With almost a dozen programmes to choose from, IFTM offers plenty of opportunities for postgraduate studies. The Institute provides a unique educational experience to graduates, including the opportunity to work with leading international academics in world-class facilities, while enjoying a city with a cosmopolitan tourism and hospitality industry, coupled with a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. It is an opportunity that attracts many Mainland Chinese to further their studies at IFTM.
Mr. Ryan Zhang Jingen graduated in 2019 from a Mainland higher education institution, with a bachelor’s degree in subjects related to mass media and communication. Mr. Zhang is now in his second year of study at IFTM, pursuing a Master of Science in International Hospitality Management. He hopes to build a career in tourism and hospitality.
Mr. Zhang’s decision to continue his studies at IFTM was influenced by the Institute’s reputation as one of the best places in Asia for tourism and hospitality education. “IFTM is highly specialised in this field,” he says. “The scholars are very keen on making students think independently and strategically.”
Also weighing on his decision to enrol in a master’s degree programme at IFTM was the opportunity to study in Macao, “a famous tourism and hospitality destination”.
IFTM began offering postgraduate programmes in academic year 2019/2020. The Institute now has programmes that lead to postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees and doctoral degrees.
Ease of communication
The quality of postgraduate programmes at IFTM also leads many of the Institute’s own Mainland graduates to stay on in Macao and continue developing their education at their alma mater.
Ms. Lucy Wang Luyang graduated from IFTM in academic year 2019/2020 and is now pursuing the degree of Master of Science in International Hospitality Management at the Institute. Her decision was influenced by her experience as an undergraduate, and the Institute’s international reputation. “The IFTM faculty members are really passionate about their work,” Ms. Wang says. “The knowledge we can gain here is broad and deep.”
English is the medium of instruction at IFTM for bachelor’s degree daytime programmes, and for postgraduate programmes. Ms. Wang says this helps make students feel comfortable communicating in English. “This is a great advantage for us, as tourism is an internationalised industry and, with good foundations in English language, we can easily communicate with others,” she says.
Another 2019/2020 Mainland graduate of IFTM that is continuing her studies at the Institute is Ms. Season Wang Sizhe. She is taking the programme that leads to the degree of Master of Science in International Hospitality Management. Ms. Season Wang is full of praise for the teaching and learning environment at IFTM. “Overall, I think IFTM is a very good tertiary education institute,” she says.
There are differences between studying for a bachelor’s degree and studying for a master’s degree, according to Ms. Season Wang. For instance, she describes each course at master’s degree level as “more intense and in-depth”.
Mr. Jimmy Zhang Jingzhi, originally from Kunming in Yunnan Province, says studying for a master’s degree at IFTM requires increased use of critical thinking skills, as students often learn from case studies. “This approach is very helpful for us. It pushes us to learn from the cases, instead of from an academic book,” Mr. Zhang says.
After completing his undergraduate studies at IFTM in 2019, Mr. Zhang enrolled in the programme leading to the degree of Master of Science in International Hospitality Management, to develop his interest in research related to hospitality. “This is helping me to gain additional professional knowledge of research,” he says.
Mr. Andy Chen Xing opted to stay on at IFTM after graduating from the Institute in 2020, so he could pursue a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. “Practical classes and case studies give us room to think,” Mr. Chen says. “Professors are there to guide us.”
Another highlight of studying at IFTM is its multicultural environment, bringing together people from various parts of the world, Mr. Chen says. “During my years at IFTM, I’ve learnt how to understand others, and I’ve become more knowledgeable about different cultures,” he says. “This helps me to figure out ways to communicate with people from different places.”
