MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management — Master at London School of Tourism & International Travel Management

MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management


Course Overview

The MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management is a 12 to 18-month full postgraduate LSTITM programme in the Tourism and Destination Management department. It is aligned with the Tourism Society, WTTC, CIM and Institute of Hospitality frameworks, developing executive competence in sustainable tourism policy, corporate practice and destination-level programmes.

By graduation you will lead sustainability strategy for a tourism organisation, coordinate multi-stakeholder programmes, and deliver a research-informed dissertation that shapes real policy or corporate sustainability practice.

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

Key Features

  • Executive sustainability leadership modules
  • WTTC-informed sustainability frameworks
  • Case examples from London tourism boards and multinationals
  • Applied projects on destination-level sustainability
  • Research-informed dissertation module
  • Careers coaching for executive sustainability roles

What You Will Learn

  • Lead sustainability strategy at organisational level
  • Coordinate multi-stakeholder sustainability programmes
  • Structure sustainability investment cases for boards
  • Model climate and environmental risk in tourism
  • Design measurement frameworks for sustainability
  • Facilitate senior sustainability steering groups
  • Interpret sustainability regulation across markets
  • Deliver a research-informed dissertation
  • Build an executive portfolio linking sustainability findings to board decisions
  • Present research-informed sustainability recommendations to senior panels

Assessment and Delivery

Assessment on the MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management blends executive assignments on policy design, applied corporate briefs on sustainability programmes and a research-informed dissertation defended in a viva panel of senior tourism leaders. 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 tourism managers moving into sustainability
  • Policy advisors targeting executive practice
  • Consultants specialising in tourism sustainability
  • International postgraduates with tourism backgrounds
  • Career progressors from LSTITM undergraduate routes

Career Pathways

  • Sustainable Tourism Officer (executive)
  • Tourism Strategy Consultant (sustainability)
  • Head of Tourism Development (sustainability)
  • Tourism Policy Advisor (executive)
  • Regional Tourism Director (sustainability)
  • Chief Tourism Officer (sustainability)

LSTITM careers services support postgraduates with executive coaching, dissertation-to-role coaching and warm introductions to senior sustainability teams across London tourism boards, multinationals, cruise lines and consultancies, backed by an active alumni network covering board-level sustainability leadership roles.

Careers Support and Networks

MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management 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 head-of-sustainability, sustainability consultant and policy director vacancies at London tourism boards, multinationals and consultancies, backed by an alumni network that continues to support graduates beyond graduation.

Industry-Referenced Study

The MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management is written with reference to executive sustainability agendas at London tourism boards, multinationals and consultancies. Postgraduates work through senior scenarios that mirror executive practice, such as leading a sustainability strategy at organisational level, coordinating a carbon and climate reporting cycle and producing a dissertation-linked policy brief for a real tourism partner. Every scenario is anchored to real UK executive sustainability practice, and candidates leave with a portfolio that supports consultancy, corporate development or board-level tourism 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, WTTC and UKHospitality.

Curriculum authors include former sustainable tourism directors, policy leaders and senior board-level sustainability advisors from London-based tourism organisations. LSTITM Master's routes support executive consulting, corporate development and board-level tourism leadership, with dedicated dissertation coaching and applied policy fieldwork options and international placement scoping for sustainability-focused candidates.

Apply for MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management

Applications for the MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management 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 the admissions team. 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 sustainability-focused postgraduates. International applicants also receive pre-arrival guidance and access to the LSTITM student services team throughout the degree. Enrol Now

Frequently asked questions.

Common questions about MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management.

The MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management runs 12 to 18 months. Working senior managers typically finish the MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management in eighteen months part-time.

Yes. The MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management is delivered on campus, online and by distance learning. The MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management assessments are the same across all routes.

Yes. The MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management is a full LSTITM postgraduate degree aligned with the Tourism Society, WTTC and Institute of Hospitality. UK employers recognise the MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management as executive study.

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

Yes. LSTITM offers scholarships and instalment plans on the MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management. Contact admissions for a current MSc in Tourism Sustainability Management fee sheet and international awards.