MSc Hospitality Strategy and Governance
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: One Year
- Start Date: September 2026
Do you want to take the next step in your career? This is a unique MSc Hospitality Strategy and Governance degree, that is only available at BNU, can help you step into a leadership role in hospitality. Blending theoretical knowledge with real-world practices, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need to feel empowered to drive innovation and governance in today’s fast-paced hospitality landscape.
With a key focus on strategic, ethical, and sustainable practices you’ll graduate with a holistic overview of how to create growth and find solutions to a variety of strategic and governance difficulties – making you a desirable candidate for employers.
The hospitality industry needs leaders who understand both the strategic and ethical dimensions of business. This MSc Hospitality Strategy and Governance degree provides an academically rigorous foundation in hospitality governance, ethics, and strategy, crucial for addressing contemporary industry challenges.
University study provides access to a structured curriculum, experienced faculty, and industry partnerships that can help you build high-level, transferable skills in strategic analysis, digital fluency, and performance assessment, enabling you to excel as hospitality leaders.
On this MSc Hospitality Strategy and Governance degree, we work with several hotel, food, events and hospitality partners for mentoring, live briefs, and visits. These include, but are not limited to; Marriott, The Ivy Collection, Vacherin, The Urban Pubs & Bars Company, The Fat Duck Group, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Melia Hotels, Red Carnation Hotels, Firmdale Hotels PLC, Scoffs Group UK, Hotelpartner and Harrods.
You will also benefit from the industry mentorship programme offered by our partner organisations. You’ll be allocated an industry mentor from one of our great partners, here you’ll have the opportunity to learn directly from successful hotel and hospitality leaders.
Our portfolio of hotel and hospitality courses are accredited and linked to some huge industry bodies. If you decide to study one of our fast-paced degrees, you’ll benefit from our connection with the Institute of Hospitality Educational Membership Scheme, the world’s leading, award-winning, professional membership body for hospitality professionals around the globe.
We’re also part of the Council for Hospitality Management Education (CHME). Through this connection you’ll have the opportunity to get close to the industry while you study and gain work experience and build your professional networks.
During your time studying on the Hotel and Events Management degree, you’ll have access to our High Wycombe Campus. Here you’ll benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, as well as newly built study and social areas. Our Library is open 24/7 and offers a range of resources to support your studies. We also have a Student Learning Achievement Team, who offer tailored support with research skills, critical thinking and referencing .
You’ll also be automatically a member of our Students’ Union, which was rated No.1 in the UK in the 2024 National Student Survey. We are the only university in the UK to offer free access to a huge range of events and entertainment, CV building activities, as well as competitive and recreational sport and wellbeing activities to enrich your time with us as part of our ‘Big Deal’.
What will I study?
Unlike other programmes, the MSc Hospitality Strategy and Governance has a strong focus on sustainable practices, digital transformation, and brand management. This equips you with the specialised skills that are essential in today’s hospitality industry.
From hospitality strategy and digital transformation, and leadership mindsets and approaches, to strategic brand and reputation management, sustainable value chain management, and hospitality business performance and analysis, you’ll delve into an array of specialist modules.
You’ll explore leadership theories and practices, examine the role of technology in driving business strategy and focus on the principles of corporate governance, ethical decision-making, and regulatory compliance.
As well as this you’ll take a holistic approach when looking at the hospitality value chain, from sourcing to operations, addressing economic, social, and environmental impacts.
All modules are designed to support you as you become an innovative and confident leader.
At the end of the degree you’ll take part in the Hospitality Business Consultancy Project. This project enables you to tackle real-world hospitality challenges, working with industry partners to develop actionable solutions. This hands-on project provides valuable practical experience and builds your portfolio.
How will I be taught and assessed?
Offering a flexible, blended approach with study weekends and online learning, ideal for working professionals who need a balance between their studies and other commitments.
We adopt a research-informed, industry-centric teaching and learning approach. This includes classic lectures and seminars, as well innovative teaching methods such as real-world case studies, hands-on projects and practical work experience. We balance the academic requirements of a master’s degree with practical skills and industry experience. You will benefit from our strong employer, industry, and trade association links as well as case studies, debates, competitions, masterclasses, and placement opportunities with our industry partners.
You’ll learn from lecturers with years of industry and academic expertise. Many of whom are research-active and are involved in a wide range of research areas, from green corporate reputation to sustainable hospitality management, sustainable business behaviour and customer attitude.
You will be assessed through a range of traditional and innovative assessment methods, including:
- essays
- reports
- debates
- student-led seminars
- pitches
- live briefs
- podcasts
- case studies
- industry projects
- Dragon-Den style assessments
- And creative live presentations.
Guest speakers are invited to deliver sessions, so you can learn from their expertise and insights. Our strong links with industry professionals and trade associations ensure that you will have access to unique guest talks, networking events, industry trade shows and seminars.
We encourage you to attend free networking events offered by our College and our partner organisations, to enable you to build strategic cultural capital that is so valuable for being a successful leader in this fast-evolving industry.
What are the course entry requirements?
Entry requirements for this programme includes a minimum 2.2 Honours in Business, Hospitality, Events or Tourism related degree, plus a minimum of 5 years experience within a supervisory role, or higher, within the hospitality industry. Extensive hospitality experience, without formal degree level qualification will also be considered. We would normally expect applicants to have Grade 4 or C in GCSE English and Maths.
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, overall IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening (or recognised equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.
As an inclusive university we recognise that applicants who have been out of education for some time may not have the formal qualifications usually required for entry to a course. We welcome applications from prospective students who can demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment to study and have relevant life/work experience that equips them to succeed on the course. We will assess this from the information provided in the application (particularly the personal statement) and may ask the applicant to attend an interview or submit a piece of work to help us decide on the applicant’s eligibility for the course.
If you do not meet the entry requirements you may, if you have relevant professional experience, still be invited for interview, where you will be required to demonstrate the necessary industry knowledge and understanding for entry onto the course.
Previous study, professional and / or vocational experiences may be recognised as the equivalent learning experience and permit exemption from studying certain modules in accordance with our accreditation of prior learning (APL) process.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
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Home, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £11,420 per year *
International
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Overseas/International, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £16,280 per year *
Please note all of the 2026/27 academic year fees stated are subject to parliamentary procedure. Tuition fees are expected to increase each academic year in line with the maximum permitted value set by the Government for that academic year. The expected rise for Home undergraduate students (including those on a foundation year course), may impact both new and continuing students.
What are my career prospects?
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. Our Careers and Employability Team also help you find employment after graduation.
Upon graduating from this MSc Hospitality Strategy and Governance degree, you’ll be able to go into a variety careers, including:
- Strategic Planner: Leading the development of business strategies that align with hospitality market trends and consumer demands.
- Corporate Executive or General Manager: Overseeing hospitality operations with a strategic focus on governance and performance optimisation.
- Sustainability Manager: Implementing and managing sustainable practices within hospitality organisations, from resource use to ethical supply chains.
- Brand Manager or Marketing Director: Building and maintaining strong, reputable hospitality brands through targeted strategies and effective reputation management.
- Consultant: Advising hospitality businesses on strategic challenges, performance analysis, and governance best practices.
- Entrepreneur: Starting or leading hospitality-focused businesses with a foundation in strategy, governance, and ethics.
Course leader
- Associate Dean (Education) for College of Leadership and Innovation
