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Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management

Key facts about the programme

  • Language of instruction: English
  • Duration: four-year or four-and-a-half-year (Intake February) full-time degree programme, including six academic semesters, two paid internships and - in case of starting in February - one semester at one's disposal (i.e. Management Training)
  • Location: SHL Campus, Lucerne, Switzerland
  • Credits: 180 ECTS
  • Diplomas: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Major Hospitality Management, awarded by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Lucerne (HSLU), Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Hospitality Management, awarded by SHL 
  • Degree recognition: around the world
  • Start of studies: September or February
  • Application deadlines:
    for September: Visa candidates: May 31st |  Non visa candidates: July 31st
    for February: Visa candidates: October 31st | Non visa candidates: December 31st

Curriculum

  • Year 1 - Culinary Arts & Service Excellence

    Semester 1:
    The first semester familiarises you with the world of a hotelier. Through combined practical experiences in our Fine Dining restaurant and theory classes in F&B, you internalise the attitude of hospitality professionals in both thought and action. 

    Learning content:

    • Culinary Arts in Theory & Practice
    • Pastry Creation & Baking Techniques
    • Nutrition & Sustainable Lifestyle
    • The Art of Service in Theory & Practice
    • Oenology & Beverage Science
    • Event & Banquet Operations
    • Food & Beverage Management
    • Interdisciplinary Competences
    • German
    • Pre-Internship Coaching

    Semester 2:
    This hands-on experience allows you to practice your newly acquired F&B skills by working in a SHL approved establishment in Switzerland or abroad.  

    • Location: Switzerland or abroad*
    • Duration: 24 weeks
    • Positions: culinary or service positions - à la carte, patisserie, catering/banquet, purchasing/menu planning, breakfast service, bar, room service, events
    • Type: full-time paid internship

    *either the first or the second internship must be completed in Switzerland

  • Year 2 - Quintessential Hospitality Management

    Semester 3:
    Along with Front Office and Housekeeping, this semester covers the environmental impact and financial aspects of managing the core departments of a hotel.

    Learning content:

    • Rooms Division Management
    • Mystery Guest Experience
    • Hospitality & Tourism Concepts
    • Quality Assurance
    • Foundations in Business Operations & Procedures
    • Business Simulation
    • Hospitality IT Tools
    • Interdisciplinary Competences
    • German
    • Pre-Internship Coaching

    Semester 4:
    The second industry internship allows you to put the knowledge gained in semester three into practice. You are expected to take on more responsibility and to gain supervisory experience.

    • Location: Switzerland or abroad *
    • Duration: 24 weeks
    • Positions: front office, night audit, guest relations, reservations, facilities management, rooms division
    • Type: full-time paid internship


    If the programme is started in February, students take an interim semester after semester 4. Students are free to decide how they use this time. We recommend a language study trip or a further practical placement to gain initial management experience (e.g. management training).

    *either the first or the second internship must be completed in Switzerland

  • Year 3 - Applied Hospitality Business Administration & Management

    The following two semesters focus on Hospitality Business Administration and Management, with emphasis on how to generate and maintain financial stability through strong leadership. Individual and group research encourages in-depth reflection on the subjects studied, and you will also write your own business plans in small groups. With the specializations offered in semester six, you can tailor the semester according to your preferences.

    Learning content:

    • Corporate Organisation & Strategy
    • Leadership
    • Financial & Managerial Accounting
    • Economics Revenue Management, Distribution & Investment Psychology
    • Strategic Marketing, Concepts & Communication
    • International Legal Awareness & Risk Management
    • Hotel Development - Building & Design
    • Art & Culture in Hospitality
    • Applied Business Projects in Gastronomy & Hospitality
    • Mathematics for Business & Economics
    • HR Management & Talent Development
    • Capstone Specialization Project
    • Developing Academic Skills
    • Interdisciplinary Competences
    • German
  • Year 4 - International Business Management & Global Leadership

    In the final two semesters, Financial Management, Corporate Ethics and Finance and Economics are studied in depth. These topics are supported by academic research studies, Sustainable Development, Intercultural Communication, as well as a Minor of your choice, to provide you with the full range of skills necessary to be able to conduct business at a global level. In addition, you will demonstrate your understanding of the topics covered throughout the programme by writing an individual bachelor thesis.

    Learning content:

    • Financial Management
    • Corporate Finance
    • Management Accounting
    • Economics
    • Descriptive Data Analysis
    • Private Business Law
    • Corporate Ethics
    • Sustainable Development
    • Intercultural Communication
    • Minor 1&2
    • Developing Academic Skills
    • Bachelor Thesis Project
Bachelor in Hospitality Management

Programme Highlights

  • +400 hours of practical experience in the training kitchen and restaurant of SHL.
  • many excursions, including a visit to the St.Gallen Agricultural Center, a tour of the Zweifel 1898 winery and a workshop at Richemont, the  school for the entire bakery-pastry-confectionery industry
  • expert talks with professionals from the industry
  • two project studies with real business cases
  • paid internships in the industry
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Bachelor in Hospitality Management

Degree Accreditation

  • Accredited by the Swiss Federal Government and in compliance with the Bologna Declaration, using the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
  • Federally recognised in accordance with the Federal Vocational Training Act. SHL is subject to supervision by the federal government and the canton of Lucerne.
  • EduQua certified. EduQua is the Swiss quality certificate for continuing education institutions, awarded by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and the Swiss Association for Association for Continuing Education (SVEB).

A look behind the scenes

  • SHL student in the SHL training restaurant eating fondue. | © SHL
  • SHL Student getting a instruction from a lecturer in the kitchen. | © SHL