Study Plan

I. Study Duration 

The normal study period of Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism Management program is 3 years, with the maximum study period of 6 years.

II. Study Mode

Lectures

III. Medium of Instruction

Chinese and English

IV. Majors

1. Hospitality Management
2. MICE Management
3. Gaming Management
4. Cultural Heritage Tourism
5. Sustainable Tourism Development

V. Academic Field

Tourism and Hospitality Management

VI. Course Structure

Table 1: Core Courses (8 Credits)

Table 2: Specialization Elective Courses (2 Credits)

Table 3: Dissertation (30 Credits)

VII. Study Requirements

1. Students are required to complete four core courses from Table 1 during the first two semesters, a total of 8 credits. 
2. Students are required to complete one elective course from Table 2 based on their supervisors’ advices, a total of 2 credits.
3. Read at least 60 journal articles (a minimum of 30 articles in English or translated from English) and write literature review.
4. After completing required courses, students can start writing the thesis proposal. Students can continue their dissertation research and writing upon completion of thesis proposal defense.
5. Interim check needs to be conducted during dissertation composition. Every two months, students are required to submit dissertation progress report to their supervisors and the faculty. 
6. The doctoral students should publish a conference paper (The paper has also been included in the conference proceedings and published in written form) and a level 2 journal paper during their study period (high IF publication is encouraged). Macau University of Science and Technology should be the first and sole author affiliation. Doctoral students must be the first author or second author or corresponding author of the paper. In addition, the topic should be related to hospitality and tourism management.
7. Investigation research should be conducted on the practical issues related to dissertation topic selection.
8. At least 80,000 words is required for Chinese dissertation. If the dissertation is written in English, at least 200 pages or at least 50,000 words is required. (Font: Times New Roman, space: double space, font size: No. 12, format: APA format, company background introductions, interviews, questionnaires, and a large number of summaries should be included in the appendix, but will not be counted toward required pages).
9. Pass the assessment and proceed with defense.
10. Upon completion of all required credits as prescribe in the study plan and successfully passing the dissertation oral defense, student will be awarded the Ph.D. degree in Tourism Management.

*The study requirements apply to students who enroll in the 2023/2024 academic year and beyond, as well as to students who enrolled before the 2022/2023 academic year but have not yet graduated.

VIII. Study Period

1. The duration for taking all courses is 12 months and the duration for dissertation composition is 24 months.
2. In general, classes will be arranged Monday to Friday, day and night time.

IX. Graduation Requirements

Upon approval from the Senate of the University, a Doctoral Degree will be conferred on a student when he or she has:

1. Completed and met the requirements as prescribed in the study plan of his or her program within the specific study period, and achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.50 *or above (excluding dissertation)
2. Abided by the regulations of the University
3. Cleared all fees and charges and returned all University’s property and equipment borrowed

* Students admitted before Academic Year 2018/2019，please refer to the rules and regulations as stipulated in the intake academic year study plan.

Note: All curriculums and study plans are based on the newest announcement of the Boletim Oficial da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau.

※ In case of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.