Sept 2025 Entry
1.5 years
37
What's New
Programme Aims
The programme aims to develop global hospitality managers with regional awareness derived from first-hand business experience. In addition to the skills needed to balance the arts and sciences of hospitality, graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in a multicultural environment.
Characteristics
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Students learn from faculty with international backgrounds, are immersed in the culture and business practices of each continent and attend numerous professional seminars.
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Students join a talented cohort from around the world to develop hospitality-relevant attitudes and build their management toolbox while benefiting from proximity to dynamic markets and industry leaders.
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Of particular value is the completion of a real-life consultancy capstone project assigned by our industry partners. A multicultural team of three to four students is formed for each project.
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Students experience three world-class campuses and research centres and have access to three outstanding alumni networks. While learning about the latest trends in the hospitality and service industries, they refine their career plans and shape their global outlook.
Upon graduation, students in this exceptional programme receive the MSc in Global Hospitality Business degree awarded by their home institution and a Certificate of Completion issued by the other two partner institutions.
The SHTM is a pioneer in hotel and tourism education in Asia. Since its establishment in 1979, more than 10,000 students have graduated from the School. Its recent achievements are listed below:
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2023: For the seventh consecutive year, the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 ranked PolyU No. 2 in the world among university-based programmes in the "Hospitality and Leisure Management" category.
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2022: For the sixth consecutive year, Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects ranked the SHTM No. 1 in the world in the "Hospitality and Tourism Management" category.
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2022: For five consecutive years (2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22), the Field-Based Ranking produced by the University Ranking by Academic Performance Laboratory placed PolyU in first place in the "Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services" category.
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2017: The Centre for World University Rankings ranked the School No. 1 for Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism.
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2009: The School was ranked as the second best hotel and tourism school in the world based on scholarship, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research.
With close to four decades of impressive development, the School has established itself as a world-class centre for hospitality and tourism education and research. These rankings are proof of the extent to which the SHTM is effective and instrumental in furthering hospitality and tourism knowledge.
Other Marks of Excellence
In 1999, the SHTM was designated as a global Education and Training Network Centre by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO); the School is also a member of the UNWTO Knowledge Network. Since then, the SHTM has continued to receive global accolades and recognition. In 2001, it became one of the first educational institutions to receive UNWTO TedQual Certification, a quality assurance certification for tourism education, training and research.
In 2002, the SHTM became the home of the permanent secretariat of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism (IAST), which works to advance scientific knowledge and understanding of tourism through theoretical and practical research. In 2003, the International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators (ISTTE) honoured the School with the ISTTE Institutional Achievement Award, recognising its significant contributions to tourism education.
In 2012, just one year after the official opening of Hotel ICON, the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (I-CHRIE) honoured the School with the McCool Breakthrough Award in recognition of the achievements of Hotel ICON, the ground-breaking teaching and research hotel that is at the heart of the School’s innovative approach to hospitality and tourism education.
The School’s distinguished faculty are one of its cornerstones. In 2011, Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Dean and Chair Professor and Walter Kwok Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management, received the UNWTO Ulysses Prize, a prestigious award widely regarded as the “Nobel Prize in Tourism”.
The School’s faculty members are not just excellent teachers but are also active players in the hospitality industry, holding executive or advisory positions in many international, regional and local tourism organisations, including the following:
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Asia Pacific Ecotourism Society
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Asia Pacific Tourism Association
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Asia-Pacific CHRIE
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China Tourism Academy
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Hong Kong Association of Registered Tour Coordinators
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Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents
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Hong Kong Quality Assurance Council
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Hong Kong Wine Judges Association
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Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals
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Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International
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Institute of Hospitality
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International Academy for the Study of Tourism
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International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education
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International Institute of Forecasters
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International Recreation and Vacation Society
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International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators
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International Sociological Association
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Meeting Professionals International
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Pacific Asia Travel Association
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SKAL International Hong Kong
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Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong
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United Nations World Tourism Organisation
Support for the programme has been sought from numerous industry partners:
Accor • Bench Events • Candrian Catering • citizenM hotels • Dorchester Collection • Dusit International • Fairmont Raffles Hotels International • Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts • Groupe Laurent-Perrier • Harilela Hotels • Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre • Hong Thai Travel Services • Hyatt International • Jumeirah Group • Marco Polo Hotels • Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts • Pacific Asia Travel Association • Regal Hotels International • Rhombus International Hotels Group • Servair • STR • Swiss International Air Lines • Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts • The Indian Hotels Company • Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong • Worldhotels • Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium
Compulsory Subjects taken at EHL Hospitality Business School (EHL) (1st semester)
- Hospitality Business Strategies in Europe, Middle East & Africa (3 credits)
- Hospitality Real Estate Finance & Investments (3 credits)
- Advanced Corporate Finance & Concepts of International Finance (3 credits)
- Business Research Methods & Project Management Tools (3 credits)
Compulsory Subjects taken at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) (2nd semester)
- HTM5T02 Academic Integrity and Ethics in Business Studies and Research (1 credit)
- HTM562 Marketing Management in the Hospitality & Tourism Industry (3 credits)
- HTM563 Revenue Management in Hospitality Industry (3 credits)
- HTM564 Quality Service Management for the Hospitality & Tourism Industry (3 credits)
- HTM565 Hospitality Business Strategies in Asia - China Hotel & Tourism Business Studies (3 credits)
- HTM566 Capstone Consulting Project (6 credits)
Compulsory Subjects taken at the University of Houston (UH) (3rd semester)
- Hospitality Business Strategies in the Americas & the Caribbean (3 credits)
- Innovative Hospitality Technologies (3 credits)
- Organisational Behaviour & Hospitality Leadership Strategies (3 credits)
- Elective (3 credits)
Notes:
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Only 37 credits are required for graduation. Students are expected to transfer 9 of the 12 credits obtained at both EHL and UH to PolyU. Thus, 18 of the 36 credits will be transferred from these institutions to PolyU.
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The Capstone Consulting Project is worth 6 credits. A multicultural team of 3 to 4 students will work together on the project. This project is considered a subject taken at PolyU.
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1-2 subjects offered at PolyU may be taught during the summer term.
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HTM5T02 is worth 1 credit and is only required for PolyU degree seekers.
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Dr Catherine Cheung
Associate Dean and Associate Professor
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A Bachelor’s degree in the areas of hospitality and tourism management or a related discipline with current or past employment in the hospitality industry for not less than one year.
If the applicant is a non-native speaker of English and his/her Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction is not English, the applicant is required to demonstrate his/her proficiency in English by achieving:
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A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 100 (with 20 in writing) for the Internet-based test or 600 for the paper-based test;
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An overall Band Score of at least 7 (with 6.5 in writing) in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Applicants may be required to attend interviews or take tests to further demonstrate their language proficiency.
All applicants should also submit the following documents together with a completed online application form:
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Personal resume (CV);
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The graduation certificate of your undergraduate degree (see notes below);
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Copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (see notes below);
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Proof of employment records
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A self-recommendation letter that includes a self-introduction, career aspirations and reasons for applying to this programme (not more than 400 words);
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Proof of TOEFL or IELTS to demonstrate your English proficiency;
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At least one letter of recommendation from either your employer or university;
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Other professional records or attainments, if any.
Notes
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Applicants whose qualifications were attained from the Chinese mainland are required to provide an Academic Credential (学历证书) to prove that they have completed academic learning in an institution under the Ministry of Education (MoE) system and were admitted to the institution in accordance with the standards stipulated by the MoE.
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Further to the above, the applicants concerned are also required to provide a Degree Certificate (学位证书) to certify the level of academic attainment (i.e. Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate level) and to confirm that the certificate was issued by the tertiary institution approved by the MoE.
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If the applicant’s graduation certificates/academic transcripts are not written in English, s/he should provide an official translated copy of each graduation certificate or academic transcript in English for admissions. Otherwise, the application may not be considered.
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Our School considers applications on a rolling basis until all places are filled. Applicants are highly encouraged to apply for admission as early as possible.
For information on academic matters, please contact:
Dr Catherine Cheung (tel: (852) 3400 2259; email: catherine.cheung@polyu.edu.hk).
For general information, please contact:
Mr Willie Chan (tel: (852) 3400 2187; email: willie.h.chan@polyu.edu.hk).
Alternatively, please visit the SHTM website here.
12 credits at EHL Hospitality Business School (EHL) in the 1st semester
Students must pay tuition fees directly to the institution where the courses are offered. The estimated total is approximately HK$550,600 (subject to exchange rate fluctuations). Prospective students should note that tuition fees do not include any other additional expenses. For more details, please check with the host institution.
The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) provides a substantial number of scholarships* of up to HK$50,000 for qualifying students with a high level of academic merit, honours and awards to join the MSc in Global Hospitality Business programme. For details, please visit shtm.polyu.edu.hk.
*PolyU reserves the right to change or withdraw the scholarship at any time. In the event of a dispute/disagreement, PolyU’s decision is final.
“I’m thrilled to share that I have just completed my semester at #PolyUSHTM (GPA 3.93) and have submitted my Academic Business Project”, says Ms Blomme. “The thesis focused on exploring sustainable practices from the unique perspective of employees @Hotel ICON – an experience that was truly enlightening and transformative.
But let me tell you, my time in Hong Kong was not just about studying”, she continues. “I had some truly unforgettable adventures and discovered so much about the culture. The city's exudes this crazy energy, with its iconic skyline and bustling streets. Every day was like a new chapter, from hiking to finding hidden gems and experiencing the fusion of tradition and modernity. Hong Kong, you stole my 🧡”.
Ms Rieder highlights that “studying at three universities offered me the chance to immerse myself in their varied cultures, along with the local and regional nuances of the hospitality and tourism sectors”. She appreciated the world of opportunities offered to her as she “had first-hand access to inspiring people and organisations not only during the planned field trips to multiple cities but also during the actual lectures”.
“Throughout this unique experience”, she shares, “I became part of a large family of talented students and alumni from all over the world with similar interests and passions in three global alumni networks”.
Ms Rieder explained that her “genuine affection for hospitality and the service industry was a perfect match for this degree. It’s a calling that deeply aligns with my future aspirations and supports my journey in the most heartfelt way”.
A personal resume (CV) is required
- An undergraduate degree graduation certificate (see notes below) is required;
- Copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (see notes below) is required.
Notes:
- Applicants who obtained their qualifications in mainland China must provide their Academic Credential (學歷證書) to prove that they have completed their academic learning at an institution under the Ministry of Education (MoE) system and were admitted to the institution in accordance with the MOE's standards.
- In addition to the above, relevant applicants must provide a Degree Certificate (學位證書) to certify the level of academic attainment (i.e., Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate level) and to confirm that the certificate was issued by a tertiary institution approved by the MoE.
If an applicant's graduation certificate(s)/academic transcript(s) is/are not written in English, s/he must provide an official translated copy of each graduation certificate or academic transcript in English to meet the admissions requirements. Otherwise, the application may not be considered.
A self-recommendation letter (or personal statement) that includes a personal introduction, career aspirations and reasons for pursuing studies in this programme (no more than 400 words) is required.
- Proof of past and current employment record(s) is required to demonstrate that you have obtained 1 year of work experience.
- At least one letter of recommendation from either your employer or university is required.
- Proof of TOFEL or IELTS results to demonstrate your English proficiency is required if you are not a native English speaker.
If you are a native English speaker, you can submit proof (e.g. your passport copy to show your nationality) to pass the required field. - Applicants may provide GMAT or GRE scores, if available.
