Study pattern

The Master degrees in Tourism Management (MA), Hospitality Management (MA), and International Event Management (MA) have intakes in September. The courses are especially designed for professionals. In the part-time Master programmes, a monthly weekend study block (Friday afternoon – Sunday afternoon) allows for regular attendance.The full-time Master also delivers modules during the week.

Teaching dates will be confirmed well in advance of each semester in order to plan work and study arrangements without problems.

The semester break is from the end of July to the middle of September.

Design of the learning experience

The learning experience and the module assessment scheme have been designed to meet the different situations of two distinct groups: -

· full-time students who by definition are not currently practising managers; and

· part-time students who are likely to be practising managers.

The implications of different delivery modes for learning, teaching and assessment have also been taken into account.

Full-time attendance and part-time weekly attendance modes

Full-time and part-time weekly attendance modes will be run in tandem and will share most modules. Weekly attendance is the most attractive option for the part-time open programme as it minimises students' time away from work and gives access to the course to managers who are not supported by their organisations. Delivery over a period of time means that participants can develop knowledge at a more gradual rate.

The learning experience will be structured in three hour sessions and will take a variety of forms in order to fulfil the learning outcomes of the course and module. Case studies, particularly of organisations which have been visited by participants, will be used as a vehicle to understand and evaluate academic theory and models. Participants own work situations will be used where appropriate. Tutor inputs, discussion and students presentations will be used to develop and consolidate knowledge. Participant presentations will be used to consolidate knowledge and facilitate learning from peers.

Student groups will be mixed in the sense of being full and part-time, as well as the usual mixture of backgrounds and cultures. Care will be taken to develop group cohesion. This is seen as essential if the potential benefits of mixed groups are to be realised. As with any mixed group, students will learn from each other provided that an environment which allows learning to occur is created. There will be an emphasis on small group work and activities which enable students to reflect on their own experience and learn from each others experience.