How long does the MSc in Tourism Development Studies take to complete?

The MSc in Tourism Development Studies runs across 12 to 18 months full postgraduate route depending on delivery pace, and the MSc in Tourism Development Studies timetable is designed to fit UK and international learners studying alongside work commitments.

What delivery modes are available for the MSc in Tourism Development Studies?

The MSc in Tourism Development Studies is offered on-campus in London, online, and, where relevant, through distance learning routes, and the MSc in Tourism Development Studies timetable includes recorded sessions, live seminars and structured cohort activity.

Is the MSc in Tourism Development Studies recognised in the UK?

The MSc in Tourism Development Studies is issued by LSTITM as a division of Harold International College of London, and the MSc in Tourism Development Studies curriculum is aligned with UK tourism, travel and marketing bodies including the Tourism Society, ITT and CIM.

What are the entry requirements for the MSc in Tourism Development Studies?

Entry to the MSc in Tourism Development Studies requires the level-appropriate academic background and IELTS 6.5 overall (no band under 6.0) for international applicants, and the MSc in Tourism Development Studies admissions team advises on documentation and progression from prior LSTITM routes.

How much does the MSc in Tourism Development Studies cost and are payment plans available?

Fees for the MSc in Tourism Development Studies are published transparently on the LSTITM website with tiered UK and international rates, and the MSc in Tourism Development Studies finance team supports instalment plans and scholarship enquiries. Distinctive practice includes tourism development dissertation and policy consultancy work.

MSc in Tourism Development Studies | LSTITM | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MSc in Tourism Development Studies is a postgraduate MSc route running 12 to 18 months full postgraduate route, aligned with executive tourism practice. Delivered by the Tourism & Destination Management department at LSTITM, the programme concentrates on a postgraduate programme covering tourism development studies from destination through community, policy and economic angles within the wider UK visitor economy.

By the end of the msc route you will be leading tourism development research and consultancy for UK tourism boards, NGOs or executive audiences, ready to contribute in tourism & destination management settings across London and comparable UK tourism environments.

The MSc in Tourism Development Studies gives postgraduate depth to the research-informed practice of shaping tourism development in UK and international contexts, including policy research design, consultancy engagement management, and a dissertation that engages a genuine tourism development question with executive-audience readiness.

Key Features

Programme content aligned with Tourism Society, Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT), Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and UNWTO , UN World Tourism Organization (referenced) themes
Delivered fully in UK English through the Tourism & Destination Management department
Structured articulation from LSTITM Certificate through Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Higher Diploma and honours-level study
Focus areas include tourism development research, policy-linked consultancy, development economics, dissertation practice for the MSc in Tourism Development Studies
Dedicated career support covering CV, LinkedIn and interview coaching for UK tourism roles
Access to LSTITM's employer network across tour operators, OTAs, DMOs and London hospitality partners
Formative and summative assessment reviewed by tourism industry practitioners

What You Will Learn

Design research on UK and international tourism development
Consult on destination development plans with policy audiences
Analyse development economics across visitor economy sectors
Manage a dissertation on a chosen tourism development question
Present development findings to executive tourism boards
Compare UK tourism development practice with WTTC and UNWTO commentary
Coach cohort peers on research ethics and rigour
Publish an executive summary of dissertation findings

Alongside taught content, the MSc in Tourism Development Studies embeds postgraduate research through applied consultancy projects with UK and international partners. Learners plan development studies, prepare policy-facing case studies, complete supervised research and shape a final dissertation on a live tourism development question drawn from their partner engagement with a UK or international employer.

Who This Course Is For

Senior tourism practitioners moving into development consultancy
Bachelor graduates targeting research-led tourism careers
International candidates preparing for UK executive tourism roles
Career changers from public sectors into tourism development

MSc learners join development-focused executive sessions with UK and international tourism partners, hearing directly from senior development leaders on the postgraduate research habits that separate strong new consultants from weaker ones, and on the executive briefings that prepare postgraduate research work for boards and policy audiences after graduation.

Career Pathways

Head of Sustainable Tourism
Head of Tourism Board Coordinator
Head of Travel Product Executive
Head of Airline Ground Services
Head of Tourism Marketing
Head of Tourism Policy

LSTITM's careers service supports every MSc in Tourism Development Studies learner with CV coaching, interview practice and warm introductions across London tourism boards, tour operators, OTAs, airline partners and hospitality employers, aligned with senior and executive tourism careers in the UK visitor economy.

Postgraduate MSc graduates commonly enter senior tourism development consultant, head of tourism development and executive research director roles at UK and international tourism organisations.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 (Lower Second Class) honours degree or overseas equivalent in any discipline, with a stated interest in tourism development studies
Applicants without a first degree may be considered with 5+ years senior tourism experience
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band under 6.0) or equivalent English proficiency
A 500-word research statement on the applicant's chosen area of tourism specialisation
Two academic or professional references and a short interview

Why Study at LSTITM

The MSc in Tourism Development Studies also connects learners to LSTITM's UK and international development partner network, giving direct exposure to consultants and boards shaping tourism development programmes.

LSTITM is the London School of Tourism and International Travel Management , a specialist division of Harold International College of London focused on the destination, business, systems and strategic disciplines that shape modern global tourism.

Students on every LSTITM route are supported by dedicated career services covering CV, LinkedIn, interview coaching and introductions to London tourism boards, tour operators, OTAs, airline and hospitality partners.

Apply for MSc in Tourism Development Studies

Applications for the MSc in Tourism Development Studies are open all year through the LSTITM admissions portal, with the admissions team available to guide UK and international applicants through documentation, English requirements and instalment plans. Once accepted, postgraduate learners receive a full induction covering module timetables, dissertation supervision, tutor introductions and a quick primer on UK and international tourism development practice that new MSc students commonly find useful in the transition to postgraduate study. Applicants can request a call with a development MSc tutor before enrolling to confirm module choices, dissertation supervision and executive research expectations for this MSc. Advance into executive tourism leadership with LSTITM and secure your place on this MSc in Tourism Development Studies cohort. Enrol Now.