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International Hospitality and Events Management MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Learn about the course below
Code
N862
Start
September 2024
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Fees
September 2024: £11,000 (UK)*
£17,600 (INT)*
Course leader

Hospitality and tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors globally and events management is a dynamic growth area characterised by innovation and providing business opportunities at various scales. The  UK events industry alone is worth £42 billion and inbound business visits to Britain equate to 23.5% of all visits. Along with a predicted shortfall of personnel in the industry, especially at management level, this course will give you the skills and knowledge to thrive.

Why study MSc/PGDip/PGCert International Hospitality and Events Management at Middlesex University?

This course combines specialist knowledge with the context of tourism in the global economy and provides a range of contemporary options taught by staff with recent practical experience in the industry. You will gain direct experience of the sector through the practicum module and enterprise module.

The module content is directly influenced by contemporary industry trends meaning that you will always be learning the most up-to-date theories and methods. You will be able to take a variety of optional modules from digital marketing to tourism and development and entrepreneurship in tourism

The programme also has a strong focus on employability which includes developing communication skills, independent thinking and the ability to problem solve and innovate. Upon graduation you will be able to explore a wide range of interesting specialist career areas such as place marketing or destination management as well as event management. You will also have the skills to choose a career around the globe.

Course highlights

  • You will have the opportunity to join a week long physical or virtual field-trip providing direct interaction with the industry (depending on circumstances)
  • You will benefit from the tutors and connection in our well-established progressive Department of Marketing, Branding and Tourism
  • You have the option to graduate with a PGCert or PGDip
  • You will be able to engage in original research through the production of a dissertation.

Find out more

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What will you study on MSc/PGDip/PGCert International Hospitality and Events Management?

Over the course of this programme, you will focus on the international context and global trends in hospitality, events and tourism, and study a range of specialist modules to demonstrate the range of the industry and the key issues and skills required. Your dissertation will provide you with the skills to find, handle and interpret data and to be able to write and discuss it.

What will you gain?

As well as an in-depth knowledge of the subject, you will also gain the ability to think critical and conceptually to help organisations reach their goals. You will be able to understand issues from different points of view in order to be able to communicate from the perspectives of different stakeholders. You will also develop your problem solving skills and have an understanding of how to influence policy within both private and public sectors.

Modules

There are three different awards available for this course:

  • MSc route comprises two 30 credit modules, four 15 credit modules and a dissertation
  • PG Diploma route comprises two 30 credit modules and four 15 credit modules as listed below but does not include the 60 credit Research methods and dissertation
  • PG Certificate route comprises two compulsory 30 credit modules, International Tourism in the 21st century and Managing Contemporary Hospitality
  • Modules

    • International Tourism in the 21st century (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This core module provides a comprehensive overview and critical analysis of tourism. It runs on the premise that mass tourism will remain the most prominent form of tourism development. One of the major academic concerns has been to develop more responsible and sustainable approaches to the sector. To that end this module identifies a range of environmental, social, cultural and economic issues that arise out of mass tourism development in different parts of the world. In order to identify the causes as well as to examine possible solutions, the module critically examines the socio-political environment in which mass tourism is situated, namely neo-liberal globalisation. In this light, we examine how this politics has structured tourism, such as the changed nature of the private sector, the implications of competition between destinations and firms, the relationship between public, private and third sectors, the growing volatility of demand in many destinations and the importance of class and status in tourism. The module also addresses conceptual issues inherent in these criticisms such as the right to tourism, the implications of contemporary tourism development for citizenship and the impact of tourism on less developed and developed countries. The module also analyses alternative forms of tourism that are trying to address issues of sustainability and ethics. The final section of the module is concerned with developing an in-depth analysis of heritage and urban tourism as distinctive examples of alternative tourism development.

    • Managing Contemporary Hospitality (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module deals with the post-recession implications for the international hospitality environment of deregulation and competition, the introduction of new technologies and the rise of the new tourist destinations. In particular there will be a focus on the implications of more intense competition on customer service, sustainability and CSR.

    • Events Management (15 credits) - Compulsory

      This is a module aimed at developing your critical understanding of the events management field and to equip you with the skills to assess the impact of events and analyse the role of festivals and events in revitalising destinations.

    • Hospitality and Events Practicum (15 credits) - Compulsory

      In this module, you will gain first-hand experience of what it is to work in the industry. You will be normally engaged on one or more practical projects agreed between the University and the organisation that draws upon your skills.

    • Research Methods and Dissertation (60 credits) - Compulsory

      This module will assist you in developing an understanding of the research process and the tools necessary to complete research. You will then begin writing an original dissertation in which you will collect your own information in order to throw light on particular issues in the sector that interests you. This provides you with essential management skills for handing information, innovation and policy development.

    • Digital Marketing (15 credits) - Optional

      This module aims to develop your understanding of the complexity of the new digital landscape and developments in digital technology. You will focus on such things as e-marketing models, social media, e-tailing and digital marketing strategies.

    • Entrepreneurship in Tourism (15 credits) - Optional

      This module is aimed at those who wish to set up a small firm or who might be involved in promoting entrepreneurship in a particular locality.

    • Destination Management (15 credits) - Optional

      This module will equip you with the knowledge and skills to apply to appropriate destination management and marketing solutions.

    • Visitor Attractions Management (15 credits) - Optional

      The aim of this module is for students to gain a depth of understanding of visitor attractions to equip them with knowledge and skills they can transfer into the workplace. The module will introduce students to the range and diversity of natural and man-made attractions across the globe and provide a deep understanding of the governance, marketing, legal and operational issues of opening attractions to the public whilst providing a quality visitor experience.

More information about this course

See the course specification for more information about typical course content outside of the coronavirus outbreak:

Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we have learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.

We aim to model a wide range of teaching strategies and approaches on the course which you can adapt to your own setting.

How is the MSc/PGDip/PGCert International Hospitality and Events Management taught?

Teaching methods on this programme will enhance your employability; the external visits and the field trip will expose you to hospitality and event management professionals. All modules use international case studies so as to apply their knowledge to contemporary issues. The programme aims to engage in blended learning making use of online resources and techniques. There is a range of teaching methods including lectures, seminar discussions group debates, field trips, podcasts, private study all of which together aim to give you a variety of approaches and experiences.

Assessment

The programme has a range of assessments that equally are designed to accentuate employability from, group reports, reflective field diaries, poster presentations, portfolios, oral presentations, seen exams and academic essays. Feedback from formative assessment and from first drafts plays an important aspect in developing your skills.

Teaching and learning from 2022

We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we have learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.

We are currently reviewing our approach to teaching and learning for 2023 entry and beyond. We've learned a lot about how to give you a quality education - we aim to combine the best of our pre-pandemic teaching and learning with access to online learning and digital resources which put you more in charge of when and how you study. We will keep you updated on this throughout the application process.

Your timetable will be built around on campus sessions using our professional facilities, with online sessions for some activities where we know being virtual will add value. We’ll use technology to enhance all of your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time.

The table below gives you an idea of what learning looks like across a typical week. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on campus sessions.

This information is likely to change slightly for 2023 entry as our plans evolve. You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.

Learning structure: typical hourly breakdown in 2021/22

Live in-person on campus learning

Contact hours per week, per level:

7.5 hours

Live online learning

Average hours per week, per level:

5 hours

Outside of these hours, you’ll be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes. In a year, you’ll typically be expected to commit 1200 hours to your course across all styles of learning.

Definitions of terms

  • Live in-person on campus learning – This will focus on active and experiential sessions that are both:
    • Led by your tutors including seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations We’ll schedule all of this for you
    • Student-led by you and other students, like small group work and presentations.
  • Live online learning – This will include lectures, tutorials and supervision sessions led by your tutor and timetabled by us. It also includes student-led group work that takes place online
  • Tutor set learning activities – This covers activities which will be set for you by your tutor, but which you will undertake in your own time. Examples of this include watching online materials, participating in an online discussion forum, completing a virtual laboratory or reading specific texts. You may be doing this by yourself of with your course mates depending on your course and assignments. Outside of these hours, you’ll also be expected to do further independent study where you’ll be expected to learn, prepare, revise and reflect in your own time.

Support

You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.

Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.

You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

  1. Standard entry requirements
  2. International (inc. EU)
  3. How to apply
  1. UK
  2. International
  3. Additional costs
  4. Scholarships and bursaries

How can the MSc/PGDip/PGCert International Hospitality and Events Management support your career?

Hospitality and events span a range of jobs that are much more than managing hotels and events delivery. Destinations require management, while there is a huge range of jobs in place marketing and the marketing of individual attractions together with a greater variety of techniques and means of marketing. Discussion of the third sector and public sector institutions and organisations in sustainability and tourism open other areas of employment that covers land use planning, managing partnerships and developing policy in all sorts of areas from training and environmental management to infrastructure and transport planning. Within the key institutions of hospitality there are many other jobs such as human resource or supply chain management.

Dr Marianna Kornilaki
Programme Leader

Marianna’s current role is Programme Leader for MSc Hospitality and Event Management and senior lecturer in Tourism, Hospitality and Event management. Prior to joining Middlesex University. Marianna was a senior lecturer in Events Management at Leeds Beckett University. Marianna’s research interests include sustainability,  environmental business practices, small tourism and hospitality businesses and impacts of events. Preceding to becoming an academic, Marianna worked in the hospitality industry, specialised in the quality customer service. She utilises her industry knowledge and experiences in her teaching, as well as benefits her students with her network connections.

Victoria Waligo
Lecturer

Victoria's key research interests include sustainable tourism management, stakeholder engagement and social entrepreneurship with a focus on processes and implementation. Prior to her PhD, Victoria studied economics and political science and undertook a Master’s degree in international travel and tourism Management thereafter. She has a wealth of industry and research experience gained from working in managerial roles within the aviation sector working for national airlines including Egyptair, Air Tanzania and South African Airways and in research roles at the former Centre for Environmental Studies (CESHI) at Oxford Brookes University and at Westminster Abbey in London where she investigated how the Abbey could be sustained as a visitor attraction and a church.

Matina Terzidou
Lecturer

Dr Matina Terzidou is a Lecturer in Tourism at Middlesex University London. Prior joining this institution Matina worked as an Associate Lecturer for the University of Surrey and two years as a Visiting Researcher at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Matina holds a PhD and a MSc in Tourism Management from the University of Surrey, U.K. Her main research interests lie in the areas of religious and heritage tourism, tourism impacts and development, and she specialises also in Research Methods. She has published in key tourism journals including Annals of Tourism Research and Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing.

Dr Barbora Cherifi
Senior Lecturer

Dr Barbora Cherifi is a Lecturer in Tourism at Middlesex University London. Barbora holds an MA in Tourism Management and PhD from the Centre of Tourism Research at University of Westminster in London and a first degree from Institute of Hospitality Management in Prague. Her research interests are place image and destination image.

Dr Maria Jerez Jerez
Lecturer

Maria received her PhD in Business Management from Middlesex University, London, UK. She has a Master of Arts degree in International Hotel and Restaurant Management from London Metropolitan University, UK, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism, Madrid, Spain. She worked in the hotel and tourism industry in various functional areas and managerial roles before becoming an educator.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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