MSc Sustainable Tourism

Applicants should usually hold a Bachelors degree (UK 2.1 or above) or equivalent qualification from a recognised British/overseas university. Every applicant is assessed individually on their own merit. Higher level professional qualifications may also be accepted. Relevant work experience could be an additional benefit where applicants have not reached the standard entry requirements, although it is not an admissions requirement for this particular degree programme.

English language requirements

IELTS minimum overall: 6.5

IELTS minimum by component: 6.0

All fees are subject to increase or review for subsequent academic years. Please note that not all visa routes permit part-time study and overseas students entering the UK on a Tier 4 visa will not be permitted to study on a part-time basis.

Compulsory Modules

Sustainable Tourism Operations

This module provides an insight into the operating systems of the tourism industry from the perspective of the tour operator. It explores issues such as marketing, product development, subcontractor relations, the role of NGOs, consumer relations and ethical consumerism.

The learning and teaching strategy for this module will include lectures, industry involvement through case studies, guest speakers, active learning techniques via class debates and discussions, and role play.

Travel and Transport for Sustainable Tourism

This module investigates the opportunities for sustainable travel and transport within the tourism industry. It identifies the opportunities and challenges facing sustainable practice in the travel industry from a range of stakeholder perspectives.

The learning and teaching strategy for this module will focus upon a series of lectures, industry case study examples, guest lectures and seminars, as well as active learning techniques such as class debates, discussions, role play and scenario generation.

Environmental Science and Society

This module introduces basic environmental science concepts including thermodynamics of ecosystems and human systems, ecology and biodiversity, pollution science, the science of climate change, and environmental policy and human behaviour. During the module, students learn how to undertake environmental risk assessments.

Transitions to a Low Carbon Economy

This module provides a broad understanding of the role of energy, and the range of economic, human and environmental impacts associated with energy systems. Specialist knowledge of the energy field is placed within a more general environmental/sustainability framework, allowing students to analyse strategic energy issues and carbon management.

Sustainable Development Applications

This course will provide an introduction to sustainable development for students primarily concerned with industrial ecology, and a consolidation and deepening of understanding for students focusing on sustainable development and corporate environmental management.

Environmental Auditing and Management Systems

This module enables students both to understand and develop appropriate environmental politics and to appreciate and work with environmental management systems (EMS).

Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility

This module evaluates and discusses how environmental concerns have affected organisations in the private sector. It will also examine how organisations have affected the content, shape and direction of the environmental debate.

Social Research Methods (non-credit bearing)

This module aims to develop students understanding of the contribution social research makes to MSc dissertations. It provides students with an insight into quantitative and qualitative social research methods, an appreciation of ethical considerations within research projects, and provides them with the skills to successfully plan research at MSc level.

Elective Modules

Sustainable Tourism in Practice

This module engages students in the practical application of existing theories of sustainable tourism. The module is centred on an international field trip provided by Explore Worldwide. Its objective is to provide students with the opportunity to experience first-hand the complex practices and processes involved in applying the principles of sustainable tourism to a tourism destination and tourism product.

The module encourages students to adopt a critical approach to analysing product and operations management and to draw on insights gained by hands-on experience in research and addressing issues of sustainable tourism operations in the field.

Foundations of Sustainable Development

This module introduces the foundational concepts of Sustainable Development. The aim is to provide a basic understanding of sustainable development that will equip students to discuss and research complex conceptual and practical challenges in the integration of sustainable development ideas in organisations, policies and projects.

Integrated Assessment

This module explores the interface between scientific evaluations of environmental impacts and their use in policy decision processes. Case studies will be important to demonstrate examples.

Environmental Law

This module introduces the structure of key environmental laws in the UK and EU. Regulations covering waste, water and atmospheric pollution will be an important element.

Ecological Economics

This module introduces the basic insights of ecological economics – that is an economics grounded in ecological realities - and contrast these with perspectives from conventional economic theory and environmental economics.

Life Cycle Thinking

This module introduces participants to life cycle thinking, life cycle management and related environmental systems analysis approaches. Participants gain sufficient depth of understanding to be able to commission an LCA study, interpret the results and provide critical feedback on its execution.

Water Policy and Management

This module aims to introduce students to global water issues, problems and potential solutions. Students gain a basic understanding of hydrological cycle, global trends in water resources use, international water resources law, as well as concepts such as Integrated Water Resources Management.