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As a commencing student you may have many questions: What does the desired course of studies teach me? How do I apply? What are the requirements for admission to studying at MCI, and what is the application deadline? What are my career options after graduation? Below you will find all the answers and information you may need.
Regular study tours to nationally and internationally renowned companies offer a unique glimpse behind the scenes of the leisure and tourism industry.
The Entrepreneurship & Tourism Master’s degree offered by MCI aims to contribute to the professionalization of entrepreneurship in the leisure and tourism industry. The program incorporates current challenges faced by the industry to enable students to recognize and make use of the resulting opportunities for enterprises. It furthermore aims to create a general awareness of trends and current developments in international tourism. Two of the central processes currently affecting the industry are digitization and constantly changing consumer behavior.
The program provides students with well-founded theoretical knowledge as well as practical expertise. The encouragement of entrepreneurial thinking and action is considered a top priority throughout the course. This includes leadership skills, innovation skills, and intercultural competencies as required by the leisure and tourism industry. The students thus develop a holistic understanding of this dynamic sector. Together with international experts, they will reflect on questions of the national and international competitive power of companies and destinations. The interdisciplinary nature and practical orientation of the course ensures that the graduates are able to discuss relevant issues in reference to current developments.
The diversity of tourism and its overlaps with related subjects becomes particularly evident in the two focus areas which students are allowed to specialize in, according to their interests.
The Entrepreneurship & Tourism Master program targets graduates of relevant Bachelor’s degree courses as well as today’s and tomorrow’s executives intending to make an active contribution to the industry. The practical relevance and diversity of their education provides them with excellent career prospects.
If you have any questions concerning the study program, please contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel:+43 512 2070-3300
Applications for admission are accepted on a rolling basis. The required documents are to be submitted online. Applicants are welcome to apply for multiple programs of study, as long as a plausible rationale is given. The final decision may be taken by the end of the application procedures.
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Entrance Exam &Interview
*recommended for applications from non-EU countries
To be admitted to the Master program applicants require a Bachelor degree diploma. This would especially refer to Bachelor degrees in business scienes with a focus on the tourism- and leisure industries.Graduates with a degree in economics require a minimum of 45 ECTS credits in the area of economics, and ideally, they would have a minimum of a one-year work experiences in the area tourism & leisure.Information for graduates whose previous degree is based to a significant extent on formally acknowledged recognition of prior learning:In this case it may be possible that the legal and/or degree specific admission requirements are not or only partly fulfilled. Please consider the relevant legal regulations for this instance (§ 4 Abs 4 iVm § 12 FHStG). We will gladly provide further information and consultation via email or phone (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Ext. 1621).Recognition of previous qualifications in the master program:Applications for recognition of examinations or credits obtained through other study programs or previous scientific experience must be submitted to the Program Director. A decision will only be taken in cases where the application for admission has met with a positive decision. Recognition of credits or previous experience is only granted for individual classes in the program.
Information sheet - admission ( pdf | 153.23K )
Career background - 30%Par ticular attention is paid to education and cer tificates, general professional development and position (duties, responsibilitiesetc.) as well as academic and professional goals.
Written entrance exam - 30%The written entrance exam tests the applicant’s knowledge in general business and management contexts, in particulars of the tourism and leisure industries and in their English language skills.
Interview - 40%The interview is conducted by a commission and gives applicant s the oppor tunit y to present themselves personally, to expand on information provided in the application materials and to explain their academic and professional goals.
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MCI study programs stand out due to the quality of their content, relevance to the business world, and their international orientation. The close cooperation with partners from industry and integrative internships enable students to gain practical experience as early as in their Bachelor’s studies. In addition to providing expert knowledge, MCI places great importance on encouraging personal development and the development of social and intercultural competencies.
The Strategic Management & Tourism focus deals with family-owned businesses and the challenges they pose to strategic management. The aim of this course is to produce entrepreneurs qualified to take over executive positions in tourism service companies. Therefore, the curriculum places a strong emphasis on leadership, destination management, tourism marketing, and international tourism.
Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits
The Marketing Management & Tourism course focuses on the new world of market management, as increasingly determined by social media, and its consequences for companies and destinations. Current problems, and modern approaches, to tourism marketing are analyzed with regard to digitization, brand management, and consumer behavior. The prime aim of this module, however, is to provide management and marketing expertise in the tourism sector.
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 are effective communicators in their field of work.
Our students can discuss problems, ideas, and solutions with specialists and non-specialists.
Our graduates are competent in applying scientific methods to solve practical problems.
Our students can apply relevant theories and appropriate scientific methods in their field of work.
Our students can act according to ethical principles when doing scientific work.
Our graduates will know relevant concepts of management and entrepreneurship and are in the position to use them and to put them into practice.
Our students understand the nature of the entrepreneurial process and new venture creation, in particular in the area of tourism.
Our students are able to apply strategic management and marketing knowledge in the context of destinations and the broader tourism industry.
One of the most essential components of MCI study programs is their international orientation. Both faculty and curriculum, as well as the project assignments, reflect the international focus of MCI. The third semester is officially termed international semester, as it may be completed at one of MCI’s many partner institutions or in the form of English-language classes at MCI in Innsbruck. This not only aids the students’ personal development, but also strengthens their awareness of foreign markets.
Students in the Master’s degree program in Entrepreneurship & Tourism benefit from a highly innovative and practical knowledge transfer facilitated by the organization of international study tours. By visiting select tourist destinations, e.g. Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the Emirates, Kerala in India, Hong Kong and Macao in China, Vancouver and Whistler in Canada, or Las Vegas and Hawaii in America, students attain a glimpse behind the scenes, acquainted with successful concepts of tourism, and given a chance to attend guest lectures at our partner institutions. In line with the motto “We make the world our classroom”, here bridges are built between theory and practice as well as between alpine and international tourism.
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Tyrol belongs to the most successful tourist regions in the world. The innovative Master’s degree in Tourism Business Studies at MCI underpins our position.
Josef Margreiter, CEO Tirol Advertising
“What fascinates me most about this innovative Master’s degree is how it perfectly combines theory and practice.”
Dr. Dirk Glaeßer, member of the World Tourism Organization UNWTO, Madrid
“MCI tourism graduates are in high demand in the tourism industry. Research in the field of tourism carried out by MCI provides valuable and practically relevant insights for both businesses and destinations.”
Dr. Franz Tschiderer, chairman of the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis Tourism Association
“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.”
Dr. Petra Stolba, CEO of the Austrian National Tourist Office ANTO
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.
The exploration of the research areas identified in the illustration, namely business management/leadership, entrepreneurship/innovation, finance management, personnel management, service marketing, resource management, economics & policy-making, in the context of enterprises, destinations and regions shall ultimately contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of alpine tourism.
The motivation to travel is subject to changes in social values. The “new” tourist is characterized mainly by more extensive experience, new ideals, an altered lifestyle and greater independence and flexibility. Today’s travel and consumer behavior in the alpine region differs greatly from that of previous generations and, therefore, requires comprehensive analysis. Based on this analysis, customer-oriented decisions can be made...
Family businesses are in fact the backbone of the Tyrolean tourism industry, and are, therefore, the focus of tourism research at MCI. On the supply side, the quality of individual service providers determines the competitiveness and success of a tourist region...
Tourism companies are usually part of a tourist value chain and, therefore, service partners in the destination. A destination is, therefore, the actual competitive unit in tourism that must be managed strategically. On the supply side, the quality of destinations is decisive for the competitiveness and success of a tourist region...
Vision & Mission – Based on the vision “Leading in Mountain Tourism Management”, applied tourism research at MCI investigates the dynamic interaction of the major agents in tourism (customer, family business and destination) to strengthen the sustainable competitiveness of tourism in the alpine environment.
Graduates of the program are conferred the academic title of Master of Arts in Business, in short MA or M.A. This is attested by a leaving certificate, the Master 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
MCI Alumni & Friends provides a dynamic service platform promoting contacts, image, professional careers, and personal development of MCI and its graduates. We are delighted with all the graduates who choose to stay in touch even long after completion of their studies, and allowing us to be a part of their various careers:
Yes, it is possible and it is even recommended that you apply before obtaining your Bachelor’s Degree certificate in order to secure one of the limited places in your desired course of study. Please include the most recent transcript of records in your application. Should your application be successful, the Bachelor’s certificate is to be submitted by the start of your studies.
Multiple applications are welcome as long as a plausible reason is provided in your cover letter. If you are admitted to two or more study programs, you are required to inform us of your final decision by the conclusion of the application procedures.
The Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship & Tourism combines theoretical and practical content in an attractive location at the heart of the Alps. Specializations available in Strategic Management & Tourism and Marketing Management & Tourism enable students to distinguish themselves according to their preferences. Small group sizes ensure that the MCI Tourism team can provide each student with the individual support the require. We rely on the commitment of both our employees and our students to guarantee long-term learning success.
Applicants must provide proof of at least 45 ECTS points gained in business-related subjects as part of the regular curriculum of a Bachelor’s degree. Once we have received your online application, we will assess the content of your previous studies as to its relevance. Practical experience cannot be counted towards your studies.
The Entrepreneurship & Tourism program accepts 50 students at the beginning of each winter term. 25 study places are available for the Strategic Management & Tourism course and another 25 for the Marketing Management & Tourism course.
No. The timing of your application and participation in the application procedure, do not influence your chances of getting a place to study at MCI. However, we recommend and application so that applicants can assess their chances of finding a place at an early stage in their personal planning.
The program starts in mid-September in the winter term. It is not possible to pick up tourism studies at MCI in the summer term.
Yes. Candidates are welcome to apply for both fields of specialization in the Entrepreneurship & Tourism program and can state their preferences in the online application. In any case, this must be submitted only once. The panel interview must be taken only once as well. The online-based entrance examination, however, must be taken separately for each course. The candidates’ suitability is then also assessed separately for each course.
The entrance examination is based online and can, therefore, also be completed from abroad. You can choose for the panel interview to be conducted online via Skype or on the MCI campus.
Visit the homepage of our department where, in the Admissions section, you can find relevant preparation materials for the written entrance examination. Once we have received your application, you will receive relevant information including tips and advice on how to prepare for the exam.
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:
For students of non-EU countries not considered eligible according to above regulations, the tuition fee is as follows:
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.
Lectures and seminars in full-time courses are held on weekdays. To facilitate a more intense discussion of individual topics, some lessons may also be organized in blocks.
Attendance is mandatory in all classes. If you miss 25% of a course or more, this will have an effect on your final grade.
Exemption from mandatory attendance may be granted if a valid reason is given (e.g. sickness, visit to authorities or other personal reasons). Please submit your written request including relevant proof to the department for approval.
To a certain extent, yes. Although the Master’s Degree course in Entrepreneurship & Tourism is a full-time program, its condensed syllabus and adaptation of semesters to the tourist seasons give students enough time to gather some practical experience. The completion of any study-related tasks should, however, have priority during all four semesters.
No. The curriculum of the Master’s Degree program in Entrepreneurship & Tourism does not include a mandatory internship. The adaptation of semester times to the tourist seasons still gives you plenty of opportunity to gain practical experience outside your studies, should you wish to do so.
