Objectives
The School is recognised as a key Education and Training Centre by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and was the first UK centre to receive TedQual Certification from the UNWTO for both its undergraduate and postgraduate tourism programmes. The Postgraduate Diploma/MSc programme in Tourism Planning and Development was established in 1981 and has been designed to cover all of the issues surrounding the planning and development of tourism. Particular topics, including project appraisal, impact analysis, forecasting, hotel development, travel and transportation, tourism policy and organisation, and visitor attraction management, are dealt with through specific modules. The emphasis of the programme is on both the theoretical and applied aspects of tourism planning and development. The programme provides coverage of both the conceptual and practical issues and problems facing the public and private sector dealing with the development of tourism in a wide variety of situations. It is equally suitable for recent graduates seeking managerial level positions in the tourism industry, consulting or the public sector.
Course description
MSc/PGDip/PGCert in Tourism Development Module overview
This programme consists of six compulsory modules, two modules from a range of elective modules, and a dissertation.
Compulsory Modules
Project Appraisal
It is important for the development of tourism that planned projects are appraised for their costs and benefits. The approach adopted is of appraising projects from the private sector viewpoint, using financial appraisal analysis, and from the public sector viewpoint using economic cost-benefit analysis.
Research Methods
Introducing the process of research project formulation and the key elements of research design, this module should prepare students to design and execute their research study for their dissertation in a systematic and scientific manner.
Tourism Development
This module examines tourism policies, tourism development plans and regulatory mechanisms in a variety of locations and political structures internationally.
Tourism Management
The aim of this module is to explore the functions of management within the tourism industry, showing how tourism has evolved as a business, how the tourism industry is structured and how tourism businesses operate.
Tourism Social Sciences
This module examines the contribution of social science to the understanding of tourism and aims to develop an understanding of the complexities of tourism as an industry and social phenomenon.
Tourism Strategy
The aim of this module is for students to understand, apply and critically evaluate strategic analysis for tourism organisations and destinations, through the examination and analysis of particular tourist organisations and destinations.
Elective Modules
Destination Management and Marketing
In today's changing international tourism marketplace, destinations must develop and use competitive advantages. This module helps develop an appreciation of the basic concepts and techniques involved.
Financial Management
This module provides the foundations for understanding, analysing and interpreting financial information, and enables students to apply accounting principles and financial theory across management disciplines and organisations.
Managing Tourism Distribution and Intermediaries
This module develops an appreciation of the nature and functions of contemporary distribution systems and intermediaries in tourism, together with knowledge of cutting-edge developments, trends and challenges in this area.
Sustainable Tourism
Tourism can only exist in the long term upon a sustainable resource base but also faces short-term demands for profits in a challenging market. This module investigates its evolution, growth and future, and the complexities involved.
Tourism Education
This module will be of particular interest to those who want to pursue careers in education. Tourism education is reviewed and critiqued from a theoretical perspective and students will develop key practical skills in this area.
Other elective modules include:
-Marketing Research
-Tourism Services Marketing
-Visitor Attraction Management
Typical entry requirements
Applicants should usually hold a bachelors degree (UK Lower Second/2.2 or above) or equivalent qualification from a recognised British/overseas university. Every applicant is assessed individually on their own merit. Higher level professional qualifications may also be accepted. Relevant work experience could be an additional benefit where applicants have not reached the standard entry requirements, although it is not an admissions requirement for this particular degree programme.
Candidates for whom English is not their first language will normally be required to have taken an English language test and achieved a score of either TOEFL 550 or above, IELTS 6.0 or above, or Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English Grade C or above. This test must have been taken within two years prior to the start of the programme you are applying for.
The School also assists students whose first language is not English through close cooperation with the University's Language Centre.
Programme length
12 months full-time, up to 72 months part-time
