ObjectivesPortsmouth is an ideal choice for anyone wishing to study Cultural and Tourism Management. The city is rich in its maritime heritage, as well as being Charles Dickens' birthplace. Close by are a wealth of tourist attractions, including other historic towns and cities, as well as Jane Austen's birthplace. Portsmouth is also within easy reach of London (1 hour 30 minutes), while France can be reached within 4 to 5 hours with the ferry. Other popular cultural and tourism destinations in mainland Europe can be visited using local and regional airports, rail links and ferry ports. On the course itself, you will study eight taught units, followed by a dissertation, which fior full-time students will all be contained within the 12 month duration of the course. This course will enable you to understand the fundamental principles of cultural and tourism management, including marketing and planning, with the emphasis on applied and practical elements.
Entry requirementsThis programme is aimed at students and professionals with an interest in the cultural and tourism sectors of the economy. The course will allow you to broaden your knowledge of these sectors in the modern world and to prepare you for the higher managerial roles and responsibilities that are increasingly available. This includes the many
Academic titleMSc Cultural And Tourism Management
Course descriptionThe course is arranged in three consecutive stages consisting of various units of study, operated through a credit accumulation scheme, under which each unit attracts a specific number of course credits. The course has been designed to give you the maximum amount of flexibility in terms of study and to make it possible for you to acquire a qualification over an extended period by accumulating the necessary course credits until the required total has been reached.
Full-Time Programme
Stage 1 from October to January (leading to PgC) gives the opportunity to focus on the principles of cultural and tourism management. As part of that objective, you will follow courses on cultural management, as well as principles of economics.
Stage 2 from February to June (leading to PgD) has a greater emphahsis on practical elements, allowing you to apply theory to practice by building up research and consultancy skills. As part of this objective, you will follow courses on culture and tourism marketing, cultural resources and tourism policy. .
Stage 3 from June to September (leading to MSc) consists of a 14,000 word dissertation.
Units
Stage 1
Cultural and Tourism Business Management (15 credits): this unit will help you understand how the cultural sector has evolved as a separate business area and how the cultural and tourism industries operate. You will develop the relevant business skills, which will ultimately enhance your employment prospects within these dynamic industries. The unit will focus on manifestations of cultural tourism and managing a not-for-profit cultural organisation.
Cultural Management and Economics: Principles and Practices (15 credits): this unit will introduce you to the scale and scope of cultural activity and its development. Drawing on examples within the UK and internationally, you will be able to demonstrate your ability to analyse the physical and socio-economic impact of different cultural resources at the local, regional and international level.
Principles of Economics (15 credits): This unit introduces the fundamental concepts, approaches and analyses used by economists in both the local context (individual or business) and in the wider national or global environment. These principles are developed so that you can appreciate their relevance to individual, business and public sector decision-making.
Research Methods (15 credits): This unit introduces the concepts, methodologies and basic methods of undertaking and implementing research in economics and the social sciences.
Stage 1
Research and Consultancy Skills (15 credits): both local and regional government around the world have recognised the importance of culture and tourism as alternative forms of sustainable development that could help improve living and economic conditions. As such, there is an increasing demand for consultancy work involving potential impact and effects from cultural and tourism activity. This unit will equip you with the various methods, tools and techniques suitable to carry out such projects.
Cultural and Tourism Marketing (15 credits): this unit will help you develop an understanding of relevant promotional strategies related to various types of cultural and tourism products/services, as well as methods of targeting various market segments. You will learn how to apply the main tools used to identify and appraise various segments and analyse the tastes and preferences associated with them. In addition to this, you will be able to explain the relevance of the various aspects of the expanded marketing mix to the cultural and tourism market.
Cultural Resources and Tourism Policy (15 credits): policy making and the involvement of the government in the management of cultural and tourism resources indicates the significance that national governments and international organisations allocate to the proper operation and management of cultural and tourism resources. This unit will look at the major policy changes that have taken place in the culture and tourism industry recently, both on a European and international basis.
Option unit (15 credits)
There are a range of postgraduate units available, from which you select one. The choices currently offered, subject to demand and lecturer availability, are:
Innovations in Tourism
Fieldwork Research in Cultural and Tourism Managament
Tourism Economics
Dissertation
In Stage 3 you will undertake an investigation of an appropriate, closely specified topic, using the skills you have learnt. You will have the opportunity to initiate, design and conduct a piece of research using original thought and independent judgement. This could either involve research in a particular field of interest or expertise, or it could be in the form of a major management/consultation project. You will have a supervisor from a member of the academic staff who will be able to advise you at regular meetings. Although preliminary work is undertaken earlier in the year, the dissertation is normally completed over the summer months, allowing a 12-month phase for the MSc from start to finish.
Part-time Programme
The part time mode for the course (available for home/EU students) has the same philosophy and sequence of subjects as the full time mode, and can be completed in two years (24 months), although students may alternate between the full and part time modes if such a pattern is best suited to their circumstances.