Triangle

Course overview

Tourism is an enduring industry that offers numerous worldwide career opportunities. Our course will give you a complete set of essential business and marketing skills, with the potential to excel in global tourism management positions.

You will gain an in-depth understanding of fundamental principles such as international business strategy, sustainable tourism management and business economics. Through our optional modules, you can then specialise in areas that align with your career goals, including branding, digital marketing, corporate strategy and human resource management.

Through the company-based project or dissertation you'll complete in the summer, you will demonstrate the practical application of your skills and knowledge through independent research relating to international tourism management and marketing.

You have the option to take industry-recognised digital qualifications by Microsoft and SAP alongside your course, which will develop your digital skills.

This advanced degree from Nottingham will help to bring you to the notice of prestigious employers who are looking for the skillset you will have, to make a real impact in their business.

Why choose this course?

Top 60

in the world and Top 20 in the UK

Triple accredited

Part of an elite group of business schools worldwide to gain ‘triple crown’ accreditation

EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB accredited

Gain digital skills

Business School students have the opportunity to gain digital skills with industry-recognised Microsoft and SAP certifications

More than 27,000

Business School alumni connect you to a powerful global network of business contacts

83% of our research

ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent

Course content

Across the autumn and spring semesters, you will take 120 credits of taught modules. Each module typically consists of 10 two to three hour sessions.

You will complete a 60-credit dissertation over the summer, and will be allocated an appropriate dissertation supervisor who will oversee your progress.

Modules

Semester one

Core modules

International Tourism Management

This module covers:

  • the global tourism industry structure and organisation
  • international tourism markets and tourist behaviours
  • destination marketing and branding
  • international tourism impacts and sustainability challenges
  • governance and international relations
  • international tourism environment and exogenous factors
Business Economics

The module covers the following:

  • Key concepts of business economics
  • Markets
  • Firms and market power
  • Market structure and government policy
  • Government intervention
  • International trade 
  • International capital and other factor flows
  • The macroeconomic environment
  • Balance of payments and Forex 
  • Macroeconomic policy
Marketing Management in the Digital Economy

The module covers operational perspective on:

  • nature of marketing in the global economy
  • managing products, services and brands
  • new product development
  • pricing
  • integrated marketing communications
  • internal marketing
  • managing distribution channels
  • experience marketing
  • sustainable marketing

Semester two

Core modules

Research Methods in Marketing

Possible topics include:

  • the research process in marketing contexts
  • interviews and focus groups
  • observation and ethnography
  • analysing qualitative data
  • evaluating and presenting data
  • designing and conducting survey research
  • experimental design
  • T tests and chi square
  • ANOVA and regression analysis
  • factor analysis
  • writing research proposals
Sustainable Tourism Management

This module is concerned with providing an understanding of the theoretical and practical issues relating to environmental, economic and socio-cultural sustainability in tourism. A day-long compulsory field trip forms an integral part of the teaching of this module.

Topics covered may include:

  • tourism management for natural resources
  • ecotourism and nature-based tourism
  • ethics
  • socio-cultural sustainability
  • stakeholder engagement
  • community wellbeing
  • economics of sustainable tourism
  • social impact of tourism

Optional modules

30 credits from:

Branding and Marketing Communications

The module provides an introduction and overview to branding and marketing communications research. It explores the nature of branding and marketing communications practice and theory.

Business to Business Marketing

The content of this module will serve as an introduction to the main theoretical and managerial concepts and issues in the area of business-to-business marketing and will focus on aspects of strategic marketing relationships between companies and other stakeholders. Possible topics may include:

  • What is a market? A service ecosystem approach to understanding markets
  • Organisational buying behaviour and market structures
  • How do markets work? Creating and shaping new markets and maintaining market dynamics
  • Market relations and sustainable competitive advantage
  • Forming business networks: business network partnership attraction
  • Business-to-Business marketing strategies
  • Innovation in business networks
  • Managing business networks: communication, coordination and learning in business networks
  • Strategic market relations in the digital world 
  • Branding and building loyalty: value co-creation in network partnerships
Corporate Strategy 10 credits

The module covers:

  • Strategic analysis
  • Industry analysis
  • Positioning
  • Creating and sustaining competitive advantage
  • Diversification
  • Strategic decision making
  • Strategy practice and implementation
  • Strategy and organisation
  • Strategic leadership
Digital Marketing

Lecture topics may include digital marketing definition and concept, digital marketing media, digital marketing communication strategy, digital advertising, social media marketing, email marketing, mobile marketing, content marketing, e-commerce vs digital vs internet marketing.

E-Business 10 credits

The E-Business module is aimed at future managers and business people who want to know how information and communications technologies (ICTs) can help them to be successful in their careers by understanding how companies use these technologies.

Aims of the module:

  • To familiarise the strategic management issues and technology developments associated with e-business
  • To provide a solid strategic business view of the uses of web technologies and information systems
  • To help understand how and why e-businesses are successful or not, i.e. what makes them 'tick'
Human Resource Management 20 credits

The intricacies of managing the human resources within the business context are developed in this module. It examines processes, practices, and procedures associated with HRM management and administration that an employer/manager needs to be familiar with, and analyses the current best practice in the HR function.

International Business Strategy

The module examines theories of firm internationalisation and various strategic choices facing international managers. Detailed case-studies are examined, illustrating more general points by referring to firms and entrepreneurs that have set important benchmarks in business performance and globalisation.

Launching an Entrepreneurial Business

This module aims to give you a theoretical understanding and practical experience of launching a new entrepreneurial venture. In so doing, this capstone module enables you to comprehend the role of, and conflicts and interdependencies between, different business and management disciplines; thus, it provides you with an insight into how decision-making in each area can impact on the overall performance of the firm. The module also aims to foster reflexive practice to facilitate lifelong learning.

Managing for Sustainability 10 credits

Sustainable companies are those that are managed in socially, economically, and ecologically responsible ways. Today's managers are expected to understand the impact of management decisions and practices on the environment and society.

This module considers how sustainability principles are applied in organisations, and how to manage for sustainability. Through use of multiple learning approaches, the module enables you to practically interact with real businesses to address some sustainability challenges faced by the organisation.

The module introduces the you to frameworks and theories use to critically assess sustainability, and to integrate sustainability into the business strategy.

The module enables you to develop an understanding of the practical dilemmas facing businesses as they seek to respond to multiple, and often, conflicting stakeholders expectations. You will be expected to critically reflect upon your practical experiences and capture these using a learning journal.

Business Project 60 credits

This module requires students, working as groups, to undertake research in a topic which is relevant to business, management, marketing, finance, accounting, or information system.

You must choose their research topic that is relevant to their named degree programme. The specific topic is subject to a formal approval process. The module is intended for students to apply knowledge, concepts, skills, and techniques, acquired during the taught stage of their programme to real-world, business scenarios. Students will be presented with real-word business problems for which they are required to review relevant literature, conduct research, analyse data, and formulate viable solutions.

This module develops a knowledge and understanding of:

  • Tools and techniques for transforming qualitative and quantitative data into useful information for business analysis and decision support
  • Being able to think critically and be creative: manage the creative processes
  • Being able to solve complex problems and make decisions
  • Project management skills
  • Report writing skills
  • Presentation skills

Summer

One of:

MSc International Tourism Management and Marketing Company Based Project

Independent research on a topic related to international tourism management and marketing wherein students will work on an applied project or company-based project.

MSc International Tourism Management and Marketing Dissertation

Independent research on a topic related to international tourism management and marketing wherein students will have choose of traditional dissertation structure, applied project or company-based project

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Monday 01 July 2024.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

The course contains different forms of learning activities from formal lecture to interactive workshops. We will also invite the industry leaders to share their experience and knowledge.

Digital professional skills certifications

We offer the opportunity for you to take industry-recognised Microsoft and SAP certifications alongside your degree programme. This will enhance your digital capability, differentiate your CV and help you stand out to future employers. Find out more on our digital professional skills website.

How you will be assessed

  • Dissertation
  • Examinations
  • Essay
  • Research project
  • Presentations

Different assessment strategies are adopted, including group projects, individual essays, presentations, exams etc. Modules are assessed at the end of the relevant semester.

Contact time and study hours

For modules that are 10 credits, you will have around 100 hours per modules (including contact time and independent study). The contact hours for a 10 credits module is around 30 hours.

You will take around three modules in the first semester and around five modules in the second semester.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Undergraduate degree2:1 (or international equivalent) in any discipline, including business and management

Applying

You are required to submit a personal statement and a list of modules being studied in the final year (for applicants who have not yet completed their undergraduate degree).

Please note: this is a highly competitive course and there are a limited number of places available. The school reserves the right to close applications when capacity is reached – this may be ahead of the advertised closure date for PGT courses. Early applications are encouraged to avoid disappointment.

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply

Fees

Qualification MSc
Home / UK £15,800
International £28,200

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access most of the books you'll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles.

Funding

Business School MSc scholarships

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

Career destinations for our postgraduates include:

  • accountants
  • finance and investment analysts and advisers
  • marketing associate professionals
  • human resources managers
  • management consultants
  • business analysts
  • business development managers
  • financial managers
  • data analysts

Some MSc graduates have gone on to doctoral studies, others have become entrepreneurs. Our Ingenuity Lab has supported a number of our MSc graduates in starting their own company.

Career progression

86.2% of all postgraduates from Nottingham University Business School secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £31,419.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates

This content was last updated on Monday 01 July 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.