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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.
In addition to English, students may choose to study Russian, Spanish, Italian, or French as a second language.
Campus Tour at the Management Center Innsbruck | MCI
Welcome to MCI - The Entrepreneurial School®
The MCI Bachelor’s degree course in Tourism Business Studies combines comprehensive business training with an entrepreneurial approach to the leisure and tourism industry. Students are trained to become entrepreneurs and managers qualified to operate on both a national and international level.
This unique academic training program opens up an entirely new perspective and contributes to the professionalization of the industry as well as the creation of new and innovative approaches. Just like any other industry, the tourism and leisure industry also has to adapt to the changes brought about by current digitization processes. Against this backdrop, Tourism Business Studies aims to produce experts capable of lateral thinking.
The curriculum is constantly adapted to integrate current developments relevant to the industry. Experts in the subject ensure that theoretical and practical knowledge are combined in such a way as to create added value for students. An entrepreneurial and practical approach to teaching is adopted to meet the requirements of the MCI Department of Tourism Business Studies.
If you have any questions about the study program, please contact us.
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.
Applicationdeadline
Entrance Exam &Interview
Additional Exam
Only a few remaining/waiting list places available for the start of studies in autumn 2020.
CAREER BACKGROUND - 20%Particular attention is paid to education and certificates, general professional development and position (duties, responsibilities etc.) as well as academic and professional goals.
WRITTEN ENTRANCE EXAM - 30%The written entrance exam consists of questions on deductive thinking, numerical abilities, long-term memory, English language skills, as well as a study-related personality profile. The exam is computer-based, has a duration of 2 hours and takes place, on-campus, at MCI. Aids such as calculators, dictionaries etc. are not permitted.
Multiple Applications: The written entrance exam applies to all business-related studies and has only to be taken once.
INTERVIEW - 50%The interview is conducted by a commission and gives applicants the opportunity 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 program is divided into a four-semester introduction to relevant basics and a mandatory internship to be completed in the fifth semester.
Corporate management, marketing, finance and digitization are only a few of the aspects to be addressed as part of the studies. Moreover, the course places great emphasis on economics, tourism and leisure management, academic research and writing, and methodological competence. Complementary classes are offered to improve the students’ social skills and communicative competence, as well as their foreign language skills – in addition to English, students may choose to study Russian, Spanish, Italian, or French as a second language.
Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits
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 13:30 to 16:45. 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
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 fundamental knowledge and skills in management science.
Our students can explain and apply current concepts and theories in management science.
Our graduates have basic knowledge and skills in scientific methodology.
Our students can apply relevant theories and appropriate scientific methods in real-world contexts.
Our graduates have relevant problem-solving skills.
Our students can make active use of critical thinking skills in analogue or digital contexts.
Our students can approach problems responsibly considering ethical issues.
Our graduates have effective communication skills.
Our students can communicate effectively in analogue contexts.
Our students can communicate effectively in digital contexts.
Upon graduation, our students will link and apply basic management-knowledge with current issues in the tourism industry and their respective professional field of responsibility.
Our students will make a difference through their ability to combine theory and practical thinking and develop relevant action plans.
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.
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.
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.
“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
“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
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.
Josef Schmid; graduate of Tourism Business Studies
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.
Peter Grander
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.
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.
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...
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.
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:
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.
Yes, it is possible and it is even recommended that you apply before obtaining your school-leaving certificate in order to secure one of the limited places in your desired course of study. Please include your most recent certificates available in your application. Should your application be successful, the relevant school-leaving certificate may be submitted at a later date.
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. If you have applied for two or more study programs, you will have to take the written entrance examination only once.
Due to the high number of applicants, and for organizational reasons, the relevant department determines the dates for both the written entrance examination and interview. It is therefore not possible for students to choose a date.
The written entrance examination is held on the MCI campus in Innsbruck. Please reserve the relevant dates (see application deadlines). The exact dates and times will be communicated to you immediately after the conclusion of the application period. Should you be unable to attend one of the required dates, you will be required to take the entrance examination on one of the alternative dates provided.
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.
The MCI tourism program admits 80 students at the beginning of each winter term.
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.
Students of this study program have the choice within their curriculum, but also as part of their extracurricular activities, to choose between modules, specializations, additional courses, electives, etc. Additionally, the semester abroad at one of our numerous partner universities, the internship, as well as projects and final papers, enable our students to make their study program a truly unique experience.
The program usually starts at the beginning of September in the winter term. It is not possible to pick up tourism studies at MCI in the summer term.
Most of our students choose to stay at a shared apartment or in dormitories. Links and advice on how to find accommodation are provided on our website.
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.
The semesters are adapted to the tourist seasons. While the winter term starts at the beginning of September and lasts until Christmas, the summer term lasts from the beginning of March to the beginning of July. This enables our students to work during the winter season.
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.
MCI professors collaborate with executives from industry, guest lecturers from across the globe, and recognized experts from science to create added value for our students based on practical teaching with an international focus.
The first four semesters focus on improving your English language. You then have the opportunity to choose Italian, Spanish, French, or Russian as a second foreign language. Courses at a variety of levels are available.
Most of our lecturers are also practitioners. In addition, projects are carried out in cooperation with industrial partners (e.g. event managers). Guest lectures are integrated into the curriculum and at least one excursion each semester provides students with an opportunity for direct exchange and the discussion of practical problems. An entire semester is spent in an internship.
Yes. Due to several prestigious accreditations, including the AACSB or THE-ICE accreditation, MCI is one of Austria’s leading business schools. An MCI degree in Tourism Business Studies thus qualifies you for admission to a Master’s degree course abroad.
Our graduates are qualified to engage in entrepreneurial tasks in the major fields of the tourism and leisure industry. They may opt for a career in destination management organizations (tourism associations), in the hotel or food service industry, in event management, leisure and sports facilities, consulting, the lift and cable car industry, or in travel agencies and the travel business in general. Many graduates have also built successful careers outside the tourism industry, such as in marketing and communications, or in finance.
