Master’s in Tourism, Society and Environment

The Master's in Tourism, Society and Environment is a two-year programme, starting every year in September. In total, the programme comprises 120 credits (ECTS = European Credit Transfer System), 60 credits per year. The programme consists of coursework, an internship and thesis research. Generally the first year is entirely dedicated to coursework, and the second year is split between internship and thesis.

For more information about this programme's profile and learning outcomes, visit the Study Handbook page.

You will engage with a suite of compulsory and elective courses, exploring various concepts and approaches to study tourism next to ways to partake in tourism transitions for the future. In various courses real life cases are used to apply course related angles to tourism transitions. You also regularly get in touch with professionals from different professions as you personally orient yourself to your future career.  

You will complete a professional internship and conduct independent research toward your thesis, applying inter-/transdisciplinary knowledge and approaches to real-world challenges. 

The MSc programme Tourism, Society and Environment runs annually, beginning from September. It comprises 120 ECTS credits and runs for two academic years. The first year consists of coursework (60 ECTS), the second year consists of the academic internship (24 ECTS) and your thesis (36 ECTS) as the core components of the master’s degree curriculum. 

You will be supported throughout the entire programme by the programme team and your study adviser, whom you can contact anytime for help finding your way. Whether you’re exploring specific research interests, extracurricular activities, or unique professional goals, you’ll receive guidance to explore, learn, and experiment. You will also have ongoing opportunities to cultivate your personal professional identity through a dedicated course: making meaning of what you learn and translating it into a fulfilling path that’s uniquely yours. 

• Master's in International Development Studies 
  The Master's International Development Studies likewise takes a critical interdisciplinary perspective in the analysis of international development. This study offers various specialisations: Sociology of Development, Economics of Development, Inclusive Innovation, Communication and Development, and Politics and Governance of Development. The MSc Tourism, Society and Environment is specifically oriented on the sustainable transition of tourism as a global phenomenon but includes community development next to elective courses from International Development Studies.
• Master's in Environmental Sciences 
  In the Master's in Environmental Sciences, you will learn to develop methods to improve the sustainability of the living environment using natural science, technological, and social science perspectives. The use of the term ‘environment’ in the Master's Tourism, Society and Environment refers foremost to the complex social, cultural, economic and geographic environment within which tourism continuously evolves. This includes ways in which tourism evolves in context of climate change, but also wider use and governance of natural resources.
• Master's in Landscape Architecture and Planning
  The Master's in Landscape Architecture and Planning addresses the way concrete plans and designs for future landscaping are created and supported. The Tourism, Society and Environment study programme, however, studies tourism-related landscapes with an emphasis on their experience, use, and impact on society and environment.  
• Master’s in Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management
  Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management focuses on marine ecosystems and their sustainable use, whereas the MSc Tourism, Society and Environment adds a social science perspective to questions such as coastal tourism, visitor pressure in marine environments, nature conservation and governance

The MSc Tourism, Society and Environment prepares you for careers focused on tourism, mobility, sustainability and development. You build strong research and analytical skills and learn to work across disciplines, cultures and stakeholder interests.

Possible roles include:

• Policy advisor in tourism, mobility, sustainability or environmental policy
• Sustainability or impact consultant
• Researcher or PhD candidate
• Destination or regional development specialist
• Community engagement officer
• Project or programme manager in sustainability and development

Graduates work for governments, NGOs, research institutes, consultancies, destination organisations, nature organisations, international organisations and businesses working on sustainable solutions. The internship or research practice, thesis and Personal & Professional Identity learning line help students explore which direction fits them.

If you need help in your orientation towards your future career Student Career Services facilitates students towards the labour market.

Interested in the master's programme Tourism, Society and Environment? Find out whether your knowledge and skills match the entry level of the programme. 

If you studied at Wageningen University, you may have unconditional admission if you graduated in:  

• BTO Bachelor Tourism (JD)
• BBN Bachelor Forest and Nature Conservation
• BIN Bachelor International Development Studies
• BLP Bachelor Landscape Architecture and Planning
• BBC Bachelor Management and Consumer Studies
• BMS Bachelor Marine Sciences

If you studied something else, you might still become admitted directly by showing that you have sufficient knowledge in the field of social sciences (e.g. human geography, history, psychology, sociology, anthropology, political sciences, philosophy, consumer studies, communication studies, development studies, policy/governance studies, tourism studies or a combination) and basic knowledge of statistics. 

Ready to start your application process? Find everything you need to know about Application & Admission before applying for a master's.

Students who cannot be directly admitted to a Wageningen University master's study programme because of deficiencies in their previous completed bachelor education, may eliminate these deficiencies by following a pre-master's programme. A Wageningen University pre-master's programme consists of a maximum of 30 credits and is determined individually. It has to be obtained within one academic year.

Check the Application & Admission page for master's for the International credentials evaluation guide for international equivalencies to a Dutch GPA>7.0. This guide includes compensating factors for a slightly lower GPA the Admission Board may include in their judgement.

Contact us to discuss the possibilities of a pre-master's or how to mitigate knowledge gaps if you are still in the process of obtaining your degree.

Explore more about Tuition fees and study finances.

Wageningen offers a diverse, enjoyable, and amiable student community. Despite being a small town, you get to know people from all over the world because of Wageningen University & Research's global atmosphere. Everything in town is relatively accessible by bicycle, and the campus is contemporary and green. Whether it's a sporting event, a party, or a laid-back evening with friends at one of the student associations, there's always something going on. Additionally, there are parks, forests, and a river nearby, so if you enjoy the outdoors, you're in the right area. It's a fantastic combination of learning, socialising, and taking in the scenery.

Explore more about Student life in Wageningen.