International Tourism Management

MSc International Tourism Management
Mode: full-time (September start)

This is an interdisciplinary course which looks critically at the broad range of global issues which affect international tourism and its management and study today.

These contextual matters primarily include contemporary issues in tourism, marketing management, heritage and cultural issues, visitor management, social issues, political issues, environmental issues, global issues and sustainable development.

Why choose this course?

• International staff expertise, reputation and proven track record of ‘world-leading’ research
• Flexible blended and innovative online learning delivery across units
• Research informed teaching and learning
• Critical thinking and a strong trans-disciplinary approach
• Strong emphasis on sustainability and an ‘ethical’ conscience
• Extensive industry links ensuring the development of ‘real-life’ applicable research and practical skills development
• Strong postgraduate research student population
• Vibrant international and multicultural postgraduate student community
• Extensive cross-faculty teaching and partnerships
• A new University-designated Institute for Research in Tourism

Career Opportunities

• Policy-direction in government sector tourism planning / management;
• Market development in corporative tourism;
• Third sector work in local / regional / national / trans-national areas of public culture / public nature / heritage which have interface with tourism;
• Tertiary sector education in ‘Tourism Management’ / ‘Tourism Studies’;
• Culturally-appropriate tourism management;
• Environmentally-responsible tourism management;
• Consultancy (research) work in tourism and ‘culture’ / ‘the environment’ / ‘development’.

Teaching/learning methods and strategies

Teaching/learning on this course:

• is student-centred and student performance-driven;
• emphasises directed and independent research, particularly in the research units and dissertation;
• necessitates effective student communication in oral and written form, particularly in the unit Strategic Tourism Management and Tourism Marketing;
• has a substantial teamwork component, but also encourages self-reflection and peer evaluation, particularly in the unit International Tourism Development and Worldmaking;
• uses up-to-date examples and case studies of tourist preferences and aspirations, particularly in the unit Tourism Marketing;
• makes use of a virtual learning environment to facilitate learning.
• asks students to keep abreast of cutting edge responsible-management/appropriate-development activities in the field, particularly in the units Strategic Tourism Management and Dissertation.

Assessment

The assessment strategy underscores the course team’s concern with the sorts of critical understandings which are increasingly required in global tourism, today. It places a premium upon research competency and upon independent thinking.

There will be a range of methods that will allow you to reflect on your strengths and address your weaknesses.

Each course unit will be assessed separately, using different mixes of assessment including: individual and group presentations and reports, e-portfolios, blogs, essays, and exams.

Coursework methods will include case study analyses, writing reports, planning and review exercises, research, presentations and group work - all typical activities that a tourism manager would be expected to undertake.

Dissertation/project and research

You will undertake a 20,000 word dissertation.

To help with the development of this, you will undertake a range of research tasks either within the context of developing your academic or your practical knowledge.

The research tasks will vary according to the type of work you are doing and you will need, therefore, to be adept at understanding the skills involved in sourcing, selecting and utilizing appropriate material.

You will be introduced to a range of research skills including literature searches and critical reading, practical field based activities including questionnaire and interview design and conduct, as well as the analysis of findings from the use of such techniques in the field.

Students who are keen to work in complex indigenous/unsettled community settings, or in difficult cross-cultural milieu in international tourism will be encouraged to develop the background ontological and epistemological parameters of their studies.

Recommended reading

• Jamal, T.B. and M. Robinson (2009). The Sage Handbook of Tourism Studies, London, Sage.
• Cooper C. and C.M. Hall (2008) Contemporary Tourism: An International Approach, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
• Cooper, C. Fletcher, J. Fyall, A. Gilbert, S. Wanhill, S. (2008) Tourism Principles and Practice, 4th Edition, Harlow: Prentice-Hall.

Entry requirements

UK Students:
Students from the UK will normally need at least a Second Class Honours degree (above 2:2), or equivalent.

Students from the European Union and International students:
Students whose previous education has not been delivered through the medium of the English language are required to demonstrate proficiency in English by the presentation of original certificates as follows:

Overall score of 6.5 in IELTS with a minimum score of 6 in each of the components of speaking, listening, writing and reading. Therefore overall scores will be:

• IELTS 6.5
• TOEFL 580 [paper] OEFL 235 [computer]
• Cambridge CPE C, Cambridge CAE C
• or University of Bedfordshire test (TELAS) grade 2

Attendance

Full time – 2 days per week (4hours x 2 days – 8 hours per week)