Master’s Programme in Sustainability and Tourism

Semester 1 (Autumn) - Early September to mid-January

In the first semester, you will study the four main modules of the programme. Each of these modules contributes to an aspect of tourism destination development.

Sustainable Destination Development (KG3019)  (7.5 credits)

Event Tourism - Planning, Marketing, Evaluation (TR3009) (7.5 credits)

Management and Interpretation of Cultural Heritage Sites (AKG27R) (7.5 credits)

Place and Destination Marketing (ATR2AF) (7.5 credits)

You will also visit businesses, cultural heritage managers and event organizations as well as regional tourism destinations.

Semester 2 (Spring) - Late January to Mid-June

In the second semester, you will learn about research methods and you will complete a research project that focuses on an aspect of destination development at an international or local tourism destination. 

Theory and Research Methods (TR3010) (15 credits)

Project Work in Tourism Studies, 15 credits or Degree Thesis in Tourism Studies (60 credits) (TR3008) (15 credits)

Semester 3 (Autumn) - Early September to mid-January

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 (Spring) - Late January to Mid-June

• Thesis for Master’s degree (120 credits) in Tourism Studies, 30 credits

All courses are taught in English by international faculty. The programme comprises 120 credits (1 credit = 1 ECTS) and begins at the start of the autumn semester in early September. Note: 1.5 credits = one week of full-time study.

Guest lectures and seminars headed by representatives from the regional tourism branch and from international partner universities as well as alumni are regularly held so that current students can learn more about international research in tourism, the employment market as well connect with former students to talk about opportunities.

Degree Awarded

Upon completion of this programme, you will receive a Master of Science in Tourism Studies. You can use this degree to apply for PhD studies in Sweden.

Career Opportunities

Tourism is a major growth industry internationally, and there is an urgent need for knowledge on how to develop destinations in a sustainable manner. The courses in Master's Programme in Sustainability and Tourism prepare you to work within the tourism and marketing fields, and can lead to countless job opportunities, including positions as:

• Junior Online Marketer
• Tourism Officer
• Destination Development Consultant
• Operations Manager

You will most likely find work in destination-marketing organisations, at hotels, in activity companies, and within local and regional tourism-planning organisations throughout the world.

International internships

You can receive an Erasmus+ grant to complete an internship and can apply for one up to 12 months after completing your studies. This is available to all students in the programme, regardless of nationality, who pursue an approved internship within an Erasmus+ programme country (except Sweden).

Further studies including studying towards a PhD

Upon completion of the programme, you may also apply for a PhD position within Tourism Studies or similar fields at any Swedish university.  

Stay in Sweden and look for work

You can apply for a 12-month residence permit to stay in Sweden and look for work after you complete a degree programme of at least 60 credits. International students are encouraged to stay in Dalarna and Sweden and look for a job after graduating from the Master's Programme in Sustainability and Tourism.

Using your degree overseas

The degree awarded by Dalarna University for this programme is internationally recognized and has been used by previous students to attain employment or pursue further studies outside of Sweden.

You can also apply to receive an Erasmus+ grant for an internship, even up to 12 months after completing your studies. This opportunity is available to all students in the programme, regardless of nationality, who pursue an approved internship within an Erasmus+ programme country other than Sweden.

Should you apply?

You should have a desire to combine your passion for sustainable tourism with a curiosity for the research and theory that drive the development of the global tourism industry towards sustainability. If you have previously majored in Social Sciences, and have documented knowledge of spoken and written English, then you are a good candidate for this programme

How To Apply

Applying to the Sustainability and Tourism Programme is quick and easy. Just complete these two steps:

1. Click on the green "Apply" button to create a user account and add the programme to your account in the online application portal.
2. Submit the required documents to verify that you fulfill the entry requirements listed below. It is usually possible to upload the required documents to your user account.

• How to submit an application
• Required documents for application

​Entry Requirements:

Specific Entry Requirements

In order to be eligible for the Master's Programme in Sustainability and Tourism you need to have:

• Completed bachelor's degree with a main field of study in the Social Sciences (for example: tourism studies, business administration, economics, development studies, political science, sociology, geography, human geography) or an equivalent degree or currently completing the final year of studies leading to such a degree.
  We sometimes are able to accept students with other academic backgrounds so please contact the programme manager if your previous studies are outside our formal requirements.
• Proof of English language proficiency. You should check the UniversityAdmissions.se information about English language proficiency to see if your previous studies fulfill this requirement. If you need to take an IELTS or TOEFL then you should acheive the following result:
  • IELTS (academic training), 6.5 (with no part of the test below 5.5)
  • TOEFL (Internet-based): 90 (with a minimum of 20 on the written part)

For specific information, see the webpage on universityadmissions.se about English documentation

Tuition Fees

192,000 SEK (total*)
*EU/EEA Citizens are not required to pay tuition fees.

Tuition fees are paid in four installments of 48,000 SEK and the first payment should be made as soon as possible after you have received your invoice and no later than the deadline on the invoice. This allows for reasonable processing time for a residence permit application.

If you have any questions about tuition fee payments, please e-mail tuitionfees@du.se.

Scholarships

There are a number of scholarships available for successful applicants to the Tourism Destination Development Programme who are not EU/EEA citizens.

For more information about scholarships, please visit our webpage about international student scholarships or contact us using the contact form on this website.

Study Environment

Dalarna University is a small university, which will allow you to develop close professional relationships with your classmates and teachers. You will study at the Borlänge campus, which is located close to the region's largest shopping centre, beautiful natural surroundings and outstanding outdoor activities.

Students from the world over come to study Sustainability and Tourism at Dalarna University. Typically, there are 20 students in each class. Lessons include lectures; seminars; group discussions; presentations; study visits; and written assignments. You will normally have four to eight hours of classes a week, 20 to 30 hours of individual reading and writing assignments, and group projects.

Since Master's Programme in Sustainability and Tourism admits only a small number of students, you will easily get to know your classmates and be involved with activities in and around Dalarna and Sweden with new-found friends. The knowledge and experiences you share with your classmates, along with the opportunity to be involved in interesting tourism destination development projects, will prepare you to join our alumni who go on to find their ideal jobs within the field.

An international classroom taught by international faculty

Students from all over the world come to study Sustainability and Tourism at Dalarna University. With the wealth of practical experience and the opportunity to participate in interesting tourism and sustainability projects that programme students receive, many go on to find their ideal jobs in the field.