of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them
Why should I choose this course?
- RESIDENTIAL VISIT – Travel abroad for a five-day research trip – past destinations have included Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Florence, Barcelona, Krakow and Rome
- WORK PLACEMENT – Gain valuable experience before you graduate with an optional three to six-month placement in the industry
- EXPERT TUITION – Our lecturers have a wealth of industry experience to draw from and keep up-to-date on industry developments as well as academic research
- AWARD-WINNING UNIVERSITY – Study at the University of the Year offering the best Student Support in the UK (WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2022)
Our facilities
University College Birmingham is renowned for its outstanding food and hospitality training facilities. Our award-winning restaurant on campus provides the perfect environment for students on our hospitality courses to boost their skills across different service styles.
Course breakdown
- Postgraduate
Core Modules
Hospitality Operations Development
This module is about examining strategic-level operations management issues through evaluating how operations may have to develop or change to meet the future needs of the market. This evaluation will be carried out within the context of corporate strategy and the external global business environment.
International Live Project Management
This module is based on an overseas visit to undertake a specific consultancy project. By applying your project management skills to an international destination, you will develop your ability to produce management solutions for a real case study. You will get involved with project management at all stages, work in a team whilst leading a particular work package. The collaborative teamwork will focus on developing strategies/ solutions to your given project brief. Please note: the costs of the essential elements of the trip will be covered by UCB.
Leadership in Decision-making
Service industries, such as hospitality and tourism, are very competitive. Organisations that make more effective decisions deliver superior financial performance. They need to constantly analyse and improve existing performance while looking ahead to try and judge the future requirements of the market. Management is about solving problems and making decisions. This module investigates sources of business data and information and how they can be transformed and applied to inform problem solving and decision making. People are not always rational and objective decision makers so this module also explores sources of and treatments for human bias in decision making. Decision making is not all about objectivity and numbers. There are many factors that need to be taken into account that are difficult to quantify or put a value on. Organisations need to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders, there is an ethical dimension to decision making. Appropriate leadership skills are required to ensure an effective process and resolution. Problem solving, decision making and implementation can impact on people and how they feel. Stakeholders may have different interpretations of the situation and different views about the solution. They may be affected in different ways by the solution.
Managing Across Cultures
Today's global hospitality industry requires employees to have an understanding of management and leadership across cultures, so you will explore the issues surrounding this while assessing the move away from local cultures to a more cosmopolitan environment. You will examine the management styles, motivation techniques and leadership theories as well as any complexities and contradictions that may occur.
Strategic Financial Analysis
Developing your ability to interpret financial information, such as budget control and investments, enables you to understand the principles of finance within an organisational context. You will examine how managers use financial tools and techniques to enhance the decision-making process and shape the direction of organisations.
Choose 1 optional module
Global Dynamic Environment
You will explore the dynamics and disruptions of global trends and developments on tourists and the wider tourism and aviation industries. You will examine the rise of new tourist typologies, the development of innovative & creative models, products and practices as destinations and organisations strive for sustainable competitive advantage. A particular emphasis will be placed on tourism and aviation futures and the response needed by industry and governments to develop more responsible and inspirational strategies.
Global Solutions for Hospitality & Tourism Marketing
We live in a flat, hyper-connected, shrinking, interdependent world in which time horizons are compressed, communications are 24/7, information is prolific, customers are also competitors and global teams are located throughout the world. Forget Porter's five forces model! If we recognize the fact that post BREXIT, foreign governments in cross border trade may become a significant barrier to entry, then a partner, a customer, or a competitor are in fact a 6 th force in the five forces model and when planning overseas hospitality, tourism and events market entry, distributors / agents / partners can even be a 7 th force. This module provides an overview of the unique aspects of marketing in the international hospitality, tourism and events environment and the role of the international marketing manager in the development of strategies for overseas market entry for a variety of markets in diverse cultural, political, and economic situations.
Management of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events
The module will require students to critically assess the feasibility of large scale event projects and event facilities. Students will study current contemporary issues and trends relating to event project management and the impact of International events on local and regional economies. Students will be required to evaluate the financial viability of events projects, whilst considering long term return on investment. In addition, students will be required to critically analyse associated operational requirements that may influence key performance indicators; including project layout and design, logistics and human resource requirements. The consideration of an international workforce will also be analysed.
Choose 1 optional module
Postgraduate Conference Research Project
The Postgraduate Conference Research Project allows students to engage in creative enquiry as they demonstrate ability to develop an in-depth investigation into an area of their own interest within the area of Hospitality, Tourism or Events management. The Module develops business relevant knowledge and advantageous competencies such as report writing, visual communication and presentation skills.
Postgraduate Employability Project
This project is formed while working on your industrial placement. The key will be to develop your independent learning, problem solving, analysis, assimilation and communication skills while on placement. You will be able to demonstrate your knowledge in a particular area of the sector and apply theory models to dissect the real world problem. During your taught programme, you will explore the process of designing and constructing an industry-focused piece of research. The output will be a body of work which will assist in your gaining employment in your chosen sector.
Optional placement module
Postgraduate Work Placement
The Postgraduate Work Placement module provides students with the opportunities to further develop practical skills, relate theory to practice and to gain a sound base of experience. In addition, the module seeks to develop 'life skills' to assist students in progressing towards a career in management. The placement period offers the student the opportunity to experience work in the hospitality industry and to gain academic credit for their learning. It is important therefore that students are given the opportunity to work in an organisation which is both appropriate to their needs and has a professional approach towards training and development. Students' needs and any previous experience are taken into consideration, when introducing them to a suitable employer. The staff in the hired@UCB suite will draw on their extensive experience to ensure that the objectives are met as fully as possible.
The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
Academic
- MSc International Hospitality Management – A grade classification of 2:2 is required, or international equivalent
- PGDip International Hospitality Management – A grade classification of third-class is required, or international equivalent
- A subject-related UK or International honours degree from a recognised institution
Work-based
- We also consider applicants who are currently employed and wish to apply to University College Birmingham.
- To apply, you must have five years of relevant managerial work experience, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the sector for the subject matter you are interested in pursuing.
- A reference detailing your roles and responsibilities from your line manager and a meeting with the programme team will usually be scheduled prior to a place being offered.
International students
For academic and English entry requirements for EU and international students, please visit the Country Specific Information page.
I am super grateful because I've been able to meet a lot of amazing lecturers who have helped me to increase my knowledge to the next level, especially my critical thinking skills.
Yi Wen Bau
International Hospitality Management MSc
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
Lectures, seminars and fieldwork will provide opportunities for you to explore concepts relevant to your study, while you will also be analysing case studies as a way to understand the link between theory and sector practice.
You will be assessed in a variety of ways to encourage you to develop a range of skills. These include essays and reports, investigative fieldwork, case study analysis, presentations and simulation using industry-specific software.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Tuition fees
UK students
If you are a UK student or an EU student with settled or pre-settled status enrolling on a MA/MSc course at University College Birmingham, your fee for this academic year will be £8,750. The fee for the PGDip course is £6,350.
View postgraduate fees
International students
If you are an international student enrolling on one of our postgraduate programmes (e.g. MSc, MA) in 2023/24, your fee for this academic year will be £14,500 per year.
UCBconnect - meet other students on your course
Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can sometimes feel a little daunting. To support you, we have created a platform called UCBconnect, where you can meet other students who have applied for the same course at University College Birmingham, before you start studying here.
As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent an invitation via text and email to complete your user registration and join UCBconnect. For more information, please visit ucb.ac.uk/ucbconnect.
Latest updates
Join the conversation and check out the latest updates from our Department of Hospitality and Tourism.
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Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships
University College Birmingham works with a wide range of organisations to ensure you receive the best possible training and qualifications recognised by industry.
Work placements
Work placements are vital for gaining real-life experience and for building your confidence and skills before you finish your course – and they may even lead to a job when you graduate. Our Hired team can help find the ideal placement for you.
Our master's in International Hospitality Management offers the option of a work placement for three to six months, with opportunities available around the UK and overseas.
Work alongside experts in your sector
A snapshot of some of the employers we have worked with:
- Grand Pigalle Hotel (France)
- Hotel Paris Marriott (France)
- Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa (USA)
- The Landmark (London)
- Hampton by Hilton (Birmingham)

My enquiries were handled really efficiently by staff. When I came here to study, the standards they had set beforehand were kept very high. I would say my favourite element of the course was being able to interact with and learn from the intelligent and highly experienced lecturers.
Career opportunities
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Theme park manager
Average Salary: £31,000
Conference centre manager
Average Salary: £30,000
Event manager
Average Salary: £33,000
Restaurant manager (fine dining)
Average Salary: £31,000
Travel agency manager
Average Salary: £35,000
Catering manager
Average salary: £22,000 - £45,000

Rahul’s Story
Managing within a luxury hotel group in India, Rahul discovered how his master’s degree could be applied to his day-to-day work.
Meet your lecturers


Prof Michelle Callanan
Deputy Dean (School of Business, Tourism & Creative Industries)
Meet Michelle




