlB,eArDV2B,KAAOU,KAAKC,IAAIpB,OAAOC,QAAQoB,QAAU,EAAG,IAsD/CtC,2BAA2BuC,MAAMC,QAAU,SAG3CxC,2BAA2BuC,MAAMC,QAAU,OAE3CzC,cAAc4B,UAAY"}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/admin/tool/usertours/amd/src/tour_filters.js b/admin/tool/usertours/amd/src/tour_filters.js
new file mode 100755
index 00000000000..f6520b6f95c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/admin/tool/usertours/amd/src/tour_filters.js
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+// This file is part of Moodle - http://moodle.org/
+//
+// Moodle is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// Moodle is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with Moodle.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+/**
+ * User tours filters.
+ *
+ * @module      tool_usertours/tour_filters
+ * @copyright   2025 The Open University
+ * @license     http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html GNU GPL v3 or later
+ */
+const ANY_VALUE = "__ANYVALUE__";
+
+export const init = () => {
+    // Initialize the category filter
+    initConfigurationCategoryFilter();
+};
+
+/**
+ * Initialize the category filter for the configuration page.
+ */
+const initConfigurationCategoryFilter = () => {
+    const categorySelect = document.querySelector("[name='filter_category[]']");
+    const excludeSelect = document.querySelector("[name='filter_exclude_category[]']");
+    const excludeCategoriesContainer = document.getElementById('fitem_id_filter_exclude_category');
+
+    if (categorySelect && excludeSelect) {
+        // Add event listeners to update the exclude categories when the include categories change.
+        categorySelect.addEventListener("change", () => {
+            updateExcludeCategories(categorySelect, excludeSelect, excludeCategoriesContainer);
+        });
+
+        // Initialize the exclude categories based on the selected include categories.
+        updateExcludeCategories(categorySelect, excludeSelect, excludeCategoriesContainer);
+    }
+};
+
+/**
+ * Adjust the height of a select element based on the number of options.
+ *
+ * @param {HTMLSelectElement} select
+ */
+const adjustHeight = (select) => {
+    select.size = Math.min(select.options.length || 1, 10);
+};
+
+/**
+ * Update the exclude categories based on the selected include categories.
+ *
+ * @param {HTMLSelectElement} categorySelect
+ * @param {HTMLSelectElement} excludeSelect
+ * @param {HTMLElement} excludeCategoriesContainer
+ */
+const updateExcludeCategories = (categorySelect, excludeSelect, excludeCategoriesContainer) => {
+    // Get the selected categories and update the 'Any' option.
+    const selectedCategories = new Set(Array.from(categorySelect.selectedOptions).map(option => option.value));
+
+    // Get the selected exclude categories and create a map of options.
+    const excludeSelected = new Set(Array.from(excludeSelect.selectedOptions).map(option => option.value));
+    const excludeOptions = new Map();
+
+    // Flag to check if 'Any' value is selected.
+    const anySelected = selectedCategories.has(ANY_VALUE);
+    Array.from(categorySelect.options).forEach(option => {
+        const isNotAny = option.value !== ANY_VALUE;
+
+        // If 'Any' is selected, include all options in excludeOptions.
+        if (anySelected && isNotAny) {
+            excludeOptions.set(option.value, option.text);
+        } else if (isNotAny) {
+            // Otherwise, check if the option is a child of any selected category.
+            for (const selected of selectedCategories) {
+                const selectedOption = categorySelect.querySelector(`option[value="${selected}"]`);
+                if (option.text.startsWith(`${selectedOption.text} / `)) {
+                    excludeOptions.set(option.value, option.text);
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    });
+    if (excludeOptions.size) {
+        // Update the exclude categories select element.
+        excludeSelect.innerHTML = '';
+        Array.from(excludeOptions)
+            .sort(([, a], [, b]) => a.localeCompare(b))
+            .forEach(([key, value]) => {
+                const option = document.createElement("option");
+                option.value = key;
+                option.text = value;
+                if (excludeSelected.has(key)) {
+                    option.selected = true;
+                }
+                excludeSelect.appendChild(option);
+            });
+
+        // Adjust the height of the select elements.
+        adjustHeight(excludeSelect);
+        excludeCategoriesContainer.style.display = 'flex';
+    } else {
+        // Hide the exclude categories container when no child categories exist.
+        excludeCategoriesContainer.style.display = 'none';
+        // Clear selections to prevent submitting excluded categories when container is hidden.
+        excludeSelect.innerHTML = '';
+    }
+
+};
diff --git a/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/filter/base.php b/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/filter/base.php
index fc73c58dedd..7f6e98d2c38 100644
--- a/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/filter/base.php
+++ b/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/filter/base.php
@@ -123,4 +123,17 @@ abstract class base {
 
         $tour->set_filter_values($filtername, $newvalue);
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Default validation for filter forms.
+     * Returns an empty array by default if not overridden.
+     *
+     * @param array $data  The submitted form data.
+     * @param array $files The files submitted with the form.
+     * @return array       The errors array.
+     */
+    public static function validate_form(array $data, array $files): array {
+        // Default implementation, returns no errors.
+        return [];
+    }
 }
diff --git a/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/filter/category.php b/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/filter/category.php
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index fd5566d998c..3a4eaabe188
--- a/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/filter/category.php
+++ b/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/filter/category.php
@@ -28,42 +28,48 @@ use context;
  */
 class category extends base {
     /**
-     * The name of the filter.
-     *
-     * @return  string
+     * The exclude key constant.
      */
+    public const EXCLUDE_KEY = 'exclude_category';
+
+    #[\Override]
     public static function get_filter_name() {
         return 'category';
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Retrieve the list of available filter options.
-     *
-     * @return  array                   An array whose keys are the valid options
-     *                                  And whose values are the values to display
-     */
+    #[\Override]
     public static function get_filter_options() {
         $options = \core_course_category::make_categories_list();
         return $options;
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Check whether the filter matches the specified tour and/or context.
-     *
-     * @param   tour        $tour       The tour to check
-     * @param   context     $context    The context to check
-     * @return  boolean
-     */
+    #[\Override]
+    public static function add_filter_to_form(\MoodleQuickForm &$mform) {
+        parent::add_filter_to_form($mform);
+        $excludekey = 'filter_' . self::EXCLUDE_KEY;
+        $mform->addElement(
+            'select',
+            $excludekey,
+            get_string($excludekey, 'tool_usertours'),
+            static::get_filter_options(),
+            ['multiple' => true]
+        );
+        $mform->addHelpButton($excludekey, $excludekey, 'tool_usertours');
+    }
+
+    #[\Override]
     public static function filter_matches(tour $tour, context $context) {
-        $values = $tour->get_filter_values(self::get_filter_name());
-        if (empty($values) || empty($values[0])) {
-            // There are no values configured, meaning all.
-            return true;
+        $includevalues = $tour->get_filter_values(static::get_filter_name());
+        $excludevalues = $tour->get_filter_values(self::EXCLUDE_KEY);
+
+        if (empty($includevalues) || empty($includevalues[0])) {
+            return !static::check_contexts($context, $excludevalues);
         }
+
         if ($context->contextlevel < CONTEXT_COURSECAT) {
             return false;
         }
-        return self::check_contexts($context, $values);
+        return self::check_contexts($context, $includevalues) && !self::check_contexts($context, $excludevalues);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -73,7 +79,11 @@ class category extends base {
      * @param array $values
      * @return boolean
      */
-    private static function check_contexts(context $context, $values) {
+    private static function check_contexts(context $context, array $values): bool {
+        if (empty($values)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
         if ($context->contextlevel > CONTEXT_COURSECAT) {
             return self::check_contexts($context->get_parent_context(), $values);
         } else if ($context->contextlevel == CONTEXT_COURSECAT) {
@@ -86,4 +96,21 @@ class category extends base {
             return false;
         }
     }
+
+    #[\Override]
+    public static function prepare_filter_values_for_form(tour $tour, \stdClass $data) {
+        parent::prepare_filter_values_for_form($tour, $data);
+        $excludekey = 'filter_' . self::EXCLUDE_KEY;
+        $data->$excludekey = $tour->get_filter_values(self::EXCLUDE_KEY);
+
+        return $data;
+    }
+
+    #[\Override]
+    public static function save_filter_values_from_form(tour $tour, \stdClass $data) {
+        parent::save_filter_values_from_form($tour, $data);
+        $excludekey = 'filter_' . self::EXCLUDE_KEY;
+        $excludevalues = $data->$excludekey;
+        $tour->set_filter_values(self::EXCLUDE_KEY, $excludevalues);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/filter/course.php b/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/filter/course.php
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index a440bc0598c..a0adfcefc1c
--- a/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/filter/course.php
+++ b/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/filter/course.php
@@ -27,12 +27,23 @@ use context;
  * @license    http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html GNU GPL v3 or later
  */
 class course extends base {
+    /** @var string Option to select all courses. */
+    public const OPERATOR_ALL = 'all';
+    /** @var string Option to select specific courses. */
+    public const OPERATOR_SELECT = 'select';
+    /** @var string Option to select all courses except specific courses. */
+    public const OPERATOR_EXCEPT = 'except';
+    /** @var string The filter operator key constant. */
+    public const OPERATOR_KEY = 'course_operator';
+    /** @var string The filter key constant. */
+    public const FILTER_KEY = 'filter_course';
+
     /**
      * The name of the filter.
      *
      * @return  string
      */
-    public static function get_filter_name() {
+    public static function get_filter_name(): string {
         return 'course';
     }
 
@@ -42,14 +53,37 @@ class course extends base {
      * @param \MoodleQuickForm $mform
      */
     public static function add_filter_to_form(\MoodleQuickForm &$mform) {
+        // Add the operator selector.
+        $operatorkey = 'filter_' . self::OPERATOR_KEY;
+        $mform->addElement('select', $operatorkey, get_string($operatorkey, 'tool_usertours'), static::get_operator_options());
+        $mform->setDefault($operatorkey, static::OPERATOR_ALL);
+        $mform->addHelpButton($operatorkey, $operatorkey, 'tool_usertours');
+
+        // Add the course selector.
+        $key = self::FILTER_KEY;
         $options = ['multiple' => true];
-
-        $filtername = self::get_filter_name();
-        $key = "filter_{$filtername}";
-
-        $mform->addElement('course', $key, get_string($key, 'tool_usertours'), $options);
+        $mform->addElement("course", $key, get_string($key, 'tool_usertours'), $options);
         $mform->setDefault($key, '0');
         $mform->addHelpButton($key, $key, 'tool_usertours');
+        $mform->hideIf($key, $operatorkey, 'eq', self::OPERATOR_ALL);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Validate form data specific to the course filter.
+     *
+     * @param array $data The current form data.
+     * @param array $files The current form files.
+     * @return array Any validation errors for this filter.
+     */
+    public static function validate_form(array $data, array $files): array {
+        $errors = [];
+        $key = static::FILTER_KEY;
+        $operatorkey = 'filter_' . self::OPERATOR_KEY;
+        if ($data[$operatorkey] !== static::OPERATOR_ALL && empty($data[$key])) {
+            $errors[$key] = get_string('filter_course_error_course_selection', 'tool_usertours');
+        }
+
+        return $errors;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -59,17 +93,24 @@ class course extends base {
      * @param   context     $context    The context to check
      * @return  boolean
      */
-    public static function filter_matches(tour $tour, context $context) {
+    public static function filter_matches(tour $tour, context $context): bool {
         global $COURSE;
-        $values = $tour->get_filter_values(self::get_filter_name());
+        $values = $tour->get_filter_values(static::get_filter_name());
+        $operator = $tour->get_filter_values(static::OPERATOR_KEY)[0] ?? static::OPERATOR_ALL;
+
         if (empty($values) || empty($values[0])) {
-            // There are no values configured, meaning all.
             return true;
         }
+
         if (empty($COURSE->id)) {
             return false;
         }
-        return in_array($COURSE->id, $values);
+
+        return match ($operator) {
+            static::OPERATOR_SELECT => in_array($COURSE->id, $values),
+            static::OPERATOR_EXCEPT => !in_array($COURSE->id, $values),
+            default => true,
+        };
     }
 
     /**
@@ -80,13 +121,18 @@ class course extends base {
      * @return  stdClass
      */
     public static function prepare_filter_values_for_form(tour $tour, \stdClass $data) {
+        // Prepare the operator value.
+        $operatorfiltername = static::OPERATOR_KEY;
+        $operatorkey = 'filter_' . $operatorfiltername;
+        $operator = $tour->get_filter_values($operatorfiltername)[0] ?? static::OPERATOR_ALL;
+        $data->$operatorkey = $operator;
+
+        // Prepare the course value.
         $filtername = static::get_filter_name();
-        $key = "filter_{$filtername}";
-        $values = $tour->get_filter_values($filtername);
-        if (empty($values)) {
-            $values = 0;
-        }
-        $data->$key = $values;
+        $key = 'filter_' . $filtername;
+        $values = $tour->get_filter_values($filtername) ?: 0;
+        $data->$key = $data->$operatorkey === static::OPERATOR_ALL ? 0 : $values;
+
         return $data;
     }
 
@@ -96,13 +142,37 @@ class course extends base {
      * @param   tour            $tour       The tour to save values to
      * @param   stdClass        $data       The data submitted in the form
      */
-    public static function save_filter_values_from_form(tour $tour, \stdClass $data) {
+    public static function save_filter_values_from_form(
+        tour $tour,
+        \stdClass $data,
+    ) {
+        $operatorfiltername = static::OPERATOR_KEY;
+        $operatorkey = 'filter_' . $operatorfiltername;
+        $tour->set_filter_values($operatorfiltername, [$data->$operatorkey]);
         $filtername = static::get_filter_name();
-        $key = "filter_{$filtername}";
-        $newvalue = $data->$key;
-        if (empty($data->$key)) {
+        if ($data->$operatorkey === static::OPERATOR_ALL) {
             $newvalue = [];
+        } else {
+            $key = 'filter_' . $filtername;
+            $newvalue = $data->$key;
+            if (empty($data->$key)) {
+                $newvalue = [];
+            }
         }
         $tour->set_filter_values($filtername, $newvalue);
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Retrieve the available operator options.
+     *
+     * @return string[] The available operator options.
+     */
+    public static function get_operator_options(): array {
+        $operatorkey = 'filter_' . self::OPERATOR_KEY;
+        return [
+            static::OPERATOR_ALL => get_string($operatorkey . '_' . static::OPERATOR_ALL, 'tool_usertours'),
+            static::OPERATOR_SELECT => get_string($operatorkey . '_' . static::OPERATOR_SELECT, 'tool_usertours'),
+            static::OPERATOR_EXCEPT => get_string($operatorkey . '_' . static::OPERATOR_EXCEPT, 'tool_usertours'),
+        ];
+    }
 }
diff --git a/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/forms/edittour.php b/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/forms/edittour.php
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index cf77608c303..58eb280cded
--- a/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/forms/edittour.php
+++ b/admin/tool/usertours/classes/local/forms/edittour.php
@@ -113,4 +113,16 @@ class edittour extends \moodleform {
 
         $this->add_action_buttons();
     }
+
+    #[\Override]
+    public function validation($data, $files): array {
+        $errors = parent::validation($data, $files);
+
+        // Loop through each filter class and merge any validation errors.
+        foreach (helper::get_all_filters() as $filterclass) {
+            $errors = array_merge($errors, $filterclass::validate_form($data, $files));
+        }
+
+        return $errors;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/admin/tool/usertours/classes/manager.php b/admin/tool/usertours/classes/manager.php
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index cd1cfb5d2b1..65b69b57b26
--- a/admin/tool/usertours/classes/manager.php
+++ b/admin/tool/usertours/classes/manager.php
@@ -398,6 +398,7 @@ class manager {
             }
 
             $form->display();
+            $PAGE->requires->js_call_amd('tool_usertours/tour_filters', 'init');
             $this->footer();
         }
     }
diff --git a/admin/tool/usertours/lang/en/tool_usertours.php b/admin/tool/usertours/lang/en/tool_usertours.php
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 12e15dbac65..38cac8b8f80
--- a/admin/tool/usertours/lang/en/tool_usertours.php
+++ b/admin/tool/usertours/lang/en/tool_usertours.php
@@ -73,13 +73,33 @@ $string['filter_accessdate'] = 'Access date';
 $string['filter_accessdate_enabled'] = 'Enable access date filter';
 $string['filter_accessdate_enabled_help'] = 'Only show the tour to new users or users who have accessed the site recently.';
 $string['filter_category'] = 'Category';
-$string['filter_category_help'] = 'Show the tour on a page that is associated with a course in the selected category.';
-$string['filter_course'] = 'Courses';
-$string['filter_course_help'] = 'Show the tour on a page that is associated with the selected course.';
+$string['filter_category_help'] = "Show this tour on pages associated with courses in the selected categories.";
+$string['filter_course'] = 'Selected courses';
+$string['filter_course_error_course_selection'] = 'You must select at least one course';
+$string['filter_course_help'] = 'Depending on the value of the Courses filter:
+
+* **Selected courses only**: Show this tour on pages associated with the selected courses.
+* **All courses except selected**: Do not show this tour on pages associated with the selected courses.';
+$string['filter_course_operator'] = 'Courses';
+$string['filter_course_operator_all'] = 'All courses';
+$string['filter_course_operator_except'] = 'All courses except selected';
+$string['filter_course_operator_help'] = "
+The tour can be configured to appear only on certain courses.
+
+* **All courses**: Show this tour regardless of course.
+* **Selected courses only**: Show this tour only on pages associated with the course(s) selected below.
+* **All courses except selected**: Do not show this tour on pages associated with the course(s) selected below.";
+$string['filter_course_operator_select'] = 'Selected courses only';
 $string['filter_courseformat'] = 'Course format';
 $string['filter_courseformat_help'] = 'Show the tour on a page that is associated with a course using the selected course format.';
 $string['filter_cssselector'] = 'CSS selector';
 $string['filter_cssselector_help'] = 'Only show the tour when the specified CSS selector is found on the page.';
+$string['filter_exclude_category'] = 'Exclude categories';
+$string['filter_exclude_category_help'] = 'Do not show this tour on pages associated with the selected course categories.
+
+If you select a parent category, the related sub-categories will automatically be selected and cannot be selected individually.
+
+Unselect the parent category to select sub-categories again.';
 $string['filter_header'] = 'Tour filters';
 $string['filter_help'] = 'Select the conditions under which the tour will be shown. All of the filters must match for a tour to be shown to a user.';
 $string['filter_date_account_creation'] = 'User account creation date within';
diff --git a/admin/tool/usertours/tests/behat/tour_filter.feature b/admin/tool/usertours/tests/behat/tour_filter.feature
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 0ec7d15944b..5b300da474a
--- a/admin/tool/usertours/tests/behat/tour_filter.feature
+++ b/admin/tool/usertours/tests/behat/tour_filter.feature
@@ -74,11 +74,60 @@ Feature: Apply tour filters to a tour
     And I log in as "student1"
     When I am on "Course 1" course homepage
     And I wait until the page is ready
-    Then I should see "Welcome to your course tour."
+    And I should see "Welcome to your course tour."
     When I am on "Course 2" course homepage
     And I wait until the page is ready
     Then I should see "Welcome to your course tour."
 
+  @javascript
+  Scenario: Add tour for multiple categories and exclude category
+    Given the following "categories" exist:
+      | name    | category | idnumber |
+      | MainCat | 0        | CAT1     |
+      | SubCat  | CAT1     | CAT2     |
+      | SubCat2 | CAT1     | CAT3     |
+      | MainCat2| 0        | CAT4     |
+    And the following "courses" exist:
+      | fullname | shortname | category |
+      | Course 1 | C1        | CAT1     |
+      | Course 2 | C2        | CAT2     |
+      | Course 3 | C3        | CAT3     |
+      | Course 4 | C4        | CAT4     |
+    And the following "users" exist:
+      | username |
+      | student1 |
+    And the following "course enrolments" exist:
+      | user     | course | role    |
+      | student1 | C1     | student |
+      | student1 | C2     | student |
+      | student1 | C3     | student |
+      | student1 | C4     | student |
+    And I log in as "admin"
+    And I add a new user tour with:
+      | Name               | First tour        |
+      | Description        | My first tour     |
+      | Apply to URL match | /course/view.php% |
+      | Tour is enabled    | 1                 |
+      | Category           | MainCat,MainCat2  |
+      | Exclude categories   | MainCat / SubCat2 |
+    And I add steps to the "First tour" tour:
+      | targettype                | Title   | id_content                   | Content type   |
+      | Display in middle of page | Welcome | Welcome to your course tour. | Manual |
+    And I log out
+    And I log in as "student1"
+    And I am on "Course 1" course homepage
+    When I wait until the page is ready
+    Then I should see "Welcome to your course tour."
+    And I am on "Course 2" course homepage
+    And I wait until the page is ready
+    And I should see "Welcome to your course tour."
+    And I am on "Course 3" course homepage
+    And I wait until the page is ready
+    And I should not see "Welcome to your course tour."
+    And I am on "Course 4" course homepage
+    And I wait until the page is ready
+    And I should see "Welcome to your course tour."
+
   @javascript
   Scenario: Add tour for a specific courseformat
     Given the following "courses" exist:
@@ -111,6 +160,38 @@ Feature: Apply tour filters to a tour
     And I wait until the page is ready
     Then I should see "Welcome to your course tour."
 
+  @javascript
+  Scenario: Add tour for a specific course with all courses filter
+    Given the following "courses" exist:
+      | fullname | shortname | format |
+      | Course 1 | C1        | topics |
+      | Course 2 | C2        | weeks  |
+    And the following "users" exist:
+      | username |
+      | student1 |
+    And the following "course enrolments" exist:
+      | user     | course | role    |
+      | student1 | C1     | student |
+      | student1 | C2     | student |
+    And I log in as "admin"
+    And I add a new user tour with:
+      | Name               | First tour        |
+      | Description        | My first tour     |
+      | Apply to URL match | /course/view.php% |
+      | Tour is enabled    | 1                 |
+      | Courses            | All courses       |
+    And I add steps to the "First tour" tour:
+      | targettype                | Title   | id_content                   | Content type   |
+      | Display in middle of page | Welcome | Welcome to your course tour. | Manual         |
+    And I log out
+    And I log in as "student1"
+    And I am on "Course 1" course homepage
+    And I wait until the page is ready
+    And I should see "Welcome to your course tour."
+    When I am on "Course 2" course homepage
+    And I wait until the page is ready
+    Then I should see "Welcome to your course tour."
+
   @javascript
   Scenario: Add tour for a specific course
     Given the following "courses" exist:
@@ -130,10 +211,11 @@ Feature: Apply tour filters to a tour
       | Description        | My first tour     |
       | Apply to URL match | /course/view.php% |
       | Tour is enabled    | 1                 |
-      | Courses            | C1                |
+      | Courses            | Selected courses  |
+      | Selected courses   | C1                |
     And I add steps to the "First tour" tour:
       | targettype                | Title   | id_content                   | Content type   |
-      | Display in middle of page | Welcome | Welcome to your course tour. | Manual |
+      | Display in middle of page | Welcome | Welcome to your course tour. | Manual         |
     And I log out
     And I log in as "student1"
     When I am on "Course 1" course homepage
@@ -143,6 +225,39 @@ Feature: Apply tour filters to a tour
     And I wait until the page is ready
     Then I should not see "Welcome to your course tour."
 
+  @javascript
+  Scenario: Add tour for a excluded course
+    Given the following "courses" exist:
+      | fullname | shortname | format |
+      | Course 1 | C1        | topics |
+      | Course 2 | C2        | weeks  |
+    And the following "users" exist:
+      | username |
+      | student1 |
+    And the following "course enrolments" exist:
+      | user     | course | role    |
+      | student1 | C1     | student |
+      | student1 | C2     | student |
+    And I log in as "admin"
+    And I add a new user tour with:
+      | Name               | First tour                   |
+      | Description        | My first tour                |
+      | Apply to URL match | /course/view.php%            |
+      | Tour is enabled    | 1                            |
+      | Courses            | All courses except selected  |
+      | Selected courses   | C1                           |
+    And I add steps to the "First tour" tour:
+      | targettype                | Title   | id_content                   | Content type   |
+      | Display in middle of page | Welcome | Welcome to your course tour. | Manual         |
+    And I log out
+    And I log in as "student1"
+    And I am on "Course 1" course homepage
+    And I wait until the page is ready
+    And I should not see "Welcome to your course tour."
+    When I am on "Course 2" course homepage
+    And I wait until the page is ready
+    Then I should see "Welcome to your course tour."
+
   @javascript
   Scenario: Add tours with CSS selectors
     Given the following "users" exist:
@@ -220,3 +335,15 @@ Feature: Apply tour filters to a tour
     And I click on "Move tour down" "link" in the "The first tour" "table_row"
     And I am on homepage
     Then I should see "Welcome to the Third tour"
+
+  @javascript
+  Scenario: Show or hide the Exclude Categories option if the selected categories have no child categories
+    Given I log in as "admin"
+    And I open the User tour settings page
+    When I click on "Create a new tour" "link"
+    Then "Exclude categories" "select" should be visible
+    And I should see "Category 1" in the "Exclude categories" "select"
+    And I select "Category 1" from the "Category" singleselect
+    And "Exclude categories" "select" should not be visible
+    And I select "All" from the "Category" singleselect
+    And I should see "Category 1" in the "Exclude categories" "select"
diff --git a/admin/tool/usertours/tests/category_filter_test.php b/admin/tool/usertours/tests/category_filter_test.php
new file mode 100755
index 00000000000..1da8257ff51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/admin/tool/usertours/tests/category_filter_test.php
@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+<?php
+// This file is part of Moodle - http://moodle.org/
+//
+// Moodle is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// Moodle is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with Moodle.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+namespace tool_usertours;
+
+use context_course;
+use context_coursecat;
+use context_system;
+use tool_usertours\local\filter\category;
+use context;
+
+/**
+ * Tests for category filter.
+ *
+ * @package tool_usertours
+ * @copyright 2025 The Open University
+ * @license http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html GNU GPL v3 or later
+ * @covers \tool_usertours\local\filter\category
+ */
+final class category_filter_test extends \advanced_testcase {
+    /** @var \core_course_category */
+    private \core_course_category $category1;
+    /** @var \core_course_category */
+    private \core_course_category $category2;
+    /** @var \core_course_category */
+    private \core_course_category $childcategory1;
+    /** @var \core_course_category */
+    private \core_course_category $childcategory2;
+    /** @var \stdClass */
+    private \stdClass $course1;
+    /** @var \stdClass */
+    private \stdClass $course2;
+    /** @var \stdClass */
+    private \stdClass $coursechild1;
+
+    public function setUp(): void {
+        parent::setUp();
+        $this->resetAfterTest();
+
+        // Create parent categories.
+        $this->category1 = $this->getDataGenerator()->create_category();
+        $this->category2 = $this->getDataGenerator()->create_category();
+
+        // Create child categories.
+        $this->childcategory1 = $this->getDataGenerator()->create_category(['parent' => $this->category1->id]);
+        $this->childcategory2 = $this->getDataGenerator()->create_category(['parent' => $this->category2->id]);
+
+        // Create courses.
+        $this->course1 = $this->getDataGenerator()->create_course(['category' => $this->category1->id]);
+        $this->course2 = $this->getDataGenerator()->create_course(['category' => $this->category2->id]);
+        $this->coursechild1 = $this->getDataGenerator()->create_course(['category' => $this->childcategory1->id]);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Data provider for test_filter_matches.
+     *
+     * @return array
+     */
+    public static function filter_matches_provider(): array {
+        return [
+            'Parent category excluded, child category context' => [
+                ['exclude' => ['{{CATEGORY1_ID}}']],
+                'category:{{CHILD_CATEGORY1_ID}}',
+                false,
+            ],
+        ];
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Test the filter_matches method.
+     *
+     * @dataProvider filter_matches_provider
+     * @param array $tourconfig Tour configuration
+     * @param string $contextinfo Context information
+     * @param bool $expected Expected result
+     */
+    public function test_filter_matches(array $tourconfig, string $contextinfo, bool $expected): void {
+        $this->resetAfterTest();
+
+        // Replace placeholder IDs with actual IDs.
+        $tourconfig = $this->replace_ids($tourconfig);
+        $contextinfo = $this->replace_ids($contextinfo);
+
+        $context = $this->create_context_from_string($contextinfo);
+
+        $tour = new tour();
+        $tour->set_filter_values('category', $tourconfig['include'] ?? []);
+        $tour->set_filter_values('exclude_category', $tourconfig['exclude'] ?? []);
+
+        $result = category::filter_matches($tour, $context);
+        $this->assertEquals($expected, $result);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Test the get_filter_name method.
+     */
+    public function test_get_filter_name(): void {
+        $this->assertEquals('category', category::get_filter_name());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Test the get_filter_options method.
+     */
+    public function test_get_filter_options(): void {
+        $options = category::get_filter_options();
+
+        $this->assertIsArray($options);
+        $this->assertArrayHasKey($this->category1->id, $options);
+        $this->assertArrayHasKey($this->category2->id, $options);
+        $this->assertArrayHasKey($this->childcategory1->id, $options);
+        $this->assertArrayHasKey($this->childcategory2->id, $options);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Create a context object from a string.
+     *
+     * @param string $contextinfo The context information.
+     * @return context The context object.
+     */
+    private function create_context_from_string(string $contextinfo): context {
+        $parts = explode(':', $contextinfo);
+        $contextlevel = $parts[0];
+        $instanceid = isset($parts[1]) && is_numeric($parts[1]) ? (int)$parts[1] : 0;
+
+        return match ($contextlevel) {
+            'system' => context_system::instance(),
+            'category' => context_coursecat::instance($instanceid),
+            'course' => context_course::instance($instanceid)
+        };
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Replace placeholder IDs with actual IDs.
+     *
+     * @param mixed $data The data to process.
+     * @return mixed The processed data.
+     */
+    private function replace_ids($data) {
+        if (is_array($data)) {
+            return array_map([$this, 'replace_ids'], $data);
+        } else if (is_string($data)) {
+            $replacements = [
+                '{{CATEGORY1_ID}}' => $this->category1->id,
+                '{{CATEGORY2_ID}}' => $this->category2->id,
+                '{{CHILD_CATEGORY1_ID}}' => $this->childcategory1->id,
+                '{{CHILD_CATEGORY2_ID}}' => $this->childcategory2->id,
+                '{{COURSE1_ID}}' => $this->course1->id,
+                '{{COURSE2_ID}}' => $this->course2->id,
+                '{{COURSE_CHILD1_ID}}' => $this->coursechild1->id,
+            ];
+            return strtr($data, $replacements);
+        }
+        return $data;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/admin/tool/usertours/tests/course_filter_test.php b/admin/tool/usertours/tests/course_filter_test.php
new file mode 100755
index 00000000000..4f78049a8f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/admin/tool/usertours/tests/course_filter_test.php
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+<?php
+// This file is part of Moodle - http://moodle.org/
+//
+// Moodle is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// Moodle is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with Moodle.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+namespace tool_usertours;
+
+use tool_usertours\local\filter\course;
+
+/**
+ * Tests for course filter.
+ *
+ * @package    tool_usertours
+ * @copyright  2025 The Open University
+ * @license    http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html GNU GPL v3 or later
+ * @covers    \tool_usertours\local\filter\course
+ */
+final class course_filter_test extends \advanced_testcase {
+    public function setUp(): void {
+        parent::setUp();
+        $this->resetAfterTest();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Data Provider for filter_matches method.
+     *
+     * @return array
+     */
+    public static function filter_matches_provider(): array {
+        return [
+            'No filter set; Matches' => [
+                'all',
+                true,
+            ],
+            'Select specific courses; Match' => [
+                'select',
+                true,
+            ],
+            'Select specific courses; No match' => [
+                'select',
+                false,
+            ],
+            'Except specific courses; Match' => [
+                'except',
+                true,
+            ],
+            'Except specific courses; No match' => [
+                'except',
+                false,
+            ],
+        ];
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Test filter matches.
+     *
+     * @dataProvider filter_matches_provider
+     *
+     * @param string $operator the filter operator.
+     * @param bool $expected result expected.
+     */
+    public function test_filter_matches(string $operator, bool $expected): void {
+        global $COURSE;
+
+        // Create courses for testing.
+        $course1 = $this->getDataGenerator()->create_course();
+        $course2 = $this->getDataGenerator()->create_course();
+        $course3 = $this->getDataGenerator()->create_course();
+
+        // Set global $COURSE variable to the first course created.
+        $COURSE = $course1;
+
+        $tour = new tour();
+        if ($operator === course::OPERATOR_SELECT) {
+            // Test case for selecting specific courses.
+            $tour->set_filter_values('course', $expected ? [$course1->id, $course2->id] : [$course2->id, $course3->id]);
+        } else if ($operator === course::OPERATOR_EXCEPT) {
+            // Test case for excluding specific courses.
+            $tour->set_filter_values('course', $expected ? [$course2->id, $course3->id] : [$course1->id, $course2->id]);
+        }
+
+        $tour->set_filter_values('course_operator', [$operator]);
+
+        $context = \context_course::instance($COURSE->id);
+
+        $this->assertEquals($expected, course::filter_matches($tour, $context));
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Test validating course selection.
+     */
+    public function test_validate_form(): void {
+        $fields = [
+            'filter_course_operator' => course::OPERATOR_SELECT,
+            'filter_course' => [],
+        ];
+        $errors = [];
+
+        $errors = course::validate_form($fields, $errors);
+
+        $this->assertArrayHasKey('filter_course', $errors);
+        $this->assertEquals(
+            get_string('filter_course_error_course_selection', 'tool_usertours'),
+            $errors['filter_course']
+        );
+    }
+}