MBM (MSc) with specialisation in Hospitality

Semester 1

(Core Modules)

• Marketing Management
• Globalisation, Society & Culture
• Research Methods Introduction (Final Project)
• The World Economy
• Professional Inquiry

(Specialisation Modules)

• Hospitality Operational Excellence
• Critical Perspectives in Hospitality Management

Semester 2

(Core Modules)

• Research Methods (Final Project)
• Micro Economics - Global Perspectives
• Strategic Management
• Project Module (3 Project Weeks, linked to Final Project)

(Specialisation Modules)

• Marketing Hospitality, Tourism & Events
• International Hospitality Development

Semester 3 (Work Placement & Graduation)

• Professional-Based Learning 
• Final Project

The master's programme is delivered in a 'block format', with 2 modules being covered every 6 weeks. Core module classes are inter-disciplinary - you study shared modules with master's students from different business management specialisations. Due to the rolling entry (6 times a year) groups are dynamic, extremely international and diverse.

The modules are delivered intensively over consecutive days in the block format, which means that each module has 6 days of teaching split into two blocks of 3 days. Teaching methods include group work, case studies, presentations, and live projects. The course is delivered through a variety of approaches including lectures, presentations, tutorials and case studies, with an emphasis on interactive learning. Each module is taught by two lecturers, often a full-time Wittenborg lecturer and a guest lecturer from a partner university. Modules include regular guest speakers from industry.

The hospitality industry is an outward looking global sector that is rapidly expanding across the world. It requires thousands of master's graduates every year to lead and develop enterprises that cater for increasingly informed guests who want value for money and who are looking for service uniquely tailored to their needs.

As is the case with other industries in the service sector, technology has brought new modes of direct communication with guests who now have more control and choice in selecting accommodation, transport and other suppliers in the hospitality sector. For instance, for many guests a restaurant’s website is now the first point of contact and serves as a virtual business card, hence needs to be maintained and kept interactive.

Thus, the new hospitality model is based on embracing new technology and the evolution of the guest as a highly informed stakeholder seeking choice, personal service and competitive pricing, as well as relying increasingly on user reviews.

Graduates of the Master of Business Management, specialised in Hospitality can look forward to a range of career opportunities. Industries that generally require hospitality management services include:

• health
• cruise liners
• airlines
• resorts
• theme parks
• casinos
• education
• conferences
• entertainment

Some specialised career options for MSc graduates are:

Restaurant or catering manager: Restaurant managers ensure their establishment operate efficiently and profitably. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including business performance, recruiting and retaining skilled members of staff who have a knack for sales as well as ensuring high standards of food, service, health and safety.

Hotel manager: A hotel manager is responsible for the day-to-day running of a hotel - whether a small, boutique hotel or a larger establishment. He or she would have frequent meetings with heads of departments such as catering, household, security and maintenance. Among many other tasks, the hotel manager will also analyse sales figures and devise marketing and revenue strategies, ensure compliance with licensing laws, deal with serious customer complaints or welcome VIPs - all in a day’s work.

Service consultant: Many managers in the hospitality sector, after gaining considerable experience, move gradually into consultancy while others feel equipped enough to start immediately as a freelance consultant or joining an established consultancy firm. As a service consultant you might develop training manuals, create and implement service protocols, develop marketing strategies and improve the culture of service within the organisation.

Entrepreneur: The hospitality sector affords a host of opportunities for starting your own business - whether as a transport service provider, accommodation owner, restaurant owner, hotelier, marketing specialist or wine producer.

Educator and researcher: With their in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of the hospitality industry, graduates of the master's programme can follow a career as a lecturer at a wide range of institutes offering training in this field or pursue further studies such as a PhD.

The admission requirements (criteria) for the Master of Business Management programmes (all specialisations) are as follows:

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent recognised qualification.
  • ​Applicants are requested to provide an academic reference from their previous education institute.
  • It is necessary to have obtained a bachelor's degree from the domains of business, management, economics or trade. In their bachelor's degree applicants must have completed an academic piece of work (final project or dissertation) that demonstrates a degree of academic writing and research experience.
• No professional experience is required for these master's programmes.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL equivalent. Click here for an overview of the equivalent scores.
TOEFL Code of Wittenborg is 4889.

The English language proficiency level requirement is ½ a point higher than the minimum national requirements in the Netherlands.

Selection procedure

There is no specific selection criteria for students wishing to enter the Master programmes at WUAS, however all students are interviewed and must demonstrate motivation. Students will be advised of their suitability prior to signing an initial study agreement as a pre-requisite to obtaining admission (offer letter).

Non-EU students requiring sponsored visa for study.

Non-EU (visa) students are “screened” according to their background, in order for the institute to be able to guarantee their immigration status.

The screening comprises of an interview, collection and correlation of all IND required documents, including proof of sufficient funds, taking into account any scholarships provided by Wittenborg (Orange Tulip Scholarship, for instance) or by third parties (NUFFIC, EU, etc).

Details on Scholarships at Wittenborg can be found at http://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-financial-assistance.htm

Applicants are required to provide a motivation letter in which they describe the reasons for choosing Wittenborg’s programme, as well as the reason for wanting to study in the Netherlands (international students). Student motivation is important as the programmes are demanding and especially for international students there is a criteria that they complete at least 50% of all their credits in a year.