• Postgraduate

Luxury Hospitality Management MA

Overview

Overview

In the $6 trillion global hospitality business, the luxury sector is growing faster than any other. This Masters in hospitality management can help to launch your career in a highly lucrative and competitive market.

On this course, we will help you to develop the knowledge, insight and skills to operate in a global business. Importantly, you will also gain the ability to design and manage a luxury hospitality brand.

You will study in London, one of the world’s most popular destinations for international tourists who expect a luxury travel experience. This enviable location will help you to gain exposure to the industry, supplement your learning and build contacts.

Extended Masters and Enhanced Extended Masters options

If you have an undergraduate degree but do not meet the entry criteria for this course, you may qualify for our Extended Masters or Enhanced Extended Masters courses.

These courses feature four specially designed modules which will improve your academic and English skills. Once completed you can progress directly onto the regular Masters course. See below for more information.

Two servers with a man in a suit by a restaurant serving area

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Luxury Hospitality Management with us?

Why study Luxury Hospitality Management with us?

What our students say…

Doing a postgraduate course at UWL helped to deepen my understanding of business strategies, grow my network of contacts and develop a different understanding of the industry. The quality of the teaching was really high and the academic staff went out of their way to support me – even helping me to secure a great job with amazing prospects for my future.
 

Juliane
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Logo of CHRIE The Hospitality and tourism Educators
Industry focused teaching
This course is accredited by the Institute of Hospitality
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

This course combines a dedicated academic focus with a study of contemporary managerial and strategic issues. You will learn about the business environment in which luxury brands operate, the customer experience and reputation management in the digital world of luxury hospitality management.

To help you develop your advanced management skills, you will focus on the subtleties that separate businesses and services in the luxury hospitality sector today. This will allow you to develop a critical understanding of the operational, financial and cultural imperatives of luxury hospitality and the impact of changes in that environment at national and international levels.

You will address the opportunities and challenges involved in designing the customer experience within the luxury hospitality industry, focusing on the strategies that will help your future employer to achieve their goals.

You will also develop your ability to understand the broader demands of management at higher levels, including measuring and analysing the financial, social and environmental performance of the business.

We have been offering postgraduate courses in hospitality management since 1991 and have strong links with leading figures in the industry, many of whom are Patrons, Fellows and alumni of the School.

Extended Masters and Enhanced Extended Masters

Our Extended Masters and Enhanced Extended Masters courses are intended for students who already have an undergraduate degree but don't meet the entry requirements to study for a Masters degree.

Over a full-time semester, you will study four modules specially designed to improve your academic and English language skills:

  • Advanced Study Skills
  • Critical Thinking, Analysis and Evaluation
  • Statistics
  • English (Business English on the Enhanced course)

Once completed, you will progress directly onto the core Masters course.

What's the difference between an Extended Masters and an Enhanced Extended Masters? The Enhanced Extended Masters is similar to the Extended Masters but with a greater focus on improving your English skills. It also includes a Business English module which will allow you to gain a full understanding of this critical subject area.

For more information on our Extended Masters and Enhanced Extended Masters, please visit our Extended Masters courses page.

Internship*

You also have the option to take this Masters in hospitality management with an internship of minimum 1,200 hours (30 weeks) with an employer in luxury hospitality sector. The internship will help you to improve your existing skills and acquire new ones, explore your career opportunities, network and work as part of a team.

Please note the University does not guarantee a work placement for your internship – you will need to proactively seek an internship. You will be able to work closely with the Careers Team, who will provide you with relevant information, support and advice.

*As we are in unprecedented and unpredictable times, there is no guarantee that you will be successful in securing a placement in the UK in the future.

If you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route. This is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.

The internship route for this course is open to UK students only.

Compulsory modules

  • Critical Thinking, Analysis and Evaluation

  • Advanced Study Skills

  • Luxury Hospitality Business Environment

    In this module, you will develop a critical understanding of the Luxury Hospitality Business Environment, the Luxury Consumer and the factors that influence the sustained growth of this sector.

  • Designing the Customer Experience 1

    As a student on this module you will address the specific opportunities and challenges that the luxury hospitality industry faces when designing a customer experience. You will learn best practice from the industry using case studies, and apply your knowledge in a team project.

  • Designing the Customer Experience 2

    Building on the previous module which focused on consumer needs and luxury product development, this module looks at the design and management of the service, ie the delivery process of the luxury experience and the value creation for the consumer. The content will be underpinned by leadership and cultural perspectives.

  • Business Performance Analysis

    The module aims to provide you with a sound grasp of the principles of integrated reporting.

    It will enable you to evaluate the strategy and the strategic performance of a luxury hospitality business and develop a critical awareness of the business’s role as a corporate citizen. You will be able to apply the knowledge you acquire from this module to a listed luxury hospitality company of your choice, for example:

    • hotel or resort group
    • boutique hotel group
    • foodservice or restaurants group
    • corporate hospitality services and contract caterers.

    The content studied will also contribute towards the completion of your personal development plan (PDP).

  • Brand Reputation Management

    In this module, you will gain the necessary knowledge and skills that are needed to manage a luxury hospitality brand and its reputation. You will be able to apply social evaluation theory to a given case study and be able to detect early signals of the emerging crisis of a luxury brand. You will also be able to develop an advanced level of understanding of the importance of luxury brand reputation management through appreciation of the anti-laws of marketing a luxury brand and how brand reputation is managed and communicated to different stakeholder groups.

  • E-strategies and Systems

    During this module you will explore the use of the internet and information technologies that change the business dynamics in all aspects of luxury hospitality, including design, production, distribution, and delivery of products and services.

  • Research Methods

    This module will prepare you to produce an academic and applied business research project.

    It covers a range of topics, including theories and approaches to:

    • management research
    • problem formulation
    • investigative methods of data collection
    • data analysis.
  • Project Dissertation

Compulsory modules

  • Critical Thinking, Analysis and Evaluation

  • Advanced Study Skills

  • Luxury Hospitality Business Environment

    In this module, you will develop a critical understanding of the Luxury Hospitality Business Environment, the Luxury Consumer and the factors that influence the sustained growth of this sector.

  • Designing the Customer Experience 1

    As a student on this module you will address the specific opportunities and challenges that the luxury hospitality industry faces when designing a customer experience. You will learn best practice from the industry using case studies, and apply your knowledge in a team project.

  • Designing the Customer Experience 2

    Building on the previous module which focused on consumer needs and luxury product development, this module looks at the design and management of the service, ie the delivery process of the luxury experience and the value creation for the consumer. The content will be underpinned by leadership and cultural perspectives.

  • Business Performance Analysis

    The module aims to provide you with a sound grasp of the principles of integrated reporting.

    It will enable you to evaluate the strategy and the strategic performance of a luxury hospitality business and develop a critical awareness of the business’s role as a corporate citizen. You will be able to apply the knowledge you acquire from this module to a listed luxury hospitality company of your choice, for example:

    • hotel or resort group
    • boutique hotel group
    • foodservice or restaurants group
    • corporate hospitality services and contract caterers.

    The content studied will also contribute towards the completion of your personal development plan (PDP).

  • Brand Reputation Management

    In this module, you will gain the necessary knowledge and skills that are needed to manage a luxury hospitality brand and its reputation. You will be able to apply social evaluation theory to a given case study and be able to detect early signals of the emerging crisis of a luxury brand. You will also be able to develop an advanced level of understanding of the importance of luxury brand reputation management through appreciation of the anti-laws of marketing a luxury brand and how brand reputation is managed and communicated to different stakeholder groups.

  • E-strategies and Systems

    During this module you will explore the use of the internet and information technologies that change the business dynamics in all aspects of luxury hospitality, including design, production, distribution, and delivery of products and services.

  • Research Methods

    This module will prepare you to produce an academic and applied business research project.

    It covers a range of topics, including theories and approaches to:

    • management research
    • problem formulation
    • investigative methods of data collection
    • data analysis.
  • Project Dissertation

Compulsory modules

  • Critical Thinking, Analysis and Evaluation

  • Advanced Study Skills

  • Luxury Hospitality Business Environment

    In this module, you will develop a critical understanding of the Luxury Hospitality Business Environment, the Luxury Consumer and the factors that influence the sustained growth of this sector.

  • Designing the Customer Experience 1

    As a student on this module you will address the specific opportunities and challenges that the luxury hospitality industry faces when designing a customer experience. You will learn best practice from the industry using case studies, and apply your knowledge in a team project.

  • Designing the Customer Experience 2

    Building on the previous module which focused on consumer needs and luxury product development, this module looks at the design and management of the service, ie the delivery process of the luxury experience and the value creation for the consumer. The content will be underpinned by leadership and cultural perspectives.

  • Business Performance Analysis

    The module aims to provide you with a sound grasp of the principles of integrated reporting.

    It will enable you to evaluate the strategy and the strategic performance of a luxury hospitality business and develop a critical awareness of the business’s role as a corporate citizen. You will be able to apply the knowledge you acquire from this module to a listed luxury hospitality company of your choice, for example:

    • hotel or resort group
    • boutique hotel group
    • foodservice or restaurants group
    • corporate hospitality services and contract caterers.

    The content studied will also contribute towards the completion of your personal development plan (PDP).

  • Brand Reputation Management

    In this module, you will gain the necessary knowledge and skills that are needed to manage a luxury hospitality brand and its reputation. You will be able to apply social evaluation theory to a given case study and be able to detect early signals of the emerging crisis of a luxury brand. You will also be able to develop an advanced level of understanding of the importance of luxury brand reputation management through appreciation of the anti-laws of marketing a luxury brand and how brand reputation is managed and communicated to different stakeholder groups.

  • E-strategies and Systems

    During this module you will explore the use of the internet and information technologies that change the business dynamics in all aspects of luxury hospitality, including design, production, distribution, and delivery of products and services.

  • Research Methods

    This module will prepare you to produce an academic and applied business research project.

    It covers a range of topics, including theories and approaches to:

    • management research
    • problem formulation
    • investigative methods of data collection
    • data analysis.
  • Project Dissertation

Compulsory modules

  • Luxury Hospitality Business Environment

    In this module, you will develop a critical understanding of the Luxury Hospitality Business Environment, the Luxury Consumer and the factors that influence the sustained growth of this sector.

  • Designing the Customer Experience

    In this module, you will address the unique opportunities and challenges that the luxury hospitality industry faces when designing, implementing, and delivering a customer experience.

    The module is underpinned by the sociological, cultural, and historical perspectives of international luxury lifestyles that determine patterns of consumption and usage. It incorporates models and concepts drawn from new product and service development theories and innovation management forming a comprehensive understanding of ‘experience centric’ luxury production and consumption. It will be underpinned by the leadership and cultural perspectives that determine the service-profit chain of human-centred service design which links external customer satisfaction with internal customer satisfaction in the co-creation of the customer experience.

  • Business Performance Analysis

    The module aims to provide you with a sound grasp of the principles of integrated reporting.

    It will enable you to evaluate the strategy and the strategic performance of a luxury hospitality business and develop a critical awareness of the business’s role as a corporate citizen. You will be able to apply the knowledge you acquire from this module to a listed luxury hospitality company of your choice, for example:

    • hotel or resort group
    • boutique hotel group
    • foodservice or restaurants group
    • corporate hospitality services and contract caterers.

    The content studied will also contribute towards the completion of your personal development plan (PDP).

  • Brand Reputation Management

    In this module, you will gain the necessary knowledge and skills that are needed to manage a luxury hospitality brand and its reputation. You will be able to apply social evaluation theory to a given case study and be able to detect early signals of the emerging crisis of a luxury brand. You will also be able to develop an advanced level of understanding of the importance of luxury brand reputation management through appreciation of the anti-laws of marketing a luxury brand and how brand reputation is managed and communicated to different stakeholder groups.

  • Strategic Practice in Luxury Hospitality Management

    In this module, you explore how managers go about ‘doing’ strategy in organisations. It considers the actions and behaviours of individuals at middle and senior management levels, and how these contribute towards the practice of strategizing. You will achieve this by looking at theoretical concepts such as socio-materiality, sensemaking, and the use of metaphor in shaping different strategic approaches.

  • Researching Luxury Organisations

    In this module, you will focus on both dissertation and internship routes which will prepare you for the final MA project, i.e. dissertation or internship portfolio, as well as for your future career in the industry. It focuses on the understanding of particularities of luxury organisations’ corporate behaviour and culture. As part of this element, you will explore pertinent issues within Luxury Hospitality organisations. In order to do so, you are required to evaluate and apply a range of research skills and approaches.

  • Dissertation or Internship

    If you pick the dissertation route, you will have to demonstrate responsibility in planning and managing the resources necessary to produce a detailed academic and business research project.

    If you pick the internship route, you will be expected to undertake a period of work experience in the relevant industry sector. It will be your responsibility to secure a suitable role, but you will have support from the Placement and Careers Office in searching and applying for jobs. 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You should have a good honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university or equivalent. We may also offer you a place based on work experience or previous learning.

All applications are considered individually. Find out more about our processes for recognising previous experience.

If you don’t have standard academic qualifications then we usually need an academic and a personal reference stamped by an employer / organisation.

If you are from the UK then you may also be asked to attend an interview.

Extended Masters Degree

To study the Extended Masters programme you will need:

  • a Bachelor's degree
  • international students need to meet our English language requirements of IELTS 6.5 or above and a minimum of 5.5 for each of the individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).
Enhanced Extended Masters Degree

To study the Enhanced Extended Masters programme you will need:

  • a Bachelor's degree
  • international students must meet our English language requirements at IELTS 6.0 or above, and a minimum of 5.5 for each of the individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).

Please note: If you qualify for a regular Masters, you will not be accepted on the Extended Masters or Enhanced Extended Masters course.

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 6.5, with at least 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept. 

You also need Level 6 qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents.

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

Extended Masters Degree

To study the Extended Masters programme you will need:

  • a Bachelor's degree
  • international students need to meet our English language requirements of IELTS 6.5 or above and a minimum of 5.5 for each of the individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).
Enhanced Extended Masters Degree

To study the Enhanced Extended Masters programme you will need:

  • a Bachelor's degree
  • international students must meet our English language requirements at IELTS 6.0 or above, and a minimum of 5.5 for each of the individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).

Please note: If you qualify for a regular Masters, you will not be accepted on the Extended Masters or Enhanced Extended Masters course.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

If you are studying a Masters course you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan, this may help contribute towards your course fees and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including awards for specific subjects. Awards for hospitality and tourism students are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Patrick Muigai

Patrick Muigai

I am a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader within the London College of Hospitality and Tourism at the University of West London. I am also the academic link tutor for the collaborative partnership with IIHM India. My main areas of interest include the development of student centred approaches to teaching and learning at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

I am a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader within the London College of Hospitality and Tourism at the University of West London. I am also the academic link tutor for the collaborative partnership with IIHM India. My main areas of interest include the development of student centred approaches to teaching and learning at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A smartly dressed woman in a conference hall in front of a long table

Your knowledge of international business strategy and brand management will be useful in a range of sectors. Once you graduate you could go on to work as an:  

  • brand manager  
  • hotel manager 
  • luxury travel adviser 
  • corporate communications consultant 
  • advertising account director  
  • PR consultant
  • marketing manager.

Alternatively, you could explore our courses if there is a related area in which you would like to specialise.

How to apply

How to apply

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.