MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies
Course Overview
The MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies is an LSTITM Master (MSc / MA) programme delivered over a 12 to 18 months full postgraduate route window, sitting inside the school's Travel Systems & Global Tourism portfolio and focused on how tourism operates as a global development lever across emerging destinations, cross-border investment and international partnerships. It is aligned with recognised UK tourism-sector practice through bodies such as the IATA (International Air Transport Association) (referenced) and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), giving applicants a credible, industry-referenced study route into the field.
By the point of graduation, students on the MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies are leading a global tourism development brief inside a multilateral body, ministry, tourism board or international consultancy, ready to move into the next step of their tourism and travel career with structured evidence of study behind them.
Key Features
- Research-informed postgraduate route with dissertation or capstone
- Aligned with Tourism Society, WTTC and British Chambers of Commerce international-development practice
- Modules on tourism development economics, aid and international partnerships
- Case work on UK-linked international tourism development programmes
- Guest boards with development-agency officials and international consultants
- Assessed by an executive international development dissertation or capstone
What You Will Learn
- Diagnose a country's tourism development gaps at executive level
- Design a tourism development programme with donor and government partners
- Structure investment prospectuses for emerging tourism destinations
- Coordinate multilateral partnerships around tourism development
- Model tourism jobs, GDP and infrastructure benefits
- Assess ethical, safeguarding and sustainability duties in development work
- Produce a dissertation-level applied study on tourism development
Who This Course Is For
- Senior tourism managers targeting international development careers
- Consultants specialising in emerging-destination tourism development
- Bachelor graduates with international tourism experience targeting an MSc
- International applicants targeting UK-based development careers
Career Pathways
- International Development Manager (Tourism)
- Head of Tourism Development
- Regional Tourism Director
- Tourism Programme Director (International)
- Tourism Consultancy Partner (Development)
- Global Tourism Manager (Development)
- Chief Tourism Officer (Development Track)
The LSTITM careers service supports every MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies student with CV clinics, LinkedIn reviews, interview coaching and warm introductions to London-based tour operators, tourism boards, OTAs, airlines and hospitality partners across the visitor economy.
Progression from the MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies feeds naturally into LSTITM's higher-level routes, so students who complete this qualification can articulate cleanly into an Advanced Diploma, Higher Diploma or full honours degree without repeating study already covered.
Every module on the MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies is written to leave learners with concrete evidence they can add to a portfolio, whether that is a report, a plan, a pitch or a reflective log, so the study time turns directly into materials that employers value.
Tutors on the MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies come from the working UK tourism and travel industry and set assessments that mirror real briefs, so learners are practising against the same problems their future employers face rather than abstract textbook exercises.
Learners on the MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies join a live cohort with structured peer review, group projects and mentor conversations, meaning the LSTITM study experience carries an informal professional network beyond the modules themselves.
The MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies is deliberately mapped to the language, KPIs and workflow that recruiters recognise in tour operators, tourism boards, OTAs and travel-technology employers, so applications reference concrete deliverables from the course.
Assessment on the MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies is spread across the study window rather than concentrated at the end, so tutors can coach improvement between submissions and learners avoid the pressure of a single high-stakes exam.
Entry Requirements
- A UK 2:2 (Lower Second Class) honours degree or overseas equivalent in any discipline
- 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
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.
Every LSTITM programme is aligned with recognised UK tourism and marketing bodies including the Tourism Society, Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT), ABTA, the Chartered Institute of Marketing and UKHospitality, so graduates step into the sector with credible, industry-referenced study behind them.
Apply for MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies
Ready to take your next step in tourism? Applications for the MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies are open now through LSTITM Admissions, with rolling intakes across the year and support for UK, EU and international applicants. Advance into executive tourism leadership with LSTITM and secure your place on the MSc in Tourism Global Development Studies. Enrol Now.
