Master of Arts (MA) in Tourism Studies

Tourism is a complex social phenomenon and one of the most important manifestations of globalisation. The Master in Tourism Studies seeks to understand the issues that tourism raises through the coordinated mobilisation, with an inter- and trans-disciplinary approach, of various social science disciplines, in particular anthropology, economics, geography, political science and sociology.

This Master’s degree aims to train the future managers of the tourism sector and to give them the analytical tools they need to understand the current and future challenges facing tourism in Switzerland, Europe and worldwide and to respond appropriately.

Whether from the perspective of the practitioner or the researcher in social sciences, the Master in Tourism Studies aims to train you in investigative methods and critical analysis so that you will be equipped in the future to become a key player driving change in a fast-moving area which is currently strongly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Highlights of the course include the opportunity to exchange ideas with leading actors in the tourism sector and hands-on work in the field.

Organiser
Faculty of Geosciences and Environment
School of Geosciences and Environment

Degree awarded
Master of Arts (MA) in Tourism Studies

ECTS credits
120

Duration
4 semesters

Teaching language
French. Recommended level : C1. Possibility of completing written work and examinations in English or German.

Admission requirements
The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following branches of study (CRUS): Social and Cultural Anthropology/Ethnology, Law, Economics, Finance, Geography, Business Administration, History, History of Art, Philosophy, Humanities, Psychology, Movement Sciences and Sport, Environmental Sciences and Engineering and Geomatics, Media Studies and Communication, Political Science or Sociology.
Another university degree or a Bachelor of a University of Applied Sciences in the field of tourism may be judged equivalent and give access to the Master’s degree course, with or without conditions.

Enrolment and final dates
The degree course begins in the autumn semester only.
Applications must be submitted to the Admissions Department before the deadline.
Final enrolment date: 30 April. Candidates needing a visa to study in Switzerland: 28 February.

Campus location
This Master’s course is taught at the UNIL campus at Sion in Valais.

More information
Regulations and course descriptions

• Tourist offices
• Destination management organisations
• Organisations defending the interests of tourist agencies
• National, regional or local public administrations in the sectors of tourism, transport, regional planning and development, urban planning or culture and events
• R&D departments of large groups operating in the tourist industry
• Consultancy firms
• Regional natural parks
• International organisations and NGOs
• Scientific and academic careers
• Emerging occupations in sustainable tourism (Agenda 21 coordination and evaluation of tourism policies)

Alumni move into a wide variety of roles, for example as a public relations officer, project manager, research manager, tourism product developer, etc.