Why you should study this course

• Professional accreditation and recognition1
  Gain a professionally recognised Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice, subject to the successful completion of the CMI accredited Professional Development module.
• London location
  Our campus lies at the centre of London. One of the world’s most visited tourist destinations. While studying, you are surrounded by a large, competitive and dynamic tourism hub, which includes a mix of related hospitality services such as heritage, events and performing arts sectors. Studying here is likely to give you access to observe world-leading and innovative business practices relevant to your degree.
• Real world experience2
  This course is designed to help you prepare for the fast-paced world of hospitality and tourism management. The course includes real-life scenarios that will test your creative and problem-solving abilities. You may decide to apply for our International Hospitality and Tourism Management MSc course with Extended Professional Practice. This is an 18-month option aimed at individuals looking to attain a deeper understanding of business in a very practical way. You are expected to spend 22 weeks at one (or more) host employer2 or campus-based setting(s) and will have the opportunity to apply theory to practice. Find out more about our Extended Professional Practice study option.
• Prepare for your future2
  Your learning will be very much applied, ensuring that it relates directly to your chosen industries and to the workplace, and your tutors will work hard to create opportunities for experiential learning. Teaching and assessments are often work-based, including case studies, simulations, presentations, live projects for clients, work experience, field trips, company visits, and guest lectures from organisations such as tour operators and leading hotel chains (subject to availability). You will have opportunities to mix with employers and to build your CV. Should you wish to start your own business, we offer business start-up advice and support through our Enterprise Hub.

Accreditation and professional recognition:

This course is accredited1 by the following professional bodies:

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you will be able to:

• Appraise the international dynamic contexts and environments in which hospitality and tourism industries operate, and assess the critical issues and challenges and their impact on organisations’ strategic planning.
• apply the major business and management models, tools and theories in the context of theoretical and practical problems.
• critically assess strategic plans for hospitality and tourism organisations and destinations to ensure competitive advantage and maximise the customer experience.
• explore the concepts, processes and institutions in the production and marketing of hospitality and tourism services, including the management of resources and operations.
• critically examine the policies, strategies and approaches used to lead and develop staff within diverse international and multinational organisations in the hospitality and tourism industries.
• evaluate the strategic dimension of marketing in managing customer experience and developing the competitive advantage of hospitality businesses and tourist destinations.
• develop problem-solving, decision-making and implementation skills, to establish criteria, and employ appropriate techniques.
• critically evaluate the principles for leading and developing people and equality, diversity and inclusion at a strategic level (CMI).

The course aims to develop your existing independent study skills, enable you to use a range of techniques and research methods, and become well-equipped to meet the future leadership and managerial challenges.

On successful completion, you would emerge with well-developed powers of analysis, clear perspectives on strategy and strategic thinking. Furthermore, you will have honed your existing highly effective communication and transferrable skills; all of which are demanded by employers in the private, public, and third sectors.

Typical career routes for graduates from this course could include, but are not limited to:

• Gaining experience of working with hospitality or tourism start-up companies and SMEs
• joining a consulting firm that works with SMEs
• creating your own hospitality or tourism business
• applying transferable skills gained to scale up an existing family business
• marketing and PR roles for hospitality or tourism businesses
• roles in NGOs, the Civil Service and education. For example, writing policy, or working for a Destination Management Organisation
• progressing to managerial roles within the hospitality and tourism industries e.g. Front Office Manager, Housekeeping Manager, and Hotel Manager
• progress to further education, such as a PhD and/or developing a career in academia.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates of our International Hospitality and Tourism Management MSc course have gone on to work at: Sheraton Hotel, Landmark Hotel, GLH, Clermont and Holiday Inn Windsor.