Study 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.
The 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.
To be a successful hospitality manager, qualities such as diplomacy, intelligence and broad-mindedness are crucial.
It is also essential to understand the operational processes in related industries, anticipate and make unconventional decisions, find new ways to accomplish tasks, establish effective communication with colleagues and partners, assess work situations accurately, and delegate responsibilities among employees.
Having a relevant education, especially a degree obtained abroad, is a significant advantage for a hospitality manager. This is why studying hospitality management abroad is highly valued.
Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management abroad
For undergraduate programs in hospitality management abroad, it is necessary to choose an educational institution, write a compelling motivational letter and prepare for interviews.
Applicants will need to provide a high school diploma and a certificate demonstrating their English language proficiency (such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc.).
If the application is successful, candidates may be invited for an interview. Additional recommendations or essays on specified topics may also be required.
Master's degree in Hospitality Management abroad
For Master's programs in hospitality management abroad, the application process requires submitting a bachelor's degree diploma instead of a high school certificate. Other requirements from the educational institution may include a motivational letter and, possibly, an interview. Recommendations from professors or supervisors can also be obtained as you can approach them for recommendations during your bachelor's studies.
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.
Top Universities Worldwide in 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.
Best countries for education in the hospitality industry
Study hospitality management in Switzerland
Switzerland is considered a global leader in hospitality management education. The educational programs of Swiss hotel schools involve gaining real-world experience in the hospitality industry by offering students the opportunity to work in leading Swiss and international hotels starting from the first year of study.
Business and Hotel Management School (BHMS), Lucerne
The hospitality management program is designed for young individuals who want to work in the field of international hospitality and tourism management. The three-year Bachelor's Degree program in hotel management provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful management in the hospitality industry. Graduates will be able to manage hotels and resorts, theme parks, and organize conferences, exhibitions, and other events. Graduates of this program receive a dual bachelor's degree from BHMS and Robert Gordon University Aberdeen. Each year of study includes a 20-week semester and a 4-6 month paid internship in Switzerland or abroad. The university also offers a Master's program in International Hospitality Management and a dual MBA program in collaboration with York St. John University. BHMS also provides opportunities to obtain various professional diplomas and certificates in hospitality.
International Management Institute Switzerland (IMI), Kastanienbaum - Lucerne
The Bachelor's program in International Hotel and Tourism Business prepares managers in this field. The education focuses on how businesses grow and strategically change, and the dissertation allows students to learn independently and specialize more narrowly for rapid advancement on the career ladder in the future. Each semester offers 22-week internships. The program is delivered in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University. The university also offers diploma and postgraduate programs in hospitality and a Master's program in hospitality management and event organization.
Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM), Montreux
The business school offers a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Hotel Management from HIM, in collaboration with Northwood University. Hotel Institute Montreux awards its own degree, confirming the successful completion of the Northwood University Bachelor's program on the campus in Switzerland. Students receive a prestigious degree in hotel management, choosing from a range of specializations developed in collaboration with industry leaders and supported by them. The education includes two internships in different areas, which provide a significant advantage in future careers.
Cesar Ritz Colleges
The university offers a dual Swiss-American bachelor's degree in international hotel and tourism business. The program is delivered in collaboration with Washington State University (Carson Business School) and involves studying at two campuses in the Swiss cities of Le Bouveret and Brig. The Master's program in Entrepreneurship in International Hospitality and Tourism consists of 4 semesters, and its curriculum is developed in partnership with The University of Derby. To successfully complete their studies, all students are also required to complete internships with one of the Cesar Ritz Colleges partner companies.
Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS)
SHMS is the second-best hospitality school in Switzerland and the third-best in the world. The school combines the best of Switzerland's rich hospitality industry history with the most innovative learning tools of the future. The main principle of SHMS is learning by doing. Each of the university's programs includes internships in Switzerland or abroad. Strong relationships with industry leaders ensure that the curricula remain relevant and reflect the latest trends in the hospitality industry. School partners help develop academic programs, deliver guest lectures on campus, and allow students to visit their companies to learn more about how things work in the real world, not just in the classroom. SHMS offers several Bachelor's and Master's programs in collaboration with The University of Derby, as well as a postgraduate program in hotel management.
Study Hospitality Management in Canada
In Canada, there are numerous colleges offering innovative educational programs in the field of hospitality. One indisputable advantage is that Canadian universities readily recommend their graduates as specialists, making it easy to find employment after graduation.
St Lawrence College (SLC), Kingston
St. Lawrence College, a public college of applied arts and technology, offers two-year diploma programs in hotel business and tourism. Students learn the fundamentals of the hospitality industry, including customer service, marketing, and tourism management. The college was founded in 1967 and has campuses in Eastern Ontario in the cities of Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall.
Seneca College, Toronto
The diplomas awarded by Seneca College are widely known for their quality and highly regarded by employers. Its campuses are located throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Seneca College guarantees that its graduates are prepared for careers by combining the highest academic standards with practical training and the latest technologies. The college offers two-year diploma programs such as Global Hospitality Business Development, Global Hospitality Operations Management, Sustainable Leadership in International Hospitality, Tourism Service Management, as well as eight-month certificate programs in hospitality and tourism fundamentals.
Humber College, Toronto
Humber College provides its students with polytechnic education, meaning that its programs are career-oriented and adapt to changes in competitive job markets worldwide. Humber College professors have extensive experience in their fields, which they share with students in the classroom. The college applies theory into practice from day one, collaborating with local hotels and restaurants to provide students with real-world work experience. This unique approach encourages students to think creatively and entrepreneurially while preparing them for successful careers. The college offers a diploma program in event management and a program in hotel and restaurant operations management. Additionally, students can obtain a certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Operations Management in just three semesters.
Niagara College, Niagara
Niagara College is located in the heart of the Niagara region, not far from the Niagara Falls, which attracts millions of tourists annually. The college has over 10,000 students enrolled in diploma, certificate, and bachelor's programs, offering over 130 programs in total. The campus features its own teaching winery, brewery distillery, and spa salon. The university offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality, two diploma programs in hotel and restaurant management (one of which includes a paid internship) and a one-year certificate program in tourism management.
Study Hospitality Management in Germany
In Germany, you can pursue education in the field of hospitality at our partner university, the Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI). The university's academic program offers undergraduate and postgraduate hospitality education. As part of the curriculum, you will visit Paris and Athens and work in local hotels.
University with Multiple Branches - EU Business School
If you haven't decided which country you want to pursue education in, EU Business School is an excellent versatile option. This educational institution has branches in different countries: Switzerland (Geneva, Montreux), Spain (Barcelona) and Germany (Munich).
EU Business School offers two programs in the field of hotel business: a traditional master’s degree and an MBA diploma. Both programs last for one year, and instruction is conducted exclusively in English.
Career of a Hospitality Manager
A manager in the hospitality industry is a responsible and well-paid position. 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, hospitality managers are also in high demand in Canada and Germany. The average salary in these countries varies slightly. In Canada, for example, it is about 70,000 Canadian dollars per year, and in Germany, it is 75,500 euros.
The highest cost of living during studies will be in Switzerland. For instance, monthly living expenses in Bern will be around 1,400 francs excluding rent. If you choose to study in Berlin, you should be prepared to spend around 930 euros per month on living expenses. The cheapest cost of living will be in Canada. In Vancouver, it amounts to about 1,300 Canadian dollars, also excluding the cost of housing.
The safest countries for foreign students are Switzerland and Germany. The local population is quite tolerant, so cases of xenophobia are rare. The same can be said for Canada.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it beneficial to study hospitality 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.
Is it expensive to study hospitality management abroad?
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.
How to build a career in the hospitality industry?
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.
What is the most important aspect in the hotel business?
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.
What are the best programs for studying hotel business?
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.
Is it possible to obtain citizenship in the country where you study hospitality business?
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.
Why should you study hospitality and tourism abroad?
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.
What are the advantages of education in the field of hospitality?
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.
Is it safe to study abroad?
Yes, if you enroll in an educational institution in Canada, Switzerland, or Germany. If you plan to study in the United States, keep in mind that some states are safer than others.
What diploma in the field of hospitality is worth obtaining abroad?
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.
