Swiss universities are known for their high quality of education, especially in the field of hospitality. However, Switzerland also gets into the world educational ranking thanks to technical and engineering universities.
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Switzerland has four official state languages (Italian, German, Romansh and French), which is why curricula are taught in different languages depending on the region.
Top 5 Universities in Switzerland
1. ETH Zurich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
ETH Zurich is ranked 6th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and 4th in the world in engineering and technology. Students study architecture and civil engineering, natural sciences and mathematics, humanities, political and social sciences, and engineering.
2. Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
The Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne is a public research university with great innovative potential. Undergraduate students can choose a program in chemistry, mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering. In the magistracy, you can additionally study architecture, civil engineering, data analytics, and statistics.
3. University of Zurich
The largest in Switzerland, the University of Zurich has seven faculties at the master's level: theology; the rights; medicine; veterinary medicine; natural sciences; business, economics and informatics. At the undergraduate level, students can also study the humanities and social sciences - but only in German.
4. University of Geneva
The University of Geneva offers studies in French at the undergraduate level and in English at the graduate level. The university offers a wide range of areas: translation studies, psychology, theology, law, economics and management, social, humanitarian, natural sciences, medicine.
5. University of Bern
The University of Bern has an excellent academic reputation in the fields of medicine and life sciences. Along with them, they study linguistics, social sciences, law, psychology, economics, business, and art.
Studying hospitality in Switzerland
Of the 15 universities ranked top in the QS World University Rankings for hospitality by subject, ten are located in Switzerland. And this is no coincidence: Switzerland has very favorable conditions for tourism. The picturesque Alps attract skiers in winter, while clean air, clear lakes and mineral springs become the center of attraction in summer. The hotels and restaurants of the resort offer high quality service, and students from all over the world come to learn from the leading representatives of the industry in the hospitality industry.
The hospitality university rankings in Switzerland include institutions with an impeccable academic reputation, research potential and high employer ratings. Graduates of these schools hold positions in Michelin-starred restaurants and well-known hotel chains - Marriott, Hilton, Four Seasons and others.
Top 10 universities in Switzerland in the field of hospitality
1. EHL - Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne
The Lausanne School of Hospitality Management is the best hospitality university in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Hospitality & Leisure Management. Graduates of any country's school can enroll here for a bachelor's program. The study lasts four years, one of which is preparatory and must take place on the campus in Lausanne. After the foundation year, students can choose to study in Singapore, where EHL has a second campus, or continue their studies in Switzerland.
Several master's programs are also available: Master in Global Hospitality Business, MBA in Hospitality, Executive MBA, Hospitality EMBA (together with China Europe International Business School), Master in Wine & Hospitality. You can take short-term courses in the field of restaurant and hotel business in Switzerland, Singapore or online.
2. Glion Institute of Higher Education
Glion Institute of Higher Education is one of the top 3 hospitality universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Hospitality & Leisure Management. Applicants can enroll in a bachelor's program in the field of international hotel business: the training lasts three and a half years, takes place in the suburbs of Montreux in Switzerland and in London. Students can also spend one semester in Spain or China.
At the master's level, the university offers specialized courses: International Hospitality Business; Hospitality, Entrepreneurship & Innovation; Real Estate, Finance & Hotel Development; Luxury Management & Guest Experience.
3. Les Roches Global Hospitality Education
Les Roches International Hospitality University has flexible conditions for studying during the pandemic. Students can study on campus, fully online, or a combination of both: you can start studying remotely and then come to Switzerland at any time.
As part of many undergraduate and graduate programs, future specialists are trained at Les Roches campuses in different countries. For example, students of the Bachelor of Business Administration in Global Hospitality Management can study in Switzerland and in the city of Marbella (Spain), a prestigious resort on the Mediterranean coast.
4. Swiss Hotel Management School
The school is part of the Swiss Education Group. One of the SHMS campuses is located on the shores of Lake Geneva, the second is surrounded by the Swiss Alps. On the undergraduate program, students can choose a specialization: Hospitality Management, Events Management, Design Management and study different disciplines in the third year.
In the magistracy, you can get a double diploma together with the University of Derby (England) in just one year. For hospitality professionals, there is an option to study online in parallel with the main job: the Online Executive Master program can be completed in one to three years, depending on the schedule.
5. Hotel Institute Montreux
The institute is part of the Swiss Education Group. The campus is located in the city of Montreux, on the shores of Lake Geneva. The bachelor's course Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management allows you to get a double diploma with Northwood University (USA), and the master's course Master in Tourism & Hospitality Management - a double diploma with the University of Chichester (England). As in other universities of the Swiss Education Group, the WSET Wine Certificate qualification course, the British school of wine business, is available to students.
6. Cesar Ritz Colleges Switzerland
The school is part of the Swiss Education Group, campuses are located in picturesque places in Switzerland. The Master of Arts degree is accredited by the University of Derby (UK), so graduates receive a double diploma. The bachelor's degree is awarded in partnership with the University of Washington (USA). Each student undergoes an internship in Switzerland or abroad.
7. Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland
The Academy is part of the Swiss Education Group and offers many courses in the field of culinary arts. In addition to bachelor's and master's degrees, applicants have access to certificates in culinary arts, confectionery and vegetarian cuisine. Students study the restaurant business, receive practical skills in an educational restaurant and master classes from the world's leading chefs, and undergo internships in Switzerland or abroad.
8. IHTTI School of Hotel Management
The school is part of the Swiss Education Group and is included in the top 10 hospitality universities in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Hospitality & Leisure Management. IHTTI conducts co-educational undergraduate and graduate programs with the Swiss Hotel Management School. The only course of its own is the Postgraduate Diploma in International Hotel & Design Management. In addition to the main subjects, students study French, German, Spanish and Chinese.
9. HTMi Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland
The Institute has campuses in Switzerland, Australia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, China. A wide range of certificate and degree courses are available to students in both restaurant and hotel business, and in the culinary arts.
10. International Management Institute Switzerland
The Institute offers diploma courses, undergraduate, graduate and advanced training programs. In addition to the hotel business, they study business and marketing. The educational institution also includes the International Culinary Institute Switzerland, so culinary courses are available to applicants. For example, the Bachelor of Arts in International Culinary Arts combines theoretical (70%) and practical (30%) classes and allows graduates to receive a double diploma from Manchester Metropolitan University (UK).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How much does it cost to study at universities in Switzerland?
At public universities, the cost is low and is about 1000-2000 dollars a year. For example, studying at the best university in the country - ETH Zurich - costs 1800 euros per year. As for private universities, including in the field of hospitality, the price is much higher - 10,000 - 30,000 dollars a year. Additional funds for accommodation will also be required.
2. Is it possible to get a scholarship at Swiss universities?
Private universities in Switzerland rarely provide financial assistance and only on an individual basis. It is possible to get a scholarship at a state university, but it is difficult because of the high competition.
3. Is it possible to study in Switzerland in English?
Education in public universities in Switzerland in English is more often available at the master's level. Private universities have English-language undergraduate and graduate programs. For example, all schools of the Swiss Education Group are taught in English.
4. Can I work in Switzerland after graduation?
On a study visa, a graduate can stay in the country for another six months. If during this time he can get a job, he will receive permission for further professional activities.
