International Tourism and Hospitality Management

Stage 1

You will gain a thorough understanding and awareness of contemporary tourism and hospitality issues and learn how to plan and develop strategies within both domestic and international contexts. Your transferable skills of communication, teamwork and decision-making will be established.

Stage 2

You will continue to develop your specialist skills, in-depth knowledge and practical experience. You will present a written research proposal for submission, which will normally form the basis for the Master's dissertation or project. A four week period of professional industry experience is undertaken at the end of the taught modules.

Stage 3

You are given the opportunity to conduct a piece of substantive, independent, research in area of your own choosing within international tourism and hospitality. You can work with live-clients on industry focused projects or present a formal dissertation of 15,000 words.

On Campus Study

You will engage with the course through online and on campus learning materials, lectures, tutorials, industry-led workshops and live client projects. These comprise of a mix of group study, site visits, discussion, simulation and presentations of findings by teams and individuals.

Access to our virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle, is also provided giving you access from home to learning materials (including videos, e-books and journals).

Part Time On Campus Study

You will combines aspects of online learning and on-campus delivery. You will benefit from the support of CampusMoodle but also face-to-face interaction with tutors and classmates.

Activity Summary

Please note the below activity summary represents full-time on campus mode only, part-time mode will differ.

• Lectures - 15-40 students per group, 6 hours per week
• Tutorial - 15-20 students per group, 3 hours per week
• Project Supervision - 1 student per group, 0.5 hour per week
• Field Work - 1 hour per course
• External Visits - various hours per course

How long is an International Tourism and Hospitality Management course?

The International Tourism and Hospitality Management MSc can be successfully completed within 12 - 33 months.

Independent Study

The course requires you to become independent 'open learners' and take responsibility for when, where and how your learning occurs. You will spend approximately 10-20 hours per week working on your own, undertaking prescribed reading, preparing for group activities and researching and writing course reports.

Assessment

Please note the below assessment period represents full-time on campus mode only, part-time mode students will study the same number of assessments but over a three year period.

• 5 reports
• 1 dissertation
• 1 portfolio
• 1 project output

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Staff Delivering on This Course

Our teaching staff have very strong links to industry, with the core teaching staff being members of a number of influential industry bodies including Aberdeen City & Shire Hotel Associations, VisitAberdeenshire Tourism Forum and The Burn Education Retreat (Goodenough College). One staff member is a Scottish Representative of the Tourism Management Institute.

They are actively engaged in research which underpins the course development and delivery.

Other staff members include guest lecturers and senior industry professionals which provides you with the opportunity to learn first-hand from professionals about the practical challenges which you may face in your working lives. Many of our staff feature in the annual Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted by the students and organised by RGU:Union.

Placements

You will have the opportunity to undertake a four-week period of professional industry experience in a tourism or hospitality role, which will enable you to put into practice the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course.

You will have access to our Placement Office, who will support you remotely in sourcing and validating a suitable position.

Past placements have within Tourism and Hospitality have been undertaken at The Mariner Hotel, AECC, Gleneagles, Tui Travel, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Menzies Aviation.

Job Prospects

Worldwide expenditure on hospitality and tourism is set to increase overthe next 10 years with by 2021 (World Travel and Tourism Council). Growth such as this creates many opportunities for those equipped with the relevant skills and knowledge. On completion of this course you will be able to embark on a professional career in the international tourism and hospitality industry.

Is studyingInternational Tourism and Hospitality Management a good career choice?

Previous graduates from this course have gone on to careers in areas such as:

• Contract Catering (national and international)
• Facilities Management (national and international)
• Tourism Management in National Tourist Boards, Regional Tourist Boards, Visitor Attractions
• Tourism Consultancy
• Hotel and Hospitality Consultancy
• National and International Hotel Organisations
• Tourism research