MSc Sustainable Tourism

This innovative programme provides an enriched learning experience that draws upon both social sciences as well as business and management, and provides students with access to world-leading personnel, ideas, attitudes and innovative practices within the field of sustainable tourism.

The importance of industry collaboration in this programme is evident as the MSc is run in association with Explore Worldwide, the UK’s leading adventure travel company. Explore are recipients of several awards in recognition of their work in sustainable and responsible tourism (such as Best Tour Operator in the Responsible Tourism Awards, appearing in the Sunday Times Best Green Companies list, and Best Travel Business in the Green Business Awards).

In association with Explore Worldwide.

Entry standards

Applicants should usually hold a Bachelors degree (UK Upper Second/2.1 or above) or equivalent qualification from a recognised British/overseas university. Every applicant is assessed individually on their own merit. Higher level professional qualifications may also be accepted.

Relevant work experience could be an additional benefit where applicants have not reached the standard entry requirements, although it is not an admissions requirement for this particular degree programme.

As a result of their high popularity, we have successfully secured further places for our postgraduate programmes in this area. We are therefore extending our deadline for submission of applications to 31 May 2012. Applications received after this date will only be considered subject to availability of places.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

MSc Sustainable Tourism - structure and modules

Module Titles

Compulsory Modules

• Sustainable Tourism Operations
• Travel and Transport for Sustainable Tourism
• Environmental Science and Society
• Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility
• Environmental Auditing and Management Systems
• Sustainable Development Applications
• Transitions to a Low Carbon Economy
• Dissertation
• Social Research Methods (non-credit bearing)

Elective Modules

• Sustainable Tourism in Practice
• Principles of Sustainable Development
• Life Cycle Thinking
• Ecological Economics
• Integrated Assessment
• Environmental Law
• Water Resources Management

Compulsory Modules

Sustainable Tourism Operations

This module provides an insight into the operating systems of the tourism industry from the perspective of the tour operator. It explores issues such as: marketing, product development, subcontractor relations, the role of NGOs, consumer relations and ethical consumerism.

The learning and teaching strategy for this module will include: lectures, industry involvement through case studies, guest speakers, active learning techniques via class debates and discussions, and role play.

Travel and Transport for Sustainable Tourism

This module investigates the opportunities for sustainable travel and transport within the tourism industry. It identifies the opportunities and challenges facing sustainable practice in the travel industry from a range of stakeholder perspectives.

The learning and teaching strategy for this module will focus upon a series of lectures, industry case study examples, guest lectures and seminars, as well as active learning techniques such as: class debates, discussions, role play and scenario generation.

Environmental Science and Society

This module introduces basic environmental science concepts including: thermodynamics of ecosystems and human systems, ecology and biodiversity, pollution science, the science of climate change, and environmental policy and human behaviour. During the module, students learn how to undertake environmental risk assessments.

Transitions to a Low Carbon Economy

This module provides a broad understanding of the role of energy, and the range of economic, human and environmental impacts associated with energy systems. Specialist knowledge of the energy field is placed within a more general environmental/sustainability framework, allowing students to analyse strategic energy issues and carbon management.

Sustainable Development Applications

This course will provide an introduction to sustainable development for students primarily concerned with industrial ecology, and a consolidation and deepening of understanding for students focusing on sustainable development and corporate environmental management.

Environmental Auditing and Management Systems

This module enables students both to understand and develop appropriate environmental politics and to appreciate and work with environmental management systems (EMS).

Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility

This module evaluates and discusses how environmental concerns have affected organisations in the private sector. It will also examine how organisations have affected the content, shape and direction of the environmental debate.

Social Research Methods (non-credit bearing)

This module aims to develop students understanding of the contribution social research makes to MSc dissertations. It provides students with an insight into quantitative and qualitative social research methods, an appreciation of ethical considerations within research projects, and provides them with the skills to successfully plan research at MSc level.

Elective Modules

Sustainable Tourism in Practice

This module engages students in the practical application of existing theories of sustainable tourism. The module is centred on an international field trip provided by Explore Worldwide. Its objective is to provide students with the opportunity to experience first-hand the complex practices and processes involved in applying the principles of sustainable tourism to a tourism destination and tourism product.

The module encourages students to adopt a critical approach to analysing product and operations management and draw on insights gained by hands-on experience in research and addressing issues of sustainable tourism operations in the field.

Principles of Sustainable Development

This course will introduce the foundational concepts of sustainable development (SD). The module will build on the introductory sessions already successfully offered in the current SD week. The aim is to provide a basic understanding of SD that will equip students to discuss and research complex conceptual and practical challenges in the integration of SD ideas in organisations, policies and projects.

Integrated Assessment

This module explores the interface between scientific evaluations of environmental impacts and their use in policy decision processes. Case studies will be important to demonstrate examples.

Environmental Law 

This module introduces the structure of key environmental laws in the UK and EU. Regulations covering waste, water and atmospheric pollution will be an important element.

Ecological Economics

This module provides an understanding of the basic environmental economic principles and concepts in relation to sustainable development.

Life Cycle Thinking

This module aims to introduce participants to life cycle thinking, life cycle management and related environmental systems analysis approaches.

Water Resources Management

This module aims to introduce students to global water issues, problems and potential solutions. The structure of the programme is based on a one-week modular system consisting of eight taught modules. The typical five-day teaching week (approximately 35 hours) is an intensive period of lectures, interactive group work and seminars, with occasional site visits. A preparatory learning package is provided in advance of each module to guide the students as to what to expect in each module.

MSc Sustainable Tourism - entry standards

Entry standards

Applicants should usually hold a Bachelors degree (UK Upper Second/2.1 or above) or equivalent qualification from a recognised British/overseas university. Every applicant is assessed individually on their own merit. Higher level professional qualifications may also be accepted.

Relevant work experience could be an additional benefit where applicants have not reached the standard entry requirements, although it is not an admissions requirement for this particular degree programme.

As a result of their high popularity, we have successfully secured further places for our postgraduate programmes in this area. We are therefore extending our deadline for submission of applications to 31 May 2012. Applications received after this date will only be considered subject to availability of places.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

Application procedure

Applications to our programmes should be submitted by 30th April 2012. Applications received after this date will only be considered subject to availability of places and on a rolling basis.

Planned intake

Up to 30

Start date

September 2012

Programme Leader

• Dr Caroline Scarles

• Dr Jonathan Chenoweth

MSc Sustainable Tourism - fees and funding

Fees

MSc in Sustainable Tourism (full-time)

UK/EU - £9,190
Overseas - £14,830

MSc in Sustainable Tourism (part-time)

UK/EU £ 1,021 per 15 credit module
Overseas £ 1,648 per 15 credit module

www.surrey.ac.uk/pgfees/2012

MSc Sustainable Tourism - professional context

Professional recognition

The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Surrey is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The School is recognised as a key Education and Training Centre by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and has TedQual Certification from the UNWTO.

MSc Sustainable Tourism - teaching

Teaching

The structure of the programme is based on a one-week modular system consisting of eight taught modules. 

The typical five-day teaching week (approx. 35 hours) is an intensive period of lectures, interactive group work, seminars, with occasional site visits. 

A preparatory learning package is provided in advance of each module to guide the students as to what to expect in each module.

Staff perspective

Dr Caroline Scarles and Dr Jonathan Chenoweth

We are delighted to introduce the MSc in Sustainable Tourism here at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and Centre for Environmental Strategy, in association with Explore Worldwide. Surrey is a world leader in tourism education and research. This new MSc adds to our well-established suite of taught postgraduate programmes and draws upon over 40 years' experience of tourism research and education and 20 years of sustainable development research, our programmes have a leading global reputation.

Tourism at Surrey is rated number one in Europe and in the top five in the world for tourism research. Within the context of sustainable tourism, Professor John Tribe, Dr Graham Miller, Dr Caroline Scarles and Dr Scott Cohen are regarded internationally for their contributions in this field. In the Centre for Environmental Strategy,Professor Tim Jackson is a world leading academic in Sustainable Development theory and practice and Professor Matt Leach leads in sustainable energy and environment research. Both are leaders in their academic fields having sat on various Government advisory panels. All our academic staff are dedicated to providing you with a world-class educational experience.

We value both the professional and personal development of our students and will support you throughout your programme and into your chosen career. As such, an integral element of this programme is learning through a fusion of academic and industry knowledge and experience. The programme draws upon our extensive industry links that will provide the opportunities for you to develop applied and transferable skills within the context of current issues facing the tourism industry. You will have the opportunity to work directly with our industry partners, not only through guest lectures, but on an industry-led research project through our applied dissertation initiative and during the elective international field trip.

As Senior Lecturers in the University of Surrey, it gives us great pleasure to work in a stimulating and dynamic learning environment that harnesses not only the knowledge developed through academic research and theory, but compliments this with knowledge from industry and the experiences of our students. Studying at Surrey stimulates learning beyond books and essays, and empowers students to become active, critical and innovative professionals; the future leaders of the tourism industry.

MSc Sustainable Tourism - learning

The School boasts learning resources which are second to none, housed within the state-of-the-art School of Management building which is wireless networked and benefits from well-equipped computer laboratories, dedicated high-quality seminar rooms and a 400-seat auditorium.

When students wish to relax and meet friends, the School offers a purpose-built student common room, its own coffee shop and the Lakeside Restaurant which, as well as operating as a professional, fully functioning business, is utilised as a fundamental part of the School’s Hospitality Management programmes.

The School also has one of the world’s most extensive ranges of books, journals and e-resources in tourism and hospitality. The Library’s acquisition policy is to purchase every text published in this field. We are a designated depository for United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) publications.

MSc Sustainable Tourism - graduate profile

MSc Sustainable Tourism - more

Tourism at Surrey

• Over the last 40 years, Surrey has established a leading international reputation in tourism education and research.
• Surrey has been consistently ranked as one of the best tourism schools in the UK and is widely regarded as one of the best universities in the world for tourism scholarship.
• In the recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008) 90 per cent of our tourism research was rated as recognised internationally and 60 per cent as internationally excellent or world-leading. The profile of tourism and hospitality research was particularly commended by the panel for its world-leading research.
• The University was the first in the UK to achieve United Nations World Tourism Organization TedQual certification, which all our Tourism programmes hold.
• The School of Management  also holds the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation, making it the only business school in the world to hold triple accreditation from the UN World Tourism Organization, AACSB and the Association of MBAs (AMBA) (for its MBA programmes).
• The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management excels in both education and research, demonstrated by our publications and networks, our high rates of employment for graduates and the significant contribution we make to good practice in the tourism industry.

Sustainable Development at Surrey

• Over the last 20 years Surrey has built an internationally-acclaimed centre of excellence on sustainable development – the Centre for Environmental Strategy. This centre takes an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of sustainable systems, integrating the social sciences, physical sciences and engineering to develop action-oriented, policy relevant responses to long-term environmental and social issues.
• In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise 100 per cent of our sustainability research was rated as recognised internationally and 75 per cent as internationally excellent or world-leading.
• The Centre for Environmental Strategy hosts an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council funded Industrial Doctoral Centre in Sustainability for Engineering and Energy Systems. It provides a stimulating environment for research and high-quality professional development, enabling talented researchers to drive progress towards the sustainable delivery of products and services.
• The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment has accredited some of the MSc programmes offered by Centre for Environmental Strategy.

Research

Leading Researchers in Tourism

Our academic staff are recognised for their excellence and contribution to tourism. Past and present academic staff have produced some of the leading textbooks and research theories, including Professor Richard Butler’s Tourism Lifecycle Theory and Professor Brian Archer’s Multiplier Models. Dr Graham Miller has also produced one of the leading texts on sustainable tourism indicators.

Professors John Tribe and David Airey are world-leading researchers in tourism education. They represent the University of Surrey which holds the chair of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Education and Science Council, are both members of the Academy of the Learned Societies in Social Sciences and have both been Chair of the Association of Tourism in Higher Education. Professor John Tribe is also Editor-in-Chief of Annals of Tourism Research, the world-leading journal in tourism social sciences.

The University of Surrey has recently completed a study for the UK government Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on public understanding of sustainable leisure and tourism The project was commissioned as part of a larger programme of work for the Sustainable Consumption Programme within Defra. The research explored the willingness of respondents to change their behaviour towards more sustainable alternatives, such as shifting an overseas holiday to a domestic holiday, reducing the amount of travel, travelling by less impacting forms of transport, or doing less impacting things whilst on holiday or at leisure. Dr Graham Miller led the project, with Dr Caroline Scarles, Dr Kirsten Holmes and Professor John Tribe as co-investigators.

Surrey Tourism Research Centre Projects

Leading Researchers in Sustainable Development

Professor Tim Jackson is one of the world's leading researchers in Sustainable Development. During the last decade, he has led numerous research and policy initiatives on sustainable consumption and production in the UK and abroad. In 2004, Professor Jackson was appointed Economics Commissioner on the Sustainable Development Commission. During 2004 he worked closely with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the UK Sustainable Development Strategy. In 2009 he published by Earthscan as Prosperity without Growth – economics for a finite planet.  He continues to lead the economics work at Sustainable Development Commission.

Professor Matt Leach leads energy and environment research in the Centre for Environmental Strategy. Matthew is Vice President of the Energy Institute and past Chair of Council of the British Institute of Energy Economics.

Centre for Environmental Strategy Research Projects

Explore Worldwide

This programme is run in association with Explore Worldwide, the UK’s leading adventure travel company.

 

MSc Sustainable Tourism - apply

Applications to our programmes should be submitted by 30th April 2012. Applications received after this date will only be considered subject to availability of places and on a rolling basis.

• MSc Sustainable Tourism - Full-Time - starting Sept/2012
• MSc Susatinable Tourism - Part-time - starting Sept/2012