The Master of Science Tourism and Hospitality Management (Part-time) is offered by HKU SPACE in collaboration with the University of Plymouth and this degree programme carries the same academic status and recognition as that offered to Plymouth’s on-campus graduates.

PROGRAMME AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. Understanding of, and the ability to employ, a variety of research methods applicable to the tourism and hospitality management environment;
2. The capacity to manage a significant tourism or hospitality management research project;
3. Self-learning and self-management abilities;
4. Capabilities of critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation appropriate to Master’s level study and applicable to tourism and hospitality management; and
5. Critical knowledge and understanding of the tourism and hospitality disciplines and their integration within the field of management.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

A. Knowledge and understanding

On successful completion graduates should have developed:

1. Comprehensive specialised theoretical and practical knowledge, contributing to understanding social and ethical issues in tourism and hospitality industry;  
2. Comprehensive multi-disciplinary theoretical and practical knowledge of new developments within society and the economy, and their applicability to the tourism and hospitality industry
3. Capability in using knowledge and skills to adapt to the fast-changing tourism and hospitality business environment and to manage people and projects efficiently;
4. Critical awareness of theories and practice in managing tourism and hospitality industry. 

B.    Cognitive and intellectual skills

On successful completion graduates should have developed the ability to:

7. Produce original research based on critical analysis of data in tourism and hospitality industry context;  
8. Critically analyse management methodologies, theoretical approaches, principles to solve problems in tourism and hospitality industry;  
9. Synthesise and evaluate information from disparate sources in a logical and intelligible way for professional communication.

C.    Key and transferable skills

On successful completion graduates should have developed the ability to:

13. Communicate tourism and hospitality related ideas, principles and theories effectively, by presentational means;
14. Search for, retrieve, sift, select and order information from a variety of sources; 
15. work independently and organise their own learning; 

D.    Employment related skills

On successful completion graduates should have developed the ability to:

18. Use existing knowledge to propose solutions to tourism and hospitality related problems or processes to resolve them;  
19. Generate and handle data effectively to generate knowledge which is applicable to tourism and hospitality;
20. Make professional use of others in support of self-directed learning.

E.    Practical skills

On successful completion graduates should have developed:

21. Professional presentation skills;
22. Written communication skills; and 
23. Computer and information management technology skills. 

Programme Structure:

1. Sustainable Destination Development and Disaster Crisis  Management in Tourism and Hospitality

2. Managing People and Finance

3. Trends and Revenue Management in Hospitality

4. Experience Design and Digital Marketing

5. Capstone Project

HKU SPACE reserves the right to change the module sequence. 

Part Time (18 Months)
1st Semester  (April 2025 - September 2025)	2nd Semester  (October 2025 - February 2026)	3rd Semester (February  - September 2026)
2 modules	2 modules	Capstone Project
Modules 1-4:  30 Credits each module HKU SPACE local lecturers will deliver classes, based on UoP teaching materials and guidance of UoP module leaders All of the lecturers are experienced industrial practitioners and they  are endorsed by UoP Capstone Project: 36 lecture hours +  Consultation  60 Credits UoP overseas lecturers will deliver 30 lecture hours at a distance through a mixture of live sessions and pre-recorded sessions HKU SPACE local lecturers will deliver 6 lecture hours mainly on software training (e.g. SPSS, NVivo) UoP Consultation/project supervision throughout the whole duration of the module, students will be guided step-by-step on the project and UoP supervisors will provide timely support to students Students will be assigned project supervisors by UoP and will communicate with supervisors through electronic interactions.

ASSESSMENT:

All coursework of the programme will be conducted in English.

The mode of assessment for each module is different from module to module but will be generally based on a combination of coursework (including essays, reports, presentations and group projects).

Delivery:

All modules will be taught in English. Lecture notes, teaching materials and assessments will be in English as well. 

AWARD:

Students who complete and pass all modules (with 180 credits) will obtain Master of Science Tourism and Hospitality Management awarded by University of Plymouth, UK. Students who withdraw from the programme, either through academic failure or voluntary withdrawal, will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma if they have completed 120 credits; or a Postgraduate Certificate if they have completed 60 credits. The awarding body of all the above awards is the University of Plymouth, United Kingdom.

 

Teacher profile

Dr Priscilla Poon

• Associate Director of Olympic Consultants Limited
• Former Senior Manager of Hong Kong Tourism Board

Specialties

• Destination marketing
• Culture & heirtage and nature tourism
• Special event planning and management
• Visitor management
• Service quality of tourism and hospitality frontline employees

Selected Experiences

• Partner of Olympic Consultants Limited that provides tourism-related consultancy services in the areas of event management, product development, market development, segment marketing and visitor generation.
• Over 20 years of experience in collaborating with inbound travel trade and service suppliers in marketing and promotion Hong Kong as a leading tourism destination in mono and multi- destination travel
• Extensive hands-on experience in organising mega tourism and MICE events to position Hong Kong as the Event Capital of Asia

 

Mr Wyn Li  

• Former Country General Managers of Airlines, and Managers of Hotels
• Qantas Airways, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, Hyatt International

Specialties

• Managing field operations of multinational Asian, Australian, European and American travel organizations.
• Marketing airlines, hotels and tourism products and services in various international markets.
• Lecturing and educational engagement for universities in Hong Kong, United Kingdom and Australia.

Selected Experiences

• Airline management, sales, marketing and operation experiences with Qantas, Continental, United, Singapore and KLM in several international locations.
• Business aviation (private jet) management with Metrojet - a sister company of the Peninsula Hotel.
• Global loyalty marketing exposure with Singapore Airlines corporate head office.
• National tourism office marketing involvement with the Australia Tourism Commission.
• Front Office operations and marketing management background in Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Hyatt Regency Macau and Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
• Food and beverage knowledge with institutional kitchen and cafeteria.

 

​

Dr Fai Chan  

• Head of Business Development - Greater China, Travelport

Specialties

• Tourism Management
• Travel Product Distribution channel
• E-business, E-commerce in tourism industry

Selected Experiences

• 20+ years experience in travel industry across Global Distribution System & Well-known OTA in Hong Kong

Mr Kenneth Yau 

• Sales & Marketing Business Developer

Specialties

• Market Entry for New Products
• Expertise in B2B & B2B2C
• Cross industry business development expertise

• Experience in a wide range of hospitality products

Selected Experiences

• Assistant Vice President -  Business Development of one of the world’s top luxury cruise line (2018 – 2022)
• Senior Business Development Manager - Allianz Worldwide Partners (2016 – 2018)
• Sales Manager – Royal Caribbean International (2014 – 2016)

• Head of Sales – Hotel Vista Group (2010 – 2013)

Mr Andrew Lau

Specialties

• Revenue Optimization
• Forecasting
• Strategy Formulation
• Distribution Management
• Strategic Pricing
• System Implementation
• Reservation, distribution & revenue management functions set-up for new hotels
• Budget Planning
• Data Analytics
• Marketing Planning

Selected Experiences

• Experienced hotelier specialized in revenue maximization strategy, channel distribution and marketing planning with experience in both group and hotel levels
• Led the revenue management and distribution of the Rosewood Hotel Group's hotels in Asia Pacific & Middle East and the Marco Polo Hotels for 10 years
• Part of the opening team for The Upper House and Island Shangri-La Hong Kong. worked with Island Shangri-La Hong Kong for 18 years since 1991 and earned his first revenue management title in 2001

Application Code	2280-HT009A	Apply Online Now
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Non-Local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance

This is an exempted course under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.

Sustainable Destination Development and Disaster and Crisis Management in Tourism and Hospitality  

This 48-hour module aims to evaluate approaches and strategies used to develop tourism through policy and planning; assess theories and concepts used in sustainable planning and management of tourism; examine financial and marketing issues that are relevant to sustainable destination development; discuss current and impending environmental, social, economic, technological and political disasters and crises affecting the tourism and hospitality industry; and evaluate the theories, concepts, principles and practice of disaster and crisis planning, prevention, management and control in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Managing People and Finance

This 48-hour module aims to critically explore the practice of management through leadership, HRD, HRM frameworks; identify cultural, economic and contextual impacts on the practice of leadership, HRM and HRD; develop critical responses to existing theoretical discourses on the impact of leadership practice, HRM and HRD on employee engagement, commitment and motivation; flexibly and critically apply knowledge on leadership, HRM and HRD frameworks in relation to organisational change and performance; and introduce students to the fundamental principles of accounting and corporate finance for managers.

Trends and Revenue Management in Hospitality

This 48-hour module aims to engage students in the practical application of hospitality theories and concepts; critically evaluate the emerging service quality perspectives and value dimensions relevant to the hospitality industry; examine digital trends and platforms facilitating effective management decision making processes; and equip students with the approaches, tools and techniques that are required to manage the performance of hotels.

Experience Design and Digital Marketing

This 48-hour module aims to provide a comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge of experience design and digital marketing; critically reflect on the impacts of design science and design thinking on tourism experience development; critically reflect on the impact digital technology has on the field of marketing and what opportunities and threats arise as a result; and assess and apply digital marketing principles and models to implement a customer-driven digital marketing plan.  

Capstone Project

This module aims to provide students with an opportunity to apply and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of their subject area within the context of a significant project; plan and design a project using relevant methodological approaches related to their area of study; develop students as reflective practitioners by enabling the critical review of theory and practice; appraise current research, deploy specialist techniques and critically appraise results in order to advance knowledge through presenting findings in a project; and contextualise the process for ethical approval and GDPR compliance.

Classes are delivered in weekday evenings (7-10pm) or weekends day time. Students will be arranged to study two 30-credit modules in each semester, and then they will have at least 8  months to prepare for and submit the Capstone Project .

Commencement Date

Two intakes per year in October & April

Venue

Admiralty Learning Centre / United Learning Centre / HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College (HPSHCC) Campus / Fortress Tower Learning Centre  Programme team reserves the right to change the above venue/ classroom if necessary.

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Application Fee

HK$150 (Non-refundable)

Course Fee

• Course Fees: HK$118,000 to be paid in 3 semesters
  Alumni Fees#: HK$106,200 to be paid in 3 semesters
  
  # Graduates of Bachelor Programmes of HKU SPACE in collaboration with the University of Plymouth will enjoy an alumni discount with tuition fee HK$106,200 to be paid in 3 semesters.
  (The tuition fee is reviewed annually and is subject to change without prior notice.)
  

Applicants should have:

1. a bachelor’s degree, awarded by a recognized institution, of at least second-class honours; OR
2. a professional qualification recognized as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

If the degree or equivalent qualification is from an institution where the language of teaching and assessment is not English, applicants shall provide evidence of English proficiency, such as:

          i.        an overall band of 6.5 or above; or

          ii.       an overall score of 90 or above in the TOEFL iBT; or

          iii.      HKDSE Examination English Language at Level 4 or above; or

          iv.      HKALE Use of English at Grade C or above; or

          v.       equivalent qualifications.

Applicants not meeting the standard set of criteria for admission will be assessed on individual merit.

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University of Plymouth 

The University of Plymouth is renowned for high quality, internationally-leading education, research and innovation.
 
With a mission to Advance Knowledge and Transform Lives, Plymouth is a top 50 research university ( Research Fortnight Research Power League Table 2014),with clusters of world class research across a wide range of disciplines including marine science and engineering, medicine, robotics and psychology. A three-time winner of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, the University continues to grow in stature and reputation.
 
It has a strong track record for teaching and learning excellence, and has one of the highest numbers of National Teaching Fellows of any UK university. With over 19,000 students, and a further 9,500 studying for Plymouth degree at partner institutions in the UK and around the world, and over 130,000 alumni pursuing their chosen careers globally, it has a growing global presence.
 
The mission of Plymouth Business School is to put business ready graduates on the path to a successful career and happy life. With a focus on learning by doing through live briefs, experiential education and students as active researchers the lecturers are dedicated to building resilience, decision making and leadership capabilities in our studnets.
 
Staff within the Tourism and Hospitality teaching team also undertake exciting and innovative research covering such subjects as: genocide heritage; tourism and crime prevention; tourism employability; and the development of tourism and heritage related narratives. Plymouth staff have also published articles in top-rated tourism journals such as the Annals of Tourism Research and Tourism Management.”

The Guardian recently voted Plymouth University as one of the top 20 providers of tourism courses in the UK.

Plymouth has been ranked 14th overall out of 45 by the Guardian University Guide 2018: League Table for Hospitality, Events and Tourism and 12th out of 49 overall by the Sunday Times University Guide 2014: Hospitality, Leisure, Recreation and Tourism. The Complete University Guide 2014 ranked the programme 12th place out of 60 for Hospitality, Leisure, Recreation & Tourism.

Plymouth shortlisted for University of the Year 2012

In 2012, University of Plymouth was shortlisted for one of the most coveted and prestigious awards in the national higher education sector. The institution has been named among six finalists for the University of the Year accolade, in the annual Times Higher Education Awards. It was nominated for Entrepreneurial University of the Year – for a third successive time – and in the Business School of the Year category.