Corvinus University of Budapest

What you'll study

This graduate diploma combines core management subjects with specialist cultural and tourism modules. Teaching balances theory and applied practice through case studies, project work, field visits and a compulsory professional placement or applied project.

• Core management foundations – modules in organisational behaviour, marketing for services, financial basics for cultural organisations and strategic management provide the managerial skills needed to operate cultural and tourism enterprises.
• Cultural policy and cultural economy – study of national and EU cultural policy frameworks, cultural economics, funding models, public–private partnerships and cultural rights.
• Heritage and museum management – collections care, interpretation, curatorial practice, conservation basics and audience development for heritage sites and museums.
• Tourism and destination management – destination planning, sustainable tourism, experience design, visitor flows and the relationship between tourism and local communities.
• Event and festival management – programming, production, risk management, sponsorship and logistics for cultural events and festivals.
• Research methods and evaluation – qualitative and quantitative research techniques, project evaluation and impact assessment relevant to cultural and tourism projects.
• Applied project / professional placement – students complete a capstone project or internship with a cultural organisation, tourism operator or public-sector partner to demonstrate applied competence.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in a related discipline such as economics, tourism, cultural studies, arts management, social sciences or humanities. Relevant professional experience in cultural organisations, tourism or events can strengthen an application. Applicants whose first language is not English may need to demonstrate proficiency in English; additional Hungarian language ability is an advantage for placements and local practice components. Candidates may be asked to submit a CV, a statement of purpose explaining their motivation and a reference; some applicants could be invited to an interview.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a wide range of roles across cultural and tourism sectors. Typical career paths include:

• Managerial and administrative posts in museums, galleries, cultural centres and heritage sites.
• Destination management and tourism development roles in regional tourism organisations, DMOs and municipal cultural offices.
• Festival and events management, including programme coordination, production and sponsorship management.
• Policy roles in cultural ministries, local government or international cultural organisations focused on cultural policy, funding and development.
• Consultancy and project management for cultural tourism initiatives, cultural mapping and community engagement projects.
• Entrepreneurial activities including cultural entrepreneurship, creative industries start-ups and social enterprises combining culture and tourism.

Why study at Corvinus University of Budapest

Corvinus is known for its strong social science and management orientation, offering an interdisciplinary environment where cultural studies, economics and tourism meet. The university’s location in Budapest places students in a major Central European cultural and tourism hub, facilitating access to museums, heritage sites, festivals and tourism stakeholders for practical learning and internships. Students benefit from faculty with applied research experience, partnerships with local and regional cultural institutions, and a curriculum that combines managerial tools with cultural-sector specificity.