Studying Hospitality Management Abroad: Countries, Cost, Universities, and Colleges

The hospitality industry is one of the most important in the social and commercial sectors. It plays a significant role in improving the quality of life in society. Management in this field involves organizing the accommodation of guests in hotels, hostels, and resorts, as well as arranging entertainment and tourist programs. Restaurant management is also part of the hospitality industry.

Obtaining a relevant education, particularly a degree acquired abroad, offers significant advantages for individuals aspiring to become successful hospitality managers.

Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management Abroad

When applying for undergraduate programs in hospitality management abroad, there are several steps that applicants need to follow. These include:

  1. Choosing an Educational Institution: Applicants need to research and select an educational institution that offers a hospitality management program that aligns with their interests and career goals.
  2. Writing a Compelling Motivational Letter: Applicants need to write a persuasive motivational letter that highlights their passion for hospitality management and their suitability for the program.
  3. Preparing for Interviews: Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the application process. Therefore, it is essential to prepare for the interview by researching the program and the institution and practicing interview questions.
  4. Providing Required Documents: Applicants need to provide a high school diploma and a certificate demonstrating their English language proficiency, such as IELTS or TOEFL.
  5. Obtaining Recommendations or Writing Essays: Some institutions may require additional recommendations or essays on specified topics to support the application.

Studying hospitality management abroad offers numerous benefits, including industry-specific knowledge, global opportunities, and the development of in-demand skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. Therefore, it is essential to follow the application process carefully to increase the chances of being accepted into a program.

Master's degree in Hospitality Management Abroad

When applying for Master's programs in hospitality management abroad, the application process typically necessitates the submission of a bachelor's degree diploma instead of a high school certificate. Additionally, educational institutions may require a motivational letter and, in some cases, an interview. It is also common for applicants to obtain recommendations from professors or supervisors during their bachelor's studies to support their application.

These recommendations can attest to the candidate's qualifications and suitability for the program. Overall, the application process for Master's programs in hospitality management abroad emphasizes the importance of prior academic achievement and the potential for success in the field.

Specializations in the Hospitality Industry

The hospitality industry consists of various sectors that cater to different customer needs.

Food and Beverage Industry

The responsibilities of a Food and Beverage Manager include food procurement and logistics, overseeing all food production processes and ensuring the quality of restaurant services.

Lodging Industry

A Front Office Manager coordinates the processes of welcoming, registering, and accommodating guests. They are responsible for the security and accessibility of guest information in the hotel's database, as well as managing key distribution and assisting guests during check-in.

Recreation Industry

A Recreation and Entertainment Manager in the hotel business plans and organizes entertainment programs, sports activities, and cultural events for guests. They are also responsible for ensuring smooth operational processes and maintaining the quality of services provided.

Travel and Tourism Industry

Everybody loves traveling. A specialist in the tourism field must be able to create travel programs tailored to individual clients' requests and those that appeal to a wide audience. Their responsibilities include organizing transportation services, booking accommodations and meals, providing visa support and planning excursion programs.

Meetings and Events Industry

An Event Manager is responsible for organizing MICE events, which stand for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions. The last letter also represents Events, including corporate outings. A skilled manager in this field should be able to provide a wide range of services for various event formats.

The general responsibilities of a hotel or resort manager include:

  • Welcoming and accommodating guests;
  • Handling room reservations and visitor transfers;
  • Monitoring the quality of service provided by staff and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction;
  • Participating in the development of marketing strategies to enhance the hotel's competitiveness;
  • Negotiating contracts with food suppliers, furniture, and textile providers;
  • Resolving disputes and conflicts with hotel guests, maintaining, and increasing customer loyalty.

Top Universities Worldwide in Hospitality Management

The list below includes the best universities in the world for hospitality management  according to the QS World University Ranking.

EHL Hospitality Business School            

The world's best university for preparing professionals in restaurant and hotel management. Located in Lausanne, Switzerland, this institution is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

University of Nevada - Las Vegas

A public university located in Paradise, USA. It has very high admission standards, accepting approximately 5 out of 100 applicants. However, the quality of education is extremely high.

SHMS - Swiss Hotel Management School

A private school of hotel management with campuses in Montreux and Leysin, Switzerland. It offers both undergraduate and master's programs and ranks among the top three institutions for hotel business management.

Glion Institute of Higher Education

A highly prestigious business school that prepares top-notch specialists in the hospitality industry. It has campuses in Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Les Roches Global Hospitality Management Education

A private Swiss institution specializing in hospitality business education. Established in 1954, it has earned an excellent reputation. Students can pursue education in seven different specialties, including hotel management, entrepreneurship, marketing and finance.

Cesar Ritz Colleges Switzerland

A school specializing in hospitality management with campuses in Le Bouveret, Lucerne, and Brig, Switzerland. It trains first-class professionals.

Hotel Institute Montreux

A school of hotel business located in Montreux, Switzerland. It offers programs at both the undergraduate and master's levels and operates exclusively on a commercial basis.

Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland

A higher education institution in Switzerland specializing in hospitality technology, hotel, and restaurant management. It is known for its commitment to traditions.

Hotelschool The Hague

One of the most prestigious hotel management schools in the Netherlands. Founded in 1929, it offers a bachelor's program. Freshmen have the option to reside in the local student residence Skotel.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Founded in 1937 as a government school, it obtained university status in 1994. This institution has educated many well-known personalities, such as film director Wong Kar-wai.

 

Careers of a Hospitality Manager

A career in hospitality management offers diverse opportunities and competitive salaries across different countries. For example, the average salary of a manager in Switzerland is around 92,000 Swiss francs per year, while the minimum salary is about 70,000 francs per year. If you become a high-class specialist in this field and obtain prestigious education, you can earn around 113,000 francs per year.

As for other countries,

  1. Canada: Hospitality managers in Canada earn an average salary of about 70,000 Canadian dollars per year, with a lower cost of living compared to Switzerland.
  2. Germany: In Germany, hospitality managers earn an average salary of 75,500 euros per year.
  3. United Kingdom: The United Kingdom is also a favorable destination for hospitality management careers, with hotel managers earning around 20,364 pounds annually.
  4. Other European Countries: Spain and Portugal offer monthly salaries ranging from €2,000 to €7,000 and €4,900, respectively, for hotel managers

Additionally, many foreign educational institutions provide scholarships to their students as an incentive for good academic performance, but there are other conditions for receiving grants and scholarships as well. For example, a scholarship can be awarded for a high TOEFL or IELTS score, a high GRE or SAT score, the presence of verified scientific publications, and so on.

The hospitality industry offers competitive salaries and diverse career opportunities across various countries, making it an attractive field for individuals with a passion for hospitality management.

Frequently Asked Questions about Studying Hospitality Management Abroad

Yes. Hotel management is a highly demanded niche in modern society, especially in developed countries. It has become so in many ways due to globalization and the expansion of cultural exchange between different states.

If you consider advanced educational institutions that train top-notch specialists, the education can be quite expensive. The cost of education in Swiss universities starts from 22,000 Swiss francs per year, but it is important to consider that this cost includes accommodation and meals, and you can earn decent money during the paid internship of six months. Moreover, with a proper level of education, you will be able to quickly find a job in the hospitality management field and recover the money spent on education.

We can confidently recommend all educational institutions and programs listed in this article. You can also refer to information published in various international university rankings.

It is possible, but not everywhere. For example, this opportunity exists in Canada, where the process of obtaining citizenship takes relatively short time and is known for its accessibility to foreigners.

If you obtain an education from one of the top educational institutions in hotel management, you will discover a world of career opportunities. During your studies, you will receive practical training under the guidance of experienced instructors and have the opportunity to participate in internships at 5-star hotels. Around 90% of graduates from leading Swiss institutes work in prestigious hotels such as the Grand Hotel Kronenhof, The Upper House, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, and others.

The hospitality industry is not only about hotels and tourism but also about real estate management, finance, and the restaurant business. If necessary, you can quickly transition from a hotel management specialist to a manager in almost any field that requires developed soft skills.

Hospitality management is a field that does not tolerate amateurism. If you want to become a truly good specialist, you will have to study for a long time and work hard. A good option to start with is to be present at the opening of a hotel and participate in internal processes. This will help you gain a real understanding of what you will be dealing with in the future.

Perhaps the most important aspect is adhering to all aspects of good management. You need to be able to plan and organize events effectively, as well as possess excellent communication skills to establish good communication with subordinates and guests.

It depends on your ultimate goals. If you already have a higher education in another field, you can pursue a master's degree at almost any foreign university. In particular, Swiss schools accept applicants with any bachelor's degree. You can also obtain a specialized certificate or diploma through an accelerated program, which will enable you to find employment. If you are completing your education in a high school, we recommend obtaining a bachelor's degree in the field of hospitality and then applying for a master's program.


 

6053
07-07-2023
Leonid Kurza
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