Global Sustainable Tourism

The MSc in Global Sustainable Tourism is aimed at current and prospective managers across the tourism industry, providing them with specialist in-depth knowledge and practical understanding of how tourism and management theory informs professional practice, enabling the industry to aspire to be sustainable, more resilient and inclusive in how it operates. The course is taught in a block structure to allow for full-time study as well as part-time study for those working in the industry. Ulster University is ranked 2nd in the UK for Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism (The Guardian University Guide 2024).



Conversion Course

Are you looking to pivot your career or expand your expertise?



This programme provides the perfect opportunity to transfer your skills to a different sector with no need to have a background in the subject area.



The course starts with a 3-day induction period to introduce you to new network of students and staff.



All modules are taught in 3-day blocks (usually Wednesday to Friday 9-5) so you can fit your learning around your lifestyle. Classes are taught on the Coleraine campus of the university.



One module is delivered approximately every 4 weeks during each semester (3 semesters in total) with a number of half-day learning sets (tutorial learning support toward module assessment) per module to allow you to meet your tutors and student groups.



The calendar of scheduled teaching will be made available to you prior to you starting the course.



Work placement / study abroad

There is no defined work placement on this course.

Course modules include:

• Sustainability Reporting and Governance

• Fundamentals of Sustainable Management

• Leadership and Professional Development

• Global Issues in Sustainable Tourism

• Data Analytics for Sustainable Tourism

• Operationalising Sustainable Tourism



Optional Modules

• Dissertation

• Capstone Management Project

Applicants must normally have gained:

A second-class honours degree or better from a recognised university of the UK, Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or



An equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved professional qualification or other qualification; and



Provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English to GCSE grade C or equivalent. Non-English speakers must demonstrate that English ability is appropriate for studying at this level and provide evidence of English competence to IELTs 6.0.



Applicants do not have to hold their primary degree in a cognate area, but prior knowledge of studying tourism and/or business at an undergraduate level or relevant work experience may be beneficial.



In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Start Date: September 2025

Career options

The programme is designed for those current working in the tourism and allied travel sector to upskill their specialist and management knowledge, helping to inform tourism policy both at a local and national level. For international students taking this degree, the specialist tourism and management knowledge received will be integral to enable better tourism policy in their home country regarding how it is planned, developed and managed in the present day and near future.