Master's Programme in Tourism, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

Basic requirements: A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS) from an internationally recognised university. Special Requirements: at least 90 ECTS-credits in Tourism/ Geography/ Human Geography/ Regional Science/ Planning/ Hospitality/ Hotel and Restaurant Management/ Service Management/ Leisure/ Recreation/ Park Management or similar tourism-related subjects. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6 (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section). If you are still working towards your undergraduate degree, you need to include with your application a document from your current University, outlining when you are expected to graduate as well as a course outline for the last semester.

Degree

After completing the program, 60 credits, students may, on application, obtain a Filosofie Magisterexamen in accordance with the Local Qualifications Ordinance approved by the Vice Chancellor, see
http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/degree-requirements/?languageId=1
Filosofie Magisterexamen translates in English to Degree of Master of Science 60 credits. The degree is awarded in the main field of study, Human Geography with a specialisation in Tourism.
 
After completing the program, 120 credits, students may, on application, obtain a Filosofie Masterexamen in accordance with the Local Qualifications Ordinance approved by the Vice Chancellor, see
http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/degree-requirements/?languageId=1
Filosofie Masterexamen translates in English to Degree of Master of Science 120 credits. The degree is awarded in the main field of study, Human Geography with a specialisation in Tourism.
 

Description of the education for current education cycle

Second cycle educations should build substantially upon knowledge the students retained during first cycle studies or the equivalent.
Second cycle education shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills and abilities relative to first cycle education and, in addition to what applies to first cycle education
- further develop students' ability to independently integrate and use knowledge,
- develop students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable independence or for research and development.
Higher Education Act 1 cpt 9 § (Högskolelagen 1 kap 9 §)
 

National goals for current degree

Degree of Master of Science 60 credits
Knowledge and Understanding
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both an overview of the field and deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and Abilities
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to independently identify and formulate questions to address and to plan and use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits;
- demonstrate the ability to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development or to work in other advanced contexts.

Ability to Evaluate and Approach
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits dits, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the main field of study to make judgments with regard to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Master of Science Degree 120 credits
Knowledge and Understanding
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both a broad knowledge of the field and deeper insight into certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and Abilities
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to critically, independently and creatively  identify and formulate questions to address, to plan and to use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits and by so doing add to the knowledge development and to evaluate this work.
- demonstrate the ability in both national and international contexts, to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development or to work  independently in other advanced contexts.

Ability to Evaluate and Approach
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the main field of study to make judgments with regards to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Higher Education Ordinance, Appendix 2 - System of Qualifications (Högskoleförordningen, Bilaga 2 – examensordningen)

Local goals for current degree

Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, Main Field of Study: Human Geography, Specialization: Tourism
For this Degree of Master of Science Degree 60 credits the student should after the completion of the program be able to;
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of tourism including both destination analysis and overview of current research in tourism,
- demonstrate ability to critically evaluate scientific theories and methods,
- demonstrate ability to implement a qualified destination analysis from theoretical and methodological considerations,
- demonstrate ability to independently produce a scientific text based in tourism research literature;
- demonstrate an ability to explain complex touristic conditions in oral and written formats, and
- have acquired advanced knowledge and skills in seeking, finding, evaluating and using scientific information.

The student should also
- demonstrate ability to communicate in English within the main field of study and
- demonstrate the ability to, problematize and analyze the program’s central theories and concepts, from a gender studies perspectives.

Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, Main Field of Study: Human Geography, Specialization: Tourism
For this  Degree of Master of Science 120 credits the student should after the completion of the program be able to;
- demonstrate in depth knowledge and understanding of tourism including both destination analysis and overview of current research in tourism and in depth knowledge in certain parts of tourism,
- demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate scientific theories and methods and on the basis of this be able to create their own knowledge contribution,
- demonstrate the ability to independently plan and implement a qualified destination analyseis from theoretical and methodological considerations,
- demonstrate an ability to independently plan and conduct  a small, scientific research project and produce a scientific text based on this project, all from a tourism science theory perspective;
- demonstrate an ability to explain complex touristic conditions in verbal oral and written formats, and
- have acquired advanced knowledge and skills to in seeking, finding, evaluateing and usinge of scientific information.

The student should also
- demonstrate the ability to communicate in English within the main field of study and
- demonstrate the ability to, problematize and analyze the program’s central theories and concepts, from a gender science studies perspectives.

Examination format

See current course syllabus.

Grades

The program applies a seven-point grading scale with the grades, A, B, C, D, E, F and FX unless otherwise stated in the syllabus for a particular course. Those who pass an exam may not retake the exam aiming for a higher grade.

Transfer of Credits

Students have the right to have a previous education or work experience assessed for transfer of credits. For more information see Higher Education Ordinance as well as: http://www.umu.se/english/education/student-support/getting-a-degree-from-umea-university/transfer-of-credits

It is possible to appeal to the Higher Education Appeals Board upon receiving a negative decision on transfer of credits. A negative decision should also be motivated in writing.

General

In the program Outline it is shown which courses are mandatory  and which courses are elective / optional. Choice of elective/optional courses is made in consultation with the Program Coordinator. The courses are provided in the order listed under the heading Outline. The order of the courses may be subject to change. For information on how individual courses are set up see the different course syllabi .

Thesis
For a Degree of Master of Science 60 credits the student must have completed a thesis within the program worth at least 15 credits in Human Geography.

For a Degree of Master of Science 120 credits the student must have completed a thesis within the program worth 30 credits in Human Geography. The thesis may comprise of less than 30 credits (a minimum of 15 credits) if the student has already completed an independent work at second cycle of at least 15 credits in Human Geography or equivalent.

Outline – Degree of Master of Science 60 credits (with the possibility to continue for a Degree of Master of Science 120 credits).

»»»» Degree of Master of Science 60. Eligible to pursue PhD studies.

Third semester (for further studies towards a Degree of Master of Science 120 credits)

»»»» Degree of Master of Science 120 credits

Outline – Degree of Master of Science 120 credits

»»»» Degree of Master of Science 120 credits

*Optional courses: For more information about optional courses, contact the Program Study Advisor. (Electives: More information on electives is provided by the Program Coordinator)
 

Deferment of studies

Deferment of enrollment may be granted if there are extenuating reasons. Examples of extenuating reasons are social, medical or other extenuating circumstances such as child care, student union assignments or postponed leave according to the law (1974:981) on employee’s rights to time off for education. Application for deferment is to be submitted to Student Services.

A negative decision on deferment of enrollment may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Approved leave from studies

A student admitted to the program can apply for an approved leave from the program. The application is submitted to the Program Study Advisor. An approved leave of absence with a guaranteed seat may be granted for the following reasons: social, medical or other extenuating circumstances such as child care or student union assignments.

Negative decision concerning the possibility to resume studies after an approved leave of absence can be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Discontinuation

Students who leave their program shall notify their Program Study Advisor of the discontinuation.

Other

Access to courses in the program is governed by the course syllabus.