MASTER OF SCIENCE IN TOURISM (RESEARCH)

The Master of Science (Tourism) is a research-focused programme for those who want to think deeply about tourism, not just participate in it. It is designed for people who see tourism as a field that shapes economies, cultures, environments, and everyday lives, and who want to contribute meaningfully to its future. The programme supports different academic and professional ambitions, including careers in teaching, research, policy, and advanced industry roles, while building the intellectual depth and confidence needed to progress in these paths.

This is a programme for curious, committed minds. Students come with different goals, some aiming to teach or pursue doctoral research, others seeking to become specialists who influence industry practice or policy. What they share is a desire to ask better questions about tourism, understand its complexities, and produce work that stands up to academic and professional scrutiny.

Throughout the programme, you will engage with tourism from multiple perspectives, combining theoretical grounding with practical relevance. You will explore how tourism operates across social, economic, cultural, and environmental contexts, while also examining current trends and emerging challenges shaping the field. Coursework builds a strong conceptual foundation, while the research component allows you to investigate a topic that matters to you in depth, developing analytical, critical, and research skills that are transferable well beyond graduation.

By the end of the programme, you will not only understand tourism more deeply, but also be equipped to contribute new knowledge, challenge assumptions, and participate thoughtfully in shaping how tourism evolves in an increasingly complex world.

Duration

2 to 4-year (Full Time)3 to 6-year (Part Time)

Study Options

Full Time or Part Time

Research Methodology

Students are required to pass the following modules (6 credit hours) in the first year of their candidature:

Year 1

• Research Method for Social Science (Core Module)
• Qualitative Research Methods / Quantitative Research Methods

Note: All information is subject to change. Readers are responsible for verifying information that pertains to them by contacting the university.

Key Research Areas

At Taylor's University, we believe research can help shape the future. Our postgraduate research programmes cover a broad range of topics with the aim to help shape the future in the aspects of society, technology, economy, and environment.

• Consumer Behavior
• Destination Development
• Destination Benchmarking
• Environmental Management
• Ecotourism Rating and Certification
• Economic Impacts of Tourism
• Food Tourism
• Human Resource Development
• Hospitality Services
• Higher Education Services
• Knowledge Management
• Medical Tourism
• Organisational Behaviour
• Poverty Alleviation via Tourism
• Product Developments
• Rural Poverty and Tourism
• Sustainable and Responsible Tourism
• Sustainable Tourism Developments
• Socio-cultural Impacts of Tourism
• Special Interest Tourism
• Socio-Anthropology of Tourism and Leisure
• Services Marketing
• Service Quality
• Tourist Guest Behaviour
• Tourist Guest Satisfaction
• Tourism Development
• Urban Tourism Management
• Place Branding and Marketing
•  

FUTURE CAREERS

When you've successfully completed this Master of Science in Tourism programme, you could embark on any of these exciting careers, including:

• Managers (hotel, airlines, resorts, F&B, spa and wellness centres)
• Organisers & Planners (concerts, festivals, MICE, weddings)
• Cruise Industry (accommodation, entertainment, and leisure)
• Hospitality Consultant
• Business Owner

Fulfilling one of the requirements listed below:

1. Bachelor's Degree (Tier 1)
   Bachelor's degree with CGPA equal or above 2.75 in the field or relevant fields; OR
2. Bachelor's Degree (Tier 2)
   Bachelor's degree in the field or related fields with CGPA above 2.50 but below 2.75 will be subject to rigorous internal assessment; OR
3. Bachelor's Degree (Tier 3)
   Bachelor's degree in the field or related fields with a CGPA above 2.00 but below 2.50, recognised by the Malaysian or National Government, AND a minimum of 5 years related working experience;
4. Other equivalent qualification
   Any other equivalent qualification recognized by Malaysian government or accepted by the Taylor's University Senate AND Any of condition of the above would require student's research proposal to be approved.

International Students

IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 60 (Internet Based Test) (May join IEN preparatory course and achieve the IELTS score) The validity of the IELTS or equivalent is within 2 years from the date of the examination.

Note: 

• Students without a qualification in the related fields or relevant working experience requires to undergo and pass a bridging module.
• Students without a qualification in the related field but with relevant working experience requires to fulfil the following conditions: 
  • a) CGPA above 2.50 must have at least one (1) year of relevant working experience; OR
  • b) CGPA 2.00 to 2.50 must have at least five (5) years of relevant working experience; 
  • In addition, students will need to undergo a rigorous internal assessment 
• Any of the above conditions would require student's research proposal to be approved.
• All information is subject to change. The above entry requirements serve as a guideline. Readers are responsible to verify the information by contacting the university's Admissions Department.

STUDENT PASS / VISA REQUIREMENTS (INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS)

All international students who plan to study full-time in Malaysia are required to obtain a Student Pass (Student Visa) before starting their studies.

• You must receive an official Offer Letter from the university before applying for a student pass

• The university will submit your Student Pass application through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) on your behalf

• A Visa Approval Letter (VAL / eVAL) is required before travelling to Malaysia

• Studying on a tourist or social visit visa is not permitted

• Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months from your intended intake date

• Visa processing time depends on EMGS and Malaysian Immigration approval

• After arriving in Malaysia, all students must complete a medical check-up at an EMGS-registered clinic

• Your Student Pass will be issued only after medical clearance and document verification

• Continuing students must renew their Student Pass before it expires

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR STUDENT PASS APPLICATION

The following documents are commonly required for all international students:

• Valid passport (clear scanned copy of all pages, including blank pages)

• Passport-size photograph with a white background

• Official Offer Letter from the university

• Academic certificates and transcripts related to your programme

• English language proficiency certificate (IELTS / TOEFL or equivalent), if required

• Proof of acceptance or tuition fee payment (if requested by the university)

• Student Pass / Visa processing fee as determined by EMGS

• Completed EMGS Health Declaration Form (if applicable)

Please note: All documents not originally in English must be submitted together with certified English translations.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS (IF APPLICABLE)

Some students may be asked to provide extra documents depending on their situation:

• Release Letter and Visa Cancellation Letter (for students transferring from another institution in Malaysia)

• School Leaving Certificate (for foundation or diploma applicants)

• Sponsorship or Scholarship Letter (if your studies are funded)

• Proof of financial support to cover tuition fees and living expenses

• Statutory Declaration (if there are name differences across documents)

• Resume or Character Reference Letter (commonly required for applicants above 23 years old)

• Police Clearance Certificate (if requested by EMGS or embassy authorities)

• Copy of previous Malaysian visa or Resident Pass (if applicable)

AFTER ARRIVING IN MALAYSIA

Once you arrive in Malaysia, you will need to:

• Complete a medical examination at an EMGS-approved clinic

• Submit your passport for Student Pass endorsement

• Receive a temporary Special Pass (if applicable) while your Student Pass is being processed

• Collect your Student Pass and complete university registration

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• Student Pass requirements are set by Malaysian Immigration and EMGS and may vary by nationality
• The university’s International Office will guide you through each step of the process
• Students are strongly advised to prepare documents at least 2–3 months before intake
• Requirements may change, so always follow the latest instructions provided by the university