Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business | Bachelor
Apply now for 2027
Appilcations for 2026 are closed.
*Click here for non-EU tuition information
Before studying Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business
Are you looking for a business administration program with a focus on tourism, leisure management, (outdoor)sport, event management, and sustainability? A scientifically sound education with a high level of practical relevance and a strong international focus is particularly important to you? The bachelor's degree program in Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business at MCI follows a practice-oriented, cutting-edge approach that prepares you for a varied career in this fascinating industry.
#ThreeReasons to study Tourism Business Studies at MCI by student Melanie Walder-Moosmann. ©MCI
Campus Tour at the MCI
Welcome to MCI - The Entrepreneurial School®
Overview
The tourism degree program at MCI focuses on entrepreneurial thinking and management in the tourism and leisure industry. Business administration forms the basis of this unique program, which focuses in particular on corporate management, marketing, communication, digitization, and sustainability in relation to tourism, sports, and the leisure industry. Additionally, you will acquire social and language skills to prepare you for a regional or international career in management.
The program offers two majors: "Tourism, Leisure & Event Management" (primarily German & partly English) and "Tourism, Sports & Leisure Business" (English).
Hands-on & International
The bachelor's degree program combines theory and practice and focuses on the constant changes in the tourism and leisure industry. You will meet leading figures from the industry and gain exclusive insights behind the scenes of companies and destinations through exchange with experts, excursions, and guest lectures.
Hands-on & International
The bachelor's degree program combines theory and practice and focuses on the constant changes in the tourism and leisure industry. You will meet leading figures from the industry and gain exclusive insights behind the scenes of companies and destinations through exchange with experts, excursions, and guest lectures.
As part of an (international) internship in your final year of study, you will not only apply and deepen your theoretical knowledge, but also build up your professional network. Furthermore, an international semester at one of our numerous partner universities will broaden your theoretical and cultural horizons and enrich you with new perspectives.
MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®
MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® is one of the most successful universities in the German-speaking region and Europe. Renowned business experts teach in small groups, distinguished lecturers ensure academic quality in all areas, and the dedicated MCI team supports students in their endeavors such as internships, research, and stays abroad.
Admission
Applications for studies are accepted on an ongoing basis via our online application platform. In the interests of your further planning, we recommend that you submit your application early.
Applications for several degree programs at MCI in parallel are possible and welcome, as long as the motivation for the chosen studies can be conclusively demonstrated.
For Internationals (full-degree), EU and Non-EU, you can find more information here.
| Application deadline | Interview |
| Nov 9, 2025 | Nov 24 - 26, 2025 |
| Feb 8, 2026 | Feb 23 - 25, 2026 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | Apr 27 - 29, 2026 |
| May 31, 2026 | Jun 15 - 17, 2026 |
Generally, admission to the program is available to the following persons:
Individuals with a university entrance qualification for a social, business or legal sciences study program (e.g. school-leaving exam, appropriate university entrance equivalency exam etc.)
Individuals without a university entrance qualification, but with relevant professional qualification, provided that one of the following requirements is fulfilled:
school-leaving certificate from a relevant vocational secondary school
completion of a dual education course with a relevant apprenticeship
Applicants without a higher education entrance qualification but with relevant vocational qualifications (e.g. certificate of apprenticeship, advanced technical diploma, or German “Fachhochschulreife”) may be admitted to the study program if they pass additional exams at MCI.
The following subjects must be completed:
- German
- English
- Mathematics
A fee of EUR 30,- per subject and examination attempt will be charged. All additional exams take place on site at MCI.
In just two steps to your desired study program at MCI:
Step 1 – Online application: CV & motivation
A complete online application consists of a CV, a letter of motivation, information on educational background, qualifications, professional career, social achievements and academic as well as professional goals. We would like to know why you are applying to study at MCI.
You may apply for more than one degree program at the same time, provided you can conclusively explain your respective motivations in your letter of motivation.
Step 2 – Online admission interview
In the second step, all applicants will be invited to an online admission interview.
In this interview, we want to get to know you. We are particularly interested in your motivation to study at MCI as well as your professional and personal goals you want to achieve with the help of your studies.
Within three weeks after the admission interview, we will inform you about the admission decision.
The future of tourism needs courage, innovation, and real human connection. At MCI, experts are trained to bring these elements together. This strong education supports the long-term competitiveness of our region, and we value MCI as a trusted partner and an important source of talent for the industry.
My time at MCI Tourism inspired my enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and prepared me for it in the best possible way. The contemporary combination of theory and practice as well as the exchange with lecturers and students are the foundation for my current work in tourism and the hotel industry. I also greatly appreciate MCI alumni as employees.
“On many occasions, we were able to experience MCI students as very competent and committed experts. They are a testimony to the excellent education provided by MCI. The institution has been a valuable and reliable partner in this field for many years. It is, in fact, one of the main supporters and promoters of Austria as a competitive tourist destination.”
In the thick of it rather than on the sidelines: the MCI international network provided me with new contacts and career prospects beyond national borders.
A practice-oriented and effective program that points the way ahead: this experience had a lasting effect on my development like no other stage in my career in tourism.
While studying Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business
Sound theoretical foundations, a strong focus on real-life application, an internship, and two foreign languages are key elements of this renowned full-time degree program.
Since fall 2022, the established tourism degree program has been offered in two majors: “Tourism, Leisure & Event Management” (primarily German, partly English) and “Tourism, Sports & Leisure Business” (English), which differ mainly in the offered language. Over 90% of the programs are identical. The two majors are combined in the third year of study. The bachelor's thesis can be written in German or English.
General information
In the first semester, you learn the fundamental theories and methods of business administration. After that, you will learn how to use these ideas and techniques in real-life situations. Our teachers often work in the areas they teach, so you will get to see how these theories work in practice through real examples. Additionally, through our majors, you have the opportunity to specialize in digital workplace learning or entrepreneurship & innovation. Next to the business administration content, you will learn how to conduct research and write a Bachelor's thesis. You are encouraged to gain and apply practical experience in the context of your studies, to become a responsible leader, and to improve your career with newly acquired knowledge.
Full-time
The Bachelor program Tourism Business Studies is a full-time degree program. In full-time studies, lectures and seminars are held on weekdays, with blocked units allowing for an intensive immersion into individual topics.
The classes usually take place from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:15 and / or from 13:15 to 16:30. In exceptional cases, the times may vary and the lessons and / or examinations may take place outside the specified times or possibly on Saturdays.
A special characteristic of the 6-semester Bachelor program is the semester schedule. The winter semester takes place from September to December, the summer semester from March to the beginning of July. This enables students to take advantage of opportunities during their semester breaks to acquire professional experience as well as to work in professionally relevant jobs in tourism and leisure. A semester generally consists of 14-week-courses and an examination period.
Graduates of the program are conferred the academic title of Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, in short BA or B.A. This is attested by a leaving certificate, the Bachelor diploma, the international diploma supplement, and further documents where relevant. MCI Alumni are entitled to combine their academic degree with the brand “MCI” to provide trust and orientation in an increasingly intransparent international education market. Example: BSc (MCI).
Source: GZ BMWF-52.330/0195-I/6/2013
Die Interdisciplinary Electives eröffnen Ihnen die spannende Gelegenheit, Ihre akademische Reise ganz nach Ihren persönlichen Interessen und Zielen zu gestalten.
Dabei handelt es sich um studiengangsübergreifende Wahlfächer zu aktuellen Trends und Entwicklungen. Sie ermöglichen es Ihnen, Themen aus unterschiedlichen Perspektiven zu beleuchten und sich mit Studierenden und Lehrenden aus anderen Disziplinen auszutauschen.
Während Ihres Studiums haben Sie die einzigartige Chance, einen solchen Kurs aus einem vielfältigen Angebot innerhalb der folgenden Themengebiete zu wählen:
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Sustainability
Digitalization
Globalization
Society
Diese Wahlfächer bieten Ihnen die Möglichkeit, Ihre eigenen Interessen zu vertiefen und Ihren Horizont zu erweitern. Betreten Sie gemeinsam mit uns eine Welt des Lernens, Entdeckens und Wachsens! Mehr Informationen finden Sie hier.
Major Tourism, Leisure & Event Management
The major in Tourism, Leisure & Event Management is primarily held in German, although the sixth semester is entirely in English. The major is deepened in the area of Event Management & Innovation.
SUBJECT | ECTS |
|---|---|
Strategic Management | 19,5 |
Economics | 9,5 |
Financial Management | 16 |
Strategic Tourism Marketing | 10 |
Tourism, Sports & Leisure Management | 32 |
Tourism, Marketing & Markets | 10 |
Tourism, Outdoor Sports & Health | 10 |
Social.communicative Skills | 18 |
Research Methods & Professional Skills (inkc. Bachelor Thesis and final Bachelor Exam) | 27 |
Internship | 28 |
TOTAL | 180 |
Major Tourism, Sports & Leisure Business
The Tourism, Sports & Leisure Business major is held entirely in English. Students specialize in the field of Tourism, Outdoor Sports & Health.
SUBJECT | ECTS |
|---|---|
Strategic Management | 19,5 |
Economics | 9,5 |
Financial Management | 16 |
Strategic Tourism Marketing | 10 |
Tourism, Sports & Leisure Management | 32 |
Tourism, Marketing & Markets | 10 |
Tourism, Outdoor Sports & Health | 10 |
Social.communicative Skills | 18 |
Research Methods & Professional Skills (inkc. Bachelor Thesis and final Bachelor Exam) | 27 |
Internship | 28 |
TOTAL | 180 |
Learning Goals
In order to ensure the transfer of learning and to enable students to develop relevant competencies, MCI has defined clear cross-curricular learning goals. These describe, in detail, the knowledge and skills acquired by our graduates on completion of their studies at MCI.
Our graduates have the ability to research information from variety of optionally digital sources, evaluate their credibility and use them responsibly.
Inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, our graduates can make decisions that are ecologically sustainable, economically responsible, and socially equitable.
Our graduates demonstrate proficiency in applying entrepreneurial thinking and strategies to identify market opportunities, solve complex problems, and create innovative solutions, considering ethical issues.
International Outreach
International orientation plays a central role in every MCI degree program and is evident in the diverse backgrounds of faculty and students, in internationally aligned curricula, as well as in global projects and internships. In addition, students have the chance to spend a semester at one of over 300 partner universities around the world.
Study Abroad
at our partner universities around the world.
Practice
At the Entrepreneurial School®, providing a consistent link between science and practice has top priority. Therefore, we provide our students plenty of opportunity to put their newly acquired knowledge to practice, even during their studies. The collaboration with companies and organizations of different sizes and sectors forms one of the cornerstones of the MCI concept. Such cooperative work does not only benefit our students, but also, to a large extent our partners.
Based on the three research levels enterprise, destination, and region, a number of areas of research representing cross-cutting fields of interest can be defined, which constitute the research focus at MCI Tourism.
Internship
At MCI, each program of study requires students to complete an integrative internship of at least 15 weeks at a national or international company. Students receive support from the respective department in organizing this internship and are supervised in coordination with the company.
Our department and the MCI Career Center regularly provide up-to-date information about internship positions and the situation on the labor market in general.
Study projects
As part of practice-oriented projects, students are provided with the opportunity to work with local and international businesses. This allows them to immediately apply their newly acquired knowledge in practice and in collaboration with the project team. Their theoretical knowledge is further deepened by a mandatory internship of several weeks duration.
After studying Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business
Studying at MCI is an investment in a successful future. Through close cooperation with industry and the practical orientation of all courses, MCI graduates are in particularly high demand on the job market and have several job offers even before graduation.
Professional opportunities
Career opportunities for our graduates unfold in key sectors of the tourism and leisure industry. These primarily include:
DMO - Destination Management Organizations (TVB, LTO, NTO)
Hospitality Industry
Event management
Leisure, sports and health facilities
Tourism and leisure consulting
Cable car industry
Tour operators, travel platforms
Continue studying
The MCI offers a number of internationally oriented Master's courses. The master program in Entrepreneurship & Tourism is aimed directly at the graduates of this bachelor program. The completion of a master's degree qualifies for the relevant doctoral studies.
Suitable master's programs
News
Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business
Questions & Answers
It is possible to apply without a school-leaving certificate and is recommended in order to secure the desired study place as early as possible. In this case, the last available annual school report must be enclosed with the application. The final certificate has to be submitted before the start of the program.
Yes, applications for both majors of the bachelor's degree program Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business are possible and can be chosen in the online application. The online application only needs to be submitted once. Applicants for both majors also expect only one admission interview.
Multiple applications are possible and welcome, but the reasons for multiple applications should be clearly explained in the letter of motivation. If you receive an acceptance letter from several MCI degree programs, the final choice must be made after the admission procedures has been completed.
No. Due to the high number of applicants and for organizational reasons, the department schedules the admission interview. Therefore, it is not possible to choose a date.
Yes, the admission interview is held online. Applicants are requested to reserve the scheduled dates early (see Dates & Deadlines). The exact dates and times will be announced after the application deadline.
Every fall semester, 90 students are accepted into the Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business program. 60 study places are allocated to the major "Tourism, Leisure & Event Management" and a further 30 study places are allocated to the English-language major "Tourism, Sports & Leisure Business".
For citizens of the following countries, the tuition fee is 363 euros per semester plus a fee for compulsory membership to the Austrian National Union of Students:
EU citizens,
EEA and Swiss citizens, and
non-EU citizens who, according to § 2 of the University of Applied Sciences Studies Act, are subject to § 1 of the Regulation on Eligible Groups of Persons (see Federal Law Gazette II No. 340/2013, in its current version).
For students of non-EU countries not considered eligible according to above regulations, the tuition fee is as follows:
Bachelor’s programs: EUR 7.500,- / semester plus statutory ÖH contribution
Master’s programs: EUR 7.500,- / semester plus statutory ÖH contribution
Your application documents regarding nationality will be assessed in detail as part of your admission procedure. Scholarships are available for applicants from non-EU countries and can be applied for as part of your online application.
The program starts each fall semester at the beginning of September. It is not possible to start in the spring semester.
What accommodation options are there in Innsbruck?
Most students find good accommodation in shared apartments and student residences. You can find links and tips here.
Within the degree program in Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business, students can choose one of two majors before starting their studies and after submitting a corresponding application (double applications are possible). We offer the "Tourism, Leisure & Event Management" major, predominantly in German, and the "Tourism, Sports & Leisure Business" major, entirely in English.
Before starting your studies, you can choose between the second foreign languages Italian, French, Spanish, and Russian/Mandarin (depending on demand).
In the third semester, you will choose an elective subject worth 5 ECTS from a comprehensive range. They study together with students from other degree programs, which enables an interdisciplinary teaching and learning experience.
Outside the curriculum, you can take additional foreign language courses or acquire MCI "badges" can be acquired - these are additional courses in topics such as Responsible Management, Digital Communication, Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Scientific Data Management, International Career Skills etc., which are awarded with a "badge".
The semester abroad with its numerous partner universities, the professional internship as well as project work and final theses allow students to choose and design their studies and make them an individual experience.
Lectures and seminars take place on weekdays, while blocked units allow for an intensive examination of individual topics.
The semester periods are adapted to the tourism seasons. The fall semester starts at the beginning of September and lasts until Christmas. The spring semester lasts from the beginning of March to the beginning of July. This gives students very good opportunities to work during the winter season.
Attendance is generally mandatory. Missing more than 25% of a course will affect the successful completion of the course. Students may request an exemption from mandatory attendance in exceptional and justified cases, such as illness or visits to the authorities. Please submit your written request including relevant proof to the department for approval.
A well-balanced mix of MCI professors, business executives, guest lecturers from all over the world, and recognized experts from academia ensure a practice-oriented and internationally focused approach.
English is taught as the first foreign language in the first and second semesters. Students can choose between Italian, Spanish, French (at various levels), and Russian/Mandarin (depending on demand) as a compulsory second foreign language from the first to the fourth semester.
A significant number of our lecturers work in the industry. In addition, students develop projects in cooperation with practice partners (e.g. event management). We integrate guest lectures into our courses and offer one or more excursions per semester to facilitate direct discussion of practical issues. In addition, an entire semester is dedicated to an internship.
Yes, the MCI is one of Austria's leading business schools thanks to highly renowned accreditations, and the Tourism degree program provides access to master's degree programs in Austria and abroad.
Career opportunities for our graduates unfold in key sectors of the tourism and leisure industry. These primarily include destination management organizations (tourism associations), the hospitality industry, event management, leisure and sports facilities, consulting, the cable car industry, or tour operators and travel portals. Graduates have also gone on to successful careers outside the tourism industry, e.g. in marketing and communication or consulting.