BHMS doesn't award a degree called "Master's in Culinary Arts". Its culinary master's is the MSc in Culinary Entrepreneurship: one year in Lucerne, 90 ECTS, awarded with Robert Gordon University, CHF 41'700 all-inclusive. If you want kitchen training first, the Postgraduate Diploma in Culinary Arts (one year, 330 hours in the kitchen plus an internship) is the route into it.
We'd rather say that plainly than let you find out after you apply. People who search for a culinary master's usually want one of two things, and they're different programmes.
What does a "master's in culinary arts" actually mean?
The phrase covers two very different degrees. Some are craft programmes: most of your time is in the kitchen. Others are business or food-studies degrees: you learn to run, fund and grow food businesses. Read the curriculum before the title. Count the kitchen hours; check whether there's a business plan, a thesis or both.
| MSc in Culinary Entrepreneurship | Postgraduate Diploma in Culinary Arts | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A business master's for food ventures | A practical kitchen year |
| Length | 12 months | 1 year |
| Semester 1 | Academic modules on campus | 330 hours in the kitchen + academic modules |
| Semester 2 | Culinary Start-up Business Plan, optional internship | Six-month internship, Switzerland or worldwide |
| Award | MSc, BHMS + Robert Gordon University | Postgraduate diploma |
| Total (2027) | CHF 41'700 | CHF 41'200 incl. uniforms and knife set |
The MSc in Culinary Entrepreneurship
Semester 1 is six months on campus in Lucerne. The specialist modules:
- Innovation & Technologies: Shaping the Future of Food
- Culinary & Wine Imaging & Visual Storytelling
- Emerging Trends in Global Wine Entrepreneurship (includes WSET Level 2)
Next to them runs a management core: International Human Resource Management, Research Methods, Leadership in Business, Marketing and Branding in a Digital Society, Strategic Business Management. WSET Level 2, the wine and spirits certificate the trade recognises, is examined inside the wine module.
Semester 2 is where it gets specific. Your research project is a Culinary Start-up Business Plan, built in a Business Incubation Studio: you develop an idea into a venture with expert guidance, build a prototype, take investor feedback and finish with a complete plan and an investor-ready pitch, with one-to-one tutoring. You can add an optional six-month internship in Switzerland or abroad.
BHMS describes the ground it prepares you for as launching and managing your own restaurant, café or food venture, innovating in food tech, catering or beverage start-ups, and F&B brand management. Full details: MSc in Culinary Entrepreneurship.
Who can apply?
You need one of these, plus English at IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (B2):
- the BHMS Postgraduate Diploma in Culinary Arts;
- a recognised bachelor's degree in a culinary subject (a gastronomy degree counts);
- a recognised degree in another discipline, combined with a passion for food and/or food and beverage experience.
The third route is the one people miss. If you studied business, engineering or law and want a food career, you can go straight to the MSc. If you'd rather learn to cook at a professional level first, start with the diploma.
The kitchen route: the Postgraduate Diploma in Culinary Arts
Semester 1 is practical labs and academic study: 330 hours in the kitchen across culinary operations, food preparation techniques and European cuisine, plus electives, nutrition and food safety. Semester 2 is a six-month internship in Switzerland or worldwide. Entry: a bachelor's in any discipline, or an associate degree plus two years' work experience, and IELTS 5.0. It costs CHF 41'200 for the year and is the feeder route into the MSc.
Want the kitchen side in depth? Our sister site Culinary School in Switzerland covers BHMS's culinary programmes from the diploma up.
What does it cost?
The MSc is CHF 41'700 for the year, about US$50,500 at the October 2026 rate: tuition CHF 31'800, operating costs CHF 2'750, living expenses CHF 6'150 (24 weeks, shared room and meals) and the CHF 1'000 application fee. Health insurance, the visa/permit fees and your first airport pick-up sit inside the operating costs. See the fees page.
Looking for pastry instead?
Pastry is a separate track, not a version of the culinary programmes: the Diploma in Pastry, Chocolate & Bakery (six months of study plus a six-month paid internship) or the 10-week Certificate in Pastry, Chocolate & Bakery. They're on Pastry & Chocolate Arts in Switzerland.
Ready for the MSc? Start your application, or read the programme on bhms.ch.