Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall be based fundamentally on the knowledge acquired by students during first-cycle courses and study programmes, or its equivalent.
Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall:
• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge,
• develop the students’ ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students’ potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.
Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.
Competence and skills
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.
Judgement and approach
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for their ongoing learning.
On completion of the programme, students will be able to demonstrate:
Knowledge and understanding
• specialised knowledge of theories and research in tourism studies and sustainable development of places and destinations
• the ability to critically and independently reflect on the complexity of sustainability issues and relate current research to specific contexts
Competence and skills
• the ability to critically relate to current social issues from a tourism studies perspective and account for these both in writing and orally
• the ability to formulate scientific questions that are based in both theory and methodology
• the ability to collect, process, analyse and present empirical material and link it to relevant concepts and theories in the form of a degree project
Judgement and approach
• the ability to critically analyse the conditions for and consequences of different strategies for sustainable development of places and tourist destinations
The programme enables students to explore several dimensions of sustainability and tourism. Sustainability is a central dimension in all courses in the programme, which challenges students to reflect on social, cultural, economic, and environmental aspects of tourism and place development in both global and local contexts. Destination governance and planning are integrated into the concept of sustainable destination development, and students receive guidance throughout the programme so that they independently develop a critical understanding of these processes in different settings. Sustainable development is examined through a holistic approach combining different value systems and interests as well as context-specific considerations and challenges.
Students develop their ability to critically reflect on the complexity of sustainability issues and relate state-of-the-art research to various practical contexts. They also develop the ability to reflect on their learning and their future professional role in both the tourism industry and society at large. Students are given the opportunity to work on their ability to independently develop research questions and conduct research as part of their studies.
In the first semester, students take four research-related courses. The theme of these is different perspectives on the development of places and destinations. One course has a particular focus on sustainability and destination development, while the other three explore sustainability issues relating to various aspects of tourism and destination development, such as events, cultural and natural resources, and place marketing, all in close connection to current research within each respective theme.
In the second semester, students take a course in scientific method and tourism studies theory so that they develop a broad and deep understanding of research issues and research ethics, and gain insight into and training in different research methods. In the second half of the semester, students can choose to take a project-based course in collaboration with business and society where they analyse current cases linked to issues of sustainability in companies and organisations, and link these to the current knowledge base. Alternatively, during the same period, students can take a thesis course worth 15 credits that will, for those students who request this, be included in a Degree of Master (60 credits).
In the third semester, students can take optional courses worth 30 credits. This semester provides opportunity for broadened and specialised study in an optional selection of aspects relating to sustainability and tourism. A number of optional courses worth 30 credits are offered to students at Dalarna University, where the focus is on specialised study in sustainability and resilience, social sustainability linked to companies, and in-depth study of various current research themes on tourism. This semester is also an opportunity for students to go on an Erasmus exchange or take courses in their area of interest at other universities to broaden their knowledge in the field.
In the fourth semester, students complete a degree project in tourism studies worth 30 credits. Here they deepen their theoretical knowledge, which they then put into practice through the independent identification of issues and the use of scientific method to complete and present a research assignment.
Year 1
Semester 1
• Sustainable Destination Development, 7.5 credits *
• Management and Interpretation of Cultural Heritage Sites, 7.5 credits *
• Event Tourism - Planning, Marketing, Evaluation, 7.5 credits *
• Place and Destination Marketing, 7.5 credits *
Semester 2
• Theory and Research Methods, 15 credits *
• Project Work in Tourism Studies, 15 credits *
or Thesis for a Master’s Degree (60 Credits) in Tourism Studies, 15 credits *
Year 2
Semester 3
Students choose optional courses in a subject of their choice, nationally or internationally, according to their interest and in consultation with the programme director. A number of optional courses worth 30 credits will be offered to students at Dalarna University. What courses are offered may vary between semesters.
Semester 4
• Thesis for Master’s degree (120 credits) in Tourism Studies, 30 credits *
Degree of Master of Science [120 credits] Main Field of Study: Tourism Studies