How long is the MSc in Sustainable Tourism Development?

The MSc in Sustainable Tourism Development runs one year full-time or two years part-time, with online and distance learning routes that share the same seminar and supervision structure as the on-campus cohort.

How is the MSc in Sustainable Tourism Development delivered?

The MSc in Sustainable Tourism Development is delivered through weekly seminars, applied policy labs, live sponsor briefs and one-to-one dissertation supervision from practising tourism directors and consultants.

Is this MSc recognised in the UK?

Yes. The MSc in Sustainable Tourism Development is a UK Level 7 research-informed Master's benchmarked against Tourism Society, ITT and UKinbound guidance, closing with a supervised dissertation or sponsor project.

What are the entry requirements for this MSc?

You need a UK Bachelor's (2:2+) or international equivalent, or 5+ years of senior tourism experience on portfolio. Non-native English speakers require IELTS 6.5 overall. A 500-word research proposal is included at application.

What does the MSc cost and is funding available?

Full fees, staged instalment plans and scholarship eligibility for the MSc in Sustainable Tourism Development are confirmed at enrolment. LSCAHM admissions issues written quotes and reviews sponsor arrangements with each applicant.

MSc Sustainable Tourism Development | LSCAHM | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MSc in Sustainable Tourism Development is a one-year full-time (or two years part-time) UK Level 7 research-informed programme aligned with Tourism Society, UKinbound and Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) sustainability guidance. It is written for mid-career tourism officers, destination marketers and consultants who need a postgraduate qualification in carrying-capacity planning, community-based tourism and low-carbon visitor economies.

By graduation, students are producing destination-level sustainability plans, chairing stakeholder workshops with local authorities, drafting evaluation frameworks against United Nations sustainable tourism criteria, and completing a supervised dissertation, capstone or sponsor project for a working tourism operator or board.

Key Features

Level 7 curriculum benchmarked against Tourism Society, ITT and UKinbound sustainability standards.
Dissertation, capstone or sponsor project supervised by practising tourism consultants and destination officers.
Case work drawn from UK national parks, coastal authorities and inbound tourism operators.
Modules on climate risk, over-tourism, community consent and regenerative destination models.
Access to Tourism Society and ITT postgraduate networking through LSCAHM.
Named academic supervisor plus a professional mentor from the tourism sector.
Options for research-based, consulting-based or portfolio-based Master's exit.

What You Will Learn

Design carrying-capacity models for fragile UK and international destinations.
Chair multi-stakeholder workshops with local authorities, DMOs and community groups.
Draft sustainability strategies that meet UN, ITT and UKinbound criteria.
Interpret carbon accounting, visitor-flow data and Scope 3 emissions for tourism boards.
Evaluate regenerative tourism business models against commercial viability.
Structure grant, funding and public-private partnership applications for green tourism.
Communicate sustainability findings to boards, ministers and community stakeholders.
Lead a supervised research or consulting project delivered to Master's standard.

Who This Course Is For

Tourism officers moving into destination management leadership.
Consultants and analysts building a sustainability practice.
Marketing and communications managers at DMOs, boards or inbound operators.
Public-sector professionals in economic development and tourism strategy.
International applicants preparing for senior sustainability roles in tourism.

Career Pathways

Sustainable Tourism Consultant
Destination Marketing Manager
Tourism Manager (DMO / Board)
Regenerative Tourism Lead
ESG and Sustainability Manager (Tourism)
Public Sector Tourism Strategist
Community Tourism Programme Manager

The LSCAHM careers service connects postgraduate researchers with tourism boards, inbound operators, consultancies and public-sector programmes across the UK, and runs at least one industry-careers day each year focused on tourism strategy and sustainability recruitment.

Entry Requirements

A UK Bachelor's degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent international qualification, ideally in tourism, geography, business or a related discipline.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Applicants without a Bachelor's degree but with 5+ years of senior tourism, destination or sustainability experience are considered on portfolio.
One academic and one professional reference, ideally from within tourism or public policy.
A 500-word research proposal or professional practice statement outlining your sustainability research interests.

Why Study at LSCAHM

The London School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management is a specialist division of Harold International College of London teaching in small, tutor-visible cohorts. LSCAHM reads culinary arts, hospitality management, tourism, events and food business as interlocking disciplines, which means sustainable tourism candidates learn to balance destination policy with food systems, hospitality demand and event calendars.

Central London places tourism boards, inbound operators, the Tourism Society and Institute of Travel and Tourism within a short tube ride of every classroom, and three parallel study modes let mid-career professionals complete their Master's without leaving employment.

Apply for MSc in Sustainable Tourism Development

Enrol on an LSCAHM Master's programme. Your dissertation, capstone or sponsor project is supervised by practising tourism directors and consultants, admissions responds within one working day, and named research supervision is confirmed at enrolment. Enrol Now