Master of Science (Tourism Development)

MSc Tourism Development Program Briefing.mp4

Introduction

The MSc. Tourism Development programme is distinctive due to its focus on tourism development in the context of sustainability. This programme with its multidisciplinary approach is designed for those with an interest in tourism planning and development. The hybrid School of Housing, Building and Planning has the advantage of a diversity of expertise, whereby can provide different dimensions of knowledge in tourism planning and development.  The strategic location of Universiti Sains Malaysia close to the World Heritage Site of George Town is an added value that provides students with the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders in research projects and academic visits.

The mixed-mode programme provides a balance of taught courses and research project. The main objectives of this programme are to broaden the students’ understanding of the theoretical and applied of tourism planning and development. This program enables the students to focus on both the macro to the micro-level and explore theoretical and practical issues facing the private and public sectors concerning the tourism industry.

The program is delivered in an integrated approach in a wide variety of built environment field specifically; tourism planning, infrastructure and amenities for tourism, tourism business and entrepreneurship, policy and tourism laws, sustainability practice in tourism and different types of tourism such as urban tourism, heritage and culture, ecotourism, rural tourism, coastal and island tourism.

 Programme Education Outcomes

PEO 1:   Produce holistic and creative thinker with knowledge in the Tourism Planning and Development field to solve various tasks through the dynamic curriculum.

PEO 2:   Produce life long learners equipped with hard and soft skills to enable them to convey ideas and solutions with digital knowledge effectively.

PEO 3:   Produce human capital with good ethics and professionalism.

Career Prospects

1. The specialisation in tourism planning and development gives our graduates the edge in professionally dealing with various stakeholders.

2. This programme equips students with the knowledge and skills to advance their career at the managerial level, secure employment in specialist areas, either private or public sectors and prepares them to pursue their PhD degree.

 Entry Requirements

Applicants should possess the following:

1. Bachelor's degree in related area.

   1. CGPA of at least 2.75 / 4.00; or

   2. CGPA between 2.50 - 2.74 with the following additional conditions: or

      • Research experience for at least one year; or
      • Work experience in related field for at least one year; or
      • At least one (1) academic publication in the relevant field; or
      • Grade B for major / elective courses; or

      • Grade B+ for final year project

   3. CGPA between 2.00 - 2.49 (Bachelor's Degree with Honours) with the following additional conditions: or

      • Research experience for at least five (5) years; or
      • Work experience in related field for at least five (5) years; AND
      • At least one (1) academic publication in the relevant field; or
      • Grade B for major / elective courses; or

      • Grade B+ for final year project

2. Preference is given to those who have relevant working experience.

 Course Approach

The MSc. in Tourism Development offers full-time and part-time modes.  The full-time mode offers a minimum duration of one academic session (2 semesters) and a maximum duration of two academic sessions (4 semesters). While in the part-time mode, the student may take a minimum duration of 2 academic sessions (4 semesters) or the maximum duration of 4 academic sessions (8 semesters).

Duration studies are as below:

Mode	Minimum Duration	Maximum Duration
Full-time	1 year (2 semester)	2 years (4 semester)
Part-time*	2 years (4 semester)	4 years (8 semester)

Note: This programme is offered full-time and part-time. However, the classes will be conducted during weekdays. The schedule of classes is 2 to 3 days a week but the part-timer students may take 1 day a week (duration time to graduate will be longer).