Master of Applied

Hospitality Management

The Master of Applied Hospitality Management (MAHM) at Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand is designed for aspiring leaders and professionals in the hospitality and tourism sectors. It blends theoretical knowledge with internship practical application to prepare graduates for executive roles in this dynamic industry.

The MAHM program embodies a mindset of management excellence tailored for the hospitality industry. It is grounded in evolving bodies of knowledge, including people leadership and culture, managerial finance, and supply chain management within an international hospitality context. Graduates of the program will contribute to these knowledge domains as informed consumers, critical reviewers, and through internship, creators of research that holds practical relevance for industry practitioners.

Programme Overview Frequently Asked Questions

KEY INFORMATION

Intakes: February and August
Level: NZQF (Level 9)
Duration:18 months
Study Load: Full-time
(13 face-to-face, 22 self-directed)
Included in Fees: Course Materials,
Exams, Graduation
English Proficiency: 6.5 Academic IELTS
with no band score below 6.0
Entry Requirements:

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in business, management, or a related hospitality area, with at least a B- grade average at level 7 (or higher).

Degrees in other disciplines may be considered if the applicant has at least three years relevant hospitality experience at a supervisory level, or equivalent.

Dr Naresh Nayak, is a Senior Lecturer and Research Manager and serves as the Programme Lead for the Master of Applied Hospitality Management (MAHM). Born in southern India, he was inspired by his father’s transition from farming to hotel management-an experience that shaped his enduring passion for hospitality and tourism. With over 20 years of academic experience, Dr. Nayak has taught extensively across hospitality, tourism, events, and marketing, and has made significant contributions to curriculum design, programme accreditation, and student mentoring across multiple international contexts.

His research focuses on sustainability, water conservation in accommodation settings, religious and pilgrimage tourism, and visitor behaviour. He has published in leading peer-reviewed journals, including the International Journal of Hospitality Management, Tourism Recreation Research, and Current Issues in Tourism. His scholarly work has received several recognitions, including the Early Career Researcher Award (CTS Asia Pacific), Best Paper Award (Bangkok), and the COVID-19 Response Recognition Award from the Prime Minister of New Zealand. His collaborative research contributions have also been acknowledged by Otago Business School. In addition to his research and teaching roles, Dr. Nayak serves as an Associate Editor for Cogent Social Sciences and is an Editorial Review Board Member for Sustainability in Tourism and Hospitality, reflecting his active engagement in advancing scholarship and academic service within the field.

PROGRAMME INFORMATION

COURSE STRUCTURE
The Master of Applied Hospitality management runs for 18 months and requires the completion of 180 credits. The first year consists of two 16-week semesters, followed by a final semester dedicated to industry placement.

There are no electives, all must complete the following papers:
- People, Leadership and Culture
- Managing Hospitality in the International Context
- Hospitality Managerial Finance
- Entrepreneurship in Hospitality
- Research methods
- Strategic Pricing and Customer Management
- Risk Management
- Food and Beverage Supply Chain Management
- Applied Hospitality Management Project (internship)
WHAT QUALIFICATION WILL I GAIN?
The MAHM programme prepares graduates to meet the challenges of a multidisciplinary, customer centred, results focused, and entrepreneurial sector. The focus on hospitality management integrates the following values in business settings:
- quality service
- cultural diversity
- creativity and aesthetics
- hospitality and business ethics
- quality communications
- national identity
- quality supply chain
Graduates will be awarded the Le Cordon Bleu Master of Applied Hospitality Management and New Zealand Master of Applied Hospitality Management [Ref: 5276-1]
POSSIBLE CAREER PATHWAYS
- Hotel Department Head
- Hospitality Consultant
- Event Director
- Entrepreneur in the Hospitality Sector
- Regional Operations Manager
- Business Owner