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Business and Hospitality (MSc)

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Course Overview

This MSc is designed for those with hospitality/business qualifications or experience who wish to develop their knowledge of hospitality systems, trends and business applications to an advanced level. It is designed as a specialist course which assists students in blending their existing talents with the advanced hospitality and business skills and knowledge needed to manage a modern hospitality organisation.

Modules include Global Business and International HRM, Project Management, Information Technology for Hospitality and Performance and Revenue Management. The programme will be offered on a full-time basis over one academic year or on a part-time basis over two academic years. The programme will consist of lectures, seminars, industry exposure, experiential learning, in-company study, computer-based simulation, guest speakers and projects in the relevant subjects.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System. 

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

1. Minimum Academic Requirements

Applicants must present certified and translated copies of their undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2ndclass honours or equivalent in a related area.

2. English
A minimum IELTS band level 6.5 (no band lower than 6) or equivalent.

3. Personal statement 
Applicants must submit/upload a typed personal statement of approximately 600 words explaining why they wish to undertake the programme, outlining how it fits into their career objectives.

4. Curriculum Vitae (CV) 
Applicants are required to submit/upload a current CV (max. 2 pages).

5. References 
Applicants are required to submit/upload 2 references.  One must be an academic reference (in the case of applicants currently undertaking studies) and/or an employer (in the case of applicants currently in employment), and/or suitable personal reference.

6. Passport 
A copy of your passport must be submitted/uploaded.

7. Entrance Interview 
Suitable applicants must pass an entrance interview. Interviews are conducted by representatives visiting your country or through video conferencing (Skype).


Additional Requirements

Duration

1 year, full-time
2 years, part-Time

Next start date

September 2021

A Level Grades ()

N/A

Average intake

20

Closing Date

30 June 2021

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

Course code

1MBH1

Course Outline

The programme will be offered on a full-time basis over one academic year or on a part-time basis over two academic years. To be eligible for the award of the MSc in Business and Hospitality, candidates must successfully complete modules to a total of 90 ECTS. A candidate who has passed all modules other than the summer school and project within a period of two years from commencement of the programme shall be eligible for the award of a postgraduate Diploma in Hospitality and Business.

Full-time 

Semester 1

  • Global Business and International HRM
  • Information Technology for Hospitality
  • Performance and Revenue Management
  • Research Methods

Semester 2

  • Hotel Asset Management
  • Intercultural Business Communication
  • Project Management
  • Strategy and Innovation for Hospitality

Semester 3 (Summer School) Students choose 3 electives

  1. Business Negotiations
  2. International Entrepreneurship in Hospitality
  3. Lean Principles
  4. Management of Organisational Change
  5. Organisational Behaviour
  6. Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions.
  • Project- Business Consultancy
Part-time 
Year 1:

Semester 1

  • Performance and Revenue Management
  • Research Methods

Semester 2

  • Intercultural Business Communication
  • Hotel Asset Management

Semester 3(Summer School 1) Students choose 3 electives

  1. Business Negotiations
  2. International Entrepreneurship in Hospitality
  3. Lean Principles
  4. Management of Organisational Change
  5. Organisational Behaviour
  6. Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions
Year 2:

Semester 3

Global Business and International HRM
Information Technology for Business

Semester 4
Project Management
Strategy and Innovation for Hospitality

Summer School 2 
Project- Business Consultancy

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Required SC6104: Research Methods


Semester 1 | Credits: 5

Research Methods is a course that presents an overview of the various primary and secondary research methodologies used in the business and academic world, and the application of data collection techniques to aid those strategies.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Understand the fundamental process in producing a piece of research.
  2. Compare and contrast the relative merits of research methods and their relevance to different situations.
  3. Undertake a systematic analysis of quantitative and qualitative information and present the results in a clear and consistent format.
  4. Demonstrate enhanced IT proficiency in tools to collect and analyse data.
  5. Appreciate the importance of good ethical research standards.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6104: "Research Methods" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SC6103: Performance and Revenue Management


Semester 1 | Credits: 10

The objective of this module is to develop the skills necessary to appraise financial and non-financial performance in a hospitality organisation, along with the ability to devise revenue management strategies to improve an organisation's performance.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Recognise the performance information needs of users in hospitality and other business contexts and understand the key performance indicators in the hospitality sector.
  2. Appraise and interpret the financial performance and contrast performance with competitors and assess the non-financial performance of a business and consider different performance measurement models.
  3. Understand the importance of cost control and recommend cost reduction strategies in different business situations.
  4. Understand the modern role of revenue management in the hospitality sector and its importance in business decision making.
  5. Apply Revenue Management models and tools to help implement strategies to improve business performance.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6103: "Performance and Revenue Management" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SC6101: Global Business and International HRM


Semester 1 | Credits: 10

Research the response of hospitality businesses to global and economic pressures (such as macro-forces in the economy, mergers and acquisitions, marketing challenges such as entering new markets, developing product offerings and differentiation). Students will then evaluate how the HRM function in the business needs to act and respond to these pressures to maintain an effective business with motivated and innovative staff. Also considered is effective talent acquisition to enable the exploitation of new opportunities in business. Industry exposure element-guest lecturer partner from hospitality business working through such challenges and opportunities.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Understand, analyse and critically evaluate contemporary organisations and their principal environments and the managerial and business environment within which HR professionals work.
  2. Understand, analyse and critically evaluate the business, cultural and managerial environment within which HR professionals and MNC subsidiary managers work and the implications for the delivery of effective management practices.
  3. Understand, analyse and critically evaluate the nature and scope of the (networked) MNE, structures and processes in a global world and the importance that managerial engagement, and potential
  4. Understand, analyse and critically evaluate the role of the manager in international business in shaping and developing strategy in a differentiated MNE, and his/her role in combining and leveraging resources on a global scale.
  5. Understand, analyse and critically evaluate the effective management of interpersonal relationships.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6101: "Global Business and International HRM" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SC6102: Information Technology for Hospitality


Semester 1 | Credits: 5

The objective of this module is to equip hospitality business leaders with Information Technology knowledge, awareness and skills to inform business decisions and practices.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Investigate the benefits and challenges of IT for Hospitality Marketing, service contracts, and return on investment.
  2. Develop an understanding of the scope and potential of hospitality data, IT practices, systems and devices for hospitality businesses.
  3. Enhance skills in writing hospitality business cases for new IT implementations or upgrades.
  4. Develop new practical IT skills to craft business presentations.
  5. Reflect on current presentation skills and integrate new theories to enhance effectiveness and boost confidence.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6102: "Information Technology for Hospitality" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SC6116: Intercultural Communication for Business


Semester 2 | Credits: 10

This module will enable the students to recognise, understand and reflect on issues related to intercultural communication in global business settings. It comprises three core areas of study: intercultural communication and corr-cultural management, human resources management in a global context, and global leadership. The objective of this module is to enable students to recognise and understand the importance of culture and its impact on business communication and management across cultures reflecting on the need to increase their own level of intercultural sensitivity and competence, in order to succeed as managers of global teams. The manner in which cultural differences impact on communication and human resources practices and policies will be discussed and evaluated. Following this, the needs and challenges of becoming a successful global leader will be analysed; considering difference cultural settings and work scenarios, as well as the student's own culture.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify and reflect on the intercultural communication theories in order to evaluate the manner in which they contribute to the understanding of global business communication.
  2. Critically discuss the role of culture and its impact on business communication in a global context.
  3. Analyise critically published research on intercultural communication in the field of business management and global leadership.
  4. Identify and describe the intercultural competencies of successful global managers.
  5. Reflect on the importance of developing intercultural communication competence and intercultural sensitivity in order to succeed in global business management.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6116: "Intercultural Communication for Business" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SC6108: Strategy and Innovation for Hospitality


Semester 2 | Credits: 10

The objective of this module is to expose the student to key strategic management frameworks, models and theories that they can then adapt and apply to the world of business in order to foster innovation. A key task for the student is to understand how strategy is crafted in response to the changing business environment. Students are expected to play an active role in the learning process by engaging with academic literature to further their knowledge of strategy, so as to improve their organisational awareness. The overall aim of this module is to challenge the student to think differently.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of strategic thinking in the business environment.
  2. Identify key issues for an organisation to foster a culture of innovation.
  3. Appreciate the importance of people in formulating, implementing and evaluating strategy.
  4. Understand the key drivers of innovation in organisations.
  5. Be able to apply the principles of a strategy-focused organisation to the running of a simulated business enterprise.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6108: "Strategy and Innovation for Hospitality" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SC6107: Project Management


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

The objective of this module is to provide an opportunity to apply the process of project management to a specific hospitality business project. Topics covered include project definition, planning, execution, basic feasibility models, management, control and implementation. This will involve the application of a formalised and structured project management process and the development of proposals demonstrating appreciation of the practical and consumer based contexts of the organisation. Specifically defined outputs in response to a client brief or organisational scenario will be expected. In arriving at outcomes, consideration will be given to the need for appropriate innovation and creativity whilst ensuring realistic application.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Understand project management development processes, design and associated techniques.
  2. Analyse the implications, challenges and opportunities of organisational dynamics with regard to project management.
  3. Understand how to manager project cost, quality and delivery.
  4. Align available resources for effective project implementation.
  5. Recognise and mitigate the early seeds of failure in a project life cycle.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6107: "Project Management" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SC6105: Hotel Asset Management


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Hotel Asset Management will provide the framework, knowledge and tools to manager hotel assets strategically. This module will enable students to develop analytical capabilities to enable them to evaluate opportunities and make decisions related to the management of hotel assets. Also assessed will be management contracts between owners and operators, and the complexities involved in handling multiple stakeholders in Hotel Asset Management contracts.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Understand the latest Hotel Asset Management techniques and analyse management contracts from owners and operators.
  2. Understand how to administer and renegotiate management contracts.
  3. Evaluate capital expenditure decisions and manager their execution.
  4. Benchmark a property's revenue and expense performance against the market.
  5. Provide a set of practical tools and tactics that asset managers can use to achieve strategic performance.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6105: "Hotel Asset Management" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional SC6109: International Entrepreneurship in Hospitality


12 months long | Credits: 5

The objective of this course is to gain an insight into entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management from a strategic perspective.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Develop a range of diagnostic, analytical and decision-making skills necessary for the formulation, development and evaluation of a business start up/strategy to grow and develop a business opportunity.
  2. Critically assess the principal techniques and concepts necessary in setting up an international business enterprise.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6109: "International Entrepreneurship in Hospitality" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional SC6110: Management of Organisational Change


12 months long | Credits: 5

To understand and recognise the various levels of change within an organisation and to appreciate the impact change can have on staff and on the motivation and productivity of a group. Students will be required to engage and reflect on events happening in the business world around them, and to produce creative solutions to challenges emerging.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Discuss and analyse the impact of Change Management as a key contemporary business skill.
  2. Define organisational change, and discuss change levers and interventions.
  3. Apply change models and frameworks to different situations and contexts.
  4. Identify the most appropriate style of management when faced with a set of circumstances.
  5. Interpret attitudes and behaviours towards organisational change and identify problems facing change agents.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6110: "Management of Organisational Change" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional SC6111: Organisational Behaviour


12 months long | Credits: 5

Organisational behaviour is presented as an overarching framework which investigates the impact that individuals, groups and structure have on behaviour within organisations for the purpose of applying such knowledge towards improving an organisations effectiveness. Indicative topics include: understanding individual differences and personality, employee motivation, the organisational socialisation process, job satisfaction and organisational commitment, the psychological contract of the employee-organisation relationship, Social Cognitive/Social Learning Theory, managerial efficacy, the psychology of decision making. The emphasis for this module is on acquiring 'self-knowledge' to better appreciate and understand the attitudes and behaviours of individuals in the work environment.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Discuss the anchors and models on which organisational behaviour knowledge is based.
  2. Evaluate the role of the Manager/Leader/Supervisor in the management of employee/interpersonal relations.
  3. Focus on a range of individual and organisational processes that are prevalent in all 21st century organisation.
  4. In-depth discussion on a number of work related attitudes and behaviours (Job Satisfaction, Organisational Commitment, Perceived Organisational Support, OCBs).
  5. Explore the nature of effective Leadership and the role of Emotional Intelligence.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6111: "Organisational Behaviour" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional SC6112: Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions


12 months long | Credits: 5

Quantitative analysing is the scientific approach to managerlal decision making. The module emphasises the importance of accessing, analysis and reporting on quantitative information that can assist in making the best possible management/business decision. Topics include: describing business data both visually and statistically; exploring the statistical relationships between variables through correlation analysis; predicting the influence of variables with regression analysis and decision trees; conducting business sales/demand forecasting with time series analysis; measuring and interpreting the probability of business decisions that are quantitatively based.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Appreciate the role and importance of data analysis in the wider context of Business Intelligence.
  2. Conduct comprehensive exploratory data analysis on a real world data set and communicate findings.
  3. Apply a range of forecasting techniques and evaluate the merits of such methods.
  4. Apply probability theory to business decision making.
  5. Portfolio and Risk Analysis.
  6. Practical application of data analysis software.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6112: "Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional SC6114: Business Negotiations


12 months long | Credits: 5

Negotiation is a dialogue to discover common ground among parties with differing aims, needs and perspectives in order to achieve a solution. the aim is to seek a process by which parties may pursue a mutually acceptable outcome, which typically involves an element of compromise. Business Negotiations explore how two or more parties with competing interests discuss and manage issues so as to attain an agreement, settle a matter of mutual concern, or resolve a conflict. Negotiation is a valuable leadership and management skill, which is employed in a wide range of business contexts, such as contracts, deal-making, employment discussions, team building, and disputes. Negotiations occur in commercial, non-profit and governmental organisations.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Theoretical Competency - Comparing distributive and integrative negotiations - Identifying the sub-processes of negotiations - Distinguishing between interests and positions - Outlining the elements of principled negotiations - Summarising the seven elements framework.
  2. Skills Development - Applying active listening techniques - Investigating the joint outcome space through BATNA, ZOPA and anchoring - Exploring the agent-client dynamics in negotiations - Crafting solutions via standards and persuasion - Managing hardball tactics and non-engagement - Identifying ethical issues in negotiations.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6114: "Business Negotiations " and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional SC6115: Lean Principles for Hospitality Managers


12 months long | Credits: 5

The objective of this module is to develop a deep understanding of lean principles as a basis for driving transformation change that meets the needs of business stakeholders as they seek an agile and progressive response to a changing marketplace. This practical module blends theory, immersive experiential learning and industry practitioner input in a dynamic learning experience. The module will stretch and challenge participants to enhance and develop their own problem solving, internal consultancy, and change management skills through the internalisation of Kaizen - continuous improvement.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Lean theory.
  2. Differentiate between Lean as a set of tools and techniques and Lean as a philosophy and articulate the significance of this differentiation.
  3. Assess and critically evaluate the value of Lean and the challenges associated with Lean implementations in multiple orgainisational contexts.
  4. Critically evaluate the value of a Lean Principles approach to management.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6115: "Lean Principles for Hospitality Managers" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional SC6113: Business Consultancy Project


12 months long | Credits: 15

This major applied project will be undertaken on a small group basis, acting in a consultancy role for a hospitality related business. Projects must be based on a substantial topic in the field of hospitality. Skills developed and topics may include: business consulting negotiations and agreement; environmental analysis; project management; market research and marketing/promotional related activities; and analysis and evaluation of business opportunities. Also evaluated will be creative thinking and problem-solving, report writing and business presentations of developed recommendations. The objectives are to: integrate acquired discipline-based skills; to apply student knowledge, expertise and experience in the context of a real business situation; and to further develop the interpersonal skills needed for effective cross-functional teamwork. Successful project requirements include: research; reporting skills; analytical and problem-solving capabilities; a value-added focus; a multi-disciplinary perspective; critical evaluative thinking; application of the principles, concepts, theories, techniques and systems of strategy and business disciplines; and the ability to work in partnership mode in a team setting.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Analysis of the client's current business strategy, along with market conditions and demands.
  2. Develop scenarios and solutions for client brief and answering current organisational needs.
  3. Evaluation of alternative courses of action and negotiation with client towards optimum outcome for the company from the consulting project.
  4. Summarie and self-evaluate the work completed and the potential value added to the project by the contributions made by members of the team towards the client report.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SC6113: "Business Consultancy Project" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates with the skills taught in this programme will be highly valued by a range of business and hospitality organisations, both nationally and internationally. The College will organise recruitment fairs in the final semester to give students the opportunity to meet with future employers.

Three reasons to choose this course:

  1. Employability—graduates will have excellent employment opportunities.
  2. Specialist content to enable the management of a modern hospitality organisation.
  3. Direct contact with industry while you study, enhancing your hospitality and business skills.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€9,000 p.a. 2021/22

Fees: Tuition

€8,776 p.a. 2021/22

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. 2021/22

Fees: Non EU

€15,500 p.a. 2021/22

Find out More

Loraine Kavanagh
E: loraine.kavanagh@nuigalway.ie

Shannon College of Hotel Management
Shannon Airport
Co Clare 
T: + 353 (0)61 712 210 
www.shannoncollege.com

 

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