Course description
n developing countries worldwide, numerous examples can be found of failure to anticipate the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism growth. Governments, international organisations, industry leaders and academic analysts agree that a successful future for the tourism industry depends on an adequate supply of skilled professional personnel who can plan for and manage tourism to best advantage, maximising the positive impacts, whilst minimise the negative.
Building on its long-established international reputation in postgraduate tourism education, the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management (formerly the Scottish Hotel School) offers this specialised course for students who wish to study in depth the policy and planning issues relating to tourism in developing countries.
The MSc in Tourism in Developing Countries retains an interdisciplinary approach and much of the theoretical underpinning of our established MSc in Tourism, but offers students a more extended engagement with the specific issues confronting developing countries. The course aspires to reflect the highest academic standards in a rapidly-developing field of study, and to provide an excellent student learning experience in a friendly and multicultural environment. The course seeks a balance of applications from Scotland, Europe and overseas. Students are encouraged to participate in the active scholarly life of the Department.
Course Structure
The course has a core of two specialist modules relating to the policy and planning issues surrounding tourism in developing countries, taught by internationally-recognised experts in the field. These are linked to a number of more general modules which are designed to help students grasp the key principles which form the core of modern tourism studies. Thereafter, optional modules can be selected to inform particular student interests.
The taught part of the course consists of ten modules (seven compulsory, three optional). Students can select options from the entire range of postgraduate tourism and hospitality classes offered by the Department.
Successful completion of ten modules leads to the award of the Postgraduate Diploma. In addition to these ten modules, MSc students also undertake a dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words.
Compulsory Modules
* International Tourism
* Tourism Products Marketing
* Tourism Policy and Organisations
* Tourism in Developing Countries: Issues and Policies
* Tourism Planning in Developing Countries
* Tourism Project Appraisal
* Research Methods
Options
* Human Resource Management in Tourism and Hospitality
* International Human Resource Management for the Tourism and Hospitality Industries
* Education and Training in Hospitality and Tourism
* Hospitality Finance and Control (two semesters)
* Hotel Operational Management
* Strategic Management for the Hospitality and Tourism Industries
Further Information
Study Modes
The course is available full-time or part-time (over two academic sessions), with exams in January and May. The dissertation should be submitted by September.
Assessment
Assessment is by a mix of written assignments (essays, reports) and formal exams (typically 40/60 split).
Start Date and Duration
The course starts in late September and takes nine months for the Diploma; 12 months for the MSc.
Entry Requirements
A good honours degree from a UK university or equivalent is normally required. Professional experience may be taken into account.
