Global Sustainable Tourism - MSc

Program Overview

The MSc in Global Sustainable Tourism at Ulster University equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to manage tourism businesses and organizations sustainably. The program focuses on critical topics such as overtourism, climate change, and sustainable development goals, preparing graduates for careers in sustainable tourism management, consultancy, policy development, and research.

Program Outline

Degree Overview: The MSc in Global Sustainable Tourism is a program designed for current and future managers in the tourism industry. It provides participants with in-depth knowledge and practical understanding of how tourism and management theory can be applied to sustainable practices in the field. The program aims to equip graduates with the tools and expertise to contribute to a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism industry.

Objectives:

• To equip graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage tourism businesses and organizations in a sustainable manner.
• To develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills relevant to addressing contemporary challenges in the tourism industry.
• To cultivate an understanding of the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability in the context of tourism.
• To foster leadership qualities and professional development skills for effective management in the tourism sector.

Program Description:

The MSc in Global Sustainable Tourism is a full-time postgraduate program offered at Ulster University's Coleraine campus. It is delivered through a block teaching structure, allowing for flexibility for both full-time and part-time study options. The program is designed to be relevant to the contemporary tourism industry, addressing crucial topics such as overtourism, climate change, and the implementation of sustainable development goals.

Other:

• Ulster University is ranked 2nd in the UK for Hospitality, Event Management, and Tourism (The Guardian University Guide 2024).
• The program offers site visits to tourism destinations and organizations within the region.
• Graduates of the program have the potential to pursue careers in various sectors of the tourism industry, including sustainable tourism management, consultancy, policy development, and research.

Outline: The MSc in Global Sustainable Tourism consists of three semesters, with each semester comprising approximately 10 weeks of teaching. The program is divided into modules, each focusing on a specific aspect of sustainable tourism.

Semester 1:

• Global Issues in Sustainable Tourism
• Data Analytics for Sustainable Tourism
• Fundamentals of Sustainable Management

Semester 2:

• Sustainability Reporting and Governance
• Leadership and Professional Development
• Operationalising Sustainable Tourism

Semester 3:

• Dissertation or Capstone Management Project

Module Descriptions:

Global Issues in Sustainable Tourism:

This module examines sustainable tourism from a broader policy, planning, development, and management perspective. It explores critical topics such as sustainable tourism planning, development aligned with triple-bottom-line thinking, and tourism management strategies to address overtourism while ensuring the responsible management of mass tourism.

• Fundamentals of Sustainable Management: This module familiarizes students with the critical aspects of sustainability within business operations, including drivers, barriers, and trends.
It explores the balance between economic performance and sustainable practices, highlighting the importance of ethical decision-making, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
• Sustainability Reporting and Governance: This module focuses on sustainability reporting, a critical aspect for organizations to measure their economic, environmental, and social activities.
• Leadership and Professional Development: This module emphasizes professional development with a focus on emotional intelligence and resilience, empowering students to effectively coach and mentor individuals and teams in an ever-evolving global landscape.
It also examines the significance of ethical leadership and responsible decision-making.
• Operationalising Sustainable Tourism: This module explores the practical implementation of sustainable tourism principles.
It examines the policy framework within which sustainability is operationalized and investigates specific operational actions to create a more sustainable tourism industry.
• Dissertation or Capstone Management Project: In this module, students undertake either a research dissertation on a topic related to sustainable tourism or a management-focused capstone project, applying the knowledge and skills gained throughout the program.

Assessment: Assessment in the MSc in Global Sustainable Tourism program utilizes various methods, including written reports, essays, short synopses, analysis of best-case examples, case studies, and individual and/or group presentations.

Teaching: The program employs diverse teaching methods, including traditional lectures, case studies, practical workshops, and guest lectures. Additionally, students participate in site visits to recognized tourism destinations within the local region. The program is taught by a team of highly qualified academics and tourism industry experts.

Careers: Graduates of the MSc in Global Sustainable Tourism are equipped to pursue careers in various sectors of the tourism industry, including:

• Sustainable tourism management
• Consultancy
• Policy development
• Research
• Academia
• Advocacy and non-profit organizations