How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: International Tourism Management

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Edge Hotel School

This course is currently subject to approval

An industry that inspires creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, the opportunities available in the events management world are limitless.

The global tourism industry's contribution to GDP was approximately 7.7 trillion USD in 2022. There were over 295 million jobs in the sector, a number which is expected to increase to 430 million by 2033. Incorporating many industries such as accommodation, transport, attractions and more, it saw a huge surge after pandemic restrictions were lifted, with its percentage share of the global market almost fully returned to pre-pandemic numbers. Both domestically and internationally, the sector plays a crucial part in many economies, with more people joining the industry every year.

Geographically close to London, the coast and with six international airports within 2 hours from campus, you'll be studying in Britain's oldest recorded city filled with a rich history that attracts tourists from all over the world.

The MSc International Tourism Management course at the Edge Hotel School will prepare our students to take up middle-management roles across the industry in places such as cruise ships, airlines, events and visitor attractions, or travel and holiday organisations.

Why we're great.

Learn from a dedicated team of experts with decades of experience in hospitality, events and management.
The first hotel school of its kind in the UK to with a fully commercial luxury hotel on campus.
Create a wide-ranging network of professional contacts to create exciting opportunities and bolster your career prospects.

Our expert staff

Our staff includes lecturers with both professional as well as academic backgrounds to ensure you are taught by people with industry-relevant experience themselves. Among our academic staff are published authors including a former hotel General Manager, a Food and Beverage Manager for award-winning cruise lines, an organiser of the BRIT Awards and London Fashion Week and a Dr. (PhD) with international research experience.

Specialist facilities

The Edge Hotel School has connections with a range of organisations across the hospitality and events industries – throughout your studies you can expect guest lectures, masterclasses and an annual careers fair to help further your career prospects. Supporters of the Edge Hotel School include:

The Edge Hotel Society hosts student-organised events including industry speakers, student social events and an annual ball.

Your future

The skills and knowledge you will gain throughout your MSc International Hospitality Management will be transferable to a wide range of working environments within the global hospitality and business industries. There will be opportunities throughout the Masters to meet industry leaders and managers, allowing you to build a comprehensive network of hospitality and business professionals.

"Our Masters course connects you with our extensive network of industry professionals, equipping you with the skills, contacts and knowledge to succeed in the global hospitality industry" - Dr Marcus Stephenson, Principal of the Edge Hotel School.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2.2 degree or international equivalent in one of the following subjects:

Business Management
Catering / Culinary Management
Destination Management
Event Production
Events Management
Hospitality Management
Hotel Management
Tourism Management
Travel and Tourism Management

We will also consider a 2:2 Bachelor of Commerce degree which at least 2 modules in creative subjects such as:

Arts
Human Resource Management
Marketing
Media
Music

A degree in any area will be considered where applicants have at least 6 months of professional or voluntary experience in Hospitality. Please include a personal statement which outlines your desire to study hospitality.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 1 : COMPULSORY

International Marketing and the Customer Experience

(20 CREDITS)

This module aims to provide you with an advanced understanding of marketing and its application within the international hospitality industry. It focuses on the marketing of services and the nature of the distinctive and frequently individual engagement hospitality organisations have with customers. The module will also provide you with an understanding of the changing relationship and technological developments both with buyers and suppliers, as well as a realistic insight into aspects of marketing operations through their experience within the Wivenhoe House Hotel.

View International Marketing and the Customer Experience on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 2 : COMPULSORY

Special Interest Tourism

(20 CREDITS)

View Special Interest Tourism on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 3 : COMPULSORY

Contemporary Sustainability Issues

(20 CREDITS)

The module will critically examine a number of contemporary issues that relate to the international hospitality industry and will utilise theory and insights from a range of academic perspectives including macro and micro economics, business studies, sociology and psychology.

View Contemporary Sustainability Issues on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 4 : COMPULSORY

Research Methods

(20 CREDITS)

This module introduces you to the methodology and methods of research in the field of Hospitality Management. You will be acquainted with the nature of philosophical assumptions that underpin the choice of research design. The module explores a variety of approaches to research and uses case studies applied to the international hospitality industry to illustrate the suitability of these methods. The culmination of this module is for you to deliver a justified and pragmatic research proposal which could form the basis of their dissertation research module in the following term.

View Research Methods on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 5 : COMPULSORY

Dissertation

(40 CREDITS)

For your 8,000 word dissertation, you will manage a piece of individual research in the context of the commercial hospitality industry. You will be expected to demonstrate expertise with a range of business data, research resources and methodologies, as well as personal communication skills.

View Dissertation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 6 : COMPULSORY

International Management and Strategy

(20 CREDITS)

View International Management and Strategy on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 7 : COMPULSORY

Finance and Management Accounting

(20 CREDITS)

View Finance and Management Accounting on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 8 : COMPULSORY

Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour

(20 CREDITS)

The module combines lectures with work in small groups and individual study to provide you with an understanding of both the methods of managing a multi-cultural workforce and a critical understanding of contemporary management approaches to organisational behaviour for the international hospitality industry

View Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour on our Module Directory

Teaching

You will learn via a combination of lectures, seminars, group and individual tasks and directed independent study. Your teaching will also be informed by operations of our 4* fully commercial hotel, so will involve some time spent in the hotel learning from industry practitioners. Our colleagues from hospitality and events organisations will also contribute to your teaching through guest lectures and practical workshops.

Dissertation

This programme will include a Dissertation as part of your assessment, featuring up to 15 hours of individual tutorials with your dissertation supervisor.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£10,500

International fee

£22,750

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2025 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Wednesday 19 March 2025 - Postgraduate Open Evening

Find out more

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

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View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

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The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

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