OVERVIEW
The study program takes into account the changes in the tourism, hospitality and leisure industries, which is an active and uninterrupted process and offers excellent career opportunities due to the extremely high demand for specialists on the labour market. By studying in the program, you will learn how to strengthen the competitiveness of tourism places, business and other organizations, and how to strategically manage these organizations in times of crisis, post-crisis and uncertainty.
You can easily combine your studies with your work, as there are both distance and on-site studies during intensive weeks and study trips. During your studies, you will have the opportunity not only to get acquainted with international business experience, but also to identify and get to know potential partners. During the studies, the lecturers will act as consultants in solving your professional problems, actively involving peers and industry professionals in the study process.
Strengthening competitiveness, strategic management of smart tourism destinations and organizations is addressed through best practice stories, highlighting the potential of modern technology starting from business data analysis to forecasting and product design, change management and resilience and other aspects while bearing in mind the multidisciplinary perspective.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The programme offers a possibility to study in a truly international environment. The studies are carried out online, as a blended learning approach, which enables studying also alongside working, and even from overseas. The programme includes intensive weeks and field trips around Baltic sea region and other countries of Europa. Travelling to the intensive weeks abroad and field trips is not compulsory, but highly recommendable. Travel-related costs are covered by Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. The language of instruction is English.
"Tourism industry is working in a brand new reality now - in an uncertain, rapidly changing environment and facing very fierce competition. Under these conditions the managers of the destinations an organizations must change the mindset and to build resilient, flexible and competitive organizations which are able to adapt to changes and manage risks dealing with uncertainties."
Linda Veliverronena - PROGRAMME DESIGNER
FAST FACTS
Programme: Master in Tourism Competitiveness Management
Language: Latvian and English (combined)
Duration: full time 1,5 or 2 years (depending on previous education)
ECTS: 120
Degree: Master's degree of social sciences in tourism and leisure organization
ACCREDITATION
Until June 8, 2029
PROGRAMME DURATION
1,5 years or 3 semesters (with previously acquired professional qualification);
2 years or 4 semesters (with no professional qualification).
STUDY LANGUAGE
English
TUITION FEES 2025/2026
3094 EUR per year (EU, EEA, Swiss Confederation)
3558 EUR per year (non-EU)
NUMBER OF SUPPORTED STUDY PLACES IN 2025/2026
Information will be available in March - study places on state budget resources are available for intake 2025. (for EU, EEA, Swiss Confederation students)
PROCEEDINGS OF THE LECTURES
Lessons are held remotely on Thursdays, remotely or face-to-face on Fridays; field trips - a few times during the semester on Saturdays.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To apply for the Master’s Degree Programme, the applicant needs an applicable Bachelor's degree in social sciences and humanities, commercial sciences and administration, or tourism and leisure organization, cultural management or equivalent education
Knowledge of English: at least B2 level
The assessment of entrance examination consists of: an interview;
For applicants whose previous bachelor's degree or equivalent education was not obtained in tourism organization and management or in a related field: written test and interview
APPLICATION DEADLINES 2025
Non-EU, Non-EEA applicants: March 1 - May 31 (Scholarships that cover tuition fees are available to non-EU, non-EEA students for this program).
EU/ EEA/ Swiss Confederation applicants: March 1 - August 17 (students are eligible to apply for Latvian state-funded study placements).
All the eligible students are invited to apply for the Latvian State Scholarship. The application deadline for the academic year 2025/2026 is 1st of April, 2024.
For further information, get in touch with International Office at [email protected].
Apply through Tourism Competitiveness Management - Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (dreamapply.com)
WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE A MASTER'S IN TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS MANAGEMENT?
The best practices and know-how applied in the tourism business environment is integrated with the study programme and reflected by tourism professionals in different countries.
The study programme provides future-oriented expertise necessary to manage sustainable and competitive tourism development, to strengthen resilience under the changing circumstances and different types of crises, as well as to strengthen digital competences to succeed in the contemporary world starting from effective business data analysis and forecasts to product development.
The study programme is implemented by:
Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Valmiera, Latvia. It has been developed in collaboration with Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Pori, Finland.
FLEXIBLE STUDIES
Flexible online learning is used with modern digital solutions and learning environments developed for the online courses.
FORWARD CAREER
Students gain tools to take their careers forward, develop their professional profile and the organization they are affiliated to. Industry is strongly involved in the studies, and assignments are mainly related to the student’s own organizations.
INTERNATIONAL
Students study in an international student group with international teachers. All students have a personal tutor teacher appointed by the faculty. Intensive weeks are organized and a study-tour in the Baltic Sea area (or other countries in Europe).
The tuition fee is outlined in the individual agreement between the student and the university. The student receives the agreement together with the admission letter. Accepted students must pay the tuition fee in advance for the full academic year.
| Citizenship | Per year EUR | Full programme cost EUR |
| Tuition Fees for the citizens of the EU, EEA, Swiss Confederation 2025/2026 | 3094 |
4641 for 3 semesters 6188 for 4 semesters |
| Tuition Fees for other Citizens 2025/2026 | 3558 |
5337 for 3 semesters 7116 for 4 semesters |
Registration fee (non-refundable) must be paid before the application is submitted (confirmation of payment must be included in the application):
|
Citizenship |
Registration fee amount EUR |
| Estonia, Lithuania, Georgia and Moldova | 50 |
|
EU, EEA countries, Swiss Confederation, USA, Australia, Azerbaijan, Japan, Canada, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vietnam |
100 |
|
International applicants from other countries |
250 |
Applicants from Ukraine are exempt from Application fee
Payment details:
Recipient: Vidzemes Augstskola
Address: Cēsu iela 4, Valmiera, Reg.NR.: LV90001342592
Registration fee should be paid to one of the following bank accounts:
Bank: AS Swedbank
Bank code: HABALV22
Bank account number: LV78HABA0551027191593
Bank payments should be marked: “Study registration fee: your name”
Bank: AS Citadele banka
Bank code: PARXLV22
Bank account number: LV74PARX0006876240003
Bank payments should be marked: “Study registration fee: your name”
Bank: AS Luminor banka
Bank code: RIKOLV2X
Bank account number: LV90RIKO0002013197983
Bank payments should be marked: “Study registration fee: your name”
OTHER COSTS
To have and overview of the costs involved in studying in Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, please see the indicative list of costs:
|
Costs per month |
EUR |
|
Housing: |
From 150 eur |
|
Local transportation costs |
From 30 eur (monthly bus ticket) |
|
Groceries |
From 300 eur |
|
Household goods and other costs |
From 300 eur |
The cost of living in Valmiera can seem rather inexpensive for students from some other countries.
Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences' study offer addresses actual demand, offering education that prepares specialists with skills in:
- Management and competitiveness (Self-leadership,Competitiveness in tourism, Tourism Marketing Strategies, Strategic Leadership in Tourism, Revenue Management in Customer-Oriented Organizations , Sales Excellence in Tourism Industry, New Product Development and Service Innovations)
- Research: (Business Perspective to Research Methods, Toolbox for Business Data Management, Master Thesis)
- Professional specialization courses, field trips and internship
Graduates will gain skills to establish and/or develop their own business or work in management and expert positions in various tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors in marketing, organization management, service management, product development as well as in destination management organizations, in tourism planning in municipalities, in various cultural heritage organizations such as museums, heritage sites etc.
It also offers the chance to brush up on your experience.
