University of Surrey
The University of Surrey's Hospitality and Tourism Management discipline, part of Surrey Business School, has been pioneering research and teaching in the field for more than sixty years, tracing back to Professor Rik Medlik, who established the UK's first degree course in the subject in 1966.
The birthplace of a discipline
Medlik, who fled communist Czechoslovakia before dedicating his career to the study of the service sector, wrote the first books, founded the first academic journals and helped create the first professional body for tourism, all rooted at Surrey. Surrey became the first university in the UK to receive UNWTO TedQual certification, and the first to win the Tourism Society Award, a lineage of firsts that few hospitality schools anywhere can match.
Consistently among the world's best
Surrey is ranked first in the UK and third in the world for Hospitality and Tourism Management by the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025, with 52 percent of its research outputs judged world leading in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. Professional Training placements built into undergraduate study give students a genuine head start, backed by close relationships with leading figures across the hospitality and tourism industries.
Studying at Surrey offers several distinct strengths:
- The birthplace of the UK's first hospitality and tourism degree, in 1966
- Ranked first in the UK and third in the world for the subject
- The first UK institution to receive UNWTO TedQual certification
- Professional Training placements built into undergraduate study
- A world leading research culture within Surrey Business School
A launchpad into hospitality and tourism leadership
Graduates move into hotel, tourism, transport and events leadership roles across the UK and internationally, carrying with them the credibility of the institution that helped invent the academic discipline itself. For candidates seeking a hospitality education with genuine academic authority, Surrey offers a uniquely well founded path.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is headhunting?
Headhunting is the direct, proactive approach of specific professionals for a specific role, rather than waiting for applications. It is common for senior, scarce or confidential positions. CourtesyMasters has practised headhunting and direct sourcing for hospitality since 1999, always discreetly and with respect for everyone involved.
What is a boutique executive search firm?
A boutique executive search firm is a small, specialised practice that takes on a limited number of assignments with senior attention, in contrast to large, volume-driven firms. CourtesyMasters has worked this way since 1999: a dedicated team, deep hospitality roots and personal involvement from first briefing to final placement. Read more about us.
What is the difference between executive search and recruitment?
Recruitment typically fills open vacancies through advertising and applications. Executive search works the other way around: a consultant proactively identifies and approaches accomplished professionals, including those not actively looking, and guides both sides through a confidential, structured process. CourtesyMasters combines both disciplines, always with a hospitality focus.
What is executive search?
Executive search is a specialised form of recruitment for senior and hard-to-fill positions. Instead of waiting for applications, a search partner proactively identifies, approaches and assesses proven professionals, often confidentially. CourtesyMasters has applied this craft exclusively to hospitality since 1999, through a structured six-step methodology. Discover more about executive search services.
How can I report recruitment fraud or impersonation involving CourtesyMasters?
If you receive a suspicious message or offer that claims to come from CourtesyMasters, please contact us directly before responding. We will confirm whether the communication is genuine and take action to protect you.
Where is CourtesyMasters headquartered?
CourtesyMasters is headquartered in The Hague, The Netherlands, and works internationally from hubs in Madrid, Florence, Rome, London, Monaco and Cannes. See our locations for the full overview.
When was CourtesyMasters founded?
CourtesyMasters was founded in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, in 1999. From Rotterdam to the world: over more than twenty-five years we have grown into an international hospitality search partner built on trust and discretion, working today from our headquarters in The Hague. Read more in our story.