International Hospitality and Tourism Management Masters - MSc

The MSc programme is delivered over 2 semesters of taught modules, followed by the 60 credit final project. The programme can also be studied part-time, with the minimum period of study being two years and the maximum five years.

To meet the educational and professional needs of each student, the programme offers three awards and exit points: Postgraduate Certificate; Postgraduate Diploma and MSc. Learning and teaching strategies are designed to promote active engagement of the student with the subject area and reflect the strong vocational emphasis of the awards.

Distinguishing features of the programme include:

The Exploring Hospitality and Tourism Landscapes module allows students and staff to undertake field trip visits in the UK to put theory learnt in lectures and seminars into action through a number of day visits to key tourism destinations in the UK.​

The Industry Project Management module, which involves students undertaking a live consultancy project as a group.

An optional Internship module, which will enhance students’ employability.

An option for the final project is an Individual Consultancy Project, which give students an opportunity to engage with an industry practitioner.

Students also have the opportunity to pursue a language module as an elective, potentially enhancing their employability.

Students can also engage with the opportunity to achieve additional professional certificates, e.g. Wine and Spirit Educational Trust, First Aid and Royal Society for Public Health Food Hygiene Awards, as these professional certificates provide added value and can enhance student CVs.

Assessment

All procedures and requirements regarding assessment are contained within CSM’s School Assessment Procedures, which reflects Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Academic Handbook.

The role of assessment is threefold; to monitor student performance as they proceed through the programme, to provide feedback to students and to measure the level of attainment at the end of the programme.

To achieve these objectives the assessment adopted by the Programme Team involves a range of coursework which are designed to give students the opportunity to submit evidence of reflective thought, reading, analysis and problem-solving abilities, in addition to relating their academic studies to their actual work experience.

Assessments will relate directly to learning outcomes and one assessment will usually cover a range of learning outcomes.  Candidates will be assessed in taught modules and, for the MSc students, by means of an Independent Research Project.

In designing and deciding upon an assessment format for a module the following have been considered:

• The module learning outcomes and their level, with particular emphasis on the student’s ability to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and communicate information derived from:

  • module content;

  • learned knowledge from other areas/qualifications;

  • experience;

  • the implementation of systematic information-seeking strategies.

• Opportunities for students to apply their skills to specific industry/business problems.

• Problem-solving skills developed systematically to resolve these problems.

• Assessment performance criteria, as communicated to the student in the assessment briefs.

• The validity and reliability of the assessment methods, which are monitored by module leaders and programme teams via performance indicators; including Module Evaluation forms and external examiner comments.

• Time constraints and the need to ensure consistency.

• The use of a range of strategies through which a student can demonstrate what he/she understands or can do.

• The need for assessment to allow for review and reflection by the student.

To this end there is a strong emphasis on coursework rather than assessment by final examination.

Assessments take the form of essays, group and individual presentations, group and individual reports, a research proposal, reflective portfolios and an Independent Research Project

Employability & Careers

All students undertake a live consultancy project through the Industry Project Management module, which provides an opportunity to engage with employers in the industry.

Student have the option to undertake the Internship module. The duration of this (unpaid) internship is either for a minimum of 20 days, which will normally be undertaken during term-time one day a week throughout semester one and semester two or in blocks of time during the semester breaks.

Alternatively, the students can undertake an internship (paid or unpaid) for the duration of 10-12 weeks (usually engaging in a full time role in an organisation) and this will normally be completed during semester three which would mean that the engagement with the final project would be deferred until September when the internship is completed and 120 credits are awarded.

Students undertake operational, supervisory and if possible, management tasks and duties within the organisation; During their internship students are expected to follow the same work pattern as other employees in the organisation and to perform routine work consistent with that which they aspire to on successful completion of their programme of study.  They will also undertake a work based project tailored to meet the needs of the organisation.

Students can opt for an individual consultancy project as their final project.

The majority have students have progressed to managerial roles within the industries.

Entry Requirements 

All prospective students must satisfy Cardiff Metropolitan University’s admission requirements for students on Masters courses as specified in Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Academic Handbook: The normal minimum requirements for entry onto Master’s Degrees are:

• an initial degree awarded by another approved degree awarding body (2:2 or above); or

• a non-graduate qualification which is deemed to be of a satisfactory standard for the purpose of postgraduate admission

Students who do not hold such qualifications will be assessed as to their suitability through interview, and where necessary the taking of references.

Non-graduates who lack formal qualifications (i.e.: formal qualifications which marginally fall short of the normal minimum entry requirements) should be compensated for by his/her relevant work experience provided that such candidates have held, for a minimum of two years, a responsible position which is relevant to the Master’s degree to be pursued.

International Applicants

Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

There are quality assurance measures taken at programme, school and institutional level to ensure standards are consistently met.