French-speaking Switzerland is home to some of the best graduate schools in the world, particularly on the Vaud Riviera. These higher-education institutions welcome students after secondary school for bachelor’s, master’s and MBA programmes. Four ACEIRV members stand out: Glion Institute of Higher Education, SHMS Swiss Hotel Management School, HIM Business School and Pepperdine University.
When people talk about education in French-speaking Switzerland, they often think of boarding schools for teenagers. The region has another asset, less visible yet just as strong: its graduate schools. Each year, these higher-education institutions train students from all over the world in disciplines where Switzerland is ahead of the curve, and the qualification earned opens doors worldwide.
The Vaud Riviera has established itself as a centre of excellence in hospitality management. The offering goes further: a business school geared to Generation Z, an American university with personalised support, international formats and historic campuses. Here is what you need to know before applying.
For children still in pre-university education, see our guide to private non-graduate boarding schools in French-speaking Switzerland.
The Vaud Riviera, a centre of excellence for higher education
It is no coincidence that several of the world’s best hospitality schools are in Switzerland. The country laid the foundations of modern tourism in the 19th century. The grand hotels of Montreux, Vevey and Lausanne trained generations of professionals. Today, this tradition is carried on by institutions that rank among the world’s top schools.
The term hospitality management goes beyond traditional hotel management. It covers luxury management, events, fine dining, business tourism and wellness. Graduates of these schools do not only become hotel general managers. They lead luxury brands, launch start-ups, and manage resorts in Dubai or Singapore.
The Vaud Riviera offers these students a rare playground. Between the Montreux Jazz Festival, historic grand hotels, proximity to Geneva and Lausanne, and an internationally oriented economic fabric, internship and networking opportunities are constant throughout their studies.
Glion Institute of Higher Education
The benchmark in hospitality management
Glion Institute of Higher Education is an international benchmark in hospitality and luxury education. Founded in 1962, the institute prepares its students with the professional know-how and interpersonal skills required by the sector’s most respected employers.
Its main campus overlooks Lake Geneva from the heights of Glion, above Montreux. The location is not merely scenic. It places students at the heart of one of Europe’s most touristic regions, just minutes from grand hotels and industry businesses.
The school offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in hospitality management, with specialisations in luxury brand management and hotel finance. The teaching model is based on alternating theory and professional internships in leading establishments, in Switzerland and internationally.
SHMS Swiss Hotel Management School
Hospitality tradition and historic campuses
The Swiss Hotel Management School, or SHMS, is one of the world’s top two hospitality schools. It offers world-class education that merges the rich Swiss hospitality tradition with current industry trends.
The school occupies two spectacular campuses: Caux and Leysin. These are former grand hotels converted into training centres. Studying in a historic palace to learn how to run one—the concept is simple and remarkably effective in day-to-day practice.
SHMS attracts students from more than 80 nationalities. The global professional network is therefore built from the very first days of classes. The bachelor’s and master’s programmes cover hospitality management, international events and experience design. Mandatory internships, in Switzerland and abroad, complete the practical training.
SHMS – Swiss Hotel Management School
HIM Business School
The international business school
HIM Business School is an international business school based in Montreux. The school is organized around four majors: marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. This multidisciplinary approach trains professionals capable of evolving across several sectors, without being limited to the hotel industry.
HIM is currently undergoing recognition as a Higher Education Institution (ES) with a federal diploma in business economics. This status clearly distinguishes HIM from SHMS, which is an ES in hospitality and catering. Both schools are members of ACEIRV but cater to different professional goals.
The pedagogy is based on experience: simulations, internships, and meetings with experts. The student body is international, the format is geared toward Generation Z, and the emphasis is on diversity and inclusion. The campus, located in the Montreux region, offers a modern academic setting.
HIM Business School
Pepperdine University
An American university with personalised support
Pepperdine University is a leading American university, renowned for its small class sizes, personalised support and six international campuses. The university is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values.
For a student who wishes to experience an American university without leaving Europe, Pepperdine offers a rare alternative. The programmes cover a wide range of disciplines, from the MBA to law, with an international dimension embraced from the first year.
The intimate environment, shaped by small classes, is a game-changer compared with large American universities. You will find genuine contact with your professors, close guidance for your academic and personal project, and a setting consistent with the institution’s values.
Pepperdine University
How to choose a graduate school in French-speaking Switzerland
There is no perfect school. There is the school that matches your profile and your goals. Here are the questions to ask yourself before applying.
Which sector are you targeting? For hospitality management, Glion and SHMS are the global benchmarks. For international business school training with four majors (marketing, finance, hospitality, management), HIM Business School is the choice. It is also the right option if you ultimately aim for a federal diploma in business economics. For a generalist university education with strong values, Pepperdine University is recommended.
Which format do you prefer? Glion and SHMS offer a setting similar to a boarding school with a highly structured campus life. Pepperdine and HIM offer a more traditional university format, with greater daily autonomy and a different student life experience.
What kind of network are you looking for? Graduates of Glion and SHMS are present in most of the world’s major hotel chains. HIM cultivates a more business-oriented and entrepreneurial network. Pepperdine, as an American university, opens doors in North America.
Do you already have professional experience? Bachelor’s programs welcome students directly after secondary school. Master’s and MBA programs are designed for profiles that already have several years of experience in their field.
Applying to a Swiss graduate school: what you need to know
The admissions process varies from one school to another, but a few elements are common to all the region’s graduate schools.
Schools expect a strong academic record. A secondary-school qualification (baccalauréat, maturité, A-Levels, high school diploma) with a good overall level. For master’s and MBA programmes, some schools require professional experience or results from standardised tests such as the GMAT or GRE. HIM Business School, for its part, does not offer an MBA. Its offering focuses on bachelor’s degrees and specialized programs related to the school’s four majors.
English proficiency is required. All these schools teach primarily in English. A language test (TOEFL, IELTS) is generally required for non-native English speakers, unless you have previously studied at an English-language school.
Interviews are part of the process. This is an opportunity for the school to assess your motivation, your career plan and your fit with its philosophy. It is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about student life and career prospects.
Admissions deadlines vary. Some schools operate in intakes (autumn intake, spring intake), while others accept applications on a rolling basis. Enquire at least 6 to 12 months before your intended start date so you are not caught off guard.
For tuition fees, contact each school directly. Fees vary depending on the programme, duration and options chosen. Schools provide full fee schedules on request after reviewing the application file.
French-speaking Switzerland has welcomed international students for more than a century. The Vaud Riviera’s graduate schools are among the most recognised in the world in their specialities. Whether you are aiming for hospitality management, business or an American university pathway, the region’s educational ecosystem offers top-tier options, validated by decades of feedback from the professional market.
