Ulster University - Belfast

International Hospitality Management

Summary

This degree has been designed to meet the needs of those who aspire to management in the Hospitality industry. It is aimed to help you develop a detailed knowledge of the industry and the associated management skills and abilities necessary in the world's largest and fastest growing industry to meet the needs of an ever more sophisticated consumer.

About

The international hospitality industry is one of the world's fastest growing industries. Through this programme you will develop detailed knowledge of the leadership and the associated skills necessary for management in this dynamic and exciting global industry. The MSc International Hospitality Management is suited to graduates with any degree who wish to convert to studies in this field.

Ulster University is ranked in the top 5 UK universities for hospitality, leisure, recreation and tourism in The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 (The Times/Sunday Times, 2018).

The delivery has been designed to reflect the specialist nature of the programme with dedicated three day blocks for each module.

Teaching and learning assessment

A range of teaching and learning methods will be employed to develop learning through block delivery with the use of On-Line Learning for dissemination of teaching and learning materials. A range of teaching methods will be employed, including traditional lectures, case studies, business simulation gaming, one-to-one tutor sessions, videos.

We also arrange a number of field trips to hospitality and tourism venues and have a number of guest speakers from Industry

Assessment include written essays, short synopsis, reviews and peer reviews, case studies, objective tests, business reports, computer modelling, individual and group presentations. There are no formal examinations.

Professional recognition

Institute of Hospitality (IoH)

Accredited by the Institute of Hospitality that academic, vocational and professional standards achieved are appropriate and programme content and delivery meet international Institute of Hospitality benchmark standards.

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements

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 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.

An interview may form part of the selection process.

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.

Exemptions and transferability

If you have another qualification awarded by Ulster University or by another university or other educational institution, or have evidence of accreditation of prior learning this may be considered for exemption from part of the programme, provided that you register as a student at Ulster University for modules amounting to at least the final third of the credit value of the award at the highest level.

Exemption is not permitted from the dissertation or business project.

What exemptions can I get?
The Course Director can advise candidates as to the eligibility of their accredited course.

How do I apply for exemptions?
When accepted on the Course you are asked to complete an exemptions form, which is reviewed by the Course Director and exemptions are then agreed during the Induction process.

Duration

Attendance

Commencing in early September, the course starts with an induction period of three days duration. As a part time student you complete a maximum of two modules per semester and it will take six semesters 2 to 2.5 years.

A key strength of the MSc is that it is modular in structure and delivered in blended learning mode, with all modules being taught in 3 day intensive blocks.

Our novel delivery is designed to fit around your home and work life as a mature student. We recognise that being able to schedule study around your life-needs is of vital importance for academic success. Accordingly we have designed our master's programmes to be delivered in compact and intensive three day immersive learning experiences.

The block delivered modules are supported with online discussion groups and three half day learning sets (tutorial learning support) per module. These days are set to meet with your tutors and student groups to develop your assessed work.

Semester three includes the three day learning block on research methods followed by a series of support meetings with your dissertation or business project supervisor between June and September.

The calendar of scheduled teaching blocks and learning sets is available to you prior to commencement on the programme.

Careers or further progression

Career options

This qualification offers a range of management career opportunities in one of the world's largest and fastest growing industries. The hospitality industry is composed of a diverse range of industries and employers including hotels, restaurants, cruise liners and public sector organisations such as destination marketing organisations.

Further enquiries

Ulster Business School Office
T: +44 (0)28 9036 6351
E: business@ulster.ac.uk

Course Director:Mrs Frances Devine
T: +44 (0)28 9536 7393
E: fg.devine@ulster.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Year one

Business Performance
Computer gaming or case studies coupled with computer model building are used as vehicles to develop higher-level financial management skills for understanding the dynamics of a business system, budgeting, predictive planning and financial model building to enhance strategic management and decision making in the hospitality, event and tourism sectors.

Tourism and Hospitality Principles and Practice
The module provides students with an understanding of key principles of tourism (mobility, motivation, experience economy, satisfaction, destinations, change and futures) and hospitality (consumer behaviour, quality, satisfaction, localism, experience economy, and futures). and how they have been operationalized across the sector over time. It also assesses their relevance for the sectors in the future.

Managing and Leading People
The module provides students with an understanding of the significance of management and leadership to organisational success. It examines the key concepts of management and leadership with specific reference to those concerned with best practice human resource management within the international service industries. In addition, it allows students to reflect on their individual management and leadership skills and identify areas for development.

Year two

Strategic Marketing
The module examines and applies the principles, concepts and theories of strategic marketing management including managing the marketing mix, strategy formulation, strategic decision making and evaluation of marketing performance. Moreover, the module provides students with an understanding and knowledge of a range of analytical models and tools which can be applied to marketing planning, implementation and control.

Internationalisation of Hospitality
The module provides students with underpinning knowledge from business start-up and development to the challenges of international growth in the hospitality sector. The module fosters an understanding of how hospitality businesses succeed in a global context and the growth strategies used by successful hospitality brands. It also considers the importance of strategic planning, quality frameworks and cultural diversity in relation to developing successful global brands.

Service Excellence for Hospitality
This module is optional
This module develops students' in-depth knowledge and understanding of the delivery of service excellence in the hospitality industry, being able to operate within the confines of current and future business environments.

Bidding for Success
This module is optional
This module provides students with the necessary skills and understanding of what a successful bid entails, including evaluating the appropriateness of potential tenders, essential management skills required and fulfilling relationship objectives.

Year three

Research Methods & Dissertation
This module is optional
This module will develop, enhance and assess the student's ability to carry out appropriate research, gather and process primary data and utilise analytical thinking to produce an independent research-based project at postgraduate level, in a key area of relevance to their course and chosen field of study.

Research Methods and Business Project
This module is optional
This module will develop, enhance and assess the student's ability to carry out appropriate research on an existing or potential new business, and to present their findings and recommendations to a panel of business experts.