Master of Business Administration with a specialism in Hospitality and Tourism (ODL)
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Master of Business Administration with a specialism in Hospitality and Tourism (ODL) is designed for managers who want to build advanced business and management capability with hospitality and tourism focus, using open and distance learning. The programme includes 13 coursework modules (including Research Methodology) and a Project, with no exams and coursework-based assessment.
The ODL format supports flexible learning at your own pace, with modular registration and module delivery over a two-month duration. International applicants should meet APU’s entry requirements and provide English proficiency evidence unless they qualify for an exemption based on prior English-medium study.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Build management and business fundamentals through Organisational Behaviour, Accounting & Finance for Managers, and Managerial Economics.
- Strengthen strategic direction with Managerial Finance and Business Environment & Strategic Planning.
- Prepare for advanced study with Research Methodology as part of the core structure.
- Develop customer-focused understanding with Understanding Customers and people/leadership capability.
- Apply specialised hospitality and tourism management content through the programme’s specialisation module set.
- Use advanced management and operational approaches to improve business process and strategies within hospitality and tourism sectors.
- Develop leadership capabilities and problem-solving skills tailored to hospitality and tourism management challenges.
- Complete the required Project to demonstrate applied learning in a relevant business/industry context.
- Produce an academically guided project outcome such as an academic paper, consultancy report, or case study-linked submission related to an aspect of business.
Curriculum
45 credit hours (Malaysia) programme structure for Master of Business Administration with a specialism in Hospitality and Tourism (ODL).
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Compulsory core modules (including Research Methodology) | Organisational Behaviour | 3 | 21 |
| Accounting & Finance for Managers | 3 | |||
| Managerial Economics | 3 | |||
| Technology Management | 3 | |||
| Global Strategic Management | 3 | |||
| Human Resource Management | 3 | |||
| Statistical Decision Making | 3 | |||
| Semester 2 | Compulsory core modules and specialism modules | Research Methodology | 3 | 15 |
| Entrepreneurship | 3 | |||
| Digital Marketing Tools and Trends | 3 | |||
| Events Planning and Management | 3 | |||
| Leadership for Hospitality Business | 3 | |||
| Semester 3 | Project | Project | 9 | 9 |
| Total | Compulsory core modules, specialisation modules, and Project | 45 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You advance into senior managerial or executive roles in the hospitality and tourism industry by gaining specialised hospitality-and-tourism strategy and leadership capabilities.
- You become job-ready for functions such as Hotel/Resort General Manager, Chief Executive/Operations Officer, and Revenue/Finance Manager through advanced management modules plus a final Project.
- You gain tools to derive actionable insights and make data-driven recommendations relevant to hospitality and tourism, helping you stand out in decision-making roles.
- You strengthen your ability to improve business processes, operations, and strategies within hospitality and tourism organisations, supporting faster progression into leadership positions.
- You prepare to lead sustainable initiatives and innovation in hospitality and tourism by developing expertise in emerging trends and challenges in the sector.
- You build a portfolio-style outcome through the Project submission (e.g., consultancy report or case study), supporting your credibility for career transition within the industry.
Employability rate
International MBA graduates with a hospitality and tourism specialisation typically face strong hiring demand for managerial and executive tracks in hotels, resorts, airlines/cruise, events, and tourism-related consulting roles, with an estimated employability rate around 80% and an unemployment rate around 20%.
Overall, this indicates a generally stable career outlook in Malaysia’s hospitality and tourism business environment for qualified management professionals.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | International applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree. The degree may be in a related field with a minimum CGPA of 2.50, or a minimum CGPA of 2.00 in related fields subject to rigorous internal assessment. Alternatively, applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in non-related fields may be considered with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 plus relevant working experience, or with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 without relevant working experience subject to passing pre-requisite courses. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality | Potential match | This programme accepts a Bachelor’s degree in related or non-related fields (subject to internal assessment and/or pre-requisite courses). |
Language requirements
International applicants must meet the university English language requirement for this MBA programme. If you have a prior Bachelor’s or Master’s degree taught in English, you may be exempted from English requirements with supporting documents.
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 42000 / total program | Total for international students: RM 42,000. Fees stated exclude deposits and other miscellaneous fees. For international students, fees indicated exclude the 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST). |
Proof of financial resources
To support your Malaysia study visa process, you will need to show proof that you can cover tuition and living costs for your stay. Prepare financial documents exactly as instructed during the visa and student pass application steps.
- Financial documents requested during the Malaysia student visa process (tuition and living costs), as instructed by the university/immigration process
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | August - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | April 13, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | June 12, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | August 21, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | August - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | August - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your eligibility and English evidence
Confirm you meet the MBA entry requirements based on your Bachelor’s degree and CGPA expectations stated by the university. Arrange your IELTS result (or any approved English exemption supporting documents if your prior degree was taught in English). Make sure your documents are ready before you start the online application.
Apply using the APU online application route
Complete the application during the published intake period using the university’s official application pathway. Fill in all required academic and personal details and upload your supporting documents in the requested format. If English exemption is requested, include the supporting documents required for the exemption.
Attend admissions review and respond to any follow-up
After submission, admissions will review your eligibility and supporting materials against the programme requirements. If your CGPA is below the preferred threshold or your degree is non-related, you may be assessed for additional steps such as internal assessment and/or pre-requisite courses. Check your email and respond promptly if the university requests any additional documents.