International Hospitality Management Programme Specification September … · · 2016-05-26International Hospitality Management Programme Specification September 2013 ... notional

Master of Science in

International Hospitality Management

Programme Specification September 2013

Swiss Hotel Management School - University Centre

Programme Code: MN8AD

Validated by: University of Derby Buxton

Valid from: September 2013

Valid for delivery at: Swiss Hotel Management School Leysin, Switzerland

SHMS MSc Int Hosp Mgt Prog Spec MN8AD V2 Feb 2014 2

Table of Contents

SECTION ONE: GENERAL INFORMATION ..................................................................... 3

SECTION TWO: OVERVIEW AND PROGRAMME AIMS ................................................. 4

SECTION THREE: PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES ........................................... 5

SECTION FOUR: PROGRAMME STRUCTURE ............................................................... 7

SECTION FIVE: PROGRAMME DELIVERY ...................................................................... 9

SECTION SIX: ADMISSIONS ........................................................................................... 11

SECTION SEVEN: STUDENT SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE .......................................... 12

SECTION EIGHT: POST PROGRAMME OPPORTUNITIES ........................................... 13

SECTION NINE: EMPLOYER LINKS ............................................................................... 14

APPENDIX 1: MAPPING OF PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES ........................... 15

3 SHMS MSc Int Hosp Mgt Prog Spec MN8AD V2 Feb 2014

SECTION ONE: GENERAL INFORMATION

Programme Title Master of Science International Hospitality Management

Award title Master of Science in International Hospitality Management

Interim Awards Postgraduate Certificate in International Hospitality Management Postgraduate Diploma in International Hospitality Management

Mode of Study Full-time

Programme start date/review date Start date: September 2013 Period of Validation: Five years

Awarding Institution University of Derby

Faculty Managing the Programme University of Derby, Buxton

Institutions Delivering the Programme Swiss Hotel Management School

Relevant external subject benchmark statement QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for specialist Masters’ Degrees in Business and Management (2007)

External Accreditation/Recognition N/A

JACS Code N862


Programme specification last updated June 2013.


SECTION TWO: OVERVIEW AND PROGRAMME AIMS

Overview

The Master of Science in International Hospitality Management (MScIHM) degree offered at the Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS) - University Centre in Leysin, Switzerland, aims to meet both the needs of a dynamic international hospitality industry and of the international students on the programme. The industry requirement for increasing numbers of qualified employees, to take on the challenges of a rapidly changing business environment, will be served by graduates of the programme who possess professional experience and applied knowledge of the hospitality industry, supported by a qualification that will enable them to develop both individually and in their careers.

The MScIHM at SHMS specifically provides students with a strategic understanding of operational, tactical and strategic issues, coupled with the necessary management tools, which will allow application of the theories to practical issues in future workplaces. The intention is to develop skills and awareness of the role of the various management functions as part of the total business structures in a variety of organisational types. SHMS focuses on developing students for leadership positions in the luxury segment of the hospitality industry. The strong ties that SHMS has with over 60 international and leading hospitality companies allows for development of students to fit the exact needs of the industry and so offer optimal employability opportunities.

The international nature of the industry provides the study of the subject with exciting prospects, but is manifest in difficult socio-cultural problems in service provision and product development. There is a multicultural workforce, often transient in nature, which provides management with organisational and operational dilemmas as the concepts of service quality and customer satisfaction are changing rapidly in the market place. SHMS reflects this international business environment with students of often over 50 nationalities on the range of programmes. The student body on the MSc in International Hospitality Management programme consists of 100% international students regularly from the six populated continents.

The MScIHM degree is a partnership between the learner, the faculty and the industry and that is to be reflected throughout every part of the programme. For this reason the


development team at SHMS has incorporated the feedback from international hospitality industry partners, current students and graduates to create a relevant and complete Masters Programme. For instance, industry partners have been investigated to ascertain the current needs demands the industry has for MScIHM graduates. In addition, SHMS MAIHM graduates as far back as 2005 have been asked to provide feedback, now several years after graduating. This allowed for a good understanding of graduate needs during their career development. Also students currently on the BA


(Hons) programmes have provided information about their expectations and needs of a Masters programme. This information combined provided excellent guidance in the creation of this programme and is reflected in the modules, assessments and learning outcomes. By incorporating the views of industry, graduates and potential students, the programme should be considered balanced, complete and practitioner relevant.


Programme Aims

This MSc in International Hospitality Management programme aims to: • Provide an intensive and balanced academic and practitioner-relevant programme of

study for entry level and career development in the field of international hospitality management.

• Develop Masters level skills in hospitality related business sciences and techniques in identification, problem solving and developing strategic and operational plans for management of international hospitality related organisations.

• To provide the international dimension to the study of business strategy and risk in the hospitality industry.

• To focus on the changing consumer in relation to strategic business models, concepts of customer satisfaction and consequent product development.

The MSc in International Hospitality Management seeks to fulfil these aims by providing an intellectual, challenging, postgraduate learning opportunity within the context of a Swiss grand hotel that enables students to progress in their chosen career and to enhance their opportunities for advancement in the widest range of international industry organisations.

SECTION THREE: PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

In line with the Framework for Higher Education Qualification at level 7, the programme is designed to provide opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

• Systematic understanding of relevant knowledge about international organisations, their external context and how they are managed related to the field of international hospitality management;

• Critically review the current methodologies for assessing service quality and customer satisfaction within an international dimension.

• Critically evaluate the functional role of operations within the international hospitality


industry.

• Explore the cultural dimensions to managing a multiracial, global workforce within the hospitality industry that is highly mobile and increasingly highly educated.

• Explore the use of information within research in providing strategic planning and industry focus.

10

SHMS MSc Int Hosp Mgt Prog Spec MN8AD V2 Feb 2014

Upon successful completion of the programme, students will develop skills in the following areas:

Intellectual Skills -Students will be able to:

• Think critically and be creative; • Solve complex problems and make decisions; • Evaluate the rigour and validity of published research and assess its relevance to

new situations; • Extrapolate from existing research and scholarship to identify new or revised

approaches to practice; • Conduct research into business and management issues that requires familiarity

with a range of business data, research sources and appropriate methodologies. Practical and Subject Specific Skills -Students will be able to:

• Apply relevant knowledge to a range of complex situations, taking account of their relationships and interaction with other areas of the business or organisation;

• Acquire and analyse data and information, to evaluate their relevance and validity, and to synthesise a range of information in the context of new situations.

Transferable Skills - Students will demonstrate:

• Numeracy and quantitative skills including the development and use of relevant business models;

• Effective use of ICT; • Effective two-way communication: listening, effective oral and written

communication of complex ideas and arguments, using a range of media; • High personal effectiveness: critical self-awareness, self-reflection and self

management; time management; sensitive to the diversity of people and different situations and the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience;

• Effectively performing within team environments and the ability to recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes and to negotiate and

11


persuade or influence others; team selection, delegation, development and management;

• Leadership and performance management: selecting appropriate leadership style for different situations; setting targets, motivating, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring.

12


SECTION FOUR: PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Curriculum

The MSc in International Hospitality Management is undertaken over two academic semesters at SHMS. Depending on demand there are two entry points for students, in September and February. The modules will be taught within one academic semester after which, students will undertake a 60 credit Independent Study in the following semester. The pattern of delivery may be dependent upon cohort, industry and university input. This might include weekends for excursions, a block study week or weekly classes during the semester.

In order to obtain the Masters Award students must obtain 180 Postgraduate Credits. Standard modules are 10 or 20 credits each, which are each equivalent to 100 or 200 notional learning hours. Each module is taught on an individual basis by using a blend of lectures, tutorials, professional workshops, and self-study. This is supported through our virtual learning environment and text-based resources. The following diagrams specify the programme structure according to the modes of study offered.

Full-time, September/ February start Programme Structure

The MScIHM programme is divided into four pillars reflecting 30 credits each, which combined with 60 credits earned during the Independent Studies stage, make up the 180 credits in the programme. These pillars provide direction to the overall aims of the programme and subsequent modules.

The Operational Leadership pillar embraces competences around service quality management, operational efficiency and strategy, the development of leadership skills and synthesizing acquired knowledge within a variety of strategic project management simulations in order to face competitive rivalry within the global hospitality business industry.

The Contemporary Trends pillar concerns with managing highly dynamic modern social media environments, higher strategic approaches to managing revenue and sustainable business environments.

13


Within the Business Strategy pillar the focus lies among others on strategic thinking within the global market place, business modelling and blueprinting strategic service experiences in creating competitive advantages, and considering the modern consumer.

Lastly the Managerial Decision Making pillar is concerned with managing risk and uncertainty by contextualizing the uncertain nature of hospitality products and consumers within the diversity of the versatile global service sector, reaching from

14


traditional risk management to a more contemporary approach of managing uncertainty and risks like managing reputational, social and environmental risks.


MSc in International Hospitality Management

Pillars

Operational

Leadership

Contemporary

Trends

Business

Strategy

Managerial

Decision Making Taught Modules

HOM

MSM

SD

AMEB PM SMS SDSE MR&U DSBL SRM

30 credits 30 credits 30 credits 30 credits Independent Studies:

Independent Scholarship or Integrated Business Project

60 Credits (Core)

During the Certificate stage students will study 4 modules of 10 credits each and one module ‘Advanced Methods of Enquiry for Business Studies’ for 20 credits for total of 60 credits. In the Diploma stage students will also undertake 4 modules for 10 credits and one module ‘Strategic Directions’ for 20 credits. This will bring students to a total of 120 credits in the first semester. The diagram below provides an overview of the modules in each stage.

Master of Science in International Hospitality Management

Full-time, September / February start Certificate Stage

Advanced Methods of

Project

Strategic

Managing

Strategic Design Enquiry for Business Management Revenue Social Media of the Service Studies Management Experience

20 Credits 10 Credits 10 Credits 10 Credits 10 Credits Diploma Stage

Strategic

Managing Risk

Operations

Developing

Sustainable Directions and Uncertainty Management Business Management Leadership Skills Systems

20 Credits 10 Credits 10 Credits 10 Credits 10 Credits Masters Stage

Independent Scholarship or Integrated Business Project

60 Credits


During the final Masters stage students study one module for 60 credits. For this


students will have the choice between the Independent Scholarship (Dissertation) and


the Integrated Business Project. Both modules will require students to be independent learners under the supervision of an allocated faculty member. The following diagram provides an overview of the time flow of delivery.

MScIHM Table for Delivery

The following is an example of the student journey. The pattern of delivery may be dependent upon cohort, industry and/or university input. This might include weekends for excursions, a block study week or weekly classes during the semester.

The 50-week long student journey is marked by three main stages.

1) PG Cert Stage: In the first 11 of the 18 weeks on campus students endeavour to complete 60 credits with the assessments scheduled in a staggered fashion.

2) PG Dip Stage: In the following 11 weeks, 7 weeks are spent on campus and completing additional 30 credits, also with staggered assessment dates. With the other two modules (another 30 credits) students will have an additional 4 weeks to submit their assessments online. During this time, tutors and module leaders will remain available for support and formative feedback for the assignments.

3) Masters Stage: The last 60 credits commence with engaging in an independent study that is accompanied by a tutor and can take the shape of a traditional dissertation or a business project. For each option, the student will have completed an approved proposal prior to leaving the school. These proposals are developed with the support of additional tutorial sessions during the weeks of 12-18.

MSc International Hospitality Management

1) PG Cert Stage 2) PG Dip Stage 3) Masters Stage On Campus Study with Support Independent Study with Support Weeks 1-11

Credits Weeks 12-18

Credits Weeks 19-22 Weeks 23-50

Credits

Strategic Directions 20 SD Assessment Submission

Managing Social Media 10 Managing Risk & Uncertainty

10


Project Management 10 Sustainable Management

Systems

10 SMS Assessment Submission

Strategic Design of the

Service Experience 10 Developing

Business Leadership

10


Strategic Revenue Management

10 Operations Management

10


Advanced Methods of Enquiry for Business

20 Independent Scholarship Proposal or

Independent Scholarship 60

Integrated Business Project Proposal

Integrated Business Project 60

Total Credits 60 60 60

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Students are introduced to CPD in the introduction week to ascertain the areas within the degree that will be a matter of up-skilling, those that are re-skilling and those that are introducing new skills. Students will so be able to prepare their own portfolio and study plans for the duration of their studies. During the module ‘Developing Skills for Business Leadership’ students will revisit those initial areas and confirm their learning for and in the programme. These areas may need re-visiting at stages in the programme as students acquire new knowledge and skills that they would like to develop further.

By the final Masters’ stage of the programme, students will have the knowledge, skills and application necessary to undertake a major piece of investigative and reflective research. As such, students will work closely with their tutor to produce a report that should encapsulate all of their learning, but one that has industry links and therefore becoming a significant part of their CPD.

The CPD element does not finish with the completion of the degree, because it needs to be a springboard for further personal development. The programme will provide students with the tools and understanding to continue their PD. For continuous improvement of the programme, student feedback on their experience will be gathered before they leave the university enabling a continuous review of the modules in order to identify potential gaps between teaching and achieved learning towards intended learning outcomes. Similar feedback will be gathered from industry partners employing graduates. This reflective practice will allow continuous improvements in the programme delivery.

SECTION FIVE: PROGRAMME DELIVERY

Learning and Teaching Methods


The focus is on an integrated teaching, learning and assessment strategy, which is explicit, appropriate and linked to the mode of delivery. All modes of delivery within the modules are expected to develop an independent learning culture and to be a challenging learning experience.


The key focus is to provide integration between theory and practice according to the modules’ learning outcomes; simultaneously building sets of transferable skills and knowledge within the programme. Key business areas and functions such as HR, marketing, operations management, financial planning and analysis are contextualised, but also applied by using business modelling.


Formal lectures, seminars, workshops, small group exercises, visits and guest speakers are increasingly supplemented by the introduction of ‘business games’, consultancy opportunities, personal and professional training opportunities and industry led forums. In addition, SHMS is simulating the running of an actual hotel with restaurants and spas on property that MSc students can use as cases for research or as consultancy projects.

The QAA benchmarks the MScIHM programme at SHMS also adheres to, requires that participants are expected to capitalise on their current and prior experiences and that the assessment strategy should make opportunities available for them to reflect on their knowledge, experience and practice. The use of consultancy documents, briefing statements, debates and risk assessments are undertaken within students’ own subject specializations, but with a supportive peer. This then enables students to modify and develop their own, and others', business practices.

In particular students will be expected to:

• Develop analytical skills Any work, whether this is contribution in seminars or written submissions, is expected to show evidence that students understand a particular issue or problem and that they can propose a number of options indicating how to solve it. In addition students need to show that they have read what other researchers have written and that they can evaluate whether their contribution is relevant to the particular issue they are trying to explain or solve.

• Manage learning effectively This includes managing the balance of study and leisure time effectively, identifying any particular weaknesses in their study skills and developing through practice, reading of appropriate self-help resources and discussion with relevant peers or staff, their managerial skills and competencies.

• Work effectively in groups Part of the learning will consist of group discussion, often outside the programme's timetabled hours, sometimes via e-mail or Wikis. It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that they communicate effectively with their study group. We encourage students to form their own, small study groups in which they might discuss their readings, their approach to dealing with a particular piece of assessment, share textbooks and other


resources and provide mutual support when things get tough.

• Become an independent learner Wide ranges of electronic resources are available via the SHMS Research and Learning Centre providing also hand-out’s, one-to-one advice sessions with the subject specialist, online material, journals and textbooks. It is up to students to identify their learning needs and to seek relevant information on how to solve them and manage the


acquisition of any new skills through practice. For instance, there are videotapes, textbooks and audio-visual facilities to help students improve presentation skills. There are also online and printed material to answer queries on writing and structuring a report, writing an executive summary etc.


Assessment

This programme operates within the University’s Postgraduate Regulatory Framework and conforms to the regulations on assessment. The assessment strategy includes a mix of formative and summative assessments, from the development of research strategies to the step stage process of the final Master phase. A range of assessment vehicles aim to reflect the nature of skills students will require for the hospitality business, hence the inclusion of ‘pitches’, consultancy documents, briefing papers and the use of simulation software to replicate real-life scenarios. The key to success is to ensure that students understand both the process and the intended outcome for each vehicle of assessment. These are detailed in the module handbooks and students will be introduced to them during teaching of the module.

Feedback from assessment, both formative and summative is integral in promoting further personal learning and development, including that beyond the learning outcomes identified. Students will receive feedback from assignments within two weeks of formative assessments and three weeks of submission for summative assessments. Students are encouraged to meet with their tutors to talk through the feedback. At the Masters level, the focus is on developing theoretical perspectives in analysis, intellectual skills and knowledge and ability in relevant analytical methods. This requires self- directed study and self-regulated learning with guidance from the teaching team.

All students are required to comply with research governance and ethics principles whilst undertaking their programme of study. This is of particular importance when conducting research involving other people for module assessments or Independent Studies.

SECTION SIX: ADMISSIONS

SHMS adheres to the same entry requirements as for the UoD programme. Up-to-date information is available on the SHMS Entry Requirement website.

Process


The primary function of the admissions process is to ensure that there are grounds for believing that applicants are adequately prepared and will successfully complete the programme of study leading to the intended award. Applicants from a non-traditional background may be interviewed and counselled before being offered a place to ensure they have the necessary capacity for critical awareness and reflection.


SECTION SEVEN: STUDENT SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE

The SHMS programme team provides personal support and guidance to students and advice on access to the SHMS student support services. As a private institution SHMS is able to provide students with intensive and personal support. Due to the diverse


international nature of students on the programme, support sessions will be offered based on the needs of the particular student body. During the induction week the needs will be assessed and potential individual and groups sessions discussed.

An induction programme is provided before study begins where students will receive a programme handbook that contains essential information about study and support. At induction, students will also receive information about the electronic library services, data resources, and module support information online as well as other SHMS support services and issues relating to University of Derby regulations.

The programme team consists of the Programme Manager and the Module Leaders at each stage, which will provide students with appropriate support and guidance related to their study activities. Further academic support may be accessed from the Learning and Resources team who can help students to get the best out of the library and the relevant online academic resources.

In addition to the Programme Manager, SHMS has a student counsellor available for students to discuss sensitive issues or prolonged illness. If the learning of students is impacted, the University of Derby Student Wellbeing Service will be informed to provide confidential support service. The Students Wellbeing Service provides Support Plans for students with additional needs and works with students to ensure arrangements and reasonable adjustments are made. Students who have a disability, long term health condition, specific learning difficulty e.g. dyslexia, will be brought in contact with the Derby Student Wellbeing Service and any support plans offered adhered to within SHMS.

The MSc students at SHMS are represented by a peer in the SHMS Student Ambassador Form (SAF) and can seek through this forum advocacy and representational support. The SAF acts as an independent forum that offers pro-active opportunities to maximise and enhance the student experience at SHMS.

SECTION EIGHT: POST PROGRAMME OPPORTUNITIES


As an institution focussing on Operational Leadership it is imperative for SHMS to have a complete understanding of the needs and wants of the industry employing its students. This understanding will allow SHMS to provide students with a programme that is relevant for students pursuing their career in International Hospitality Management. With regular feedback from the industry, SHMS can ensure that students are optimal prepared for post programme opportunities and seamless transition into their further careers. The Employer links are key to this process.


SHMS has a dedicated Internship and Career Department mandated with assisting students to pursue post programme opportunities. The numerous contacts this department has to offer can also be very helpful for MSc students looking for companies to engage with for consultancy services during the Integrated Business Project. Students will be assisted in finding companies, by providing contacts and connections.


33

SECTION NINE: EMPLOYER LINKS

SHMS has an exceptional reputation within the hospitality industry and has excellent links to the leading international industry players. These links allow SHMS students to meet with hospitality professionals throughout the semester in form of guest lecturer programmes and on-campus recruitment events. Networking opportunities such as these, as well as the support of our Alumni, are the keys to success for graduating students.

Currently SHMS work closely with over 70 companies from all continents that actively recruit SHMS students for internships, management traineeships and careers. Each Semester SHMS students are given the opportunity to meet with Hospitality Industry Leaders from around the world at the International Recruitment Forum (IRF). The IRF fulfils an increasing demand from the global hospitality and tourism industry for highly qualified managers. The participation of employers from around the world highlights the esteem and recognition of SHMS by industry leaders. The IRF welcomes hotel groups, boutique hotels, resorts, airlines, cruise lines and many other hospitality industry groups. At the forum, SHMS students attend presentations, meet with industry representatives and have the opportunity to be interviewed and recruited for full-time employment or internship positions. Especially for MSc students these employer links provide perfect opportunities to discuss career options, research projects and consultancy opportunities.

Documents

International Hospitality Management Programme Specification September … · · 2016-05-26International Hospitality Management Programme Specification September 2013 ... notional