Tourism Course of the Month: MA / Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management and Destination Leadership at TUS Midlands

Master of Arts / Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management and Destination Leadership at TUS Midlands is a one to two year programme that aims to teach students to about global development issues in tourism and. Learners have the choice to complete their studies after one year, securing the Postgraduate Diploma or to complete a research dissertation to secure a Masters of Arts. The course is taught part time and is delivered online once a week on a Friday from 9am – 6pm.

Modules include:

Year 1

• Tourism Environment, Society and Development
• Destination Management and Marketing
• Tourism Careers Lab and Internship
• Term 2 (Sept-Dec)
• Digital Visitor Economy
• Research Methods

Year 2

MA students must complete a 30-credit Dissertation module in Year 2 (Jan - August) under the guidance of a supervisor, focusing on a self-selected research topic.

What you’ll learn:

In the Tourism Environment, Society and Development module students are taught about tourism geographies and their relation to development. The module examines travel patterns, tourism frameworks, land use, and the impacts of tourism on the economy, society, and the environment. Within the Destination Management explore the idea of destinations as competitive units and delivery point for tourism services to incoming visitors. The collaboration of a multitude of stakeholders to craft and manage a successful visitor destination and potential obstacles is examined.

Students will be taught the skills to partake in tourism and destination research and become familiar with methodologies of social science and business management to fulfil this tourism research. Topics of corporate responsibility, sustainability, organisational practices and international tourism and development are a part of the programme.

Read more about the course outline here.

Student Testimonial from Olive Farrelly, Tourism Officer with Offaly County Council:

“I enjoyed my experience on the PG Diploma. The programme helped me to enhance my skills and knowledge within the tourism realm. I now have an extensive understanding of destination management and apply my learnings to everyday situations in my work.”

Entry Requirements:

Applicants from the following undergraduate programme areas are welcome to apply:

• Humanities and social science-related Bachelor of Arts degrees, such as sociology, geography, history, and anthropology.
• Business-related Bachelor of Business/Commerce/Arts degrees, including business management and marketing.
• Degrees in hospitality, tourism, leisure, sport, and food sectors under Bachelor of Arts/Business programs.

Applicants should have at least a Level 8 Honours degree. Graduates with equivalent qualifications in relevant disciplines or industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis, following the Technological University of the Shannon's recognition of prior learning (RPL) policy.

Career Progression:

Graduates of this programme go on to roles in tourism and related sectors namely Destination Management and Marketing, NGOs, Tourism Industry Associations, Event Management, Corporate Travel Management and Tourism Research & Consultancy.

Careers to explore:

• Tourism Officer
• Tourism Sales Executive
• Travel Consultant
• Tour Guide