International Tourism Management MSc (PGCert PGDip)

Intro

This programme offers the opportunity to learn from leading academics and practitioners working in the field of sustainable tourism management.

By stimulating debate and providing a critical evaluation of theory and practice, the course provides an excellent understanding of the role of management in international tourism. You will learn about management decision-making, the significance and complexity of managing human and financial resources, and the critical issues involved in marketing international tourism and travel.

All our programmes are underpinned by an emphasis on the impact of globalisation for the international tourism industry, and a critical evaluation of ethical and social responsibility in business, and tourist behaviour. The course aligns with our vision of tourism as a key driver for economic diversion and growth, environmental regeneration, socio-economic integration and inclusive development. Many organisations, like the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the World Bank and the EU as well as national ministries and regional development agencies share our vision.

The School of Sport and Service Management, where the course is based, is an affiliate member of the UNWTO which informs our teaching and your learning. We are also a member of the UNWTO Knowledge Network, which will give you access to the extensive UNWTO e-library.

The course is suitable if you are looking to convert from another subject area and pursue a future career in tourism or if you already have a grounding in tourism or related subject areas such as business, management, events, hospitality or sport.

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2–6 years

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Please make sure that you meet the entry requirements before applying. If you have any questions the course team will be happy to help.

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Course content

Course structure

The course is delivered by staff that are actively involved in research and consultancy, ensuring that the curriculum and classroom discussions are informed by current knowledge and practice in the management of international tourism.

Full-time students normally attend class two days per week, while part-time students usually attend once per week. Some modules may be delivered intensively over several consecutive days.The course is delivered through a variety of lectures, workshops, presentations, tutorials and case studies with an emphasis on interactive learning.

A distinctive feature of postgraduate study within the school is the flexibility and choice provided by the final project. Guided by your programme of study and in consultation with an individual supervisor, there are several options open to you. Whether undertaking an academic dissertation, an applied piece of research such as a business or enterprise project or a study that includes a portfolio or exhibition of work, the final project enables you to pursue your own particular interest in an area relevant to your programme of study.

For international students, the MSc also offers an extended masters route with English language study for between two and sixth months before the course begins.

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Areas of study

Tourism is a global sector, and so international perspectives will be at the heart of your learning experience. Alongside your student peers, you can expect to gain valuable insight into topics such as destination planning and management, responsible tourism practices, tourism impacts, destination marketing, and mass/niche tourism development strategies. We also offer unique opportunities to study visual discourse in tourism, and management issues in the global cruise industry.

You will work both individually and in small, multi-national teams to develop international capabilities and build global networks, learning how to adapt your knowledge to a variety of cultural settings.

Our MSc students come from across the world from a variety of backgrounds, and you'll benefit greatly from sharing experiences.

You will take five core management modules and one option module from a choice of four.

Modules

Globalisation, Society and Culture
Marketing for Tourism, Hospitality, Events and Sport
Professional-based Learning*
Critical Perspectives in Tourism Management
Destination Management and Planning
Final Project

One from:

Strategic Business
Visual Culture: Travel, Tourism and Leisure
Contemporary Issues in Cruise Management
Consultancy

*see professional experience tab

Modules in focus

Marketing for Tourism Hospitality, Events and Sport and Marketing plays a key role not only in constructing and communicating the brand of a particular destination, tourism, sport or hospitality business or an event, but also in achieving its competitive advantage. The aim of this module is thus to provide a theoretically underpinned understanding of effective approaches to strategic marketing through its exploration of key marketing theories and concepts, marketing strategies, branding and marketing semiotics and their role in creating successful integrated marketing communications in tourism, hospitality, events and sport business practice.

Globalisation, Society and Culture considers the ways in which different societies have become more interdependent through a global network of communication and information technologies, and therefore moves beyond the conventionally economic emphasis of conversations on globalisation. The module considers specifically how the industry is affected by this process.

Destination Management and Planning introduces students to the complexities of developing and coordinating all aspects of a destination that contribute to the visitor economy, taking account of the needs of visitors, local residents, businesses and the environment. It also offers students an opportunity to develop a detailed and critical awareness of the theoretical and empirical issues, which underpin sustainable destination management and planning. Assessment consists of an individual essay and a group presentation.

Critical Perspectives in Tourism Management aims to provide students with a broad yet critical understanding of the dynamic, complex and challenging forces that shape international tourism management. Through a wide range of case studies, students will learn how to critically assess the implications of such forces, and identify and highlight potential consumer, market and industry trends. Specific topics include impacts of tourism; anthropocene, climate change and tourism; chaos theory, crises and destination image; and disruptive technologies and the sharing economy.

Professional experience

Professional-Based Learning Module

All credit-based postgraduate courses at the School of Sport and Service Management offer the Professional-Based Learning module.

The module offers you an opportunity to undertake practical experience in a work environment and gain invaluable first-hand knowledge. It is designed to help you engage with the process of planning and delivering expertise in practice, and to reflect upon and take steps to improve your academic, personal and professional skills.

In Semester 1 (September–January) you will have classes on CV development, interview skills, target setting, reflective practice and experiential learning, leading to 100 hours of professional experience in Semester 2 (February–June). This experience could take the form of a part-time job, an unpaid internship, a volunteering opportunity in the university or time as a mentee in your chosen industry. You can also take this module as part of a live consultancy in connection with one of your tourism, sport, hospitality or event modules, either in the UK or a School of Sport and Service Management project overseas.

Our school-based Employability Hub will be on hand to assist you in securing an experience that best meets your career goals and aspirations. Professional experience will enhance your practice and academic knowledge, and many of our students have started their careers with their placement organisation.

Please note
This module (Professional-based Learning) becomes optional if we assess you as having substantial work experience (equivalent to five years). Assessment must be either before you begin, or during the first two weeks of the course.

Learning support

A dedicated course management team will guide you through the programme in a friendly, supportive and caring style.

The course is taught by experienced and professionally qualified staff. Class sizes are small and an online learning tool will enable you to access materials delivered in class and engage in specific course tasks. You will have access to a campus and an online library. There is also English language assistance provided, which includes the following:

free academic English tutorials during the course
online assignment survival kit
peer proofreading service
study skills workshops

Staff Profiles

This course is delivered by staff who are actively involved in research and consultancy, ensuring that the curriculum and classroom discussions are informed by current knowledge and practice in the management of international tourism. The course is led by Dr Tijana Rakić.

Dr Nigel Jarvis Senior Lecturer

Nigel undertook his MA in Leisure Management at the University of Sheffield (1996) and his BAA in Geography at Ryerson University in Toronto (1986). He worked for 6 years as a consultant specialising in tourism, recreation and cultural master plans and feasibility studies in Toronto before returning to academia in England where he has lectured from 1996 to the present.

Nigel completed his PhD in 2006 at the University of Brighton, which examined the meaning of sport in the lives of Canadian and British men. The research critically aids in understanding how the lived experiences of gay men taking part in sport relate to and inform relevant hegemonic and queer theoretical debates.

Nigel has a keen interest in gender and sexuality issues in leisure and tourism. Further research and teaching interests relate to sport tourism, sport and event sponsorship, the economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts of tourism, attractions management, the politics associated with tourism planning, leisure management and research methods. He has also helped to develop a web-based theme park simulation for his students as part of his teaching.

Dr Tijana Rakić Principal Lecturer

Dr Tijana Rakić is an interdisciplinary scholar whose research projects and publications predominantly lie within the themes of visual research methods in tourism and events; world heritage, tourism and national identity; innovative approaches to events and tourism promotion; travel, tourism and art; and representations of places, cultures and identities in promotional materials and popular media. Her PhD, which she completed in 2009, focused on the relationships between world heritage, tourism and national identity at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.

In addition to a range of other publications, a number of which stem from her PhD, Tijana has also co-edited several book length publications including An Introduction to Visual Research Methods in Tourism (Routledge, 2012, with D. Chambers), Narratives of Travel and Tourism (Ashgate, 2012, with J. Tivers), Travel, Tourism and Art (Ashgate, 2013, with J-A. Lester), and, most recently Tourism Research Frontiers (Elsevier, 2015, with D. Chambers). Inspired by the power of visual and creative research outputs in reaching audiences beyond the academic, Tijana has also produced two academic documentaries: Visiting the Athenian Acropolis (2008, PhD film) and Of Holidays and Olives (2006, with Y. Karagiannakis), both of which have been shown at film festivals, public screenings and used for teaching in a number of countries.

She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Anthropological Institute. Tijana currently teaches on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate events, tourism and marketing modules and is the course leader of the International Events Management MSc.

Other key members of the tourism teaching team:

Dr Clare Weeden

Dr Jo-Anne Lester

Professor Marina Novelli

Dr Catherine Palmer

Careers

Our programme prepares you for a wide range of possible employment options in international tourism.

Our graduates work for some of the world's largest tourism and travel companies in sales, marketing, human resources and finance. Many hold senior management positions in private and public sector organisations, such as tour operators, cruise lines, international hotel and restaurant chains, destination management and marketing organisations, and transportation providers.

Those with entrepreneurial skills run their own enterprises, whilst others work as freelance consultants in a wide range of service industries. A substantial number of graduates embark on PhDs before starting their career in academia.

Whether you are thinking of starting a career in tourism management or are already working in the sector, the University of Brighton’s International Tourism Management MSc will enable you to begin a successful and rewarding future.

We have a strong alumni network formed by graduates that include:

Amy Scarth
After completing her MSc Amy founded Big Beyond, a social enterprise offering bespoke and high impact volunteer programmes in countries across Africa. In her own words, Amy’s ambition is to connect people and nature in underprivileged corners of the globe, and to inspire individuals to make a difference, to do something amazing, and to experience what's beyond.

Amy has now secured a prestigious funding award from the ESRC to complete her doctoral studies. Her PhD concerns The socio-economic complexity of gift-giving and philanthropy through innovations in tourism in sub-Saharan Africa.

Migle Silintye
After completing her MSc, Migle managed a seafront hotel in Eastbourne for 12 months, before moving to London to work as a FIT specialist for JACTravel, who specialise in Japanese outbound travel to the UK.

Migle is currently working for VOSAIO Travel Group in London, a wholesale travel company (B2B), with offices in Beijing, Taipei and Bangkok.

Gregory Kapuscinski
After completing his MSc in 2009, Greg won an Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE) award for best postgraduate student at the University of Brighton.

He was later awarded a PhD in 2013 with a thesis entitled Tourists, terrorism and the media, a topic he first became interested in during his MSc.

Greg is working as a lecturer at another prestigious university in the UK.

Other graduate positions include:

Assistant Manager, Abercrombie and Kent, UK
Overseas Operations Manager, Powderwhite Ltd, UK
Account Manager, TUI, Germany
Front Office Manager, Marriott Hotels, London
Marketing Consultant, Norway
Front Desk Manager, Abu Dhabi
Operations Executive, Etihad Airways, Dubai

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2019. They should be used as a general guide.

Degree and experience
Honours degree in any subject normally with a minimum 2:2 or equivalent from a NARIC-recognised institution, or an HND equivalent plus at least 5 years of relevant work experience. Other applicants with extensive industry experience will be considered on an individual basis.

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

International equivalencies

International equivalencies by country

Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Fees

UK/EU (full-time)7,272 GBP

International (full-time)13,338 GBP

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location

Easy-going Eastbourne

The South Downs National Park, the bustling town centre and the beach with the pier, prom and bandstand are all within a 15-minute walk of our Eastbourne campus. Officially the sunniest place in the UK, Eastbourne has loads on offer: a year-round calendar of sporting events, the independent shops and cafes of Little Chelsea, music and arts festivals, theatres, galleries, great restaurants and high street shopping.

Every June, leading tennis players descend on Eastbourne for one of the main warm-up tournaments for Wimbledon. One of the UK's biggest free extreme sports festivals, Beach Life, takes place on the seafront in July, bringing hi-octane action on land and sea. The international airshow Airbourne is another summer highlight.

Every autumn our students and staff participate in and support the Beachy Head Marathon, one of the UK's largest off-road marathons with challenging climbs and descents along the Seven Sisters.

The beach and the South Downs provide sports opportunities including horse riding, mountain biking, paragliding, sailing, canoeing, body boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and kite surfing.

The Towner Art Gallery has world-class exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and entry is free. Eastbourne also has four theatres, two cinemas and hosts a varied programme of arts and music events throughout the year.

Campus where this course is taught

Eastbourne campus

Our campus is within 15 minutes' walk of the beach, South Downs National Park and the Eastbourne's busy town centre. There are excellent sport and exercise facilities, on-site halls of residence and social spaces include the Students' Union pub, the Starting Gate.

Sport and exercise, events, hospitality, journalism, nursing and midwifery, physical education, physiotherapy, podiatry and tourism students are all based here.

Specialist learning facilities include accredited exercise physiology laboratories, a newsroom, clinical simulation suites, human movement lab, culinary arts studio, the Leaf Hospital podiatric clinic and occupational health studios. Campus learning facilities include the Queenwood library, computer rooms, a media centre and a learning and technology suite.

Sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, sports hall and gym, artificial outdoor pitch, dance studio and climbing wall.

Eastbourne Student Centre provides services including careers, volunteering, counselling and wellbeing, student advice, disability and dyslexia support and chaplaincy.

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Accommodation

Eastbourne

All eligible 2019-entry firm and insurance offer holders are guaranteed an offer of university-managed accommodation.

Welkin halls
Located in the Meads area of Eastbourne, right next to the Students' Union and Student Services, Welkin halls are a short walk or bike ride to other areas of the campus.

Ensuite halls with a choice of room and flat sizes.
Breakfast and an evening meal are provided from Monday to Friday during term-time, this is included in your rent. You have access to shared, fully equipped kitchen facilities.
Rent also includes all utilities, 24/7 staff cover, contents insurance, cleaning of communal areas and off-peak access to university fitness facilities including a 25m pool.

Find out more about our accommodation in Eastbourne.

Unihomes
A unihome is a student house which the university manages on behalf of a private landlord. This option can work particularly well when you’re balancing learning with placements and other life commitments.

Rent includes all utilities, broadband, contents insurance, cleaning of communal areas.
Generally shared bathroom with a variety of locations, room and house sizes. Some unihomes offer off-road parking.

Find out more about unihomes.

Private renting
Eastbourne offers good choice when it comes to student accommodation.

There’s a good supply of affordable, high quality private rented accommodation and plenty of support and advice from us if you choose this option. Your first stop should be our studenthomes database. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards.

Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Student accommodation in Eastbourne

Student bedroom in Welkin halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Eastbourne campus map

Student views

Yanting Huang

"I decided to undertake a masters degree to broaden my horizons and enhance my career prospects. I chose to study in the UK, largely because when I worked in China I had met many British people, some of whom I had remained in contact with. My research found that the University of Brighton offered the best course for my needs and I do not regret this decision.

"I have enjoyed studying at the Eastbourne campus and have found the focus to be very practical, while the teaching staff have been helpful, stimulating and encouraging. I believe my experience at the University of Brighton will be of immense value in the future development of my career in the tourism industry.

"I should add that living in Eastbourne has been fun. The beautiful countryside and friendly people will always hold wonderful memories for me."

Gavin Zhou

"Since graduation I have set up two businesses with friends that I met while studying here. What I learned at the University of Brighton has helped me do this. One business provides financial consultation services and trading training courses, whilst the other imports international products to the Chinese market.

"My course taught me how to find a gap in the market and the importance of market research when setting up a business. The whole process of writing a business plan for my dissertation also helped me develop a clear direction. The cooperation skills, research techniques and communication skills I have learned from lectures, seminars, group work and social events are really useful in my business, as well as my personal life. I feel very lucky to be a graduate of the University of Brighton.

"The way of learning in UK is different from how I studied in China. At the beginning, it was a challenge to understand, but with help from tutors and classmates I successfully graduated. The university’s tutorial system helped a lot and the staff were patient to explain, explain and explain until I understood. I can’t thank the staff enough for the help, encouragement and knowledge I received.

"I made so many friends at the University of Brighton and because they were from different countries and backgrounds, I have learned about their cultures, which has enriched my study experience, and also broadened my horizons. There were various communities and events to join, and I had the opportunity to become a student ambassador. My communication skills, presentation skills, and confidence have improved massively from all these experiences!

"The Eastbourne campus is just by the sea so if you want to have a walk along the seaside, it is very convenient. It is also near Brighton and London, which are easy to get to.

"I would highly recommend the International Tourism Management MSc."

Gladys (Kuang-Ting) Lu

"My experience of studying at the University of Brighton for my postgraduate degree was challenging but unforgettably beautiful. The people were very friendly, the climate was very comfortable but most important the tourism industry was operating at a very high level. Eastbourne has numerous historic sites and easily reachable tourist spots.

"The quality of the education was excellent and studying there was very rewarding and fun. The tutors supported me with great advice, taught me lots of useful practical skills such as critical thinking methods and helped increase my knowledge immensely. I particularly enjoyed the brain storming exercises with fellow students who come from around the world; it was interesting and meaningful as I could interact with a culturally diverse group of people who have distinctive perspectives and viewpoints.

"Many assignments pushed us to use theories in practical applications – for example, thanks to the knowledge acquired from my course I am now capable of using management strategies to increase efficiency in my family’s business. I now have more creative ideas and a set of tools at my disposal to realise my plan of turning the business to attract more international guests. Now, I am making it come true!"

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