Swiss Education System
Switzerland divides its education system into primary, secondary and tertiary levels. At every level there are educational possibilities open to foreigners.
The primary and first secondary levels are the stages of compulsory schooling, which lasts for nine years. The second secondary level is the post-compulsory stage. More than 50% of young people chose a practical vocational training, which lasts up to four years.
The tertiary stage covers universities and higher vocational training
University-level education follows the bachelor-master system. Like other countries, Switzerland wants to make it easier to move between universities, and in 1999 signed the so-called Bologna declaration. Reforms aimed at standardising the structure of studies and of degrees should have been completed by 2010.
- Switzerland has universities providing general education and universities of applied sciences
- Higher vocational training is provided by higher technical schools and technical schools, leading to vocational certificates and higher vocational diplomas.
University education is provided by the following:
- 10 cantonal universities
- 2 Federal Institutes of Technology
- 7 Universities of Applied Sciences
Switzerland - Watch this video
Studying in German, French, Italian and English
Swiss Cantons - © Intercarto
In Switzerland it is not only possible to study in all three official languages but increasingly also in English . The institutions Basel, Bern, Zurich, Lucerne and St Gallen are in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. The French-speaking part has the institutions of Geneva, Lausanne, and Neuchâtel. There are bilingual cantons, and offers courses in German and French and Lugano is part of the Italian speaking canton of Switzerland.
All universities offer an ever-growing number of Master programmes taught fully or partially in English.
Hospitality Education in Switzerland
The hospitality industry is predicted to triple in size within the next ten years and to be the world's largest industry by the year 2020. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, travellers will spend Billion every day.
Demand for well qualified staff will be even higher than it is now and the hospitality industry will offer nearly endless job opportunities. The hotel and tourism industry is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic industries in the world yet still has a shortage of qualified and experienced professionals.
Executives are involved in more complex and demanding responsibilities every day. Practical experience alone is no more suitable to meet the emerging requirements of this industry. Choosing a career in hotel management therefore provides great opportunities for people seeking exciting challenges and long-term careers, also beyond the industry proper.
Switzerland's reputation as the home of hotel and hospitality management, was established over a hundred years ago when the first palace-style hotels were built. These grand hotels catered to an exclusive clientele of royalty, aristocrats, and wealthy individuals lured by the alps and alpine tourism. Guests of this era demanded the highest levels of service excellence and the leading Swiss hoteliers responded by systemising the processes for hotel operations. These processes were the foundation for the enviable reputation Switzerland has today in hospitality management.
The profile of the international traveller may have changed since them, but the principles of good hotel management remain the same: practical innovation, immaculate precision, discreet discipline, dependable quality and professional leadership are the cornerstones of hospitality education.
Swiss Education Group
Swisseducation.net is proud to be associated with SEG, Swiss Education Group, which is an alliance of Switzerland's Leading Hotel Management Schools; SHMS, Swiss Hotel Management School in Caux/Montreux; SHMS University Centre in Leysin; HIM, Hotel Institute Montreux; IHTTI, School of Hotel Management in Neuchatel. SEG member schools are 100% Swiss owned which ensures its students receive top quality education with a distinctive Swiss style that is renowned worldwide. Since the establishment of its first school in 1985, SEG has grown to become today Switzerland’s largest English speaking hotel management education provider. SEG’s outstanding success has set new standards in the hospitality industry and provides an inspiration to its graduates.
In their outstanding facilities, SEG schools offer a wide range of world-class academic programmes for undergraduates and postgraduates in Hotel operations, Hospitality, Events, Tourism and Business Management. The classes are taught in English and combine practical training with management theory. The bachelor curriculums include two internship programmes either in Switzerland or abroad.
SEG students also benefit from:
- Four excellent campuses:
- Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM) - Montreux Campus
- Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS)- Caux & Leysin Campuses
- IHTTI School of Hotel Management - Neuchâtel Campus
- SEG Academic Quality Assurance – All SEG member schools are subject to stringent academic quality assurance, which creates the renowned high-level Swiss Education
- Sponsored Foundation Programme – A great option for students who want to improve their English level prior to starting their first year of studies.
- SEG Graduate Placement Service – The SEG Graduate Career Center has strong links to the leading hotel chains and provides students with direct access to these organizations at regular recruitment events.
- International Industry Forum – Once a semester SEG holds a career forum for its students with major industry players.
Our Network in Switzerland
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