International Tourism and Hospitality Management (with Advanced Practice) - MSc
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-17 | 2023-06-30 |
| 2024-01-22 | 2024-11-30 |
Program Overview
Modules include:
Year One
Semester 1
Tourism & Hospitality Principles
The module provides students with an understanding of key principles of tourism and hospitality, the structures for both, and how they have been operationalised. It also assesses the impacts of both on destinations and the relevance for both sectors in the future.
Strategic Marketing
The module examines and applies the principles, concepts and theories of strategic marketing management including managing the marketing mix, strategy formulation, strategic decision making and evaluation of marketing performance. Moreover, the module provides students with an understanding and knowledge of a range of analytical models and tools which can be applied to marketing planning, implementation and control.
Managing & Leading People
The significance of leadership in achieving results is well established in research with findings highlighting that leadership behaviour is often responsible for the difference between success and failure in organisations. Management is essentially concerned with getting things done through people by exercising sound leadership. This module examines the key concepts of management and leadership with specific reference to the role of the Line Manager and the need for effective Leadership. Furthermore, it examines the critical role of the HR Function and Line Management when managing people within the international service industries.
Semester 2
Contemporary Issues in Tourism & Hospitality
The module explores a range of current issues that are relevant for tourism and hospitality today, either in terms of shaping new scholarly thinking or have clear applied value to both sectors.
Business Sustainability & Innovation
The module examines a range of theoretical and practical issues surrounding business sustainability and innovation. The use of case studies to apply business models develops an understanding of key business concepts including entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity, value creation and value capture. The development of business model use by student teams will immerse students in key methods of innovation and value propositions, which are relevant for contemporary managers as well as aspiring entrepreneurs.
Research Methods
This module will develop, enhance and assess the student's ability to design appropriate research, propose suitable methodologies and evaluate research philosophy, researcher positionality and research ethics. The module is designed to equip students with the technical skills to collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data, using ICT packages. The module serves as a precursor to the MSc research dissertation.
Year Two
Semester 1
Advanced Practice
Semester 2
Dissertation
The module element will enable students to undertake a Dissertation at postgraduate level, building on knowledge and skills gained through the course, including in particular the Research Methods module.
Attendance
The course starts with a 3 day induction period to introduce you to your new network of students and staff.
All modules are taught in 3 day blocks (usually Wed-Fri 9-5) so you can fit your learning around your lifestyle. Classes are taught both online and at the Belfast campus.
One module is delivered approximately every 4 weeks during each semester (4 semesters in total) with three half day Learning Sets (tutorial learning support) per module to allow you to meet with your tutors and student groups to develop your assessed work.
The calendar of scheduled teaching will be made available to you prior to you starting the course.
You will progress onto this advanced practice pathway on completing the six taught modules prior to the Dissertation. You will complete the course in 21 months across 5 semesters: this equates to 2 semesters to complete the six taught modules; a summer semester break; 1 semester to complete the Advanced Practice Pathway (either the Internship & Professional Development or Applied Consultancy Project) and 1 semester to complete the Dissertation.
Start dates
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
A range of teaching methods will be employed, including traditional lectures, case studies, business simulation gaming and one-to-one tutor session videos. We also arrange a number of field trips to hospitality and tourism venues and invite guest speakers from industry.
There are no formal examinations. Assessment includes written essays, short synopsis, personal reflections and peer reviews, case studies, objective tests, business reports, computer modelling, individual and group presentations.
Academic profile
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
Program Outline
Careers & opportunities
In this section
- Career options
- Work placement / study abroad
- Professional recognition
Career options
This internationally recognised course will provide you with the diverse knowledge and skills needed to operate across the industry composed of a diverse range of sectors and employers including hotels, national tourist organisations, airlines, visitor attractions, tour operators, event venues, ferry/cruise companies, airport operations and hospitality management.
Whether you are currently working in the industry and want to progress your career to management level or are a recent graduate who wants to enter the sector for the first time the knowledge and skills learned will equip you for working in a diverse range of job roles. From hotel management to tourism planning and development, to creating and marketing tourist packages or working in operations for hotels and restaurants this course covers the competencies and qualities needed for employment and career growth.
The Advanced practice will give you the opportunity to work with industry teams developing your practical skills and getting you one step ahead when it comes to employment. Graduating both with a degree and demonstrable practical experience this advanced study will develop your global citizenship, analytical, presentation, entrepreneurial and evaluation skills – what employers are looking for in today’s dynamic tourism and hospitality sector.
Work placement / study abroad
By choosing the Advanced Practice option you will complete either an internship or an applied consulting project, working with an industry sector partner. This will enable you to apply your knowledge and skills in a real life organisational setting providing you with invaluable work experience. It will enhance your employability and career prospects by building your confidence in a business environment, providing you with tangible experience and allowing you to network and showcase your skills to potential employers.
Professional recognition
Institute of Hospitality (IoH)
Accredited by the Institute of Hospitality that academic, vocational and professional standards achieved are appropriate and programme content and delivery meet international Institute of Hospitality benchmark standards.
Testimonials
"The International Tourism Management MSc course is a perfect way to enrich yourself with knowledge and real experiences in the field of tourism. Each of the modules offer an academic approach that combines modern worldwide scenarios, practice and inspiration to make things happen in the sector. By learning from the lecturers who have an outstanding experience in the field, I have been able to develop initiatives that combine methodologies, academic research and knowledge included in this MSc course. Futhermore, the staff at Ulster University are incredibly approachable and always open to support you in anything you could need. Being an international student is not always an easy task but when you have such a big support as the one I had, everything becomes easier allowing you to get really good results from your studies. When I think about Ulster University, excellence, dedication and support are the words which appear in my mind. I highly recommend the experience at Ulster University and the course in International Tourism Management for all the good experiences you can receive while being a student here"
Luisa Romero (May 2020)
“The Masters degree programme in International Tourism Management combined learning from leading academics with those who have an experience in industry. I gained so much from listening to the experiences of those who have built a career within the tourism and hospitality field in Northern Ireland. Being a postgraduate student at UU instilled in me an inquisitiveness and a curiosity which I have carried forward into my career.
The Masters provided me with a chance to develop key business skills, but most importantly it allowed me to meet fantastic people. I made great international friendships which allowed me to spend my summer conducting research in Colombia. I benefited hugely from the support of both academic and office staff who inspired me to follow my interests and incorporate them into my research.
Upon completion of my degree I gained a position with Tourism Ireland in the New York office which has allowed me to put the skills and knowledge I gained within the programme into practice!
I have Ulster University to thank for the fastest year of my life! I am very grateful for the supportive community which I experienced from day one of the programme; connections I will carry throughout my career.
Jessica McClearn, Tourism Ireland, Trade & Business Tourism Assistant
“The International Tourism Management MSc course is a hands-on environment which encapsulates elements from hospitality/event management, the impact of tourism and other business challenges providing you with a realistic and useful wealth of knowledge to apply in real life. The highlight of the course includes the vast array of guest lecturers from industry who not only provide the opportunity to ask questions and learn from their experience, but also the chance to network with and provide career guidance or an opportunity for a future role. The staff at UU are incredibly approachable about the course contents and can help you seek out experience to build your CV if needed. I would highly recommend the International Tourism management programme as it allowed me to advance into the sector of Hospitality – I now work as a manager with Whitbread UK. This course is suitable for anyone interested in tourism/hospitality as a great stepping stone to the next chapter of your career!”
Caitlyn Adair, Whitbread, UK.