MSc Responsible Tourism Management
If you are interested in the course or to enrol please email Harold Goodwin
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Continuing Professional Development for professionals (2/3 years)
Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc designed for professionals in the UK and around the world operating with a mentoring system – you take modules at your pace, and we support you in reflecting on the issues and challenges which confront you and the opportunities they present developing action plans for positive change, for you and the causes you care about.
Most students complete in three years, taking three modules per year (with typically three optional weekends). After one year, you gain the PGCert- you can do this fully distance learning. After the second year, you get the PGDip- you will need to attend for two weeks in March for compulsory classes on research methods as well as a programme of field-based learning. We will support you to complete the full MSc in the third year, or you can extend this if your research requires it. You can change your time frame depending on how your circumstances change. We have two intakes a year, January and September. Studying over several years and paying in instalments makes this programme much more affordable than you think- check our website for current prices and admission forms.
You do not need to attend classes for most of the course- we do however run one optional teaching weekend for each module. Each module has a substantial and up to date distance learning manual, support CD with a large library of book chapters, reports and journal articles, on-line videos and MP3 files from guest lectures, a repository of case studies and past course materials.
Assessments are applied and work-based, they are directly relevant for evaluating performance and planning and implementing strategies for change. You will be supported by your module tutors and a personal tutor who you can contact by email, by phone and by Skype. We are used to working across different time zones. We teach because we enjoy it and we value the change you will make in the world.
This method of studying is ideal for professionals in developing countries and Europe/UK alike, as you can continue earning, live at home and get a chance to implement what you learn immediately. We have found action learning the most effective way to make a difference for Responsible Tourism, you will be part of a large supportive peer group of current students and alumni, people like you making a difference.
Full time study (1 year)
The MSc Responsible Tourism Management is available as a traditional classroom based course in our fabulous campus in Leeds, just over two hours away from London. Full time study is ideal if you have limited industry experience or you want to study intensively. The course attracts graduates from a range of disciplines ranging from management and development studies to biology and forestry, marketing and journalism. We aim to recruit only 10 to 12 people per year to work intensively.
Being in Leeds means you have regular, face-to-face contact with your tutors with the extra backup of all our distance learning materials. You can also access our guest lecture and conference programmes without travelling and you get more opportunities to engage in ICRT’s current research and consultancy activities. You will benefit from 24/7 library and IT resources, our sporting facilities and many student societies.
The course runs from September to September. From the list below, you take the first four modules in Sept-Jan which provide you the foundation on what responsibe tourism is, and the three pillars of sustainability where you will conduct baseline assessments of different situations and develop management or action plans. Semester 2 (Feb-May) continues to be applied by focusing on how to market and communicate sustainability (Responsible Tourism Marketing), engaging in an industry consultancy project we find for you (Professional Practice) and studying research design and project management skills to develop your own independent study (Research Methods). After May you work with your tutors on your research report/ consultancy project (either from Leeds or a location of your choice), which can range from a feasibility study or a business plan, to market research or an indepth analysis of a destination or issue, for example. Again the emphasis here is on your employability skills.
- Responsible Tourism Management Theory and Practice Harold Goodwin & Davina Stanford
- Local Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Harold Goodwin & Lucy McCombes
- Natural Resources and Environmental Management Janet Cochrane
- Communities, Culture and Heritage Lucy McCombes & Simon Woodward
- Marketing Responsible Tourism Xavier Font
- Responsible Tourism in Destinations Harold Goodwin & Davina Stanford
- Professional Skills or Research Methods Janet Cochrane & Davina Stanford
- Professional Report or Dissertation
Staff
Dr. Janet Cochrane is Course Leader for the MSc in Responsible Tourism Management. Se has a particular interest in planning, management, marketing and commercial success of ecotourism, tourism in protected areas, and community-based tourism.
Dr. Xavier Font‘s education is in tourism management and marketing, and his research focuses on marketing and management of eco-labels in tourism and hospitality. He has co-authored and co-edited three books in English and one in Spanish; and published in a variety of academic journals. www.xavierfont.info
Professor Harold Goodwin researches on tourism, local economic development and poverty reduction, conservation and responsible tourism for further information about Dr Harold Goodwin and his publications see www.haroldgoodwin.info
Lucy McCombes is a community development professional, a Social Anthropologist by training, she has varied experience in urban regeneration in the UK, and tourism overseas in Mali, The Gambia, India and Jamaica.
Dr Davina Stanford has been involved in more than 30 consultancy projects over the last 5 years, primarily focussing on best practice in destination management. Her PhD research was on tourist behaviour and visitor stewardship in New Zealand.
Dr Simon Woodward is an experienced tourism and heritage industry consultant whose background includes working with one of the “Big Four” accountancy practices, with considerable experience in providing strategic planning, business planning and related services to the cultural and natural heritage sectors.
Course Dates 2012/13
Each module is scheduled to give you four months of study- a month to read the distance learning manual, followed by a teaching weekend, and nearly three months to do two applied assignments. The teaching dates will not change, so you can book your travel well in advance. We are flexible if you need to take the modules in a different order, or you want to take more modules in one year to reduce your travelling or fit around your work patterns- this is a course for professionals after all.
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Entry requirements and fees
We pride ourselves on the outstanding quality of candidates to our courses, giving you bright and motivated colleagues to share knowledge and experiences with throughout your studies and likeminded friends in the industry after that.
Application deadlines have not been used in the past, instead filling up the course on a first come, first served basis and closing the course when target numbers are met. We run two intakes per year in September and January. Applications by 31st of May will guarantee you a free place at the one day responsible tourism conference the ICRT runs annually in mid-July, where you will meet other students starting in September as well as current students and alumni.
A skype/telephone interview will normally take place to establish that the course suits you, and that you suit the course. Since 2/3 of applications are the result of word of mouth, we want to ensure that only people who can make the most of the course are accepted.
Industry experience is expected in the tourism or hospitality sectors although we do accept students with other backgrounds (see below). We regret we do not accept students that have just finished their first degree, as the course has been planned as continuous professional development.
Professionals with no tourism experience but extensive knowledge of development studies, business or marketing management, political science, environmental management, sustainability, conservation, geography or other fields that are relevant to tourism should enquire about the relevance of their background to the course. It is often these candidates that eventually make the most of the course, finding new creative ways to implement responsible tourism.
English as a Foreign Language IELTS 6.0 in all four exams is the normal entry requirement. International candidates using English as their daily working language but no qualifications should enquire about their eligibility to the course.
The course fee is £5000 (£6500 -£1500 automatic scholarship) for UK/EU students, and £11,500 for international students. For more details on payment schemes and dates, please check http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/students/tuition-fees-payment.htm
Please note that this information about the MSc in Responsible Tourism Management is provided for information only. It is intended to give a broad overview of the course and it is not intended to be, and should not be treated as, a definitive statement of the course or facilities to be provided by the University. The University reserves the right to make variations to the contents or methods of delivery, or to vary the location from which a particular module may be provided, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. Definitive information about the MSc is available on the Leeds Metropolitan University Website
