The MBA (International Hotel Management) largely mirrors the generalist MBA but has a different specialist focus. As such it is designed to provide insights into hotel management in today’s global, digitalised and rapidly changing environment.

Therefore, it focuses on developing and reflecting on high-level management skills and competences in the hospitality sector. Students will learn the principles and skills which help managers to maximise the potential of organisational resources to achieve shared goals.

It has also been designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to conduct advanced research into a variety of organisational and leadership issues whilst focusing on the interrelationship of leadership and organisational performance.

This course can be completed on a full-time and part-time basis, both via online/distance learning or in-person at the Swansea campus. There are two intakes per year: January and October.

Why choose this course?

1. To provide an advanced study of organisations in the hotel management sector, their management, and the changing external context in which they operate.
2. To prepare for and/or develop a career in hospitality management by developing skills at a professional level involving the development of a range of business knowledge and skills, together with the self-awareness and personal development appropriate to postgraduate/management careers in business. This includes the development of positive and critical attitudes towards leadership, change and enterprise, to reflect the dynamism and vibrancy of the hospitality management environment.
3. To develop the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of hospitality management to complex or difficult issues, both systematically and creatively, to improve hospitality management practice, including within an international context. This includes the ability to convert theory into practice from a critical and informed perspective to advance the effectiveness of employees and the competitiveness of employing organisations.
4. To develop and enhance a range of general transferable skills and attributes, which, while being highly appropriate to a career in business, are not restricted to this.
5. To develop lifelong learning skills, including enthusiasm for business and learning more generally as part of continuing personal and professional development.

What you will learn

Course Overview

The International Hotel Management (IHM) MBA largely mirrors the generalist MBA but with a specialist focus. Designed to provide insights into hotel management in today’s global, digitalised and rapidly changing environment. Focussing on development and reflection on high-level management skills and competencies within hospitality.

Students will learn the principles and skills which help managers to maximise the potential of organisational resources to achieve shared goals. Designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to conduct advanced research into a variety of organisational and leadership issues whilst focusing on the interrelationship of leadership and organisational performance.

This MBA pathway offers a balance between traditional/future business practice and critical evaluation with specialised tools, techniques, approaches and case studies of a variety of topics/industries in today’s digitalised environment.

The dissertation forms the capstone of the programme and offers students the opportunity to analyse an issue in international hotel management in detail and depth.

Part I (PGCert, PGDip & MBA)

• Environmental Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry (20 credits; compulsory)
• Finance for Business Managers (20 credits; compulsory)
• Human Resource Management (20 credits; compulsory)
• Intercultural Leadership in an Age of Globalisation (20 credits; compulsory)
• Marketing Management (20 credits; compulsory)
• Strategic Management (20 credits; compulsory).

• Dissertation (60 credits; optional)
• International Independent Study Module (60 credits; optional)

The key purpose of the assessment scheme is to enable students to demonstrate individually that they have met the aims of the programmes and achieved the learning outcomes at the standard required for the level of study. Assessment will also be used to provide feedback to students to assist in subsequent learning.

Thus, the assessment requirements will be to support the fulfilment of the programme aims and learning outcomes. In particular, the assessment should enable theory to inform practice, with students demonstrating intellectual rigour and reflecting critically on their own experiences, where relevant. The overall assessment package will develop an independent learning culture and ensure that all the learning outcomes have been addressed individually. The strategy aims to reflect the varied backgrounds of the participants and the characteristics of each module.

The assessment strategy follows the ethos of the programme aims, learning outcomes and learning/teaching strategy. All assessment seeks to test knowledge and application of generic and specialist concepts. The applied nature of the programme requires extensive use of contextual material for learning and assessment during their engagement in the programme. The student skills needed for such applications will be developed early in the programme.

Each module will be assessed summatively through a range of individual assessment tasks. but formative methods are also used. Formative assessment is carried out through practical exercises that are undertaken and discussed in class, role-plays, negotiations, presentations by students and the sessions devoted to reviewing exams after these have been marked.

A range of summative assessment methods will be employed, i.e., assessment expressed in marks that count towards the calculation of the final mark. Examinations are used primarily to test knowledge and understanding. Coursework and practical assessments tend to focus on the development of cognitive, practical, and key skills. Such methods are highly appropriate to the nature of the business discipline as they facilitate authentic, workplace relevant assessment and practice. Coursework and practical’s will be set in a variety of formats. These include:

• Essays
• Reports
• Portfolios
• Research projects
• Presentations
• Business game simulations
• Placement
• Creation of an online digital marketing platform.

UWTSD ranked 1st in the UK for student satisfaction in teaching quality in Business Studies — the Times & The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

Swansea Business School (SBS) has delivered its MBA (Master of Business Administration) programme to students from around the world for over 20 years.

This internationally respected, genera qualification with its specialist route into International Hotel Management enhances the skills and competence of experienced managers and provides a launch into a management career for more recent graduates.

By studying with us you will:

• Develop the key leadership and management skills and knowledge you need to progress in your career.
• Work with friendly, practice-led tutors who will guide you through every step of the process.
• Join a learning community that will become a business network for life.
• Gain a leading management qualification in a flexible, supportive learning environment.
• Why not give your Hospitality career the best opportunity by enhancing your knowledge.