Master's degrees are most often awarded at postgraduate level from universities around the world. At this level, students gain a broader insight into their chosen area of study, such as tourism, hospitality, culinary services or hotel management, along with valuable analytical capabilities. Studying abroad increases the value of the student's experience further, especially for students interested in a career in tourism or hospitality, as it introduces an understanding of the international context of tourism.

Length of Master Studies in Tourism

The most common types of master's degrees are the Master of Arts (MA) and the Master of Science (MSc). As with most masters these are awarded after one to two years of study at postgraduate level, such as these courses in tourism management. In some cases a master's degree can be awarded for a longer period of study of four or five years.

In some places master's degrees are also available as undergraduate degrees. This is for example quite common at Scottish universities.

Master's Degree Study in Tourism

The master's degree in tourism often but not always requires a certain amount of independent research and a dissertation or thesis. The teaching within master degree programs in hospitality, tourism, travel and other similar subjects can be course based, research based or as is the case with most - both. The layout of the program will largely depend on its aim - to prepare you for a future career or for further research in the tourism industry. A master degree can also be called a magister from the Latin for master (teacher). In the old French system, the corresponding postgraduate degree was a DEA.

European Standardization (Bologna Process)

The Bologna process has largely standardized the organization of both bachelor and masters degrees throughout most of Europe. Where differences were very common before, masters degrees in tourism today largely conform to the definition of a postgraduate degree lasting one to two years. Exceptions are still degrees within specialist fields where a masters degree denotes a single qualification lasting through four to six years of study.

Admission to Masters

Admission to a masters degree in tourism at postgraduate level requires at least a bachelor degree. Which type of bachelor is required differs - in some cases a degree in the exact field, such as tourism management or culinary arts, or one closely related is required. In other cases, you may gain admission with any bachelor degree with good marks.

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