The MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management Programme is being offered by the School of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Economics of the University Center of International Programmes of Studies of the International Hellenic University. The program provides expertise in tourism with a practical orientation related to management and strategic issues in the fast-evolving tourism sector at the national and international levels. Greece provides the ideal place to study Hospitality and Tourism and more specifically, Thessaloniki, which has been at the crossroads of many different cultures and is a student metropolis. The courses are taught exclusively in English.
The IHU MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management is designed to:
Enable students to acquire the expertise and develop the skills for the acquisition and application of integrated solutions for the effective management of tourist enterprises in a highly competitive international environment with an emphasis on the management and economic activity of the tourist industry as well as environmental issues related to the tourism sector.
Develop skills and expertise targeted at effective decision-making and critical assessment of issues concerning management in the specific sector and also provide practical orientation related to management and strategic issues in the fast-evolving tourism sector at the national and international level.
Enable students to acquire the knowledge required for the strategic planning of enterprises and organizations concerning their compliance with environmental legislation; in general, teach them how to minimize the environmental impact of their operation on the environment through voluntary activities.
Enhance students’ self-awareness and self-confidence through the acquisition of knowledge and practical skills in disciplines related to tourism management.
The terms with the core courses aim to lay solid analytical foundations in all areas related to hospitality and tourism. During the elective period, students are encouraged to deepen their knowledge and specialize in more specific areas, through four courses. A choice of a dissertation or a consulting project concludes the program.
Some interesting points
Tourism | one of the fastest-growing industries in the world
The tourism industry is becoming extremely important to most countries' economic growth. Tourism creates and sustains jobs, brings new business, and contributes to the quality of life, which constitutes the key to development and prosperity. According to the World Tourism Organization, International tourism is expected to increase by 3.3% per year in the period between 2010 and 2030.
Greece | the ideal place to study Hospitality and Tourism
Steadily and traditionally recognized as one of the most popular leisure destinations, Greece provides the ideal place to study Hospitality and Tourism as you can find every type of tourist facility, a rich cultural heritage, and some of the most stunning beaches in the world, and impressive mountain ranges. According to SETE, the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises, and the World Travel &smp; Tourism Council, Greek tourism contributes 16.3% to GDP and is expected to employ nearly 850,000 people by 2024.
Thessaloniki | a World Heritage City with a large student community
Recognized by UNESCO as one of the most important cities in the history of mankind, Thessaloniki combines a fresh, dynamic outlook with a leading international reputation. Home to Greece’s largest student population, Thessaloniki qualifies as a student and cultural metropolis. Built between the sea and the mountain, Thessaloniki has been at the crossroads of many different cultures, constituting a truly cosmopolitan city in South-East Europe. The growth and diversity of the tourism industry have driven companies and organizations to seek out and hire skilled, dynamic, flexible, and international-oriented managers.
Who can apply
To be considered for the program, candidates are required to have:
An undergraduate degree from a recognized University;
Proof of English competence [a recognized certificate of proficiency of C1 level, recently acquired IELTS (academic 6.5 and above), or TOEFL (IBT, 95 and above) or TOEIC (745 and above) score].
Course content
The core courses
The core courses ensure that you acquire knowledge of practical concepts and attain skills directly relevant to your career aspirations.
First Year
Tourism Management
Hospitality & Tourism Operating Systems
Financial Management for Tourism Development
Services Marketing
Second Year
Human Resources Management in Tourism
Social Media and Digital Technologies in Tourism
Special Interest Tourism
Tools for Business Analysis
The elective courses
The following list is indicative and continuously updated. Electives may vary from year to year depending on current interest and student demand.
Students choose four courses from the following list according to their interests and their current and future career orientation:
Tourism Policy Analysis
Project Financing in Tourism
Tourism Product Development
Cultural Heritage Tourism
Destination and Event Development
Visitor Attraction Management
Entrepreneurship in Tourism and Hospitality
Project Management
Transportation in Tourism
Press and Travel Trade Relations
An elective course from another IHU program
The Dissertation or Consulting Project
After the taught courses, students conduct an individual project on a subject relating to their studies and career. The topic is chosen by the student with input and advice from a faculty member, who acts as a supervisor, working closely with the student. The dissertation is an individual 10,000- word paper of original scientific work, which upon completion is submitted for examination and approval by a three-member committee chaired by the student’s supervisor.
Alternatively, students may participate in a consulting project. Individually or in groups, students study an actual problem of a collaborating firm or organisation. Following the analysis of the problem, the students prepare and present a concrete and practical solution(s) in a report of min 7,000 words.
Seminars
The IHU organises regularly workshops and business seminars. Some of these are offered exclusively to IHU students and alumni. The purpose of the Seminars is to act as a link between the academic community and businesses by introducing you to the real world of business and showing you how the notions and techniques learned in the classroom apply and materialize in the Greek business context. After all, you will get a better taste of many sectors of the market.
Schedule
The duration of the MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management program is 2 years part-time (from November to April). Teaching takes place on weekday afternoons. The program starts every November.
Strategic Partnerships with the Hospitality and Tourism Industry
As part of the MSc, students will have the opportunity to attend seminars or projects which include talks by Managers from well-known companies related to hospitality and tourism management issues. Also, students will participate in field trips which include sessions with the Directors of Luxury Hotels and Museums and fascinating guided tours. Graduates will be able to meet face-to-face with employers to discuss internships, as well as full-time and part-time employment opportunities.
Fees & Financing
Fees
The program fees for the MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management is 3,900€*. The amount is payable in two installments for the full-time mode or in four installments for the part-time mode at the beginning of each semester. The fees are also eligible for financing through LAEK – OAED program.
*pending approval
Deposits
If you have been accepted to a postgraduate program, you will need to make a payment of the deposit of 500 Euros to secure your place. This amount will count towards the first installment of your tuition fees. The deposit is non-refundable once you have commenced your studies at the IHU. Prior to that, a refund can be made but a 20% administrative fee will be retained. The deposit can be paid by bank transfer or bank draft. Credit card payments can be made through electronic banking (contact your Bank as handling fees may apply).
Scholarships
The School of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Economics offer a number of scholarships for the programs it offers, covering a significant proportion of the fees. These scholarships are competitive. Award criteria include the quality of the first degree, the undergraduate grades of the candidate, his/her command of the English language, and overall profile. Candidates for scholarships should include a separate letter with their application documents in which they request to be considered for a scholarship, stating the reasons why they think they qualify.
MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management – Excellence awards for the academic year 2022-2023!
The MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management announces the ‘Excellence awards for the academic year 2022-202 by providing a 25% tuition discount to candidates who hold a university degree of 7.5/10 and above, and a 40% tuition discount to candidates who are rated in the top 5% of graduates of the academic year of their graduation (written evidence from the graduating University is required).
Admissions
The next MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management class starts in November 2022. Interested parties are invited to submit their application by 14 October 2022 or until places are filled.
Ideal career path
The program is designed for those who are aiming for a career in travel, tourism, or related industries. The program supports students and professionals who aim for careers in:
Tourism business
Government agencies
Museums/Heritage centers
Travel agencies
Event management
Real estate
The Careers Office of the International Hellenic University provides students with focused events, access to career information, vacancy information, career fairs, Erasmus opportunities, and internships.
