PhD Tourism, Hospitality and Events
Overview
PhD Tourism, Hospitality and Events
What is the PhD Tourism, Hospitality and Events?
Join a vibrant research community and investigate the future of global tourism, hospitality, and events through advanced doctoral study.
Our PhD Tourism, Hospitality and Events at the Edge Hotel School is an interdisciplinary research degree focused on some of the most pressing and innovative issues facing the industry today. Research areas span tourism, hospitality, events, sustainability, technology, marketing, consumer behaviour, equality and inclusion, and visitor experience.
You will conduct independent, original research under the guidance of expert supervisors, contributing new knowledge to your chosen field. The course is designed to support the development of high-level research, analytical, and professional skills, preparing you for careers in academia, research, consultancy, policy, and industry leadership.
Why this course
- Industry-connected research: Conduct research linked to real-world hospitality, tourism, and events environments.
- Unique learning environment: Based within the Edge Hotel School, the first UK hotel school with a fully operational luxury hotel on campus.
- Expert supervision: Work alongside academics with research expertise across tourism, hospitality, events, marketing, sustainability, and technology.
- Interdisciplinary approach: Explore research topics across business, sociology, psychology, geography, management, and digital innovation.
- Strong research culture: Join a supportive postgraduate research community with seminars, conferences, and networking opportunities.
Who should apply
- The Academic Researcher: Students interested in pursuing careers in higher education and academic research.
- The Industry Specialist: Professionals aiming to develop expert knowledge and leadership within tourism, hospitality, or events sectors.
- The Innovation-Focused Researcher: Applicants interested in sustainability, technology, visitor experience, or emerging industry trends.
What you’ll learn
You will develop advanced research expertise while investigating a specialist topic aligned with your interests and supervisory support.
Research areas may include:
- Sustainable tourism, hospitality, and events management
- Technology and artificial intelligence in visitor experiences
- Consumer behaviour and tourism marketing
- Cultural heritage, food, and dark tourism
- Diversity, inclusion, and social issues within tourism and hospitality
- Innovation and strategic management in hospitality and events
Throughout your studies, you will undertake advanced research methods training, participate in seminars and workshops, and produce an original doctoral thesis that contributes new knowledge to the field.
We understand that choosing where and what to study is an important decision. We'll make all reasonable efforts to deliver the courses, services and facilities described on our website. If changes are required, we will inform applicants and students as soon as possible.
Your learning experience
As a doctoral researcher, you will work closely with two or three academic supervisors who will support the development of your research project, methodology, and professional development.
- Receive personalised supervision and tailored research training.
- Take part in seminars, workshops, and postgraduate research events.
- Present your research and engage with feedback from academic staff and peers.
You will have opportunities to attend conferences, contribute to publications, and build academic and professional networks within tourism, hospitality, and events industries.
The Edge Hotel School’s connection with Wivenhoe House Hotel and wider industry partners provides valuable insight into contemporary operational and strategic challenges across the sector.
- Access specialist postgraduate research training and development workshops.
- Join a collaborative and international doctoral research community.
- Benefit from networking opportunities with industry professionals and researchers.
- Develop transferable skills in analysis, communication, leadership, and project management.
- Work towards producing a substantial original thesis of 60,000 to 80,000 words.
Careers and outcomes
A PhD in Tourism, Hospitality and Events prepares graduates for careers in academia, consultancy, research, policy development, and senior industry leadership.
Graduates may progress into roles within universities, tourism organisations, hospitality groups, destination management organisations, government bodies, and international research projects.
Throughout your doctorate, you will develop advanced expertise in independent research, critical thinking, project management, and professional communication, helping you stand out in both academic and industry environments.
You will also benefit from wider University support through research training, employability initiatives, and opportunities to engage with academic and professional communities throughout your studies.
- The opportunity to base your research at our on-campus luxury hotel - Wivenhoe House
- Robust research infrastructure at the Edge Hotel School and the University of Essex
- The chance to work with academics with leading reputations in research in tourism, hospitality, and events
Course content
Course structure
A research degree doesn't have a taught structure, giving you the chance to investigate your chosen topic in real depth and reach a profound understanding. In communicating that understanding, through a thesis or other means, you have a rare opportunity to generate knowledge. A research degree allows you to develop new high-level skills, enhance your professional development and build new networks. It can open doors to many careers.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
| Status | What this means |
| Core |
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Core with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Compulsory |
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Compulsory with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Optional |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
| HR | 100 | 4 | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History. |
The module number. |
The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification. |
The term the module will be taught in.
|
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
This module is for PhD students who are completing the research elements of their theses.
Assessment
You begin your studies by meeting with your supervisors and undertaking an intensive induction programme. You attend advanced research methods training and undertake compulsory modules tailored to your individual research needs.
Throughout your PhD, you have regular meetings with your supervisors. You are often asked to write up your ideas or reading notes to help establish good writing practices. By the end of your first year of research (or second year for the part-time variant), you should have a solid understanding of the key debates in your field and have defined your research questions, outlining your original contribution to knowledge.
Continuing with your studies, you are likely to finalise the design of your own research project and either collect primary data, or access and analyse large scale datasets. You may also make progress on your second research paper. You receive regular feedback on your ideas and findings from your supervisors and are encouraged to develop your own research ideas independently during this year. If you are undertaking fieldwork in another location, your supervisors will still be in touch via email or video call.
You may attend a number of conferences to test out your research findings and thesis on an international stage. Your attendance may be funded by the Edge Hotel School. As well as advising on how to prepare your thesis for examination, your supervisors can advise on future career plans in academia or industry.
Dissertation
Creating a 60 - 80,000 word thesis is a significant task. To help you finalise your PhD and produce high quality doctoral research, we have a number of support mechanisms.
You undertake a progress board every six months, where you, your supervisors and an independent chair mark your progress and set objectives for the next period. You are also encouraged to take part in peer group debates and discussions.
Our full-time doctorates are 36 month programmes, and 72 months for part-time. At the end of this time, you may be allowed up to 12 months to finish writing up your PhD.
Once you have submitted your thesis, you will be asked to attend a Viva Voce examination with examiners from within and outside of the University. A viva voce examination usually takes place within three months of submission of thesis.
Entry requirements
UK entry requirements
Applicants are expected to have achieved a minimum 2:1 at undergraduate level (or international equivalent). Applicants will also be required to have completed a postgraduate degree in Tourism, Hospitality or Events or a related subject or have appropriate professional experience.
Applicants who do not hold a relevant postgraduate degree or who have taken a non-traditional education path, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
A well developed research proposal is also essential.
You will be required to attend an interview/video interview prior to us making an offer.
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£5,006 per year
International fee
£19,650 per year
Fees will increase for each academic year of study.
Scholarships and financial support
There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.
Fees and funding guide
What's next
Open Days
We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:
- tour our campus and accommodation
- find out answers to your questions about our courses, graduate employability, student support and more
- talk to our Fees and Funding team about scholarship opportunities
- meet our students and staff
If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.
2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)
Applying
You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.
We encourage you to make a preliminary enquiry directly to a potential supervisor or the Graduate Administrator within your chosen Department or School. We encourage the consideration of a brief research proposal prior to the submission of a full application.
We aim to respond to applications within four weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.
For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
Virtual tours
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
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The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
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