Master's Degree · 100% online

Master of Tourism and Hospitality Leadership

An accredited postgraduate qualification delivered 100% online — advance your career while you work.

2 years

Duration

180

Credits · NQF 9

16 Jan 2027

Apply by

1 Feb 2027

Next start

About the programme

The online Master of Tourism and Hospitality Leadership equips professionals to lead, innovate, and influence the rapidly evolving global tourism and hospitality industry. Designed for current and aspiring leaders, the programme develops advanced strategic, financial, and leadership capabilities that drive organisational success and industry growth. Core modules such as Advanced Tourism and Hospitality Marketing, Strategic Financial Management, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation provide a strong foundation in business strategy and creative thinking. Through Critical Issues in Human Resources Leadership and Tourism and Hospitality Business Leadership, students learn to manage people effectively, foster high-performing teams, and lead change in complex business environments.

The Research Project series offers an opportunity to investigate real-world challenges in tourism or hospitality management. This applied research experience allows students to integrate academic knowledge with professional insight and contribute solutions to pressing industry issues.

Tshwane University of Technology delivers the Master of Tourism and Hospitality Leadership fully online. With multiple start dates a year and pay-per-module tuition, it is designed for working professionals who need to balance study with work and personal commitments.

What you will learn

Demonstrate strategic leadership and manage change in complex organisations.
Apply advanced financial techniques to boost performance and sustainability.
Drive innovation and think entrepreneurially to create new solutions.
Embed sustainability in leadership and business decisions.
Conduct applied research to solve real industry challenges.

Modules and fees

Every module in this programme, with its credits and its own fee. You register and pay module by module.

Compulsory modules All required

Modules in the compulsory group
Code	Module	Credits	Fee
THK129N	Advanced Tourism and Hospitality Marketing The tourism and hospitality marketing environment is dynamic and ever-changing. Emerging niche markets, disruptive technologies, changing market conditions and other forces require organisations in the industry to adapt or decline. Thus, the purpose of this module is for students to engage with advanced marketing theories and to select and apply methods, techniques, processes, or technologies to solve complex practical and theoretical problems. This is to adapt to changing marketing contexts and emerging trends, and stay relevant.	13	R5 740
EAI129N	Entrepreneurship and Innovation As the tourism and hospitality industry has grown in complexity and competitiveness over the years, students need entrepreneurial skills to advance. The module contributes to the development of the graduate’s ability to design and apply novel ideas and creative methods to solve complex industry-related challenges. To develop students for the world of work, they must be able to identify and describe current models of entrepreneurship.	14	R6 190
SFM129N	Strategic Financial Management for Tourism and Hospitality To ensure the sustainability of any Tourism and Hospitality business, sound financial knowledge is imperative. The purpose of the module is to accumulate financial knowledge literacy, which supports the ability to evaluate current financial processes and system designs. The module contributes to the development of the graduate by enabling them to demonstrate financial management skills within an organisation using complex specialist knowledge. Through engaging with principles and processes of revenue and yield management, the student will be enabled to master the financial principles of business leadership and be confident in dealing with financial figures and making decisions based on them.	13	R5 740
CHD129N	Critical Issues in Human Resources Leadership The module contributes to the development of the graduate by enabling them to demonstrate an understanding of the leadership role in managing human resources concepts and theories, and to analyse and implement contemporary management of human capital. Human Resources is not just there to ensure the effective and efficient management of the workforce. They also uplift employee morale, ensure employee well-being, and maximise employee performance, which will ultimately result in the business gaining a competitive advantage due to motivated employees.	14	R6 190
THB129N	Tourism and Hospitality Business Leadership To ensure the prosperity of any tourism organisation in a global environment of constant change, effective leadership is essential. The purpose of this module is to empower the student to develop their professionalism as tourism and hospitality business leaders. This module is designed for students to conduct self-reflective and autonomous introspection, enabling them to identify and develop their leadership skills for the benefit of the community or organisation in which they operate, with a focus on ethical professional leadership and business practice.	14	R6 190

TOURISM (TL) OR HOSPITALITY STREAM (HL) All required

Modules in TOURISM (TL) OR HOSPITALITY STREAM (HL)
Code	Module	Credits	Fee
TL129AN or HL129AN	Research Project A Hospitality Management OR Tourism Management Research Projects A to E develop students as researchers in hospitality management or tourism management, depending on the stream they choose. Students will need to demonstrate the ability to identify a research problem or innovative opportunity in their own professional landscape, plan and implement an appropriate research strategy, and write a research report that demonstrates the prescribed solution and/or recommendations.	10	R4 420
TL129BN or HL129BN	Research Project B Hospitality Management OR Tourism Management Research Projects A to E develop students as researchers in hospitality management or tourism management, depending on the stream they choose. Students will need to demonstrate the ability to identify a research problem or innovative opportunity in their own professional landscape, plan and implement an appropriate research strategy, and write a research report that demonstrates the prescribed solution and/or recommendations.	10	R4 420
TL129CN or HL129CN	Research Project C Hospitality Management OR Tourism Management Research Projects A to E develop students as researchers in hospitality management or tourism management, depending on the stream they choose. Students will need to demonstrate the ability to identify a research problem or innovative opportunity in their own professional landscape, plan and implement an appropriate research strategy, and write a research report that demonstrates the prescribed solution and/or recommendations.	10	R4 420
TL129DN and HL129DN	Research Project D Hospitality Management OR Tourism Management Research Projects A to E develop students as researchers in hospitality management or tourism management, depending on the stream they choose. Students will need to demonstrate the ability to identify a research problem or innovative opportunity in their own professional landscape, plan and implement an appropriate research strategy, and write a research report that demonstrates the prescribed solution and/or recommendations.	10	R4 420
TL129EN or HL129EN	Research Project E Hospitality Management OR Tourism Management Research Projects A to E develop students as researchers in hospitality management or tourism management, depending on the stream they choose. Students will need to demonstrate the ability to identify a research problem or innovative opportunity in their own professional landscape, plan and implement an appropriate research strategy, and write a research report that demonstrates the prescribed solution and/or recommendations.	20	R8 840

Electives - Choose four Choose 4

Modules in Electives - Choose four
Code	Module	Credits	Fee
SHL129N	Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Leadership The tourism and hospitality industry is facing multiple challenges affecting its sustainability. These forces include climate change, global economic, socio-cultural, environmental and political forces. This module aims to interpret and evaluate steps to build capacity as a leader in the co-creation of thriving, sustainable tourism and hospitality environments.	13	R5 740
TPP129N	Tourism Planning and Policy Development The tourism and hospitality environment is dynamic and continually changing. This also applies to the planning that takes place in the industry from a legal and policy perspective. An effective business leader in this field must demonstrate the ability to conduct high-level planning by understanding international and domestic policies that may affect the industry. In addition, the leader will need to display the ability to plan through the development and scrutiny of new and existing policies.	13	R5 740
ITT129N	International Tourism and Hospitality Trends As the tourism and hospitality industry has grown in complexity and competitiveness over the years, students need to be cognisant of International trends to advance their careers as business leaders. The module contributes to the development of the graduate’s ability to demonstrate leadership skills based on new trends in the industry. To prepare students for the world of work, they must be able to identify and describe current industry trends, analyse these trends, and select an appropriate way forward.	13	R5 740
PFN129N	Planning (Health and Safety) Food and Accommodation Because the tourism and hospitality industry is fast-paced, managing health and safety hazards has become increasingly complex. The module contributes to the development of the graduate’s ability to demonstrate leadership skills through risk management. To prepare students for the world of work, they must be able to interpret current and develop new health and safety risk management documents and structures for the Tourism and Hospitality industry.	13	R5 740
SRL129N	Service Leadership The module supports graduate development by enabling them to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the service climate within an organisation, using complex specialist knowledge. By engaging with positive leadership styles, such as transformational leadership principles, the student will master the skills needed to build and promote a service climate that shapes employees’ perceptions of the importance of service quality. As a leader, leading a team to serve improves the workplace atmosphere. When employees embrace the philosophy of servant leadership through their experiences with servant leaders, they perform everyday tasks with intent, focus, courage, and minimal effort. Leadership style plays a critical role in improving employee service performance and ultimately leads to positive customer outcomes.	13	R5 740

Module fees are for 2026 and are reviewed annually. Where the programme includes electives, you pay only for the modules you take.

Full fees & funding

Admission requirements

To apply for this qualification, a student must have:

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Tourism OR Tourism Management OR a cognate field (NQF Level 8)

OR
Bachelor of Business Administration Honours in Hospitality Business Strategy (NQF Level 8)

OR
Postgraduate Diploma in Hospitality Management OR Recreation and Tourism

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and work-experience routes are available for applicants who do not meet the formal requirements — ask an adviser to assess your eligibility. An RPL assessment takes around six months.

English language requirements

All teaching, learning materials and assessment are in English. Applicants must be able to read, write and communicate in English at the level required for higher education study.

What you can do with this qualification

An accredited postgraduate qualification delivered 100% online — advance your career while you work.

Career opportunities

Tourism and Hospitality General Manager / Director
Hotel / Resort Operations Director
Tourism Development and Policy Consultant
Sustainable Tourism Strategist
Destination Marketing Director
Events and Conference Centre Director

Student support

Tutor access
Student success coordinator
Careers service
Technical support

Fully accredited qualifications

(Council on Higher Education)
4 start dates a year
Pay per module — no upfront annual fee
Dedicated student success support

Programme FAQs

Is the qualification accredited?

Yes. This is a fully accredited qualification with the same recognition as its on-campus equivalent.

How many hours a week will I need?

Most students spend around 15–20 hours a week, but because study is online and flexible you can fit it around work and family.

How am I assessed?

Assessment is continuous and online — a mix of assignments, quizzes and projects within each module, with no need to travel to a venue.

What do I need to study online?

A computer or laptop and a stable internet connection. All learning materials are delivered through the online learning platform.

Can I pay per module?

Yes. Tuition is structured per module, so you pay as you progress rather than a full year upfront.

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