Recently, I’ve seen many people asking about the Tourism Master’s program at the University of Zaragoza. As a student who just graduated from this program, I’d like to share my real experience with you. To be honest, this master’s program is indeed not that easy to obtain a degree from, but it’s not as terrifying as the rumors suggest either.
Course Difficulty Analysis
The Tourism Management Master’s program at the University of Zaragoza has a fairly compact curriculum. The first semester mainly consists of theoretical courses, including Tourism Economics, Destination Management, Cultural Heritage Conservation, etc. Each course requires at least two papers, and professors are particularly strict about citation formats and academic standards. One of my classmates had their paper returned for rewriting three times due to incorrect citation format.
The second semester’s practical courses bring even more pressure. We need to complete a full tourism project plan, from market research to financial budgets, with detailed reports required for each stage, as discussed in University of Zaragoza graduation. Group assignments account for a large proportion, and if you encounter unreliable teammates, it can be really frustrating. Our group had a member who frequently went missing, and ultimately all the work fell on the other members.
Thesis Requirements
The graduation thesis is the biggest challenge. The university requires a research paper of at least 80 pages with original research findings. It took me a full 6 months to complete the first draft, during which I revised it no less than 10 times. The supervisor places particular emphasis on data analysis and research methodology, as mentioned in Zaragoza graduation ceremony. If there are issues with your research design, it’s basically very difficult to pass.
| Thesis Requirements | Specific Standards | Difficulty Rating |
|---|
| Page Count | 80-120 pages | ★★★★☆ |
| Original Research | Must have empirical data | ★★★★★ |
| Defense Preparation | 30-minute presentation + Q&A | ★★★★☆ |
| Revision Count | Average 5-8 times | ★★★☆☆ |
It’s particularly important to note that the thesis defense committee usually consists of three professors who will raise various challenging questions about your research. On my defense day, I was questioned for nearly an hour, with some questions completely beyond my preparation scope. Fortunately, I passed in the end, but that kind of pressure is no joke.
Actual Graduation Rate
Based on what I know, our cohort had about 45 students, and only around 30 graduated on time. Some classmates chose to extend for a year to complete their thesis, and a few gave up entirely. However, some say the graduation rate is only 50%, which I think might be a bit exaggerated.
Main factors affecting graduation include: insufficient language proficiency, time management issues, unfamiliarity with research methodology, and lack of effective supervisor guidance. If your Spanish level isn’t good enough, as discussed in University of Zaragoza graduation, I recommend taking language courses first, otherwise it will be very difficult later on.
Advice for Future Students
If you really decide to apply for this program, my advice is: Prepare your research topic in advance, preferably determining the general direction before enrollment; communicate frequently with your supervisor, don’t wait until the last minute to seek them out; manage your time wisely, don’t pile all tasks before deadlines; find a few reliable study partners, mutual help is very important.
The Zaragoza Tourism Master’s does have certain difficulties, but as long as you take it seriously and prepare thoroughly, graduation is completely achievable. The key is to be mentally prepared - this is not an easy program and requires a significant investment of time and energy. I hope my experience can provide some reference for everyone, and wish all applicants a smooth graduation.
