Master in International Tourism and Destination Management at University of Macerata
Two-year English-taught LM-49 master's at the University of Macerata in destination management, sustainable tourism and cultural heritage, with a compulsory internship and a double degree with KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Entry needs suitable subjects and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Macerata
English
University of Macerata
International Tourism and Destination Management (ITourDeM) is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-49) taught in English at the University of Macerata. Entry needs a three-year bachelor's with suitable subjects, with tourism degrees the closest fit, plus English at B2 and an online interview. International students pay reduced fees set by country of origin, and it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
UniMC's ITourDeM master asks for a three-year bachelor's or recognised foreign equivalent with suitable subjects (tourism degrees fit best, and STEM graduates need exams in economics, law, geography, history or sociology), English at B2, a positive pre-admission review and an online admission interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and subject rules
You need a three-year bachelor's degree or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable. Italian tourism science degrees (class L-15) get direct access. Other Italian degrees must include at least 60 credits in the basic and core subject areas of the tourism science class. [1]
- Preferred fields: cultural heritage, modern languages, language mediation, economics and business management, and economics.
- STEM degrees: science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates can apply only if their exams include economics, law, geography, history or sociology.
- Gaps: missing credits, up to a maximum of 15, are covered by single preparatory courses set by the pre-admission committee, which you must pass before enrolment.
The preparatory courses are tourism law, tourism economics, tourism geography, introduction to European history and sociology of culture, each worth 3 credits (18 hours). [2] Applicants with a foreign degree apply for a preliminary evaluation (pre-admission), and a committee checks whether they meet the entry requirements. [5]
What this means for your transcript
As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a bachelor's in tourism, such as a BA or BBA in Tourism and Travel Management, which is closest to the tourism science class.
- Check carefully: a B.Com, BBA, BA in Economics, BA in English or another language, or BA in History. These match the preferred fields, but the committee checks your subjects against the tourism science areas and may set up to 15 credits of preparatory courses.
- Often short: a B.Tech, B.E., BCA or B.Sc. without exams in economics, law, geography, history or sociology, which cannot be used to apply, and any degree with gaps of more than 15 credits.
English and Italian
English at CEFR B2 or higher, for example Cambridge B2, TOEFL 87, IELTS 6.5, BULATS 75, Unicert level II, CLES 2 or CET4. A bachelor's taught in English, a degree in modern languages or language mediation with English as first or second language, or being a native English speaker also meets the rule. Without a B2 certificate, you pass an interview with the committee. [1]
No Italian proficiency test is needed for an English-taught programme. [3] International students without Italian at B2 when they pre-enrol and interview must earn 3 credits of Italian within the degree. [1]
Pre-admission review and interview
There is no written entrance test. A pre-admission committee reviews your qualifications first. [5] After enrolment, and after passing any preparatory courses assigned, every first-year student must pass an online interview on background, motivation and languages before formal enrolment and paying fees. [2]
The interview checks English at B2 if you have no certificate, your personal preparation and, for international students, Italian at B2. If the result is negative, the committee tells you how to reach the required level. [1][2] You can attend classes before the interview, but you can sit exams only after formal enrolment. [2]
2027/28 deadlines
For 2027/28, pre-admission on the university's portal runs in six rounds: [3]
- 3 to 30 November 2026
- 1 December 2026 to 8 January 2027
- 11 January to 1 February 2027
- 2 February to 1 March 2027
- 2 to 31 March 2027
- 1 to 30 April 2027
Each round closes at 23:59 Central European Time, and studies start on 13 September 2027. From 2027/28 a €20 pre-admission fee applies. [3][5] For 2026/27, interviews were held online on 16 September, 20 October, 17 November and 15 December 2026, and 12 January 2027; the 2027/28 interview dates are not yet published. [2]
Documents and non-EU steps
For pre-admission you upload your degree and transcript (in English or Italian, or with unofficial translations at this stage), proof of English, a motivation letter and at least two references. The motivation letter must explain why you chose this programme, your goals and your strengths. [3]
After a positive pre-admission, you complete Universitaly pre-enrolment for the study visa, and the university validates it and sends it to the Italian consulate. You can apply even if you are about to graduate, but you must add your final diploma to the pre-enrolment as soon as possible. [5]
To enrol, you need your bachelor's diploma and transcript, legalised and with an official Italian translation, plus a Diploma Supplement, declaration of value or CIMEA statement. If your certificates are in English, no Italian translation is needed for an English-taught course. Non-EU students arriving with a study visa must apply for a residence permit within 8 days of entry. [5]
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- University of Macerata, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism. Admission requirements, Master's degree in International Tourism and Destination Management (LM-49), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Macerata, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism. Single preparatory courses and admission interviews, International Tourism and Destination Management, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Macerata. International Tourism and Destination Management on the university's pre-admission portal, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Macerata. Didactic regulations (in force from 2025/26) and study plan for students enrolling in 2026/27, International Tourism and Destination Management (LM-49). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Macerata. Admission and enrolment procedures for international students requiring a visa and holding a foreign qualification, covering pre-admission for 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Macerata, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism. Call for applications, UniMC and KU double degree programme, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
International Tourism and Destination Management (ITourDeM) is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-49, design and management of tourist systems) worth 120 ECTS. It is run by the Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism of the University of Macerata and taught entirely in English. [3]
The course combines socio-economic, historical and geographical approaches to prepare managers who can build and run tourist destinations, design tourism products and promote sustainable use of natural and cultural resources. It suits graduates in tourism, cultural heritage, languages, economics or business who want a management career in the tourism sector. [1][3]
What you will study
The 2026/27 study plan builds a first-year core in tourism geography, history, management, law and intercultural skills, then adds business planning, a second foreign language, electives, an internship and the dissertation. Units include: [4]
- Geography of Sustainable Destinations, Urban History and English: Language and Culture (9 ECTS each)
- Tourism and Heritage Management, Cultural Differences and Environmental Law and Tourism (6 ECTS each)
- Landscape and Environment Geography, with modules on process dynamics and on GIS and mapping
- A choice between Creative Processes for Tourism and Educational Tourism
- Planning and Control Systems in Tourism Businesses (9 ECTS) and European Art History (6 ECTS)
- French or Hispanic Language and Culture (9 ECTS)
- 15 ECTS of electives, with options such as Art, Fashion, Tourism and Law, Heritage Marketing, Digital Resources for Tourism and a 4 ECTS field trip
- A 12 ECTS final dissertation
How the programme is taught
Teaching runs over two semesters a year, with lessons, laboratories and seminars. Course attendance is not compulsory, but laboratories and seminars require at least 70% attendance. [4]
The plan includes a compulsory internship. Italian students take 9 ECTS; international students take a 6 ECTS internship plus a 3 ECTS Italian language and culture for tourism lab. Each internship credit is 25 hours of practical work at a host organisation that has an agreement with the university. [4]
For 2026/27, the department's call selects five students for a double degree with the Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU) in Germany. Graduates earn the ITourDeM degree and KU's master's in Tourism and Sustainable Regional Development, Management and Geography. [6]
Career paths
The university points graduates to: [3]
- Tourism reception and hotel management companies
- Senior roles in businesses that design, plan and market travel and tourism products
- Cooperatives and consortia of integrated tourism
- Cultural events and exhibitions
- Public services, government and public or private institutions working in tourism, culture, environment, heritage and local development
Fees and scholarships
UniMC sets reduced fees for international students by country of origin. Under the 2025/26 rules shown on the 2027/28 portal, students from developing and non-OECD countries pay €156 a year and students from OECD countries €807, with a merit requirement from the second year. The full-time maximum for 2025/26 was €1,600. [3]
ERDIS Marche, the regional agency, runs the regional DSU scholarship for students who meet its merit and income rules, and the region decides awards.
How to apply from outside the EU
Applicants with a foreign degree first apply for pre-admission on the university's online portal with their degree and transcript, English proof, a motivation letter and two references. For 2027/28 there are six rounds from 3 November 2026 to 30 April 2027, and a €20 pre-admission fee applies from this year. Studies start on 13 September 2027. [3][5]
Once you are pre-admitted, you complete Universitaly pre-enrolment when the ministry opens it, around spring, and apply for a type D study visa. In Macerata you enrol, pass the online admission interview and apply for a residence permit within 8 days of arrival. [2][5]
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against UniMC's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your Universitaly pre-enrolment and enrolment documents, and help you file your online pre-admission in your own name.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ERDIS Marche scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What bachelor's degree do I need for ITourDeM at Macerata?
A three-year bachelor's or a recognised foreign equivalent. Tourism degrees fit best, and cultural heritage, languages, economics and business degrees are preferred. The committee checks your subjects, and gaps of up to 15 credits are closed with 3-credit preparatory courses before enrolment. [1][2]
I have a B.Tech or a BCA. Can I apply?
Only if your exams include economics, law, geography, history or sociology. STEM graduates without exams in one of these areas cannot apply. If you have them, the committee checks your subjects and may set preparatory courses for gaps of up to 15 credits. [1]
Is there an entrance test?
No written test. A committee reviews your degree at pre-admission, and every first-year student then passes an online interview on background, motivation and languages before formal enrolment. You can attend classes before the interview. [2][5]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2, for example IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 87 or Cambridge B2. A bachelor's taught in English or being a native speaker also counts. Without a B2 certificate, the committee checks your English at an interview. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2027/28, pre-admission runs in six rounds on the university's portal, from 3 November 2026 to 30 April 2027, with a €20 application fee. Studies start on 13 September 2027. [3][5]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. You can apply for pre-admission while you are about to graduate. If your final diploma was not submitted at pre-admission, it must be added to your Universitaly pre-enrolment as soon as possible, before the visa deadlines. [5]
Do I need to speak Italian?
No Italian test is needed for an English-taught programme. International students without Italian at B2 earn 3 credits of Italian, and their study plan includes a 3 ECTS Italian language and culture for tourism lab. [1][4][5]
Can I earn a double degree?
Yes. For 2026/27, the department's call selects five students for a double degree with the Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt in Germany, adding KU's master's in Tourism and Sustainable Regional Development. [6]
Can someone handle my whole application to ITourDeM at UniMC?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against UniMC's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ERDIS Marche scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into ITourDeM?
A recognised Indian bachelor's in tourism, economics, commerce, business, languages or history, such as a BA, B.Com or BBA, can fit if the committee finds the right subjects. STEM degrees need exams in economics, law, geography, history or sociology. You also need English at B2. The steps are online pre-admission, Universitaly pre-enrolment, enrolment and an online interview. [1] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for ITourDeM are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online pre-admission, Universitaly pre-enrolment, enrolment and an online admission interview, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for ITourDeM are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online pre-admission, Universitaly pre-enrolment, enrolment and an online admission interview. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I'm applying from the UK, US, Canada, Singapore or Malaysia. Is anything different?
The academic rules are identical. Non-EU applicants who live abroad, including citizens of these countries, follow the same route: online pre-admission, Universitaly pre-enrolment, enrolment and an online admission interview, then a type D study visa. Read our guides for London, New York, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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