Much more than just cheese and chocolate, Switzerland is known for culinary and hospitality excellence. So it’s no surprise that you’ll find some of the best schools in the world here. If you’re cooking up a plan to become a world class hotelier, your first step should be to gain a business degree. A qualification with the precision of a Swiss watch will help you on your way through a combination of business acumen and VIP service and, in this article, we’re sharing our six premier hospitality degrees for international hotel leadership in Switzerland.
What Makes These Programs World-Class?
Hospitality is at the heart of Switzerland’s culture and therefore the
unique advantages of gaining your education here are manyfold. Aspiring hotel managers can do no better than to check into a Swiss program that offers comprehensive academic education with a side dish of extensive practical experience.
When business nouse meets management expertise, great things happen which transcend run-of-the-mill hotel training. Focusing on small, diverse classes and collaboration with global brands, Swiss institutions set their sights high with training to the highest and most complex standards from day one.
So, you’re sold on Switzerland for your degree, but which to choose? In this section, we’re remaining neutral as we take a look at some of the best colleges and institutes that this beautiful country has to offer:
1. César Ritz Colleges Switzerland - Best Entrepreneurial Leadership Focus
César Ritz has ranked fifth in the 2025 QS scores for Hospitality Management, so feels justified in considering itself as the cream of the crop. Over four years, students can gain a BSc in Hospitality Business Management that encompasses excellence in business skills and entrepreneurship. This unique
hotel business management course allows learners to rub shoulders with the stars as partners and collaborators include the prestigious Ritz Paris and Evian Resort along with The Switzerland Tourist Board.
No ordinary education, graduates walk out of here with not one but two degrees - a Bachelor of International Business in Hotel and Tourism Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business Management from Washington State University. César Ritz’s results speak for themselves as it claims that 90% of graduates are employed in leadership positions or even own their own businesses within just five years of gaining their degree.
Key differentiator: As well as its impressive #5 QS ranking, this college holds Swiss Federal Accreditation as a University of Applied Science Institute and is praised for its focus on business and entrepreneurship
2. École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) - Best Overall Global Recognition
When an institute has been around since 1893, this gives you a pretty good indication of the standard of education you receive here. Ranked number one in the QS World University Rankings for the seventh year on the trot, EHL offers a BSc in International Hospitality Management which includes solid academic grounding, internships and experience working in a student-run restaurant which has proudly held a prestigious Michelin Star for the last six years. Operational excellence and hands-on experience are standard at this world leading institute.
Key differentiator: The number one QS spot for six years and a picture-perfect 100% employer rating make this school the Eurovision winner of the hospitality world.
3. Les Roches Global Hospitality Education - Best International Campus Network
Hot on the heels of EHL is number two ranked Les Roches Global Hospitality Education - a truly international institution with campuses in the UK, Spain and China as well as its flagship in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. With a curriculum that includes digital transformation as well as academic and management training, it's little wonder that this school has a cool 94% employability rating for graduates of its BSc hospitality program.
Key differentiator: Dual accreditation with the Swiss Accreditation Council and New England Commission and international campus options along with a strong second place ranking for 2025 make this school a hard one to beat for hotel leadership candidates.
4. Glion Institute of Higher Education - Best Industry Connections
If networking is where you’re at then you’ll do no better than the number six ranked Glion Institute. With campuses in the UK and Switzerland, Glion’s BBA in International Hospitality Business finds its strength in its numerous internships with well-respected organisations as well as its outstanding academic tuition. The first word in luxury management and leadership training, the Glion Institute boasts a 96.4/100 employer reputation score.
Key differentiator: This school’s number three employer reputation ranking attracts students from around the world due to its proven track record of turning learners into leaders through graduate placement.
5. HIM Business School (Montreux) - Best Business Integration Approach
Based in downtown Montreux - an area known as the Swiss Riviera - as well as for its famous vineyards, the HIM Business School is all about the soft and hard skills that come together to create the outstanding standards that Switzerland is known for. Blending traditional training with modern American business knowledge, HIM Business School offers an excellent grounding in teaching in a stunning location.
Key differentiator: An exceptional choice for hospitality students looking for second-to-none business training and exceptional career prospects.
6. HTMi Switzerland - Best Intimate Learning Environment
If boutique style hotels are your bag, HTMi Switzerland offers the best of both worlds. That’s because along with top-class academic training, it provides professional placements in unique boutique environments. This forward thinking school focuses on small classes and one-on-one mentorship for its BSc programs - where practical training and theory foundations work with each other for a well-rounded education.
Key differentiator: Intensive and personalised, HTMi Switzerland’s commitment to individual attention is also reflected in its excellent results.
Choosing your own path
As promised, we’ve shared with you our top six picks for hospitality training in Switzerland - each of with its own benefits to students. One thing all of these schools have in common is that they demand absolute commitment from their students and will accept nothing less. The
hospitality industry demands leaders who are in it for the long haul and so it’s essential that students are able to grasp the complex business management, operational and customer-focused strategies that this training entails.
Because of this, it's important to give a course careful consideration before making a commitment and, as such, you should be thinking about a number of factors including:
- Duration - Are you able to commit to three or four years for your studies?
- Location - Will you be able to travel to the college and do you have the right to work in Switzerland?
- Finance - How will you meet the cost of your studies?
- Programs - What are your priorities - a degree or hands-on training?
All these things come together to help you make an educated decision when it comes to your training.
Ready to open the door to your new career? Once you’ve considered what we’ve said, including admission guidelines and your long-term career aspirations, it’s time to get onboard with your study program and begin your journey in hospitality.
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