Top 8 Things You Should Know About Studying Tourism in Switzerland

While most institutions focus on hotel and restaurant management, each school has its own educational approach and specialization. For instance, HIM Academy specializes in business and hotel management; IHTTI Academy excels in hotel management and design; SHMS Academy stands out in hospitality, event management, spa, and wellness; CAA Academy emphasizes culinary skills, pastry making, and fine dining arts at an elite level; and César Ritz College is renowned for its expertise in tourism, hospitality, health, and customer satisfaction, paired with a global entrepreneurial spirit. Once you identify the right field for yourself, you can easily select a school that aligns with your skills and career goals.

In addition to developing expertise in hospitality management (restaurant management, hotel management, housekeeping, interior design, cooking, pastry making, culinary management...), these schools offer opportunities for students to explore other aspects of the industry, such as marketing, finance, business, food and beverage management, accounting, information systems, brand management, and much more.

Moreover, international students in Switzerland can learn additional languages such as French, German, Spanish, or Chinese, depending on their needs. This is a vital factor that opens up numerous career opportunities after graduation, in fields like tourism, food and beverage services, event management, entertainment, hotel services, luxury services, HR, logistics, finance, media, and business development.

The employment rate of graduates is one of the key factors to consider when choosing a school for studying hospitality in Switzerland. This figure is an indicator of the school's educational quality, how well the course aligns with industry needs, the role of career guidance and support, and the opportunities for hands-on experience throughout the program.

Switzerland may not be a large country nor famous for its tourist spots or globally renowned destinations, yet it has produced some of the most successful and skilled hotel managers and tourism coordinators in the world. The country is responsible for providing about 90% of the leadership staff for major hotels like Hilton, Pullman, Hyatt, Sheraton, and others. This is understandable considering that hospitality and tourism management in Switzerland has a rich history of over a century, pioneering the etiquette standards in luxury hotels, from room service protocols to five-star greeting practices. Swiss academies even offer training in niche fields such as casino management, luxury cruise operations, five-star spas, butler services, and high-end event planning. Professionalism, modernity, high job prospects, and work experience opportunities while still studying – this is what you can expect from pursuing a tourism and hospitality education in Switzerland.

In Switzerland, tuition fees are not cheap, and full scholarships are rare compared to other countries. Countries like France and Germany offer free public education, but Switzerland does not. Most hospitality management schools are private institutions, and their tuition fees can be quite steep, with annual fees around 27,000 CHF (approximately 612 million VND). However, the appeal of studying hospitality management in Switzerland lies in the unique educational model: students spend half of each year in theory-based classes, while the other half is dedicated to hands-on internships at top-tier hotels and restaurants. Each year, students can immerse themselves in a 5-star service environment for 6 months, earning a minimum wage of 2,172 CHF (48 million VND/month). This combination of paid internships and theoretical studies helps offset tuition fees, making it a distinctive feature of Switzerland's hospitality training system.

In Switzerland, there are four official languages spoken depending on the region, and English is not one of them. These languages include French, Italian, German, and Romansh (derived from Latin). Therefore, if your only language is English, be prepared to learn at least one additional language. Without this, you may struggle to communicate with the locals, explore cultural nuances, or find interesting part-time jobs due to the language barrier. Furthermore, knowing a second or even third language is a valuable asset in the service industry. Depending on your interests, choose a language to learn and familiarize yourself with the region you will live in. However, rest assured that all hospitality schools in Switzerland teach their curriculum in English, so you won't be lost in subjects you don't understand.