Tourism and Sustainability Management Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences

This programme is designed to provide students with in-depth subject knowledge and methodological skills that enable them to successfully address the challenges of a globalised world with limited resources. The goal is to foster transdisciplinary skills for the planning, development, and management of sustainable tourism destinations at various levels and to train professionals in sustainability management for companies across all industries.

Upon completion of the programme, graduates will possess the competencies required in an interdisciplinary environment involving diverse stakeholders. They will be able to carry out research-based planning and consulting projects and apply scientific methods to complex challenges faced by tourism management and planning as well as sustainability management, in various organisational contexts.

Teaching in small groups enables lively discussions and interaction with the lecturers, which contributes to an intensive examination of the subject matter. In addition, both the selection of lecturers and external partners involved in the programme ensure that the content has practical relevance.

The courses are taught in German or English.

The first semester comprises the following courses, each worth 5 ECTS credits:

• Fundamentals of Sustainability Management*
• Spatial Science Basics of Tourism*
• Digital Transformation Foundations, Business Models and AI in Tourism
• Municipal Economics and Public Management*
• Spatial Planning and Law*
• Research Methods I

*taught in German

The second semester comprises the following courses, each worth 5 ECTS credits:

• Natural & Cultural Heritage Management
• Sustainable Tourism Management
• Sustainable Tourism Development Project*
• Research Methods II
• Specialised topic in Tourism and Sustainability Management 1 (compulsory elective module according to the elective catalogue)
• Specialised topic in Tourism and Sustainability Management 2 (compulsory elective module according to the elective catalogue)

*taught in German

In the second semester, students select two modules (5 ECTS credits each) from an elective catalogue that is compiled each year, e.g.:

• courses from the second semester of the Master's programme International Business and Intercultural Management
• courses from the Master's programme Tourism Futures Studies
• courses from Master's programmes in other faculties:
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Strategic Information Management
  • Supply Chain Management

An additional semester of study can be added to create an individualised course of study. Students can use this for internships or a stay abroad at one of our partner universities. An optional third semester increases the total number of ECTS credits to 120. In this case, the Master's thesis is completed in the fourth semester.

Students can choose to add an additional semester to their study plan for internships abroad.

Applicants apply directly to Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences via the application portal during the application period. The application portal opens in mid-May, with the application deadline being 15 July each year. In addition to the completion of the online application, several documents must also be submitted.  

When applying with non-German educational certificates, an additional application step is required for degree recognition. We recommend that this recognition process be started no later than 1 June to ensure a timely application to Heilbronn University.

To be considered for admission, applicants must possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree of 210 ECTS* in tourism, geography, planning, environmental studies, economics, social sciences, or a similar field with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 or equivalent (German grading system)
• German language proficiency at C1 level (fluent)
• English language proficiency at B2 level (advanced)

*Applicants with 180 ECTS may also apply, with the condition that an additional 30 ECTS be earned by taking Bachelor's courses.

159 EUR per semester

The cost of living for a student is about 1,000 EUR per month.

The Office of Student Services has set up a job database for part-time jobs.

The job portal of the Career Service of Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences will provide you with information about current job vacancies, internships, student jobs, and final thesis jobs. For more information, click here.

There are various scholarships that provide financial aid:

• Deutschlandstipendium
• Scholarships exclusively for students of Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences

For more information, see: https://www.hs-heilbronn.de/en/scholarships.

The International Career Service assists international students at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences in launching their careers in Germany. We provide assistance in navigating the German job market and support in the application process, whether for internships, part-time positions, or career entry after completing your studies. For more information, see: https://www.hs-heilbronn.de/en/international-career-service.

There are several halls of residence in Heilbronn, Künzelsau and Schwäbisch Hall. The Office of Student Services of Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences offers a special database for finding accommodation. This database will provide you with a list of commission-free rooms available on the private housing market. For more information, click here.