Entrepreneurship & Tourism | Master

Strategic Management & Tourism Marketing Management & Tourism

Next Application Deadline: November 9, 2025

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Duration of study

4 semesters | 120 ECTS

Time model & language

Full-time | German & English

Prerequisites

Bachelor's or equivalent degree in relevant studies or studies comprising a certain level of relevant ECTS points

Academic Degree

Master of Arts in Business | MA or M.A.

Tuition fee

EUR 363.36 / semester plus membership fee for the Austrian Students’ Union (ÖH) for EU and EEA citizens

Optional Double Degree

from the Edinburgh Napier University, UK

Before studying Entrepreneurship & Tourism

Are you looking for a tailor-made master's degree program that combines leadership and entrepreneurship with tourism? Are you aspiring to pursue an (international) career in the tourism and leisure industry? Do you wish to acquire sound and practical knowledge to contribute to the further development and professionalization of tourism at an entrepreneurial level? If so, the master's degree program in Entrepreneurship & Tourism is the perfect fit for you.

Campus Tour at the MCI

Welcome to MCI - The Entrepreneurial School®

Overview

The master's degree program in Entrepreneurship & Tourism aims to professionalize entrepreneurship in the tourism and leisure industry. Current challenges in the tourism and leisure industry, including digitalization, sustainability, and consumer behavior, are integrated into the curriculum. In addition to gaining an overall understanding of trends and current developments in international tourism, independent entrepreneurial thinking and action play a key role throughout the course.

The two majors "Strategic Management & Tourism" (in German) and "Marketing Management & Tourism" (in English) give you the opportunity to specialize according to your interests.

In addition, the program offers an innovative and hands-on knowledge transfer through international study tours. A career-friendly time model and semesters adapted to the tourism seasons allow you to gain professional experience alongside your studies.

Prof. Mag. Hubert J. Siller Head of Department & Studies

Do you have questions about studying? We look forward to hearing from you.

+43 512 2070 - 3300

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MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®

Why not study at the top?

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 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.

For Internationals (full-degree), EU and Non-EU, you can find more information here.

Dates & Deadlines

	Application deadline
Date 1	Nov 9, 2025
Date 2	Feb 8, 2026
Date 3	Apr 12, 2026
Date 4	May 24, 2026

Prerequisites

To be admitted to the Master program applicants require a Bachelor degree diploma. This would especially refer to Bachelor degrees in business sciences 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 FHG). We will gladly provide further information and consultation via email or phone (admissions@mci.edu; 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.

Procedures

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.

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.

Mag. Christoph Schmuck

Owner and Managing Director, Hotel Forsthofgut

The interdisciplinary orientation and quality of content taught in the Biotechnology program proved to be the ideal preparation for my career entry.

Julia Mayer

graduate of Engineering, Environmental & Biotechnology

By covering a diverse range of topics, this course connects with the industry in a way which specialized courses of study cannot.

Stefanie Delueg

graduate of Engineering, Environmental & Biotechnology

It has been a pleasure to work with such amiable and competent students in this special environment.

Dr. Klaus Reichert

director of downstream processing at Roche Diagnostics Ltd.

While studying Entrepreneurship & Tourism

The master's program in Entrepreneurship & Tourism distinguishes itself through academic quality, close ties to the tourism sector, interdisciplinarity and international orientation. In addition, the program also teaches soft skills such as leadership, innovation, and intercultural competencies within the context of the tourism and leisure industry. This will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of this dynamic sector. Together with international experts, you will discuss and reflect on highly relevant issues related to the competitiveness of businesses and destinations at both local and international level. This way, you can benefit from the high practical relevance.

In order to tailor your studies according to your interests, you can choose between two majors, which differ in around 25% of the offered courses. The "Strategic Management & Tourism" major focuses on developing entrepreneurial managers for tourism businesses and family enterprises, while the "Marketing Management & Tourism" major addresses current challenges in tourism marketing.

An optional semester abroad at one of our numerous partner universities and an international study program, following the motto "We make the world our classroom", make this program an extraordinary experience.

Time Model

Full-time

The Master program Entrepreneurship & Tourism is a full-time degree program with a job-friendly time model.

Special features of the four-semester Master program are the overall semester itinerary as well as the semester schedules and class timetables. This teaching schedule allows students to continue with their professional activities during their studies or gain practical experience in the field.

The winter semester takes place from mid-September to the end of December, the summer semester from mid-March to the end of June. A semester generally consists of 15-week-courses and an examination period. Blocked units allow an intensive immersion into individual topics.

Seminars and lectures take place Wednesday to Friday, occasionally on Saturday, and will comprise 8 teaching units per day, 45 minutes each. Examinations, guest lectures and excursions can also take place outside these regular times.

Academic Degree

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

Major Strategic Management & Tourism (in German)

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.

Module Overview

Subject	%
Entrepreneurship	16%
Leadership	10%
Law	8%
Family Business Management	10%
Tourism Marketing & digitalization	12%
International Tourism	15%
Destination Management	10%
Development & Innovation	11%
Academic Research & Studies	8%

Major Marketing Management & Tourism (in English)

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.

Module Overview

Subject	%
Entrepreneurship	17%
Leadership	10%
Tourism Marketing	17%
Digital Marketing	14%
International Tourism	15%
Destination Management	10%
Development & Innovation	8%
Academic Research & Studies	8%

Cooperation & Career Partners

Tirol Werbung
Österreich Werbung
Land Tirol
CMI - Congress Messe Innsbruck
Messe Berlin
Congress Centrum Alpbach
Swarovski Tourism Services
VVT - Verband der Tiroler Tourismusverbände
Alpenresort Schwarz
Eurotours International Kitzbühel
Stanglwirt
Destionation British Columbia

Destination Partners

2022-2023: Schladming-Dachstein
2020-2022: Tirol Werbung
2019-2020: Zell am See Kaprun
2018-2019: Achensee
2017-2018: Saalfelden Leogang
2016-2017: Ötztal Tourismus
2015-2016: Olympiaregion Seefeld
2014-2015: Innsbruck und seine Feriendörfer
2013-2014: Stubai
2012-2013: Pitztal
2011-2012: St. Anton am Arlberg
2010-2011: Kitzbühel
2009-2010: Paznaun - Ischgl
2008-2009: Serfaus - Fiss - Ladis

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.

Responsible Leadership

Inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, our graduates demonstrate a commitment to ecologically sustainable, economically responsible, and socially equitable decision-making.

Academic Rigor

Our graduates can apply relevant theories and appropriate scientific methods in their field of work.

International Outreach

One of the most essential components of MCI study programs is their international orientation. This is reflected not only in the curriculum and assigned projects, but also in the backgrounds of our faculty and students. Each program also includes the opportunity for students to spend a semester abroad at one of MCI’s many partner institutions.

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.

Study Abroad

at our partner universities around the world.

Portugal

Técnico Lisboa

Schweiz

ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences

Polen

Jagiellonian University

Show all

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.

Tourism research

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.

Customer

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-owned Business

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...

Destination

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...

After studying Entrepreneurship & Tourism

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

The master's degree program aims to train entrepreneurial managers for the tourism and leisure industry. Accordingly, graduates can look forward to entrepreneurial tasks in key sectors of the tourism and leisure industry. This primarily includes:

DMO - Destination Management Organizations (TVB, LTO, NTO)
Hotels and restaurants
Event management
Leisure, sports, and health facilities
Tourism and leisure consulting, consulting
Cable car industry
Tour operators, travel portals

Success Stories

MA Entrepreneurship & Tourism

Karin Lais

Team Leader Digital Branding, SPAR Österreichische Warenhandels-AG

MA Entrepreneurship & Tourism

Jan-Patrick Teichmann

Member of the Executive Board, Am Treidelpfad - Country hotel | tavern | vineyard

Read all

Continue studying

The completion of a Master's degree program subsequently qualifies graduates for the relevant doctoral program.

Prof. Mag. Hubert J. Siller Head of Department & Studies

Do you have questions about studying? We look forward to hearing from you.

+43 512 2070 - 3300

News

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Student Laura enthusiastically talks about her semester abroad in Thailand

Questions & Answers

I have not received my bachelor's degree certificate yet. Can I still apply?

Yes, you can apply without a bachelor's degree certificate. In this case, a current transcript of records has to be submitted with the application. If admitted, the bachelor's certificate has to be submitted before the start of the program.

What are the benefits of the master's program in Entrepreneurship & Tourism?

The master's program in Entrepreneurship & Tourism combines theory-based and practice-oriented content with an attractive study location in the heart of the Alps. The majors in "Strategic Management & Tourism" and "Marketing Management & Tourism" allow students to profile themselves according to their preferences right from the start. The small group sizes ensure personal and individual support from the MCI team. We expect a high level of commitment from both ourselves and our students in order to ensure sustainable learning success.

How do I know if I meet the academic requirements for the master's program in Entrepreneurship & Tourism?

You must have completed at least 45 ECTS credits in business and economics within the regular curriculum of a bachelor's degree program. Once we have received your online application, we will review the content of the curriculum. The accreditation of practical experiences is generally not possible.

How many students are admitted each year?

The Entrepreneurship & Tourism program accepts 50 students every fall semester. 25 places are allocated to the "Strategic Management & Tourism" major and a further 25 places to the "Marketing Management & Tourism" major.

Do I have a better chance of being accepted to the program if I take part in an early admission procedure?

No, the time of application and participation in the admission procedure have no effect on the chances of being admitted. However, we recommend applying early, because it allows you to assess your chances of admission early in your personal planning.

When can I start the program?

The program starts annually with the fall semester in early September. It is generally not possible to start in the spring semester.

Can I apply for both majors of the master's program?

Yes, applications for both majors are possible. Indicate this in your online application, which you only need to submit once. Applicants for both majors undergo one admission interview. In the further course of the application process, applicants will be assessed separately for both majors.

Can I also complete the admission procedure from abroad?

Yes, the admission interview is conducted online. Applicants are requested to reserve their preferred date early (see Dates & Deadlines). The exact dates and times will be announced after the application deadline.

What are the tuition fees?

For citizens of the following countries, the tuition fee is 363.36 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: 6,250 euros / semester plus compulsory Austrian National Union of Students membership fee
Master’s programs: 6,250 euros / semester plus compulsory Austrian National Union of Students membership fee

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.

When do the courses take place?

Due to the work-friendly time model, lectures generally take place on Wednesdays from 13:15 to 19:00, Thursdays from 9:00 to 16:30, Fridays from 9:00 to 16:30, and occasionally on Saturdays from 9:00 to 16:30. Blocked units enable an intensive engagement with individual topics.

Is attendance mandatory?

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.

Is it possible to work or gain practical experience alongside the studies?

Yes, to a certain extent. Although the master's degree program in Entrepreneurship & Tourism is a full-time program, the blocked course schedule and the semesters adapted to the tourism seasons allow students for part-time work. However, the focus should always be on academic success during the four semesters.

Is there a mandatory internship in the master's program?

No, the curriculum of the master's program does not include a mandatory internship. However, the adapted semesters to the tourism seasons give students the opportunity to gain practical experience on their own initiative.