Master in Innovation Management for Sustainable Tourism at University of Sassari
Two-year English-taught LM-77 master's from the University of Sassari, taught in Olbia, Sardinia: tourism economics, strategy, data forecasting, marketing and service design for sustainable tourism businesses.
Master
2 years
Sassari
English
University of Sassari
Innovation Management for Sustainable Tourism is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-77) taught fully in English by the University of Sassari's economics and business department at its Olbia site. It trains managers to lead innovation in tourism. Non-EU students pay no contribution in year one, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree in business or economics (Italian classes L-18 or L-33), or an equivalent foreign degree.
- Graduates from other fields need about 40 ECTS in economics, business management, quantitative subjects and law; the department pre-selects candidates with degrees related to economics and management.
- English at B2 level; holders of an international certificate are exempt from the department's English check.
- An admission test: multiple-choice questions (or an interview) on basic business, quantitative, economic and legal topics, plus a written multiple-choice English test.
- Non-EU applicants pre-enrol on Universitaly after passing the test; a declaration of value may be requested.
About the programme
Innovation Management for Sustainable Tourism (IMaST) is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-77, business and economics) worth 120 ECTS. It is run by the Department of Economics and Business (DiSEA) of the University of Sassari and taught entirely in English at the university's site in Olbia, on the north-east coast of Sardinia.
The course trains managers who can design innovation and sustainability paths for tourism businesses and destinations. It builds on a business or economics bachelor's and adds quantitative, legal and managerial tools, with a particular eye on local economies, experience-based tourism products and respect for the natural and social environment.
What you will study
The first year gives a core in economics, quantitative analysis and law, together with innovation management; the second year adds specialist units and hands-on labs. The study plan includes:
- Economics of Sustainable Tourism (12 ECTS)
- Strategic Management and Governance for Tourism Companies (12 ECTS)
- Data Analysis and Forecasting Methods for Sustainable Tourism (12 ECTS)
- Innovation Management and Tourism Service Design (12 ECTS)
- Legal Models for Sustainable Tourism and Mobility Lab (12 ECTS)
- International Tourism Marketing, and Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services
- Labs such as Destination Management and Digital Marketing, Tourism Entrepreneurship, and Financial Instruments for Sustainable Tourism
- A final thesis in English (12 ECTS)
How the programme is taught
Teaching is in person in Olbia and attendance is recommended but not compulsory. Much of the second year runs as labs, where you apply marketing, finance, law and entrepreneurship to tourism cases. The thesis asks for original, preferably practical work that turns what you learned into a theoretical or operational proposal.
Career paths
The university lists these professional profiles for graduates:
- innovation management expert in tourism companies
- strategic analysis and international strategic management specialist
- international strategic marketing and tourism service design specialist
- big data management specialist, including well-being (BES) measurement
- finance specialist for tourism businesses
Fees and scholarships
Under UniSS's 2026/27 fee rules, foreign students resident abroad owe no fee contribution in year one beyond €16 stamp duty and the ERSU regional tax. Later years cost a flat €300 to €700, depending on the income band of the country of residence. ERSU Sassari scholarship holders and eligible students are exempt, and Inclusive UniSS grants support international students, so the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
DiSEA checks eligibility for 2027/28 from November 2026 to 15 January 2027. Places are limited and applicants with economics or management degrees are pre-selected. You then take a remote test: multiple-choice questions on business, quantitative, economic and legal basics, plus an English test.
Only after passing do you pre-enrol on Universitaly; UniSS sends no separate acceptance letter, and a declaration of value may be requested. With the validated pre-enrolment you apply for a type D visa, then enrol online by 15 January.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Where is Innovation Management for Sustainable Tourism taught?
In Olbia, on the north-east coast of Sardinia. The course is run by the University of Sassari's Department of Economics and Business and is taught entirely in English.
Which bachelor's degrees are accepted?
Business or economics degrees (Italian classes L-18 or L-33) or equivalents. Other graduates need about 40 ECTS in economics, management, quantitative subjects and law, and the department pre-selects economics and management graduates.
Is there an entrance test?
Yes. You take multiple-choice questions, or an interview, on basic business, quantitative, economic and legal topics, plus a written multiple-choice English test. For 2026/27 the tests were held remotely.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
The department checks eligibility for 2027/28 from November 2026 to 15 January 2027. After passing the test you pre-enrol on Universitaly and apply for a study visa.
How much does it cost?
For 2026/27, foreign students living abroad paid no fee contribution in year one, only €16 stamp duty and the ERSU tax, then €300 to €700 a year by country band. ERSU scholarship holders are exempt.
What careers does it lead to?
The university lists innovation management in tourism companies, strategic analysis and management, tourism marketing and service design, big data and well-being measurement, and finance for tourism businesses.
Similar programmes
More programmes in this city
They began right where you are
