MSc in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management
Course Overview
The MSc in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management gives learners a strong insight into sustainability through collaboration with the tourism & hospitality industry
The programme enables learners to develop a specialised understanding of management within the context of the sustainable tourism and hospitality sector. It equips learners with a wide range of skills and competencies to manage a diverse range of tourism or hospitality-related operations. The programme includes the contemporary and comprehensive range of skills required by a tourism and hospitality professional to run a sustainable business in the areas of sustainability, finance, marketing, and business development, with the option to specialise in consumer behaviour or air transportation. The programmes are sustainability led, developing graduates with the ability to think ‘green’, to think responsibly, and to create innovative approaches in all aspects of the tourism and hospitality industry.
Why Study Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management at Griffith?
- A flexible study mode gives students the option of either full-time or part-time study with class size, structure, and assessment tailored to each module.
- A highly practical and engaging learning approach taught by a Graduate Business School lecturing team with outstanding industry experience.
- An international course perspective increases the variety of career opportunities open to graduates.
Course Highlights:
- Variety of modules covering all aspects of sustainable tourism and management.
- New creative and practical collaboration with the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
- Flexible study modes.
- Lecturers are chosen from the industry.
- Opportunity for advancement in dynamic industries of hospitality & tourism.
Intake Dates
- Limerick - Full-Time - September 2025
Course Details
Stage 1 Semester 1
This module addresses the urgent need for transformative approaches to tourism development. The rationale behind this module stems from the recognition of the profound environmental, socio-cultural, and economic impacts that conventional tourism practices have had on destinations worldwide.
Strategic service marketing for the tourism industry is an area that continues to grow in importance in the sector, especially given the change in economic & social climate and growth in use of digital marketing channels (online ad spend recently surpassed that spent on traditional media channels).
The objective of this module is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies required of a manager working within the tourism sector, understanding the importance of performance management, smart revenue in generating revenue, and adaptive budgeting for decision making, while driving sustainability.
This module is designed to provide learners with the fundamental tools of economic analysis necessary to understanding trends and activities in the tourism and hospitality sector. A key component of this module concerns instilling in learners the skills and techniques of applied economic analysis.
This module is designed to provide learners with a diverse and current knowledge of the contemporary issues within the tourism and hospitality sector in some instances as it may have an association to the direct impacts to the tourism industry.
Stage 1 Semester 2
The main purpose of this module is to provide a framework for learners to understand the significant role played by leadership in shaping organisational culture, in communication across the organisation and in responding to and driving organisational change.
In this module, learners will gain knowledge and insight into the nature, purpose, and significance of business, commercial and academic research. The module will guide learners on how to conduct a critical literature review using the best practices to develop a critical approach. Workshops will cover various primary data collection and analysis techniques. This module prepares learners for the Dissertation stage.
This module provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development principles within the context of the tourism industry. Through critical analysis, learners will examine the complex impacts of tourism on local and global communities, environments, and economies, considering both positive and negative effects.
This module provides participants with advanced knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of the event industry, focusing on sustainable practices. The module aims to foster critical thinking, interdisciplinary understanding, and competence in planning and managing diverse events within the framework of sustainable tourism.
This module offers a comprehensive exploration of the symbiotic relationship between the aviation industry and tourism. Beginning with an introduction to air transport and its role in the development and expansion of the tourism sector, the module delves into current trends in air transportation and how these trends significantly influence tourism patterns worldwide.
This module introduces learners to some of the key issues in consumer psychology and consumer behaviour. The role of psychology in determining consumer behaviour is key for brand management learners to explore. The Psychology of Consumer Behaviour gives learners insight into the advanced nature of consumer behaviour and allows learners to apply psychological theories to further understand the root causes of consumer behaviour.
Research Dissertation
The dissertation module gives learners the chance to delve deeply into a specific area or issue at the core of sustainable tourism and hospitality management.
By drawing on substantial research, literature, concepts and techniques, learners will combine management theory and practice. They will be assisted in devising the research question, designing an appropriate methodology, critically reviewing relevant literature, and creating the dissertation report.
The dissertation by practice industry project module involves an in-depth exploration of a specialised area or issue central to a key sustainable tourism management area. Drawing on substantial relevant research, literature, concepts and techniques, learners will seek to combine management theory and practice to address real-world workplace research questions. These research projects will be performed under supervision, on behalf of, and in conjunction with, industry.
Industry may opt to have learners complete the dissertation externally or on an employed basis, where the learner carries out the project in the workplace itself. The research questions and projects will generally be sourced by the school but, in cases where prior approval is sought, can also be sourced by the learner.
- Limerick
Timetables
Timetables will be made available closer to the course start date.
To view a sample timetable for the full-time programme, click here.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements for general learning
The minimum requirement for this programme is the achievement of H2.2 award on a Level 8-degree programme, in business, a related discipline, or equivalent. Applicants who do not hold a H2.2 level 8 award, but who do have a number of years of cognate work experience and a demonstrated ability and commitment to pursue postgraduate studies, may apply for entry to the programme via the Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) application process of the College.
Minimum requirements for discipline-specific learning
There are no discipline-specific learning requirements applicable to this programme.
Minimum language proficiency requirements
All learners are required to be proficient in English. Where an applicant’s mother tongue is not English, they are required to provide proof of proficiency in the English language through satisfactory performance on an internationally recognised test.
The English language entry requirement for this programme is a minimum of grade of Level 6.5 in the IELTS English language test, or equivalent. This equates to a minimum English language requirement of CEFR B2 (High).
How to Apply
Applicants can apply directly on our website.
Fees
For purposes of fee calculation, residence is counted from time of application.
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Study Mode: Full-Time
Limerick: EUR 10,200.00
Please refer to the Irish/EU Living Abroad Fees section.
Study Mode: Full-Time
Limerick
For non-EU living in Ireland or abroad, please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.
Non-EU students: Student Services and Administration fee of EUR200 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.
An Academic Administration Fee of €250 is payable each September at the start of term. For students starting in the January/February term, €125 is payable in February, and then €250 will be payable each September from then onwards.
A 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted. The fees above relate to Year 1 fees only.
Flexible payment options
Students wishing to pay their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page for more information and assistance.
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office:
- Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
- Email: accounts@griffith.ie
2% Learner Protection Charge
All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.
QQI Award Fee
Please note that a QQI Award Fee applies in the final year of all QQI courses. To find the relevant fee for your course level, please see the Fees page.
Progression
Academic Progression
On completion of the Level 9 MSc in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management, learners may progress onto a range of Level 10 Doctoral programmes on the NQF. The Post Graduate QQI validation means that your qualification is recognised worldwide.
Career Progression
Through the MSc in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management, learners will have gained valuable experience built on a strong foundation of sustainable and ethical critical skills that are much sought after by the industry at present.
The variety of career options for graduates include:
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Head of operations at a tourist attraction
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Head of operations at a tourist attraction
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Green/HR Manager with a hotel
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Sustainability Project Manager
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Proprietor of a bar, restaurant, hotel looking to expand operations and focus more on customer preferences like offering organic food, green hotel rooms
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Roles within digital advancements that the industry is embracing, e.g., e-customer relations management (social media, website management)
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Property management system administrators
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Events coordinators and online event management
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Entrepreneur in the early stages of setting up a sustainable business
