The Robert Gordon University

Recognised, once again, as the top new university in the UK (Annual Financial Times League Table 2001) The Robert Gordon University has earned a formidable reputation for its pragmatic approach to higher education in Scotland. For generations it has produced qualified professionals across a broad spectrum of careers through its 145 courses available at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

International students have been attracted to the university for many years and their presence has contributed much to the cultural fabric of the university helping it to expand industrial links with overseas organisations creating exciting opportunities for both staff and students to study and work abroad.

As well as being the top new university in the UK, The Robert Gordon University recently showed that it is again top of the class for student employment.
HESA's Annual Report "First Destination of Students Leaving Higher Education 1999/2000" found that students graduating from The Robert Gordon University with their first degree were more likely to have found employment or have gone on to further studies than graduates from any other Scottish university.

The Robert Gordon University is also ahead of the field where using technology is concerned. It has been awarded the Universities and Colleges Information System Association (UCISA) 2001 Managed Learning Environment Award for its groundbreaking Faculty of Management Intranet Project.

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Why study Tourism Management at The Robert Gordon University?

Why this MSc? At The Robert Gordon University, you will gain a competitive advantage from a unique Masters experience. We have an unrivalled track record in the development and delivery of vocational education. We have the best graduate employment record in Scotland - because we know what business wants, and ensure that our customers get the skills and experience the need.

This exciting new course recognises the importance of Tourism as the world's largest industry, an industry becoming increasingly important to local, national and international economies alike. In recognition of this growing profession, this course aims to give career advancement to current practitioners, and the opportunity to managers in other walks of life access to this dynamic and important vocation.

The Masters course in Tourism Management allows practising managers to gain professional expertise as well as an industry-specific and highly relevant academic qualification.

We will equip our students with the toolkit they need for a successful and rewarding career in tourism management.

We have designed a course that is relevant to today's fast-moving and customer focused tourism industry. Our students gain a breadth and depth of knowledge that will be invaluable for themselves and their employers. From International Business to e-Business to Tourism Marketing, our programme ensures that our students gain the best theory and practice.

To support this dynamic learning experience, we've developed a new and exciting collaboration within the University. Participating students will have a stimulating cross-fertilisation of ideas from study in two of our leading schools: the School of Hotel, Tourism & Retail Management and our Business School.

The Robert Gordon University has an unrivalled track record in the development and delivery of vocational education. Government statistics show The Robert Gordon University has the best graduate employment record in Scotland. The University also has a dedicated centre for open and distance learning support, which is staffed by an expert team experienced in supporting students in a distance learning mode

Students can have access to the range of Centres of Excellence within The Robert Gordon University to provide higher added value to the educational experience. These commercial centres work in various fields:

• Scottish Centre of Tourism
• Centre for Entrepreneurship
• Business Incubator (Business Start-Up Assistance)
• Centre for Knowledge Management
• Centre for Modern Languages

The Robert Gordon University has a highly flexible approach to learning, with a delivery style for everyone.

• You can join us on campus in Aberdeen on a full time basis over 1 academic year.
• Part time studies can be completed on campus over two and a half years.
• You can also take the Distance Learning route, and take advantage of all the facilities that our "virtual campus" and our highly experienced team can offer.
• You can study individual modules from the syllabus - these modules will count towards your Continuing Professional Development accreditation.

The modules studied are:

• Tourism Policy and Development
• Operations Management
• Tourism Marketing in the Domestic and International Context
• Finance for Managers
• Strategy Planning and Development for Tourism
• International Business
• E-Business and IT Applications in Tourism
• Human Resource Management
  Dissertation
  

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The School of Hotel, Tourism and Retail Management

The blend of working with industry and the community, mentioned earlier, is the hallmark of The Robert Gordon University's educational philosophy. Indeed the School of Hotel, Tourism and Retail Management has strong links with local, national and international hotel, tourism and hospitality providers, as well as the retail sector, and works in close collaboration with these industries. The staff at the School are also actively involved in research and consultancy activities, which strongly support study programmes.

The Scottish Centre of Tourism (SCoT), (www.scottishcentreoftourism.com), located within the School was launched in September 2000. It is a consultancy and research group which undertakes tourism development, project management and human resource development for those working in the Tourism Industry. The work undertaken by SCoT feeds into all teaching, but is of particular benefit to Masters students, providing them with links to Industry for strategic case study work, access to live tourism consultancy and research projects providing invaluable industry experience adding to graduate profiles.

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Aberdeen and the surrounding Area

The University is situated in the prosperous and cosmopolitan city of Aberdeen on the North East coast of Scotland. International Students have enjoyed skiing in winter, and have not found the city too cold!

Aberdeen and district has Royal connections, is an area of great beauty and offers a safe environment. The city has an impressive rage of shopping, eating, athletic and sporting facilities which enables students to combine an balance academic study with their individual leisure pursuits, making their time at the university and profitable and pleasurable experience.

The granite buildings such as His Majesty’s Theatre and St. Machar’s Cathedral give the city its distinctive look and nick name, whilst historical Old Aberdeen and the fishing village of Footdee, have an incredible air of time gone by.

The Granite City, The Flower of Scotland, The Silver City by the Golden Sands…Aberdeen wears its titles with pride. A prosperous cosmopolitan city, with a historical old town, Aberdeen has one of Scotland’s most striking skylines.

Some things don’t change. You cannot escape the sea here, not since it was founded as a Royal burgh back in 1124. The influence of the harbour is everywhere (as are the gulls!), and the harvest of the North Sea continues.

One top attraction is the Winter Gardens in the Duthie Park, home to the stunning Rose Mountain. Even in the depths of winter, the aptly-named Winter Gardens provide colour and scent. At two acres (one hectare), it provides what some say is the largest area under glass in Europe.

The City of Aberdeen with a proud and fascinating history presents a modern cosmopolitan image to visitors. A thriving cultural calendar, lively theatre, and vibrant nightlife, along with excellent restaurants and attractions makes Aberdeen an energising choice.

Text and images courtesy of www.castlesandwhisky.com

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Contact Details

For further information on the School of Hotel, Tourism and Retail Management, and the courses we offer, then please contact:

Deirdre Mactaggart
Tourism Course Leader
School of Hotel, Tourism & Retail Management
The Robert Gordon University
Queen's Road
ABERDEEN
AB15 4PH

Tel: 01224 263036
Fax:01224 263333

E-mail: d.mactaggart@rgu.ac.uk
Web: www2.rgu.ac.uk/subj/htrm/main.htm