The Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management is a 120-credit graduate-level qualification at Lincoln University designed for graduates who want to develop managerial, leadership and strategic planning skills for the tourism industry. The programme combines tourism theory and practical knowledge and is intended to prepare students for positions of leadership and responsibility in New Zealand or international tourism. Lincoln describes its tourism programmes as industry-connected, with opportunities for practical work experience and employer engagement.

The IPU programme link supplied in the request is the IPU Master of Global Business page, not a dedicated page for this Lincoln University qualification. Therefore, any IPU-specific pathway, partnership arrangement, application process, fee, scholarship or special admission condition for the Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management is not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Develops knowledge of the tourism industry at both theoretical and practical levels.
• Builds managerial, leadership and senior planning capabilities for tourism organisations.
• Designed around the changing needs of the global tourism industry.
• Lincoln states that its tourism qualifications are developed in conjunction with industry.
• Students have opportunities for practical work experience through group projects and assignments involving private companies.
• Provides preparation for leadership and responsible management roles in tourism.
• Can be relevant to tourism organisations in New Zealand as well as international tourism markets.
• Lincoln's Tourism area describes its programmes as internationally recognised and strongly connected with industry.
• The programme can be particularly suitable for graduates from another discipline who want to transition into tourism management.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme requires 120 credits, with at least 75 credits at 300 level. Students are advised to work with a course adviser so that their chosen courses form a coherent programme.

Lincoln recommends courses from the Bachelor of Sustainable Tourism as electives.

The programme includes a minimum of four courses from the Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management elective group:

Semester 1:

• BMGT 301 – Business and Sustainability – 15 credits.
• RECN 341 – Recreation and Tourism in Protected Natural Areas – 15 credits.
• RECN 344 – Event Management – 15 credits.
• TOUR 304 – Heritage Interpretation for Tourism and Recreation – 15 credits.

Semester 2:

• BMGT 315 – Project Planning and Management – 15 credits.
• SOCI 315 – Policy and Practice – 15 credits.
• TOUR 303 – Sustainable Tourism Planning and Management – 15 credits.

Students choose a minimum of four courses from this group and use additional electives to complete the 120-credit requirement, subject to prerequisites, availability and academic approval.

Key subject areas therefore include:

• Business and sustainability.
• Tourism in protected natural areas.
• Event management.
• Heritage interpretation.
• Project planning and management.
• Policy and practice.
• Sustainable tourism planning and management.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management does not list separate formal majors or named specialisations.

Instead, students shape their academic focus through elective course selection.

The broader Lincoln Tourism area offers disciplines and majors including:

• Tourism management.
• Sustainable tourism.
• Events management.
• Parks and outdoor recreation.
• Facilities management.
• Environmental management.
• Global business.
• Marketing.
• Supply chain management.
• Finance.
• Accounting.
• Economics.
• Water management.

Programme Highlights

• Graduate-level tourism qualification.
• 120 credits.
• 1 year full-time.
• Two full-time semesters.
• Lincoln University Campus.
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 entry.
• Minimum 75 credits at 300 level.
• Minimum four courses from the designated Graduate Diploma Tourism elective group.
• Strong focus on tourism management and leadership.
• Sustainable tourism planning and management.
• Event management.
• Tourism and recreation in protected natural areas.
• Heritage interpretation.
• Project planning and management.
• Business and sustainability.
• Policy and practice.
• Industry-connected tourism education.
• Practical work experience opportunities through Lincoln's wider tourism programmes.

Career Outcomes

Lincoln positions the qualification toward managerial, leadership and senior planning roles in the tourism industry.

Potential career areas include:

• Tourism management.
• Destination management.
• Tourism planning.
• Sustainable tourism management.
• Tourism marketing.
• Event management.
• Heritage and cultural tourism.
• Tourism operations.
• Visitor experience management.
• Tourism policy and planning.
• Recreation and tourism management.
• Tourism consultancy.
• Public-sector tourism organisations.
• Private tourism businesses.
• Regional tourism organisations.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students must hold a current, valid visa permitting study in New Zealand at Lincoln University.

For a new international student, Lincoln states that the Student Visa application requires:

• Offer of Place from Lincoln University.
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid, normally a fee receipt.
• Passport.
• Digital photograph.
• Proof of funds for living expenses of NZ$20,000 per year.
• Evidence of funds to cover travel to the student's home country at the end of study, or an air ticket.
• Visa application fee.

Immigration New Zealand may also require:

• Medical certificates.
• Chest X-ray.
• Police Certificate.
• Additional information if the student will be under 18 when beginning study.