Why hospitality students look at Switzerland
Swiss hotel schools combine classes with practical training and internships, teach in English and admit students more than once a year. Graduates work in hotels, and also in events, real estate, retail, luxury and other service businesses.
Not all hotel schools are the same
Some Swiss hospitality schools are part of the Swiss university system as universities of applied sciences. Others are private schools whose degrees are awarded or validated by a partner university in another country, often in the UK. Both can be good schools, but they lead to different checks when the degree is recognised at home.
What Swiss accreditation means
Under the Swiss Higher Education Act (HEdA), only accredited institutions may call themselves a university, a university of applied sciences or a university of teacher education. The Swiss Accreditation Council decides on accreditation, and swissuniversities publishes the list of accredited institutions. A school with another title can still operate under cantonal law, but its degree is not a Swiss university degree.
An example: EHL in Lausanne
EHL Hospitality Business School has been recognised by HES-SO, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, as a Swiss university of applied sciences since 1998, and it also holds US accreditation (NECHE). For international students starting in September 2027 or February 2028, its bachelor's costs CHF 123,802 including the preparatory year, or CHF 98,904 without it. A campus room costs CHF 7,800 a semester. We use EHL as an example because it publishes its figures clearly, not as a recommendation for every student.
Who awards the degree?
For any school, ask one question first: which institution awards the degree, and in which country is it accredited? The UAE ministry requires the awarding institution to be accredited by the authority in its own country. If a UK university awards the degree, its UK status matters. If the school awards it in Switzerland, its Swiss accreditation matters.
Recognition in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
- Emirati students: the programme should rank in the top 50 for hospitality in rankings the ministry approves.
- UAE residents: the awarding institution must be accredited at home, and programmes designed only for international students are not recognised.
- Saudi students: the university and the programme should both be recognised by the Ministry of Education before registration.
- Online or blended hospitality programmes need extra checks in both countries.
Questions to ask any hotel school
- Is the school accredited in Switzerland, and under which title?
- Which institution awards the degree, and where is it accredited?
- How many internships are included, and how are they arranged?
- What is the total cost of the degree, including the preparatory year, housing and uniforms?
- Is the programme also open to local students, or only to international students?
We ask these questions for every school on your shortlist and give you the answers in writing. Read how degree recognition works and what studying in Switzerland costs.
Frequently asked questions
Are Swiss hotel school degrees recognised in the UAE?
Many are, but it depends on the school. The awarding institution must be accredited in its own country, the programme must not be designed only for international students, and Emirati students must meet the field ranking rule. We check each school in writing.
How much does a Swiss hotel school cost?
It varies by school. At EHL, the bachelor's for international students starting in September 2027 or February 2028 costs CHF 123,802 including the preparatory year, before housing.
Do Swiss hotel schools teach in English?
Most hospitality programmes for international students are taught in English, and some schools also offer French or German tracks.
Is EHL accredited?
EHL says it has been recognised by HES-SO as a Swiss university of applied sciences since 1998, and that it also holds US accreditation from NECHE.
Start with a Pathway Plan
In 90 minutes we check recognition, build your shortlist and set every deadline in writing.