The Department of Culture and Tourism Management provides full-time and part-time form of study in an accredited bachelor’s (Bc.) and master’s (Mgr.) study programme Culture and Tourism Management. The department also provides the rigorous procedure (PhDr.). The bachelor’s degree of study ends with the defence of a bachelor’s thesis and a state exam in English or German language. The master’s degree of study is completed by defending a diploma thesis and a state exam (culture management, tourism management, foreign language). During the study, students gain the comprehensive overview of cultural and tourism issues. The study is of an interdisciplinary character and has a broad thematic focus. Study programmes are created with the aim to provide extensive knowledge of social sciences, such as culturology, anthropology, archaeology, ethnology, museology, geography and history. The range of studied subjects is complemented by geography and regional development, marketing, law and economics. The acquisition of the ability to communicate fluently in foreign languages is an essential part of the study. The interconnection with practice is fulfilled through extensive activities of the department. Students have the opportunity to actively participate in projects within the guiding activities, the creation of strategic documents, research work, organizing events. Their professional profile is expanded by excursions and study stays abroad. The study is divided into the following thematic blocks:

a) Cultural-historical-geographical disciplines – the study block is focused on the thorough acquisition of knowledge in the field of geography, history and culture of Slovakia. Within geography, a student focuses on the geomorphology of the landscape, administrative division, protected natural elements (national parks, protected landscape areas, caves) and sustainable development. The student gains an overview of the history of Slovakia and the history of national culture. The emphasis is also put on the regionalization of the country from the point of view of culture and tourism. Study subjects provide an overview of specific cultural traditions of individual regions, cultural geography, important folklore festivals and cultural events, cultural heritage and culture of ethnic minorities. The study includes knowledge of philosophy, architecture, fine arts and theatrical art of Slovakia, too. The student acquires knowledge about culture, history, geography, socio-economic and political situation of the European countries and the world.

b) Tourism – the disciplines in the tourism block are aimed at acquiring the professional knowledge of the basics of tourism, tourism services, regional tourism development and guiding activities. The geography of tourism is focused on gaining an overview of locations that are crucial for the development of tourism in Slovakia (spas, UNESCO monuments, museums, open-air museums, monument reserves of folk architecture, ski resorts, thermal swimming pools, etc.).

c) Economic and legal disciplines – the block is focused on gaining theoretical knowledge and practical experience in economics, management, marketing, project management and law, with special emphasis on state administration, local government, culture and tourism.

d) Foreign languages – foreign language teaching focuses on gaining communicative skills in two foreign languages at an advanced level. The student has to pass a state exam from the first foreign language (English or German language). The second foreign language can be chosen from the following languages: Russian, French, Italian or Spanish (according to the current offer of the Language Centre of the Faculty of Arts). During the study, language teaching is focused primarily on the development of communicative skills and professional terminology in the field of culture, tourism and marketing.

Furthermore, it is compulsory to take part in the professional practice in institutions of tourism and culture to an extent determined by the study programme. The study programme also includes several professional excursions in Slovakia and abroad.