International Tourism Management student standing in front of Sydney Harbour bridge

Course Summary

The tourism and hospitality industry is fast-growing and is one of the largest sectors in the world, employing tens of millions globally, and worth $7.7trillion annually. Our International Tourism and Hospitality Management course bridges theoretical foundations with practical insights, preparing graduates to lead, innovate, and excel in this industry. Through a curriculum that blends academic rigour with real-world applications, students will emerge as well-rounded professionals ready to tackle the challenges and leverage the opportunities within the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Our course will help you to achieve your career aspirations within one of the largest industries in the world. The combination of academic study with workplace application provides many opportunities to better understand how to manage and make decisions that impact the success of tourism and hospitality businesses.

The programme is designed for students who wish to gain experience in both strategic and creative approaches to tourism and hospitality management. Through studying the MSc International Tourism and Hospitality Management, students will have opportunities to cultivate a global perspective on tourism and hospitality issues, foster innovation and creativity in tourism products, services and experiences, and explore different marketing strategies within tourism and hospitality sector.

With a focus on employability and ethical and sustainable responsibility, this programme will enable students to develop a range of core skills required to succeed in a changing tourism and hospitality industry. Our modules have been carefully designed to provide you with relevant skills, knowledge and understanding that will enable you to perform successfully, and this course has the potential to offer you a springboard to a new career.

There is an option to choose a Project/Placement year for this course, at an additional cost.

Switch combined course content

Optional 2-year master's to suit your needs

Choosing a Professional Placement MSc is a win-win for your career, giving you the chance to get real experience, apply your cutting-edge skills in the workplace and stand out to future employers.

In the first year you will have help from the University to find a placement, whilst developing your expertise. You will then spend your second year out in industry on placement, getting the chance to work with industry professionals and grow your network of industry contacts. Bringing the latest business school insights to industry, you will get to make a difference to the workplace and make lasting links with your employer.

Students need to find and secure their own placement, supported by the University. A preparation module will also help you to get ready for your placement.


What you'llStudy

Students need to complete six modules. Each module has 30 structured hours and 170 hours of independent guided study.
You will need to choose either the Research Project to write a dissertation or Learning Through Professional Practice module to complete your workplace learning experience. There are 30 structured hours, 250 placement hours, and 320 hours of independent guided study within the Learning Through Professional Practice module, OR eight structured hours and 592 hours of independent guided study within the Research Project module.
If you choose a placement or project year, the Research Dissertation module will be replaced by a placement or project module.

  • Marketing Research Methods
  • Critical Perspectives on Sustainability
  • Customer Experiences in Tourism & Hospitality
  • Smart Tourism & Digital Transformation
  • Tourism & Hospitality Operations Management
  • International Marketing Strategy
  • Marketing Project

Module content:

• The nature, extent and purposes of research in marketing and marketing management.
• Research paradigms in researching areas of marketing.
• Research strategies for marketing and marketing management.
• Research designs, methods and approaches
• Research quality standards: establishing validity, reliability and generalisability
• Research instrument design and sampling.
• Research ethics.
• Research Data Management and Interpretation: collection, organisation, analysis, conclusions.
• Managing a dissertation research project.


Module aims:

The aim of this module is to enable learners to:

  1. Design and implement a research project proposal using methodologies and methods appropriate to research questions and objectives within the field of marketing and/or marketing management.
  2. Critically analyse and report research findings meeting academic and/or practitioner requirements of a marketing management research project.
  3. Develop appropriate skills in preparing, implementing and managing marketing projects.

Module content:

The following is illustrative of what the module will cover:

  • Introduction to tourist/consumer experience
  • Understanding tourist/consumer
  • Understanding the quality of the experience
  • Service characteristics and quality
  • The experience economy and approach
  • Tourist memorable experience
  • Influence in shaping experience
  • Experiential markeing mix
  • Experience design
  • Measuring satisfaction and experience
  • Complaint management and service recovery
  • Contemporary issues and challenges in managing experience

Module aims:

The module will provide a critical understanding of the theories, concepts and frameworks relating to tourism and hospitality experiences; enable an advanced critical understanding of the various factors which influence consumer behaviour in tourism and hospitality settings;  address the consumer experience challenges in the tourism and hospitality industries; and facilitate a critical application of research and trend analysis in designing customer experiences.

Module content:

The following is illustrative of what the module will cover:

  • The evolving tourism landscape
  • Smart destinations framework
  • Digital marketing for tourism
  • Big data and analytics in the tourism industry
  • Emerging technologies for tourism
  • Smart mobility and transportation
  • Smart accommodation and hospitality
  • The role of sharing economy platforms
  • Sustainable tourism in a digital age
  • The future of the smart tourism

Module aims:

The module will provide a critical understanding of the theoretical foundations and practical applications of smart technologies in tourism; critically analyse trends and emerging tech (IoT, Artificial Intelligence, AVR
etc.) for sustainable tourism development; investigate challenges (privacy, cybersecurity) and opportunities for digital disruption; and develop critical thinking to evaluate the digital impact on the tourism value chain.

Module content:

The following is illustrative of what the module will cover:

  • Tourism & hospitality operations management contexts
  • Principles and practices of strategic tourism and hospitality operations management
  • Demand and capacity management in tourism and hospitality.
  • Managing the tourism and hospitality supply chain
  • Managing quality
  • Business ethics, social responsibility & leadership
  • Innovation and change
  • Resources management
  • Sustainable tourism and hospitality operations
  • Future developments in tourism and hospitality operations management

Module aims:

The module will critically examine short-term and strategic management decision-making in tourism and hospitality businesses.  

Module content:

The following is illustrative of what the module will cover:

  • International marketing and understanding the global environment
  • Understanding market trends and opportunities for innovation and development   
  • Cultural diversity and the implications for international marketing and communication skills
  • Development and complexities of the international marketing strategies including the global supply chain
  • Intercultural marketing communications
  • Implementing and coordinating international marketing operations including market entry and exit strategies

Module aims:

This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive conceptual and contextual appreciation of all aspects of international marketing – which are hopefully addressed but, in particular, we do consider heavily the all-important cultural issues and frameworks that impact on the entire process. 

The module complements the comprehensive conceptual and contextual appreciation of both buyer behaviour and marketing communications – but here in an international context.  

This unique module further underpins the study of marketing management and as such is another critical and fundamental element to this pathway. It links strategic marketing to corporate strategy, and the necessary strategic decisions required in a contemporary global marketing context.

This module aims to:

  • Enable students to critically evaluate theoretical underpinnings that could be employed within the field of international marketing. To enable students to apply knowledge of contemporary international marketing strategies and techniques
  • Encourage students to reflect on their own experience and practice as consumers and stakeholders in a global context
  • Critically reflect on the changing nature of marketing in a global/international context
  • Provide a strategic appreciation of contemporary international marketing

Module content:

This module will support students in planning and preparing for advanced professional practice and foster the skills required to complete a successful professional placement or project. Indicative module content includes: 

  • Introduction to UK workplace expectations, behaviours and standards;
  • Personal Skills Audit and Skill Gap Analysis;
  • Professional competencies and transferable skills; 
  • Critical appreciation for equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace;
  • Developing a personal and professional plan;
  • Personal Branding and developing a Personal Brand online;
  • Networking, communication and presentation skills;
  • Researching, selecting and securing a professional placement or project;
  • Writing highly effective CVs and professional Cover Letters;
  • Understanding professional Job Descriptions and Person Specifications;
  • Writing effective applications and project proposals;
  • Introduction to time and project management;
  • Delivering effective and high quality presentations;
  • Performing effectively in interviews, Assessment Centres, and related recruitment activities.

Module aims:

This module aims to:  

  • Present students with the opportunity to reflect, plan and focus on their professional aspirations and priorities;
  • Develop advanced professional skills, competencies and attributes;
  • Provide students with core transferable skills with a focus on enhanced future employability;
  • Support an ongoing process of personal transformation through self-reflection and development.

Module content:

This module provides the opportunity to undertake an extended UK professional placement with a view to developing practical knowledge and skills to enhance employability. Students will spend time in an appropriate organisation relevant to their programme of study. This module will support the development of work-based solutions to real-world organisational challenges. Students will be supported in researching and securing an appropriate placement opportunity and this will be approved by the Faculty in advance. Students will have a dedicated tutor to support their professional learning.

For students in suitable employment, it may be possible to use this organisation as the placement setting subject to approval by both the employer and the Faculty.

This professional placement will be completed in the second year of study following the relevant taught modules of their Masters programme. Students will apply their learning whilst on placement and at the end of their second year, return to present their work and their achievements at a Faculty Professional Conference. 


Module aims:

This module aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining highly skilled graduate level employment through engagement with a university approved professional placement, which will enable them to:

  1. Develop practical and transferable skills and demonstrate application of these in an appropriate organisational context;  
  2. Manage and plan their professional development and interests in line with personal career aspirations; 
  3. Appreciate management challenges and propose solutions for enhanced professional practice;  
  4. Apply and enrich theoretical knowledge and understanding through observation, research, and insights derived from working with an organisation. 

Module content:

This module provides the opportunity to undertake an extended UK professional project with a view to developing practical knowledge and skills to enhance employability. Students will undertake a project in collaboration with an appropriate organisation relevant to their programme of study. This module will support the development of relevant solutions to real-world organisational challenges. Students will be supported in researching and securing an appropriate project opportunity and this will be approved by the Faculty in advance. Students will have a dedicated tutor to support their professional learning.

For students in suitable employment, it may be possible to use this organisation as the project setting subject to approval by both the employer and the Faculty.

This professional project will be completed in the second year of study following the relevant taught modules of their Masters programme. Students will apply their learning whilst working on their project and at the end of their second year, return to present their work and their achievements at a Faculty Professional Conference. 


Module aims:

This module aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining highly skilled graduate level employment through engagement with a university approved professional project, which will enable them to:

  1. Develop practical and transferable skills and demonstrate application of these in an appropriate organisational context;
  2. Manage and plan their professional development and interests in line with personal career aspirations; 
  3. Appreciate management challenges and propose solutions for enhanced professional practice;   
  4. Apply and enrich theoretical knowledge and understanding through observation, research, and insights derived from working with an organisation. 

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Emmy Yeung

Senior Lecturer
Dr Emmy Yeung

Associate Professor Tim Brown

Head of Marketing and Professional Development
Dr Tim Brown

Colin Potts

Programme Leader International Tourism Management
Colin Potts

Prof Morven McEachern

Professor of Sustainability & Marketing Ethics
Morven McEachern

Dr Gozde Turktarhan

Programme Leader International Fashion and Retail Marketing MSc
Gozde

Stuart Paul

Programme Leader for MSc Marketing Management
Stuart Paul

Sue Ollerhead

Senior Lecturer
Sue Ollerhead

How you'll Learn

The course includes six taught modules plus the Research Project or Learning Through Professional Practice. Each taught module has three hours' contact time per week. This amounts to a total of 30 hours' tutor contact time for each module. In addition, each module is designed with a notional 170 hours of private study.

Beyond the Classroom

In this course, you will be able to spend time out on professional practice where you’ll apply what you have learnt to real scenarios in the workplace, giving you genuine experience and insight that will prepare you for your future career. After completing the six modules in your programme, you may choose to write a Research Project or take Learning Through Professional Practice.

Entry Requirements

2:2 honours degree

Applicants will normally be expected to hold a degree with a minimum 2:2 honours, or equivalent. Applications are also welcome from those with non-standard entry qualifications. A typical applicant may be a new/recent graduate, who has attained a first degree and wishes to augment that with further study to optimise their career opportunities.

2:2 honours degree

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also take into account appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Where you'll Study Queen's Park, Chester

Fees and Funding

£8,775for a full-time course (2025/26)

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page. Here you will also find information about part-time fees and project/placement year fees.

£15,000for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £15,000.

Please note: For MSc programmes where a placement or project year is undertaken there will be an additional charge of £2,750 for the placement/project year (due at the start of the second year of the course).

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Your experience will open opportunities for a career in tourism and hospitality, including managerial position and operational roles in different parts of the world including Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Far East. The MSc in International Tourism and Hospitality Management has been developed alongside industry to bring you a perfect blend of academic and practical, technical expertise that you need to compete and thrive in this dynamic industry. 

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.