International Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management

Award

MSc

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Start dates available

  • January 2027

Start dates available

  • September 2027
University of Staffordshire Courses

Industry-connected learning

Work on live projects and collaborate with organisations including tourism boards, hospitality providers and attractions such as Alton Towers, Wedgwood and Marriott Group.

100% postgraduate student satisfaction

Ranked 1st in the sector for Business and Management for overall satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2026

leadership through simulation

Develop decision-making and leadership skills in a strategy room, tackling real-time business scenarios and crisis management simulations.

With the travel and tourism industry contributing £8.9 trillion to the global economy, there are a vast array of employment opportunities. In the UK, it supports nearly one in 15 jobs – 2.4 million altogether.

Now you can develop your career in this booming sector by learning how to create unforgettable visitor experiences. There’s no better place for this than University of Staffordshire as we’re nationally renowned for digital innovation and immersive technologies.

You’ll discover how to build emotional impact through storytelling and use virtual and augmented reality to take customers on experiential journeys. Our games and tech experts can help you bring these projects to life. On the Masters, you will also:

  • Develop leadership skills in our strategy room, where you’ll make real-time decisions and tackle simulated scenarios
  • Analyse real case studies and have opportunities to collaborate with tourism boards, event organisers and hospitality providers
  • Target different visitor demographics, learn about sustainable practices and explore contemporary issues

You can draw on our contacts with some of Staffordshire’s biggest attractions, including Alton Towers Resort and Trentham Gardens. You’ll also have access to a range of learning environments on our doorstep, including:

  • The Peak District, one of the world’s most visited national parks
  • Stoke-on-Trent’s internationally renowned ceramics industry, from Wedgwood to Emma Bridgewater
  • Dozens of heritage and cultural attractions, ranging from steam railways to Rudyard Lake which inspired author Rudyard Kipling’s name

Whether you already have a degree related to the visitor economy, or experience within the industry, you can tailor this course to your career aspirations.

The MSc can be a springboard to senior leadership, consultancy and operational management roles within the global tourism, hotel and leisure sectors. Other common career paths include becoming a hotel general manager, event planner, destination manager, travel consultant or marketing executive.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc International Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management

Duration

University of Staffordshire postgraduate courses are usually 1 academic year duration when studying full-time and 2-3 academic years duration for part-time.

Course content

The course connects academy theory with contemporary and industry-relevant practice in tourism, hospitality and events. It will also introduce you to the fast-paced world of strategic leadership to help you prepare for your future career. 

Immersive guest experiences are playing a growing role in the visitor economy, blending consumer psychology with creativity and technology. You’ll investigate how to create these ‘lived’ experiences, using compelling storytelling and digital techniques such as 360-degree videos and VR. You can draw on support from our games design and business experts.

We will also explore innovative practices that promote sustainable travel and tourism, as well as transformative service models. You will cover controversies such as overtourism and cultural exploitation too.

To help hone your leadership skills, you’ll take part in strategy room simulations. Acting as a senior executive with an international organisation, you will respond to a crisis scenario and will make key decisions.

For your major project, you will research a real-world issue of your choice. It could involve coming up with an evidence-based solution or entrepreneurial innovation.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Entry requirements

A UK 2.2 Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any subject.

Evidence of satisfactory English language skills is required for international candidates where English is not their first language, such as IELTS - overall score 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening) or equivalent.

Facilities

The Catalyst

The Catalyst combines business, networking and apprenticeship opportunities with dynamic teaching spaces and state-of-the-art digital facilities – the perfect launchpad for your future career. Read more

The Catalyst brings together the delivery of apprenticeships and skills, in a flexible, high-quality, digitally enabled space. It offers open, social and flexible learning spaces, emulating real world working environments and opportunities for digital engagement. The Catalyst is a unified building, bringing together social, study, teaching and support functions, where students can browse digital and physical resources, including books and a number of special collections. 
Watch video

Careers

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Staff

Please note, teaching team staff members may change during your studies.

Profile Image

Frances-Marie Hitchen

Lecturer

Fran is a lecturer in Visitor Attraction and Resort Management, Business Management (Tourism & Events) and Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeships and has vast industry experience enabling her to provide real life industry knowledge.

Frances-Marie's profile
Profile Image

Amanda Payne

Senior Lecturer

Amanda is an active researcher and Course Leader for the FdA Visitor Attraction and Resort Management. She is working towards A PhD and is currently researching poverty alleviation through art and cultural tourism in Cambodia.

Amanda's profile
Profile Image

Craig Holdcroft

Lecturer In Business

Craig is a lecturer in Business Management and Digital Marketing and has industry experience in both sales management and digital marketing. He has been lecturing and sharing knowledge of industry working and digital practices across all levels.

Craig's profile

Fees

Fees information is currently unavailable.

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply now to International Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management

Applications are not currently open for this course.

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

Have you considered?

Business Administration MBA

Stoke-on-Trent

Optional pathways in Sport, Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management.

Study options
Full-time
Part-time
January start
for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025

TIGA Best Games Institution 2024, 2025

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021