Program Overview

International Tourism Management MSc / PGDip

Overview

Tourism is one of the world's most dynamic and competitive industries. If you want to forge a career in this field, our International Tourism Management postgraduate course will give you the tools you need to become a skilful and knowledgeable manager who can make an immediate impact on any organisation.

Our tourism course boosts your management potential by focusing on the role of communication and creativity and developing your critical thinking, problem-solving, research and analytical skills, together with an in-depth understanding of contemporary industry issues. You will also be able to specialise your knowledge through a range of optional modules, while you will be supported throughout by a professional mentor to offer further guidance and advice on advancing your career.

One of the standout features of this course is the opportunity to travel overseas and apply your training to an international live tourism project, while our master's course also gives you the option to boost your real-world experience on a six-month placement. What's more, University College Birmingham is an Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) Centre of Excellence and our Aviation and Tourism Suite offers state-of-the-art facilities to support your studies.

Why should I choose International Tourism Management MSc / PGDip?

• RESIDENTIAL VISIT – Study abroad on a live industry project, with essential trip costs covered by the University – past destinations include Dubai, the Gambia, Cyprus, the Azores and the Canaries ( subject to visa requirements)
• WORK PLACEMENT (MSc only) – Apply your training to the real world and gain vital experience on an optional three-month or six-month placement in the industry on successful completion of the taught part of the course
• SPECIALISE YOUR STUDIES – From business creation to marketing and digital media, study a range of specialist areas with our portfolio of optional modules
• INDUSTRY APPROVED – Study at a recognised ITT Centre of Excellence, with opportunities to work on a range of industry consultancy projects
• AWARD-WINNING UNIVERSITY – Study at the highest-ranking university in the region according to student choice (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023)

Our facilities

Our learning spaces at University College Birmingham ensure you have the right environments to build your knowledge, from lecture theatres to interactive group working spaces and extensive library resources.

• Our library facilities offer more than 50,000 print resources and over 60 million digital resources, with expert support from qualified library professionals and research specialists
• Our £44 million Moss House campus includes an exhibition space to showcase your work to assessors and prospective employers
• Our campus buildings feature lecture theatres equipped with the latest technology, as well as comfortable tutorial and seminar rooms and private meeting rooms
• Located in our McIntyre House campus, ThinkSpace features glazed study pods to discuss group projects and glass wipe boards to mind-map your ideas

Course breakdown

Core Modules

• Strategic Tourism Market Analysis – The focus of this module is to develop capabilities and knowledge to enable you to contribute to the strategic and operational direction of a range of industries within the travel and tourism sector, including conducting market analysis of emerging destinations
• International Live Project Management – This module is linked to an overseas visit to undertake a specific consultancy project. By applying your project management skills to an international destination, you will develop your ability to produce management solutions for a real case study
• Leading Across Cultures – The ability to communicate and lead teams across nations and cultures is essential to achieve a competitive advantage in the global economy
• Strategic Financial Analysis – Developing your ability to interpret financial information, such as budget control and investments, enables you to understand the principles of finance within an organisational context
• Sustainability Leadership – The purpose of this module is to develop the skills and knowledge to drive and lead sustainable futures within the context of tourism, aviation and hospitality, accelerating the transition to net zero reducing the harmful impacts of unchecked development
• Applied Masters Project (MSc only) – This module extends and develops your knowledge and ability in focusing upon, and preparing for, industry research

Plus one option from:

• Event Strategy – This module will introduce you, through an exploration of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) sector of the international events industry, to the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage events
• Strategic Digital Marketing – Strategic Digital Marketing delivers breadth and depth of understanding of digital marketing and provides you with the digital research skills to work at a management or strategic level
• Innovative Enterprise – The new constant is an unstable state of change; winning entrepreneurs and managers will be those who embrace entrepreneurship, digitalisation and the creation of innovative products and/or services for their organisation
• Strategic Human Resource and People Development – In this module you will acquire operational as well as strategic knowledge to effectively manage human resources and manage people within an organisation
• Risk, Disruption and Future-proof Management – Tourism, aviation and hospitality providers are operating in an increasingly complex and turbulent environment
• Performance Data Analysis – The focus of this module is to develop skills in the interpretation and analysis of financial and management data to positively influence business performance

Placement (Optional - MSc only)

• Postgraduate Work Placement – The Postgraduate Work Placement module provides you with the opportunities to further develop practical skills, relate theory to practice and to gain a sound base of experience

Entry requirements

Academic

• MSc International Tourism Management – A grade classification of 2:2 is required, or international equivalent
• PGDip International Tourism Management – A grade classification of third-class is required, or international equivalent
• There are no subject pre-requisites for this programme

Work-based

• We also consider applicants who are currently employed and wish to apply to University College Birmingham
• To apply, you must have 5 years of relevant managerial work experience, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the sector for the subject matter you are interested in pursuing
• A reference detailing your roles and responsibilities from your line manager and a meeting with the programme team will usually be scheduled prior to a place being offered

International students

• For academic and English entry requirements for EU and international students, please visit the Country Specific Information page

Key information

Teaching and assessment

• Lectures, guest speakers, seminars, ‘creative dialogues’ and e-learning activities will facilitate your advanced learning and skill development
• You will be assessed through case study analysis, presentations, essays, e-discussions and debates within a range of individual and team-based environments

Timetable

• We understand that you need to balance study with work, so wherever possible** your lessons will be timetabled into 2-3 days a week for full-time and one day a week for part-time study

Tuition fees for home students

• If you are a home student enrolling on a postgraduate degree course at University College Birmingham in 2024/2025 , the tuition fee forfull-time study will be£9,350 per year. Forpart-time study , the fee will be £4,675 per year
• In 2025/2026, the tuition fee for[Band 4] courses forfull-time study will be£12,000 per year. Forpart-time study , the fee will be£6,000 per year

Tuition fees for international students

• If you are an international student (or have been fee assessed as an international fee payer) and enrolling on a full-time postgraduate degree course in 2024/2025 , the fee for the academic year will be£ 15,000. If you complete a placement year, there will be an administration fee of £500 for a full year or£250 for a half-year placement
• In 2025/2026 , the tuition fee for[Band 1] courses will be£17,000 for the academic year

Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships

• University College Birmingham works with a wide range of organisations to ensure you receive the best possible training and qualifications recognised by industry

Work placements

• Work placements are vital for gaining real-life experience and for building your confidence and skills before you finish your course – and they may even lead to a job when you graduate
• Our International Tourism Management course offers you the option of a three-month or six-month placement on successful completion of the taught part of the course
• You are required to secure your own placement with the support of our experienced HIRED team

Career opportunities

• The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only
• Tour manager – Average Salary: £27,500
• Theme park manager – Average Salary: £31,000
• Tourist information centre manager – Average Salary: £30,000
• Marketing executive (postgraduate) – Average Salary: £37,500
• Travel agency manager – Average Salary: £35,000
• Digital marketer – Average Salary: £30,000

Meet your lecturers

• Professor Michelle Callanan – Deputy Dean for Quality Assurance and Enhancement
• Kathryn Hayat – Associate Professor and Head of Department
• Richard Behan – Head of Department - Hospitality and Tourism (Interim)
• Helen Joyner-Harris – Senior Lecturer Aviation
• Paul Bamber – Senior Lecturer Tourism