Global Sustainable Tourism MSc

Program Overview

The Global Sustainable Tourism MSc program at Ulster University equips professionals with specialized knowledge and practical skills in sustainable tourism management. Through a block structure, students explore topics such as global issues, sustainability reporting, and data analytics. The program culminates in a dissertation or capstone project, empowering graduates to become leaders in responsible and environmentally-conscious tourism development.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Global Sustainable Tourism - MSc

Summary:

This program aims to equip current and aspiring professionals in the tourism industry with specialized knowledge and practical understanding of how tourism management theory informs professional practice, promoting sustainable, resilient, and inclusive tourism operations.

Objective:

To empower graduates to become leaders in sustainable tourism development and management, contributing to a more responsible and environmentally-conscious tourism industry.

Program Description:

The program is delivered through a block structure, allowing for full-time or part-time study, catering to working professionals. It covers a wide range of topics related to sustainable tourism, including:

• Global Issues in Sustainable Tourism: This module explores sustainable tourism from wider perspectives of policy, planning, development, and management.
• Fundamentals of Sustainable Management: This focuses on the critical aspects of sustainability within business operations.
• Sustainability Reporting and Governance: This delves into sustainability reporting requirements and the role of good governance in achieving sustainability targets.
• Operationalizing Sustainable Tourism: Students explore the practical application of sustainable tourism principles within the industry.
• Data Analytics for Sustainable Tourism: Equips students to analyze tourism data and utilize it to address sustainability challenges.
• Leadership and Professional Development: This focuses on developing emotional intelligence, resilience, and effective coaching and mentoring skills, alongside ethical leadership practices.
• The program culminates in a Dissertation or Capstone Management Project, allowing students to either conduct research on a chosen topic related to sustainable tourism or undertake a management-focused project related to the field.

Outline:

Program content:

• Year 1:
• Semester 1: Global Issues in Sustainable Tourism, Fundamentals of Sustainable Management.
• Semester 2: Sustainability Reporting and Governance, Operationalising Sustainable Tourism.
• Year 2:
• Semester 1: Data Analytics for Sustainable Tourism.
• Semester 2: Leadership and Professional Development, Dissertation or Capstone Management Project (completed in Semester 3).

Structure:

Block delivery with modules taught in 3-day sessions (usually Wednesday-Friday).

• Course Schedule: Modules delivered every 4 weeks during each semester (3 semesters total), with additional half-day learning sets for tutorial support and assessment preparation.

Individual Modules:

Year 1:

• Global Issues in Sustainable Tourism: Examines sustainable tourism through the lens of policy, development, and management, focusing on over-tourism and aligning development with environmental considerations.
• Fundamentals of Sustainable Management: Explores the drivers, challenges, and trends of sustainability within business operations, emphasizing ethical decision-making, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
• Semester 2
• Sustainability Reporting and Governance: Focuses on sustainability reporting requirements, good corporate governance, and managing sustainability-related risks, opportunities, and targets.
• Operationalising Sustainable Tourism: This module explores the implementation of sustainable practices within tourism, considering economic, environmental and socio-cultural aspects, with a focus on circular economy and social equity.

Year 2

• Semester 1:
• Semester 2:
• Leadership and Professional Development:
This focuses on developing emotional intelligence, resilience, effective coaching, mentoring, and ethical leadership skills.

Dissertation/Capstone Project:

Students can choose to undertake either a research-based dissertation on a chosen topic or a management-oriented project related to sustainable tourism.

Assessment:

Assessment methods:

• Written reports
• Essays
• Short synopsis
• Analysis of case studies
• Individual and/or group presentations
• No formal exams.

Teaching

Teaching methods:

• Traditional lectures
• Case studies
• Workshops
• Guest lectures
• Site visits to relevant tourism destinations
• Teaching staff: Highly qualified academics with expertise in their fields and Fellowship or Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

Careers

• Career options:
• Leadership positions in sustainable tourism organizations
• Management roles in tourism businesses with a strong focus on sustainability
• Policy and research roles in government agencies or NGOs dedicated to tourism development
• Consulting opportunities in the sustainable tourism sector