Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Our academics shape the agenda for scholarship and practice in hospitality, tourism, events and transport. We carry out cutting-edge research in topics ranging from lifestyle, travel, entrepreneurship, food and culture, to the digital economy and artificial intelligence. We will challenge you with new ideas to develop you as a critical researcher, as well as helping you build a solid grounding in research methodologies.

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Key course information

Entry requirements
See full entry requirements
Start date
April 2027
Attendance
Full-time
Duration
48/48 months
UK fees
£5,238*
Overseas fees
£22,700
Subject area
Hospitality, events, tourism and transport
Funding
Funding information

Why choose this programme?

  • You will join one of the world’s largest PhD programmes in hospitality, tourism and events at the world-leading Surrey Hospitality and Tourism Management. We see doctoral students as important research collaborators and you will have opportunities to connect with international researchers, industry leaders, senior executives and policymakers.
  • You will receive expert subject and methodological supervision, supported by research methods and skills training, weekly research seminars and the University’s wider Researcher Development Programme.
  • You will become an active member of one of our research centres, where you will benefit from specialist training and seminars, present your work and receive constructive feedback from researchers with relevant expertise.
  • You can pursue research into the applications and implications of AI in the visitor economy, supported by specialist academic expertise, the Centre for Digital Transformation in the Visitor Economy and Surrey’s people-centred AI research community.
  • You can prepare your thesis as a traditional monograph or in publication format, allowing you to choose a format suited to your research and publication plans.
  • We belong to South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc), an Economic Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded doctoral training partnership, which provides access to comprehensive academic and professional training programmes, as well as the possibility of funding for your studies.
Find out more information

Statistics

1st in the UK

And 18th in the world for hospitality and leisure management in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026

2nd in the world

And 1st in the UK for hospitality and tourism management in the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2026

10th in the UK

For our leisure and tourism research outputs, with our research being rated as world-leading (52%) and internationally excellent (43%) (Research Excellence Framework 2021)

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hospitality and tourism students

Hospitality and tourism postgraduate research

Course details

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What you will study

Our PhD programme takes around three to four years of full-time study. You’ll take on a structured, supervised programme of scholarly research, leading to a thesis that makes an original contribution to the field and is suitable to be published in a series of high-quality, peer-reviewed journal articles.

You’ll be assigned two supervisors with expertise in your area; normally one expert in your subject, and one expert in methodology. Your supervisors will guide you through your PhD, from project development to analysis and thesis-writing.

There’s no formal teaching as part of your PhD programme, but you’ll benefit from a range of support and learning opportunities in addition to your supervision meetings. These include a tailored weekly programme of training in research methodology and career development. You’ll also have the chance to present and discuss your research at our weekly research seminars.

You’ll be able to take any of our MSc modules and join the Researcher Development Programme provided by the Doctoral College. Additionally, you have the opportunity to qualify as a Fellow of Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy) by completing the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

We encourage our students to attend international conferences and training courses. Financial support is available through a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) to assist with research-related expenses, including travel, conference fees, fieldwork, and specialist training.

Assessment

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners.

You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

Location

This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

Research areas

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Research themes

Competitiveness of the visitor economy

  • Economic modelling and forecasting
  • Innovation, entrepreneurship, risk and uncertainty
  • Future of work and labour mobility
  • Visitor  decision-making, behaviour and destination marketing.

Digital transformation in the visitor economy

  • Digital transformation in tourism, hospitality and events, including new media and consumer behaviour, new business models and disruptive innovation, transformation in business operations and performance
  • Smart systems in tourism, hospitality and events, including artificial intelligence and robotics, sensors and internet-of-things
  • Technology for social good in tourism, hospitality and events, including technology facilitating health and wellbeing, social isolation and loneliness, inclusion and accessibility
  • Data science and innovative methodologies in tourism, hospitality and events, including biometric research, data analytics and pattern recognition in big data.

Sustainability and wellbeing in the visitor economy

  • Sustainability evidence-based policy making
  • Industry’s acceptance of responsibility for sustainable development
  • Sustainable development and entrepreneurship
  • Sustainable and efficient transportation
  • Sustainability marketing, product design and communication.

Discover more about our hospitality and tourism management research.

Research centres

Train pulling into station

Centre for Competitiveness of the Visitor Economy

Digital overlay with buildings in background

Centre for Digital Transformation in the Visitor Economy

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Centre for Sustainability and Wellbeing in the Visitor Economy

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Gender, Entrepreneurship and Social Policy Institute

Academic staff

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See a full list of all our academic staff within Surrey Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Support and facilities

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Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Facilities

You’ll be allocated your own office space and computer, and be given access to academic and business databases and a range of online research tools and resources.

You also have access to the Human Insight Lab, which supports behavioural and experimental research through facilities including mobile, screen-based and virtual reality eye-tracking, facial expression analysis, electrodermal activity, heart-rate monitoring and electroencephalography.

Hear from our students

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Entry requirements

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UK qualifications

Applicants are expected to hold a masters degree at a minimum of a distinction level in a relevant discipline from an approved university.

If you do not hold such a degree, you may be admitted, providing you hold a first-class (1st) bachelors degree from an approved university or a professional or other qualification deemed by the University to be appropriate.

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in each component (or equivalent).

These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants:

  • Meeting the expected entry requirements and providing all relevant documents including a satisfactory research proposal
  • Being shortlisted through the application screening process
  • Completing a successful interview
  • Providing suitable references.

Fees and funding

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Fees per year

Explore UKCISA's website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.

* Please note: any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

Fee options

UK
£5,238
Overseas
£22,700
UK
£5,238
Overseas
£22,700
UK
£2,619
Overseas
£11,400
UK
£2,619
Overseas
£11,400
UK
£5,238
Overseas
£22,700
UK
£5,238
Overseas
£22,700
UK
£2,619
Overseas
£11,400
UK
£2,619
Overseas
£11,400
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£21,000
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£21,000
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£10,500
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£10,500
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£21,000
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£21,000
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£10,500
UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£10,500
  • Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.

Funding

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Studentships

Browse our frequently updated list of funded studentships open for applications.

South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) studentship

Awards cover UK tuition fees and provide a stipend at the UKRI home rate on a full-time and part-time basis. The UKRI has not yet announced the fees and stipend for 2027/28, but for the academic year of 2026/27 the UK fees are £5,238 and the stipend is £21,805 (£23,805 if London weighting applies). These PhDs are open to UK and international students and include a full UK or International fee waiver and stipend at UKRI rates.

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Application process

Applicants should contact potential supervisors before submitting an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.

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Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Full-time, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Full-time with Distance Learning, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Part-time, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Part-time with Distance Learning, April 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 17 January 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Full-time, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Full-time with Distance Learning, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Part-time, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Part-time with Distance Learning, July 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Friday 16 April 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Full-time, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Full-time with Distance Learning, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Part-time, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Part-time with Distance Learning, October 2027

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 11 July 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Full-time, January 2028

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 10 October 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Full-time with Distance Learning, January 2028

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 10 October 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Part-time, January 2028

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 10 October 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Part-time with Distance Learning, January 2028

Status

Applications:
open
Closing date:
Sunday 10 October 2027
Select

If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.

Apply

After registration

Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.

About the University of Surrey

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Accommodation

We have a range of housing to suit all requirements and budgets. There are more than 5,750 rooms available (en-suite, single-sex, studio flat, shared or single).

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Student life

At Surrey we offer a friendly university campus set in beautiful countryside, with the convenience and social life of bustling Guildford on your doorstep.

Need more information?

Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.

Code of practice for research degrees

Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you will be agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.

We provide these terms and conditions at the offer stage. You will be asked to accept these when you accept the offer made to you. You will be provided with these terms and conditions again at registration by way of reminder.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.

Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate; some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.