MSc International Hospitality and Tourism Management

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The programme provides an opportunity to advance students’ understanding of the hospitality and tourism industry through critical enquiry.

Beacon International College and its partner reserve the rights, at its discretion, to change, modify, add or remove the course information at any time without prior notice. Please check the course information periodically for changes.

Introduction

The programme aims to develop a student’s ability to reflect critically on theory in the light of their professional experience. Additionally, the programme intends to deepen their critical understanding of operational and management issues within the tourism and hospitality sector and in doing so, develop their management expertise and competence. The programme also aims to develop the student’s ability to manage and evaluate their own studies through the completion of a substantive piece of research.

Beacon International College and its partner reserve the rights, at its discretion, to change, modify, add or remove the course information at any time without prior notice. Please check the course information periodically for changes.

Course Content

The MSc International Hospitality and Tourism Management comprises of these five (5) compulsory units, one (1) optional unit followed by one (1) final year project which are determined by the college from the following list:

Compulsory Units
  • Globalization, interconnectedness, global village, traditionalism, transformationism, business economies, citizenship, migration and international exchange, multiculturalism, cross-culturalism.
  • Social, interpersonal and human relationships, cultural norms, social exchange theory, inclusion, control.
  • Models of communication, verbal and non-verbal communication, power and language, components and characteristics of verbal and non-verbal codes, communication styles and gender differences.
  • Agenda-setting theory, global, political and economic influences on mass media, mass media and cultural change, role of mass media and technology in cross-cultural marketing, intercultural marketing strategy.
  • Ethical communication, cultural theory (e.g. Foucault, Hofstede), values and behaviours, socialization, power and distance, managing a culturally diverse workforce.
  • Project Management Methodologies principally (but not exclusively) PM4SD, PMI PMBOK, PRINCE2, Agile
  • Key sustainable project management concepts – Project Management Variables, success factors, lessons learned
  • Key components – Business Case, Risk, Issue and Change Management, Organisation,
  • Key project management processes – Project direction, Project Initiation
  • Quality, Planning and Progress Control
  • Evaluating Benefits – budgets, timelines, deliverables, social, economic, and environmental criteria
  • Sustainability Indicators and Sustainability Policies
  • A broad range of management theory. Examples would include Communications Theory, Team Theory, Complexity Theory, Motivation Theory, Financial Forecasting and Estimation, and Principles of Leadership
  • Presentation of findings and recommendations through a variety of mediums and the enhancement of reflective and analytical skills.
  • The structure and characteristics of the T.H.E industries and the associated interests groups across the commercial, governmental and third sector;
  • A critical insight into how developments in the T.H.E industries are both contested and advocated;
  • A critical assessment of sector and professional practices that are transforming T.H.E experiences;
  • A critical evaluation of the relationship between T.H.E and place;
  • An assessment of how communities and consumers influence and (co-)create T.HE environments and experiences.
  • Epistemological stances, e.g. positivism, post-positivism, constructionism, interpretivism, their contributions and limitations.
  • Exploration of the value and nature of academic and practice-based research.
  • The planning, management and evaluation of research projects, inclusive of problem formulation, data collection, analysis and interpretation.
  • Qualitative and quantitative methodologies and methods.
  • The principles of ethically sound research.
  • Forms of hospitality and tourism embedded in landscapes, such as heritage, natural features, wine, and food,
  • Consumer demographics, trends in market demand, national and international perspectives
  • Local, regional, national and international government policies and initiatives; local resident perspectives, labour market potential and requirements
  • Recognising the significance of entrepreneurship to the tourism experience.
  • Competitive and comparative advantage and destination identity
  • Concept of Sense of Place and innovative applications to hospitality and tourism
  • Debates surrounding authenticity in the hospitality and tourism experience
  • Potential contribution of a variety of hospitality and tourism experiences to specific landscapes
  • Review the economic, political, social, environmental and cultural impacts of the development/ redevelopment upon the landscape
  • Discuss the value of sustainable approaches to tourism incorporating ethical and digital aspects.
Optional Units
  • Contrasting Leadership,  Management and Strategy
  • Leadership theories and effective leadership styles to inform strategic decisions
  • Managing change and discuss whether it will drive increasing similarities between strategy and leadership in practice.
  • Organisational strategic thinking as a result of the Macro environment
  • Strategy Formulation v Implementation
  • Competitive advantage, does it still exist?
  • The nature of risk and crises
  • Theoretical and applied perspectives of risk and crises
  • Environmental and social impact of natural and manmade disasters
  • Strategic crisis management
  • Crisis response and recovery strategies
  • Media management of crisis
  • Case study analysis.
Final Project
  • Dependent upon specific research topic.
Academic Criteria

Academic Requirement

  1. obtained an initial degree awarded by an approved degree awarding body; or
  2. obtained a non-graduate qualification which is deemed to be of a satisfactory standard for the purpose of postgraduate admission

English Entry Requirement

For those candidates whose first language is not English, they are excepted to have:
1. at least an IELTS 6.0 (each sub score at least 5.5),
2. or the equivalent

Exemptions / Credit Transfer / Advanced Standing

Students who do not hold such qualifications or who have relevant work experience* will be assessed as to their suitability through interview, and where necessary the taking of references. Such claims must conform to CARDIFF MET regulations for advanced standing and applicants must submit a portfolio of evidence. This will be assessed by the programme team and a report sent for confirmation to the School. The details required in this portfolio will depend upon the nature of the credit being claimed.

* Candidates should have a minimum of two-year work experience at a responsible position which is relevant to the Master’s degree to be pursued.

Key Facts
Accredited by: Cardiff Metropolitan University

Course Length:

  1. 12 Months (Full-Time)
  2. 36 Months (Part-Time)

Support for students and their learning:

  • All students studying in Beacon benefit from the team of dedicated tutors who provide a point of personal and regular contact for students
  • Student handbook, programme handbook and individual module handbooks
  • Module content and materials via Moodle Virtual Learning Environment
  • Library and learning resources of both Cardiff Metropolitan University and Beacon
  • Wifi, photocopying & printing services, library with PCs and laptop recommendation services
  • Unlimited worldwide web access
  • Access to student services including those offered by careers, welfare and counselling.
About School

Results of the latest Complete University Guide ranked Cardiff Met as the top post-1992 University and 2nd in UK’s hospitality studies’ research quality. Cardiff Met’s hospitality course is ranked 19th in UK

Ranked top in UK for overall international student support for the 6th time (International Student Barometer 2010-2015)

95.6% of graduates secure employment or enter further study within six months of graduation. This is the highest figure of any modern university in Wales (DLHE 2015)

Find out more about the Cardiff Metropolitan University: https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk