Dissertation
18 ECTS
Dissertation
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Module Description
The dissertation is a compulsory element of the Bachelor Degree (Honours) in Tourism and Hospitality Management.
Students will identify a relevant research problem, review and critically analyse academic and industry literature, design an appropriate methodology, and collect and analyse primary and/or secondary data. Research topics may span a wide range of areas, including hospitality operations and service management, tourism destination development, consumer behaviour and marketing, sustainability practices, etc.
Throughout the dissertation process, students will develop advanced research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, and produce a written dissertation that demonstrates methodological rigour, intellectual depth, and relevance to the hospitality and tourism context.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must possess:
- A qualification at MQF Level 4 (one ‘A’ Level or equivalent in any subject) and a pass in English Language* and Mathematics at MQF Level 3 (‘O’ Level or equivalent).
In the case of students who do not possess all the formal required academic qualifications, then the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process could be applied such that if evidence of equivalent learning is found then the applicant could still be accepted on the course. Such RPL process will subject applicants to an interview held with a board of experts within the field, chosen specifically by IDEA College, so as to verify their experiences and prior learning.
Evidence may include:
- A detailed CV outlining relevant work experience and responsibilities.
- Employer reference letters outlining job role, duration, and key competencies.
- Related documentation demonstrating relevant skills (e.g. work portfolio).
IDEA College’s RPL Policy: https://mt.ideaeducation.com/app/uploads/2024/07/Doc_007_24-Recognition-of-Prior-Learning-Policy-and-Process.pdf
*Students whose first language is not English and do not possess an ‘O’ level pass in English Language will be required to demonstrate English language capability at IELTS level 6.0 or equivalent.
Target Audience
The programme targets the following groups:
- Individuals seeking to advance their academic and professional knowledge in the Tourism and Hospitality Management.
- Individuals wanting to pursue a wide range of career paths in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Career Paths
The potential positions for which this programme aims to prepare could be and are not limited to: –
- Travel consultant.
- Operations manager.
- Event organiser/planner/manager.
- Business Development executive.
- Hotel manager.
- Travel agency manager.
- Marketing executive.
- Tour operator.
Assessment Guidelines
This unit shall be assessed through a dissertation not shorter than 12,000 words and no longer than 15,000 words to be submitted via online portal.
The dissertation must be submitted for examination upon completion of all required modules in conformity with the course byelaws. It will be done via an online portal that has its plagiarism detection tool installed.
Dissertation Assessment
- Final qualification grade is a weighted score of:
- Final Modular Grades – 80 %
Final Dissertation Grade – 20 % For more information on the dissertation assessment (and potential reassessment), one may refer to Assessment Policy and Procedure of Dissertations: https://mt.ideaeducation.com/app/uploads/2024/07/Doc_064_23-Assessment-of-Dissertation_.pdf
Learning Outcomes
Competences
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Independently plan and manage a dissertation addressing a clearly defined problem within the hospitality and/or tourism sector.
- Establish a relevant research territory by critically evaluating academic and industry contexts to demonstrate the importance of the chosen topic.
- Create a niche by identifying gaps in hospitality and tourism research.
- Occupy the niche by designing and implementing a rigorous research strategy, formulating research questions or hypotheses, and presenting original findings.
- Critically appraise the rationale, significance, and implications of key issues and trends in hospitality and tourism through a research-informed approach.
- Demonstrate ethical responsibility and academic integrity in all stages of the research process.
Knowledge
By the end of the module/unit, the students will be able to:
- Outline the principles of research design and strategy relevant to hospitality and tourism, including the selection of appropriate qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method approaches.
- Identify and analyse key academic and industry literature to establish a research territory.
- Recognise gaps in existing knowledge or opportunities for extending research in particular area/s.
- Explain how to formulate adequate and concise research questions or hypotheses that address sector-specific issues.
- Discuss ethical considerations and legal responsibilities relevant to conducting research in hospitality and tourism.
- Delineate the structure and components of a dissertation, including literature review, methodology, data analysis, discussion, and conclusions.
Skills
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Formulate a focused research question or hypothesis relevant to a hospitality and/or tourism issue.
- Conduct a systematic and critical literature review of both academic and industry sources to identify knowledge gaps within the hospitality and tourism fields.
- Design and apply a research methodology appropriate to the chosen topic.
- Collect, analyse, and interpret primary and/or secondary data from hospitality and tourism contexts using appropriate analytical tools and techniques.
- Implement sound ethical research practices throughout the research process.
- Synthesize findings to draw evidence-based conclusions, demonstrating critical thinking.
- Communicate research outcomes effectively through a well-structured dissertation that complies with academic conventions and reflects industry-specific relevance and insight.
Module-Specific Learner Skills
The learner will be able to:
- Manage the research process independently, including time management, data collection and analysis, and engagement with the supervisor/s to complete a dissertation up to academic and standards.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences
The learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials, etc.