The MSc International Tourism and Hospitality Management develops critical thinking and appraisal skills along with the practical application of academic models required in today's international tourism and hospitality industries.

The course integrates teaching, research and strong industry expertise from within the area of tourism and hospitality management as well as generic business management at the Aberdeen Business School.

The course will enable aspiring managers to gain industry specific expertise together with a highly relevant academic qualification. The focus is to actively encourage students to apply management principles and concepts in the context of contemporary national and international tourism and hospitality management.

There will be emphasis on preparing students for senior management roles and as such they will have to demonstrate self direction and originality in solving problems as well as being able to act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level. The course will also develop the ability to think critically and appraise and apply academic models relevant to the international tourism and hospitality industry.

The degree has been developed with guidance from both the Tourism Management Institute (TMI) and the Institute of Hospitality along with input from local industries. A key feature of the course is interface with industry and the wider external community which have included the following recent activities:

• Politics and tourism session with a member of the Scottish parliament
• Strategy and operations morning with the General Manager of Jury’s Inn, Aberdeen
• Behind-the-scenes tour to the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre
• Tour of the VisitScotland head offices in Edinburgh

Stage 1

• Event Management
• Finance for Managers
• Strategic Management in Tourism and Hospitality
• Operations Management

Stage 2

• Global Marketing Management
• Research Methods
• e-Business and IT Applications for Tourism and Hospitality
• Human Resource Management

Stage 3

• Dissertation

Award: MSc International Tourism and Hospitality Management

Dissertation In Semester 3, you will present a written research proposal for submission. This will normally form the basis for the Masters level dissertation. You will work independently but under tutorial supervision, to undertake the research and prepare the dissertation.

Applicants will require an honours degree. Those who do not possess an honours degree but have a degree or degree equivalent qualification and work experience at a suitable level within an organisation for an appropriate length of time, will be considered. Qualifications from an approved professional body will also be taken into account.

All international students, for whom English is not their first language, must provide evidence of linguistic ability, by gaining either IELTS 6.5 or its equivalent in TOEFL prior to receiving an unconditional offer of a place on the course.

English Language Requirements

The course is recognised by the Institute of Hospitality (formerly the Hotel and Catering International Management Association - HCIMA).

It has also achieved recognition under the Tourism Management Institute (TMI) Scheme for Courses in Higher Education. 

Postgraduate Funding
Information on funding for postgraduate students can be seen under Postgraduate Student Finance and also on the SAAS website.

All course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

All students can apply online by visiting Apply Online.

www.rgu.ac.uk/applyonline

If you have any queries, please contact our Admissions Office: 

• Email PGOffice@rgu.ac.uk

If you are an International Student and would like further information and application advice:

• Complete our International Enquiries form
• Call 0044 1224 262726
• Email international@rgu.ac.uk

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the worldwide expenditure on hospitality and tourism is set to increase over  the next 10 years and by 2021 "1 in 10 workers on the planet will be employed as a result of Travel & Tourism" according to the WTTC President and CEO, David Scowsill. Growth such as this creates many opportunities for those equipped with the skills required in this global industry and graduates from this course have gone on to careers in areas such as:

• National or International contract catering or facilities management
• Public sector tourism management, eg. National Tourist Boards, Regional Tourist Boards, public sector visitor attractions
• Private sector tourism management, eg. visitor attractions and leisure organisations
• Tourism consultancy
• Hotel and hospitality consultancy
• Tourism research and lecturing
• Any customer-focused organisation - given the transferable skills and business "toolkit" taught on the course
• National and International hotel companies