How long is the MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies?

The MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies runs 12 to 18 months. Working senior practice leads typically finish the MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies in eighteen months part-time.

Is the MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies available online?

Yes. The MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies is delivered on campus, online and by distance. The MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies assessments are consistent across all routes.

Is the MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies UK-recognised?

Yes. The MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies is a full LSTITM postgraduate degree aligned with CMI, ITT and ABTA. UK employers recognise the MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies as executive study.

What are the entry requirements for the MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies?

You need a 2:2 honours degree or 5+ years of senior experience, IELTS 6.5, two references, a 500-word statement and an interview. The MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies welcomes international candidates.

Are payment plans available for the MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies?

Yes. LSTITM offers instalment plans and scholarships on the MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies. Contact admissions for a current MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies fee sheet.

MSc Tourism Professional Applied Studies | LSTITM | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies is a 12 to 18-month full postgraduate LSTITM programme in the Travel Systems and Global Tourism department. It is aligned with the Tourism Society, CMI, Institute of Travel and Tourism and ABTA frameworks, developing executive competence in applied tourism practice, professional standards and evidence-informed leadership.

By graduation you will lead applied practice communities at organisational level, coordinate senior professional standards programmes, and deliver a research-informed dissertation that maps applied practice to real tourism outcomes.

Modules combine executive seminars on applied practice leadership, research-informed workshops on standards frameworks and dissertation supervision sessions where senior candidates test hypotheses on live tourism problems. Case examples reference actual board and consultancy practice projects so postgraduate vocabulary always maps back to real executive practice.

Key Features

Executive applied practice modules
CMI-aligned professional standards frameworks
Case examples from London tour operators and OTAs
Applied projects on senior standards reviews
Research-informed dissertation module
Careers coaching for executive practice roles

What You Will Learn

Lead applied practice communities at organisational level
Coordinate senior standards programmes
Structure evidence-informed leadership plans
Design measurement frameworks for applied practice
Facilitate executive practice steering groups
Interpret regulatory changes across tourism markets
Coordinate CPD-linked capability programmes
Deliver a research-informed dissertation
Build an executive portfolio linking applied practice findings to board decisions
Present research-informed practice recommendations to senior panels

Assessment and Delivery

Assessment on the MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies blends executive assignments on standards leadership, applied corporate briefs and a research-informed dissertation defended in a viva panel. Every postgraduate is paired with a senior academic supervisor and, where appropriate, a corporate co-supervisor from a London tourism partner. On-campus, online and distance students follow the same schedule of executive seminars and research clinics, with continued access to the LSTITM secure virtual learning environment after graduation.

Who This Course Is For

Senior practice leads at tour operators
Quality directors moving into executive roles
Consultants specialising in applied tourism practice
International postgraduates with tourism backgrounds
Career progressors from LSTITM undergraduate routes

Career Pathways

Tourism Systems Consultant (practice)
Distribution Systems Consultant (executive)
Ground Handling Manager (executive)
Tour Wholesaler Manager (executive)
OTA Account Manager (practice-led)
Airline Operations Coordinator (executive)

LSTITM careers services support postgraduates with executive coaching, dissertation-to-role coaching and warm introductions to senior practice teams at London tour operators, OTAs, cruise lines and consultancies, backed by an active alumni network covering board-level standards and applied practice leadership roles.

Careers Support and Networks

MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies postgraduates access executive careers workshops, board-level showcase sessions and interview clinics run by the LSTITM careers team. Every candidate receives an executive careers conversation, LinkedIn coaching, mock interview practice and warm introductions to standards director, quality partner and applied-practice lead vacancies at London tour operators and consultancies, backed by an alumni network that continues to support graduates beyond graduation.

Industry-Referenced Study

The MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies is written with reference to executive standards agendas at London tour operators, OTAs and consultancies. Postgraduates work through senior scenarios that mirror executive practice, such as leading an applied practice community at organisational level, coordinating a senior standards programme and producing a dissertation-linked practice brief for a real tourism partner. Every scenario is anchored to real UK executive practice, and candidates leave with a portfolio that supports consultancy, corporate development or board-level standards leadership.

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 a specialist division of Harold International College of London focused on destinations, tourism business, travel systems and strategic tourism practice. Postgraduate programmes are aligned with the Tourism Society, ITT, ABTA, CIM, CMI and UKHospitality.

Curriculum authors include former standards directors, applied practice leaders and senior compliance partners across UK tour operators, OTAs and inbound handling agents. LSTITM Master's routes support executive consulting, corporate development and board-level leadership, with dedicated dissertation coaching and applied standards fieldwork for professional-practice candidates.

Apply for MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies

Applications for the MSc in Tourism Professional Applied Studies are open on a rolling basis and reviewed within a few working days of receipt. Advance into executive tourism leadership with LSTITM by submitting your 500-word research statement, two references, preferred delivery mode and interview booking to admissions. Successful applicants receive an offer pack detailing senior academic supervisor allocation, dissertation planning notes, tuition options and start dates, plus an invitation to an executive cohort induction with fellow applied-practice postgraduates. International applicants also receive pre-arrival guidance and access to the LSTITM student services team throughout the degree. Enrol Now