The Master’s Degree Programme in Northern Tourism is hosted by the University of the Arctic (UArctic) Thematic Network on Northern Tourism. It includes a 30 credits joint component of online and field studies organized in collaboration by Cape Breton University, UiT – the Arctic University of Norway, Umeå University, University of Iceland, University of Lapland, University of Oulu and Vancouver Island University. Programme offers a comprehensive and international approach to tourism and reflects on the growing global influence and relevance of change in the north. It brings together researchers and students from the northern universities, with an interest to develop responsible tourism futures.

One of the forces behind the new programme, Associate Professor Outi Rantala from University of Lapland, describes the birth process of the programme as a natural continuum of collaboration. The representatives from the partner universities have collaborated since 2008 in the context of Thematic Network, both through multidisciplinary research projects on Arctic tourism and through sketching a joint master’s degree on northern tourism.

“The idea of the programme is to bring together the tourism expertise that we have in our northern universities”, Outi describes. “Through the programme the students get firsthand information from ongoing research projects, learn about the latest research results, and can be involved in some research activities. Hence, our students can compare the cases and knowledge more widely in northern areas, even though they would be studying in a relatively small university”, she continues about the benefits of the master´s programme. As the Arctic has increased its presence in global public attention, mainly due to the geopolitical tensions, climate change, and globalization, it has also become an increasingly popular tourism destination. Thematic Network on Northern Tourism has recognized there is a demand for education based on multidisciplinary research on tourism, that is addressing these various challenges facing the northern and Arctic region.

Here you can find more information about the master´s degree programme, application deadlines and eligibility criteria