Read more about the programme - MSc Tourism, Society and Environment

By joining the MSc Tourism, Society and Environment programme, you study the underlying issues of the fast growing tourism industry. You look at tourism from a historical and philosophical perspective, learning about social and cultural theory and how to apply these using advanced research methods and analysis techniques. The MSc integrates the role of governmental, business and ‘third sector’ organisations in the innovation process towards sustainable (tourism) development.

Experiential and International Approach

In contrast to the more traditional scientific emphasis on tourism, this study programme has an experiential approach in the first place. Much attention is paid to the analysis of significance and meaning of tourism choices, both in consumption and production. The study is truly international and comparative, taking the Dutch, European and global context into consideration. This is done intentionally through teaching material, but it also happens organically as teachers and students come from all around the world and each person brings in his/her own view point, experience and academic interpretation of reality.

Four trajectories

Learning Goals

  • Domain specific knowledge, understanding and research skills:
    Understand and interpret advanced theories and practices of tourism and their influence on the social and physical environment.
  • Appraise the usefulness and relevance of concepts, theories and approaches of sociology, social psychology, human geography, anthropology, political economics and philosophy for a multidisciplinary analysis of tourism and to compose and reflect on a theoretical framework for research.
  • Assess social science research methods for data collection and analysis and construct an appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative design for advanced empirical research independently.
  • Independently define issues in tourism in order to develop and execute a complete research project and defend it.
  • Assess needs and opportunities for different (policy) interventions, translate own research outcomes into advice and suggest new, more effective and sustainable solutions in the relationships between tourism and the environment.
  • Assess issues in tourism and environment from a comparative point of view and work in an international and multicultural context.

General competencies

  • Independently acquire new knowledge and skills in order to analyse complex issues and reflect on his/her academic and professional development.
  • Clearly, argumentatively and unambiguously communicate research results and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these in a way that reflects the needs and interests of specific audiences.
  • Integrate ethical responsibilities in his/her academic and professional practices at all times.
  • Demonstrate a scientific (research) attitude of life-long learning as well as an open mind and a critical and (self-)reflective working style.