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Introduction

Location

Headington

Course Length

Full time: 1 year or 2 years in sandwich mode

Why choose this course?

Overview

This programme focuses on the interconnections between hotel and tourism management and places emphasis on knowledge and skills needed to develop a career in a dynamic business environment.

An important cornerstone of this programme is career development through a range of activities, which are designated as both essential and co-curricular/extra-curricular, giving students the opportunity to further develop their career interests in their own time.

The programme also emphasises student choice by providing several study options throughout the programme, including a choice in focus on either the financial management or more broad-based operations management within hotels, a range of free electives, various co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and a choice of either a traditional dissertation or client project for their capstone.

Modules

Compulsory modules

International Hotel Employees

You will explore academic real life business practice as it relates to managing people (employees) within hotels, which includes key understanding how managing people is linked to business strategies, and how to manage people of varying cultural diversity, as well as the aspects of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Digital Marketing and Consumer Experience

You will explore the nature of digital marketing in the global visitor economy and how this is transforming the nature of tourism, hospitality and events. You will also develop a digital marketing plan using an omni channel approach for diverse cultures.

Global Visitor Economy

You will be introduced to the visitor economy and look specifically at the sectors of tourism, hospitality and events. You will develop knowledge and understanding of how these sectors work together in contemporary societies.

Research Methods in Hospitality, Events and Tourism Management

This module is geared towards the preparation for, and successful completion of, high quality, rigorous and systematic hospitality, events and tourism management research. It underpins the range of capstone modules offered by the Business School and is of general relevance to the successful completion of coursework.

Mentoring and Leadership Development

You will develop an in-depth understanding of leadership theory and practice. Your understanding of leadership theory will increase by engaging with contemporary debates on leadership in the hospitality, events and tourism industries, with a particular focus on ethical leadership. You will develop your professional competences and understanding of leadership practice through participation in the school's Bacchus Mentoring Programme, which will match you with a mentor from the international hospitality, events or tourism industry.

Optional modules

Dark Tourism

This module aims to introduce students to the context and practice of dark tourism within the hospitality, tourism, and events industries. Students are introduced to the conceptual and practical development of dark tourism; its scale and scope, which includes a wide range of international case studies of dark visitor attractions, dark accommodations, and dark festivals and events; as well as the underpinning issues and challenges relating to the management of dark tourism experiences, including ethical concerns, authenticity, and experience design.

Planning and Delivering the Sustainable Event

The module is based on ISO 20121 Sustainable Events Management; this is a global industry standards framework, and focuses on key principles and concepts of international events management to the delivery of a real world event.

Professional development (compulsory for those on sandwich mode)

This supervised work experience module is part of the two-year sandwich mode for international students, who joined their MSc Programme in September or January. The module offers MSc students paid supervised work experience in one of a range of hospitality, tourism and event organizations in the UK for up to 52 weeks (40 weeks minimum).

Strategic Financial Management

You will focus on the use of financial information for managerial decision making in the international hotel, events and tourism industries. You will study the key financial issues impacting on managerial decision-making in planning for profit and managing assets. You will explore the financial implications of current developments affecting the management of hotels, events and tourism businesses.

Tourism Digital Distribution Strategies

The main aim of this module is to enable you to critically evaluate current and emerging developments in electronic distribution systems. You will explore the impact of global distribution systems and social media from both a consumer and an organisational perspective.

Global Events and Society

The module focuses on three themes: the social and cultural contexts in which events take place; the various stakeholders who affect and are affected by events; and the social, cultural, environmental, economic and political impacts of events for states, regions, organisations, groups and individuals.

Tourism Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Tourism innovation and entrepreneurship are fundamental to the development of tourism products and services that contribute to sustainable local, regional and national development strategies. You will consider the process of innovation, including the role of key tourism stakeholders such as government, the private sector, NGOs and local communities.

Revenue Management

This module introduces you to key concepts within Revenue Management such as capacity management, dynamic pricing and forecasting. To fully understand how to apply revenue management within hospitality and tourism businesses, you need to be aware of the relationship between price and value and how this influences customer purchase decisions. Other electives may also be available.

Optional modules

You can focus your core programme on either the finance or operations and choose one from:

Responsible Financial Management

You will be introduced to key concepts, theories and techniques in responsible financial management. You will be given a concise introduction and explanation of financial accounting, management accounting and core elements of responsible financial management.

Hospitality Operations Management

You will be introduced to key concepts in financial, human resource, marketing, events and tourism management by developing a deep understanding of operations management in these contexts. You will also work in a group, using a computer-based hotel business simulation exercise, to carry out research and agree recommendations to develop hospitality operations.

Optional modules

Sandwich mode / Placement

If you decide to take the sandwich mode your year of full-time taught study will be followed by one year of full-time, supervised work experience. The time on supervised work experience is paid and spent with a suitable international hospitality and tourism employer. You carry out an assessed project for the company as part of your academic studies on the placement.

Final Project

Compulsory modules

Dissertation

The dissertation is an opportunity for you to investigate a topic in depth from multiple perspectives, working independently and supervised by a specialist tutor. You choose the hospitality, events or tourism management topic which you wish to study. This can be the same topic as in your Contemporary Issues module or a different subject area.

By writing the dissertation you will develop your ability to critically review literature, identify the gaps in current knowledge and practise relevant research skills to facilitate data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation.

Client Project

You have the opportunity to link theory to practice by analysing a real organisational issue. Having identified a project (with the approval of both the client company and the Module Leader) you investigate a particular issue, one that can be supported through the relevant literature and by conducting primary research with the client. This module is not an internship but can be taken in conjunction with an internship you have identified and are participating in. The 'issue' in question may be a current management problem for the client organisation or related to future strategic choices. The Client Project provides you with a significant learning and personal development experience.

Entry Criteria

ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.

IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

A minimum of a second class honours degree (2:2) in any academic discipline, or equivalent overseas degree from a recognised institution.

This course attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities.

Applicants who possess a diploma rather than a good degree may be eligible for entry provided they have compensatory work experience and can demonstrate career development

Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:

 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to satisfy the university's English language requirements:

 IELTS minimum level 6.0, (with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing, and 5.5 in listening and speaking).
 If you have completed your undergraduate degree in the UK (at least one full year of study) you will automatically meet our English language requirements

The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.

The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:

Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.

Assessment

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and assessment

Teaching and assessment on the MSc Hotel and Tourism Management is guided by student study plans for each module which may include but is not limited to:

 In-class, face-to-face teaching such as lectures, seminars and guest lectures.
 Supplementary online activities such as recorded lectures, group tutorials and one-to-one student support
 Experiential activities such as immersive field visits, computer simulations, digital application training


We are guided by the IDEAS framework, which is a curriculum model and design tool that supports teaching, learning and assessment at Oxford Brookes University to deliver inclusive, digitally enabled curricula. The five elements of IDEAS represent current sector-wide best practice in inclusive learning design and Education for Sustainable Development. These are: Inclusive Learning, Digital Inclusion, Employability Learning, Assessment for Learning and Sustainability Mindset

Start this course in January

You have the option to start this course in January. You will study a range of modules between January and May. During the summer months of June, July and August you will study further modules and begin work on your dissertation. Between September and December you will complete your final modules and focus on your dissertation.
Learning and teaching

Below is a brief overview of how the IDEAS framework is applied in programme’s teaching and learning:

 Inclusive Learning - We create an environment that supports the learning needs of a diverse range of learners, which includes but is not limited to international students, non-native speakers of English, LGBTQI+ students and students with disabilities.
 Digital Inclusion - We offer support and training in digital technologies used within our learning environments.
 Employability Learning - A practice-focused pedagogy, which includes action-based, risk embracing, authentic, relevant, experiential teaching and learning.
 Assessment for Learning - Assessment strategies provide a variety of assessment types, including group and individual work.
 Sustainability Mindset - Students are familiarised with standards and relevant codes of practice about subject areas such as the UN Sustainability Goals and the UNWTO’s sustainable tourism development guidelines

Assessment

Assessment is based predominantly on individual coursework and the dissertation.


Research

96% of the research conducted by The Oxford School of Hospitality Management is internationally recognised. Our aim is to conduct research that advances academics' understanding of hospitality and tourism management.

Career Opportunities

Career prospects

After graduation from this course you will have excellent career prospects in hospitality and tourism – especially in the international hotel industry. Our graduates go on to work for the leading hotel brands in a wide range of roles either in the UK or internationally with companies including:

 Accor
 Compass
 Carnival
 Four Seasons
 Hilton
 Hyatt
 IHG
 Shangri-La
 Mandarin Oriental
 Marriott
 Radisson
 Sodexho
 Sol Melia
 Starwood
 TUI.

Depending upon their prior experience, graduates have obtained supervisory/junior management positions and operational roles.

The optional one-year work placement is a great opportunity for those who would like to gain work experience in the hospitality industry after the course.

By doing a work placement you will receive:

 paid, full-time work experience
 practical experience with a top employer in the hospitality, events and tourism industry
 a dedicated service to guide your placement search
 tailored placement skills development workshops
 continual support from the school
 improved graduate employability
 the chance of a firm offer of employment.

Some students choose an academic career by studying for a PhD with us, or in other universities. Our programme provides students with excellent preparation for doctoral studies and careers in teaching in universities.

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