Certificate in Business in Sustainable Tourism & Event Measuring and Monitoring (Online)

Course Summary

Make your mark on the world. Choose sustainable tourism and event management.

As a destination, Ireland is a world leader in terms of tourism and events. But in a changing world, we need to revisit and redefine how we deliver tourism and events, not just in Ireland, but globally. We all know why sustainability is important. With the ATU online Certificate in Sustainable Tourism and Event Management, you will learn how to embrace and embed sustainability in your tourism and event organisations and at a broader destination level.

This online programme is unique with its focus on both the tourism and event industries. These industries are at the core of who we are as people, and we are looking forward to working with learners who are passionate about tourism and events and creating unforgettable experiences.

With the increasing legislation and consumer demands for more ethical and sustainable practices, all destinations and organisations need to upskill to respond to these developments. As we work together to achieve sustainable development goals in 2030 and beyond, this programme will equip you with the skills and knowledge to become a leader in the exciting world of sustainable tourism and event management.

The online programme is designed to fit the needs of busy and aspiring leaders in tourism and event organisations. We will support those in public sector roles, or the private sector, be they individuals, organisations or destinations who are striving to be leaders in their sustainability journey. Together, we will learn about developing sustainable tourism and event experiences, minimise environmental impact, and create events that leave a positive impact.

Industry Experts, Real-world Projects, and a Global Perspective:

-The programme will be delivered by faculty members who are industry leaders in sustainability, tourism and event management.

-Real-world projects will allow you to apply your knowledge in a practical setting to benefit your own organisation, research interest or destination.

-We will adopt a global perspective that prepares you for a career anywhere in the world.

You'll gain expertise in:

-Measuring and monitoring tourism and event impacts.

-Environmental, social and governance leadership.

-Research skills.

Ireland’s tourism and hospitality sector is central to the vitality of the Irish economy and accordingly, to address skills shortage issues further development of third-level courses is required. Managing, monitoring and measurement are key leadership competencies required to steer the tourism and event industries at this time of change as businesses, society and customers demand sustainable futures.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Tourism & Event Measuring and Monitoring is part of the suite of postgraduate Tourism and Event Management programmes offered by ATU. This suite of programmes consists of:

-The MSc in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management can be completed online in 2 years part-time. Learners who have completed the two certificates/postgraduate certificate can choose to complete a dissertation or capstone project to achieve their masters qualification.

-The Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management can be completed online over 1 academic year (2 semesters).

-The Certificate in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management and the  Certificate in Sustainable Tourism & Event Measuring and Monitoring can each be completed part-time online over 1 semester. 

This suite of programmes allows the learner to tailor their own learning path – learners can choose to register for the MSc in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management from the start of their studies or to progress from a Certificate to PG Certificate and then onto the Masters, as suits their learning needs. Please refer to the individual webpages for further details on each programme.

The aim of this online Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management and its associated programmes is to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies in sustainable tourism and event management to facilitate them to take on senior leadership and management positions in tourism and event management, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and public and local authorities.

This programme will enable graduates to work as members of a team around sustainable destination management, consultancy, and innovation in the field of sustainable tourism and event management.

The suite of programmes will also provide a postgraduate qualification in sustainable tourism and event measuring and monitoring that will contribute to lasting national and regional economies. The program will meet the demand of the industry to measure, monitor and report on sustainable tourism indicators while transitioning to net-zero destinations.

Tourism is Ireland’s biggest indigenous industry and there are many and varied career opportunities, both in Ireland and internationally, at all management levels in a wide range of tourism and events-related organisations. Therefore, the learner profile for this award is expected to be those working in or towards a management/business role looking to upskill with the aim of personal development and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their sustainable tourism and event management competencies.

In addition to industry professionals, this programme is also intended for suitable graduates progressing from the undergraduate level who wish to focus on tourism and event measuring and monitoring. This course will allow learners to develop relevant skills and knowledge that can help unlock their potential when they proceed to the next stage of their careers.

Programme Structure:

The table provides a short overview of the modules that the learner will complete as part of this programme. Further details on each module can be found under the Course Format tab.

Features and benefits of the course:

-Flexible part-time study – the programme is delivered online in the evenings allowing you to fit your studies around work and other commitments. Live lectures are recorded and you can access all module material at any time from wherever you are in the world.

-Tailor your learning – Learners can progress from the two single semester certificates, and the PG certificate onto the Masters or enrol directly on the Masters programme from the beginning of their studies.

-As an online student on the Certificate in Sustainable Tourism & Event Measuring and Monitoring (1 semester part-time) you will have a maximum of 4 hours of lectures per week plus additional time to dedicate to your own reading and projects as required.

-There will be workshops and destination visits to see how the knowledge you are acquiring in class can be applied in industry.

-Practical implementation of concepts that provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to identify sustainable solutions and opportunities.

-Develop an understanding of the latest and most appropriate theories relevant to the domain. 

Key Course Information

When you are studying part-time online it is very important that you allocate enough study time to your online course to stay focused, reduce stress and achieve your goals.

Study hours: For the part-time study of the Certificate in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management, there will be three modules per semester. In semester 1, students will complete three modules, over two evenings per week. Live lectures normally take place after 6pm, Monday to Thursday, but this may vary depending on the availability of specific lecturers. The live lectures are recorded for students who cannot attend live sessions. 

Examinations/Assessments: Assessments will vary between project work, reports and essays. Modules are assessed using 100% Continuous Assessment.

Application Closing Date : 7th January 2025

Entry Requirements

Candidates must hold a Level 8 Bachelor of Business degree with a minimum grade classification of H2.2 in tourism, event, hospitality, business, marketing, or other related business discipline.

Candidates who do not meet the H2.2 performance standard in a Level 8 award will be required to apply through ATU’s Recognition of Prior and Experiential Learning (RPEL) process.

Career Opportunities

Become a leader in the future of tourism and events. Make a difference while creating unforgettable experiences.
This programme is designed to enhance a learner's career prospects in the tourism and events management industry.

Employment opportunities are available in the private or public sector and learners may decide to pursue entrepreneurial initiatives for self-employment. Graduates in tourism and events are much sought after, and the skills developed are transferable internationally and from one aspect of the industry to another.

This requires the learner to study tourism and event management modules throughout the programme. The outcomes of the programme will provide the student with knowledge and skills for performing effectively at a high level in the sector. While the programme will be of interest to a wide and varied audience in tourism, event management and business fields, the specific career and career advancement opportunities that the award would support include at a minimum:

-Sustainable Tourism Officer
-Tourism Sustainability Manager
-Sustainability Communications Officer
-Sustainability & Climate Action Consultant
-Sustainability Policy Specialist
-Destination Marketing Director 
-Experiential Marketing Specialist
-Marketing Events Manager
-PR & Events Executive
-Event Production Specialist
-Venue Operations Manager
-Green event planner

Further Study

When you complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management the learner can decide to proceed to study for the Master of Science in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management and / or a PhD at ATU.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management is part of the suite of postgraduate Tourism and Event Management programmes offered by ATU. This suite of programmes consists of:

-The MSc in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management can be completed online in 2 years part-time. Learners who have completed the two certificates/postgraduate certificate can choose to complete a dissertation or capstone project to achieve their masters qualification.

-The Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management can be completed online over 1 academic year (2 semesters).

-The Certificate in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management and the  Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Tourism & Event Measuring and Monitoring can each be completed part-time online over 1 semester. 

This suite of programmes allows the learner to tailor their own learning path – learners can choose to register for the MSc in Sustainable Tourism & Event Management from the start of their studies or to progress from a Certificate to PG Certificate and then onto the Masters, as suits their learning needs. Please refer to the individual webpages for further details on each programme.

Testimonials

Fiona McKenna, PhD student at ATU talks about her research in measuring and monitoring tourism for sustainability and the importance of sustainability tourism in Ireland and globally. 

Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Fees
Total Programme Fee: €1,575

*Please note that the total programme fee may be subject to change.

Discounted / Part-Funded Places through the National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS):
There is a limited number of funded places for eligible participants in the Republic of Ireland who can avail of a 35% cost reduction on course fees through our funding partners National Organic Training Skillnet. Please go to https://nots.ie/events/sustainable-tourism-event-management-atu/ and sign up through NOTS to avail of their special funded rate for these programmes.

To help make the payment of fees more manageable for students who are self-funding their studies, tuition fees can be paid through payment instalment plans at ATU Sligo. For further information on instalment plans, please visit our Fees and Funding webpage. 

For further information and guidance about Fees and Funding for online and part-time courses at ATU Sligo, click here.

If you are seeking to take your exams online, and you meet the eligibility criteria (overseas students and those with extenuating circumstances), an additional examinations fee will apply. For further information, please visit our Examinations webpage. 

Course Format

Semester 1