Local Expertise and International Research
Site visits to regional tourism destinations combined with research conducted at Dalarna University aim to give you knowledge as to how sustainable destination development is implemented in Sweden and the world. Interaction with peers and staff from some 15 nations will expand both your professional network as well as your understanding of different cultural needs and values.
You will learn about assessing global changes in the tourism industry and interpreting these changes in a local situation. You will gain the ability to critically assess the consequences of different strategies for sustainable tourism destination development. These skills and this knowledge will help you join our many graduates who now work internationally as marketing and project assistants, service centre advisors and event managers.
The Master’s Programme in Tourism Destination Development is a 60-credit programme (two semesters, approx. 10 months) taught in English. The courses combine theory, research, and practical insights with a focus on sustainable tourism, destination marketing, and cultural heritage management. In addition, you will benefit from field visits to businesses, cultural heritage managers, and regional tourism destinations, as well as guest lectures and seminars led by industry professionals, international partner universities, and alumni — giving you opportunities to build networks and learn about research and the job market.
Semester 1 (Autumn, early September – mid-January)
In the first semester, you will take four core courses, each focusing on a key aspect of tourism destination development:
- Sustainable Destination Development (KG3019) – 7.5 credits
- Event Tourism – Planning, Marketing, Evaluation (TR3009) – 7.5 credits
- Management and Interpretation of Cultural Heritage Sites (AKG27R) – 7.5 credits
- Place and Destination Marketing (ATR2AF) – 7.5 credits
Semester 2 (Spring, late January – mid-June)
In the second semester, you will focus on research skills and independent work:
- Theory and Research Methods (TR3010) – 15 credits
- Master’s Thesis in Tourism Studies (TR3008) – 15 credits
Note: 1.5 credits equals one week of full-time study.
Degree awarded
Upon successful completion, you will be awarded a Master of Science (60 credits) in Tourism Studies. This degree also qualifies you to apply for PhD studies in Sweden.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee for the Master’s Programme in Tourism Destination Development is 96,000 SEK in total (48,000 SEK per semester).
Note: EU/EEA citizens are not required to pay tuition fees.
Tuition fees are paid in two installments of 48,000 SEK and the first payment should be made as soon as possible after you have received your invoice and no later than the deadline on the invoice. This allows for reasonable processing time for a residence permit application.
For details about what is included in the tuition fee, visit our Tuition Fees webpage. If you have questions, please contact support@du.se.
Scholarships
Students admitted to the Master’s Programme in Tourism Destination Development may be eligible for two scholarships offered by Dalarna University.
Choose Dalarna First Scholarship
If you apply on time and are admitted to this programme as your first-choice on UniversityAdmissions.se, you are eligible for a one-time scholarship of 5,000 SEK. This amount is deducted from your first semester tuition fee, provided you also apply for the scholarship no later than February 15 (autumn intake).
Academic Excellence Scholarship
Students in the Tourism Destination Development programme can also qualify for the Academic Excellence Scholarship, which recognises outstanding academic achievement during the programme.
- Semester Award: Receive 10,000 SEK per semester when you meet the criteria for outstanding academic results.
- Programme Distinction: An additional 10,000 SEK may be awarded if you receive the Semester Award in every semester of the programme.
To qualify for the Semester Award, you must:
- Complete all 30 credits that are part of the programme curriculum for that semester.
- Earn at least 15 credits with grades of A (pass with distinction) and B (pass with merit) — at least one course must have a final grade of A.
- Have all course results reported within 6 weeks after the semester ends.
The Semester Award is evaluated independently for each semester, meaning you may receive it for one semester even if you do not qualify in the other.
Swedish Institute Scholarships (SISGP)
A limited number of students from select countries may be eligible to apply for the Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) – external link, a national scholarship programme managed by the Swedish Institute. This scholarship is highly competitive and awarded independently of Dalarna University.
For full eligibility details and how to apply for Dalarna University’s own scholarships, visit our Scholarships Overview webpage .
Should you apply?
You should have a desire to combine your passion for sustainable tourism with curiosity about the research and theory that drive the global tourism industry towards sustainability. If you have previously majored in Social Sciences and can document your knowledge of spoken and written English, you are a good candidate for this programme.
How to apply
You apply to the Master’s Programme in Tourism Destination Development in two steps:
- Click on the green "Apply" button to create a user account and add the programme to your account in the online application portal (UniversityAdmissions.se).
- Submit the required documents to verify that you fulfill the entry requirements listed below. It is usually possible to upload the required documents directly to your user account.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
In order to be eligible for the Master’s Programme in Tourism Destination Development, you need to have:
- A completed Bachelor’s degree in Human Geography, Business Administration and Management, Tourism Studies, Economics, or an equivalent field.
Applicants in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree are also welcome to apply, but proof of degree completion will be required before the start of the programme.
In some cases, applicants with other academic backgrounds may be considered. Please contact the programme manager if your previous studies are outside the listed fields.
English language requirements
You must also demonstrate English language proficiency. You should check the UniversityAdmissions.se information about English language proficiency to see if your previous studies fulfill this requirement. If you need to take an IELTS or TOEFL, the following minimum results are required:
- IELTS (academic training): 6.5 overall (with no part below 5.5)
- TOEFL (Internet-based): 90 (with a minimum of 20 on the written part)
For more details, see the English documentation webpage (UniversityAdmissions.se).
Career Opportunities
Tourism is a major growth industry internationally, and there is an urgent need for knowledge on how to develop destinations in a sustainable manner. The courses in Master's Programme in Tourism Destination Development prepare you to work within the tourism and marketing fields, and can lead to countless job opportunities, including positions as:
- Junior Online Marketer
- Tourism Officer
- Destination Development Consultant
- Operations Manager
You will most likely find work in destination-marketing organisations, at hotels, in activity companies, and within local and regional tourism-planning organisations throughout the world.
International internships
You can receive an Erasmus+ grant to complete an internship and can apply for one up to 12 months after completing your studies. This is available to all students in the programme, regardless of nationality, who pursue an approved internship within an Erasmus+ programme country (except Sweden).
Further studies including studying towards a PhD
Upon completion of the programme, you may also apply for a PhD position within Tourism Studies or similar fields at any Swedish university.
Stay in Sweden and look for work
You can apply for a 12-month residence permit to stay in Sweden and look for work after you complete a degree programme of at least 60 credits. International students are encouraged to stay in Dalarna and Sweden and look for a job after graduating from the Master's Programme in Tourism Destination Development.
Using your degree overseas
The degree awarded by Dalarna University for this programme is internationally recognized and has been used by previous students to attain employment or pursue further studies outside of Sweden.
You can also apply to receive an Erasmus+ grant for an internship, even up to 12 months after completing your studies. This opportunity is available to all students in the programme, regardless of nationality, who pursue an approved internship within an Erasmus+ programme country other than Sweden.
A close-knit study environment
As a student in the Master’s Programme in Tourism Destination Development, you will study at our new campus in central Borlänge, close to shops and services, with pristine nature and outdoor adventures just a short distance away.
Typically, there are around 20 students in each class. Lessons include lectures, seminars, group discussions, presentations, study visits, and written assignments. You will normally have four to eight hours of classes a week, with 20 to 30 hours of individual reading and writing assignments, plus group projects.
Because the programme admits only a small number of students, you will quickly get to know your classmates and become involved with activities in and around Dalarna and Sweden. The knowledge and experiences you share, along with the opportunity to take part in destination development projects, will prepare you to join our alumni who go on to find their ideal jobs in the field.
An international classroom
Students from all over the world come to study Tourism Destination Development at Dalarna University. The programme is taught in English by international faculty, who bring a wide range of academic and practical expertise. With the combination of classroom teaching, guest lectures, and projects, you gain both theoretical insights and professional perspectives that are valuable for your future career.
You will also have the opportunity to meet guest lecturers from regional tourism organisations, international partner universities, and alumni, giving you access to professional networks and current research in the tourism field.
Below you can read about the experiences of some of our previous Tourism Destination Development students.
Kristina from Sweden
Studying the TDD programme has been one of the best investments I’ve made in my adult life. With a background in travel, guiding, and cultural exchange, it felt natural to continue into Tourism Destination Development. I especially valued studying alongside like-minded peers from around the world. Their perspectives on sustainability and tourism enriched every discussion and deepened my own learning.
The courses were current and engaging, and the teachers and programme director were always supportive. After completing my thesis, I continued at my previous job while also moving into projects related to sustainable development. Today, two years after graduation, I’m applying for funding for a new local and regional sustainability project — something that would not have happened without TDD.
Eva from Germany
The atmosphere at Dalarna University was very personal and intensive. Teachers gave us the support needed for our individual development, and I enjoyed the classroom discussions, which were filled with diverse perspectives and experiences. On top of that, the various guest lectures and study trips gave us the opportunity to explore current tourism development and to create innovative ideas for the future.
Laetitia from France
At home, I was taking a Marketing Techniques diploma and everything was going well for me. My plans then were to finish my diploma and get a job where I lived. One day, my English teacher suggested to me and some classmates that we go to Sweden for an Erasmus exchange – 8 months, no big deal! It isn't easy to leave friends and family for such a period of time, as short as it actually is, but I'd never travelled before. With no questions asked, I decided to go to Sweden!
Sweden was totally unknown to me and I was among so many students with different nationalities. I couldn't understand them, my English was far from being good, but I made new friends, learnt, and got the language quite fast. I loved my courses. The educational system was great and suited me really well, I started to travel around and I made myself real friends. I couldn't leave Sweden! I just didn't want the experience to end.
I found an internship in Sweden, and then decided to apply to the Tourism Master's Programmed at DU and was accepted. The TDD programme was a great year. I learned a lot and also discovered a passion for the tourism field. Somehow, Sweden inspired me that year and I wanted to do so many things – I took Swedish and Russian courses, I wrote a blog while writing my thesis at the same time (which was my first thesis ever). The thesis was a real challenge, but I made it in time and graduated with all my classmates. It was true satisfaction. But I still couldn't leave.
After another internship abroad, I am back in Sweden for good, with a job in the tourism field in Stockholm. No dream job for now, but probably a dream career to come, and thanks to my TDD master degree!
Three years ago, I took a decision that I didn't know would change my whole life. It might sound cliché but it is real, and I don't regret any piece of it.
Vojtěch from Czechia
Being an Erasmus+ student at Dalarna University and spending an academic year there was one of the most enriching yet challenging experiences of my life so far.
While I was studying the subjects within the Tourism Destination Development degree programme, the study group was mixed as both master programme and exchange students attended the lessons, which resulted into interesting discussions because each of the student had different cultural and educational background. The system of the studies was different compared to my previous experiences as the attendance to lessons/seminars is not that frequent (sometimes only two times per week). However, this is because a lot of studying workload is left on the individual responsibility (reading, individual/group tasks), which was very time-consuming, yet realistic, which even developed my time-management skills. Moreover, all the teaching methods are very collaborative and reactive, with a plenty of safe space to express any thoughts or ideas which were always received with a respect.
During my studies, several field trips to various tourist destinations were organised and funded by the university, effectively bridging the gap between theory and practice. As an Erasmus+ student, I also had the opportunity to participate in several blended intensive programmes at other universities abroad.
The university is very small, which contributes to the friendly study atmosphere and close-knit environment where everything is within easy reach. Moreover, the city of Borlänge is surrounded by nature, offering numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming in the summer, as well as skiing and ice skating in the winter.
Overall, the time spent at Dalarna University not only enriched my theoretical and practical knowledge in the field I studied, but also greatly contributed to my personal growth. Moreover, studying there deepened my thirst for knowledge, leading me to pursue further studies upon returning to my home country.
Yes. Each year we welcome exchange (Erasmus/partner) students to take selected courses within this programme. Teaching is in English, and exchange students join the same seminars, projects, study visits, and guest lectures as degree-seeking students. Places are limited and depend on your learning agreement, prerequisites, and course availability.
Note: As an exchange student you earn ECTS credits for transfer to your home university; you do not receive the programme degree.
Franziska — Erasmus Exchange Student
From Germany, studied one semester at DU
“My semester abroad at Dalarna University was an incredibly enriching part of my two-year Master’s in Germany. The interactive teaching style—seminars, discussions, and written papers instead of many sit-down exams—deepened my understanding and sharpened my analytical and communication skills.
Highlights included study trips such as the Sala Silver Mine, the Sweden International Horse Show, industry visits, and even a week-long excursion to Bergamo, Italy. These experiences, combined with classmates from all over the world and supportive faculty, made my semester at DU unforgettable.”
The tourism faculty at Dalarna University is engaged in research and collaboration regionally and internationally. Many of the researchers are organized in the Centre for Tourism and Leisure Research (CeTLeR)
CeTLeR acts as an interface between Dalarna University and the regional tourism community.
