A master's in hospitality management is a postgraduate business degree for the hotel, resort, restaurant and tourism industry. In Switzerland it usually takes one year. At BHMS it's the MSc in International Hospitality Business Management: 12 months, 90 ECTS, two degrees (BHMS and Robert Gordon University) and CHF 41'700 all-inclusive.
That's the short answer. The longer one depends on what you already have, what you want to do next, and how much of the price list is actually inside the price. This guide walks through each of those, using the BHMS programme as the worked example because its numbers are published in full.
What is a master's in hospitality management?
It's management training applied to an industry that sells experiences: rooms, food, events, travel. You study the same core as any business master (strategy, finance, marketing, people) but the cases, data and projects come from hospitality. On the BHMS MSc the specialist modules are:
- Hospitality Analysis and Trends
- Sustainable Tourism Development
- Financial Performance in Hospitality Enterprises
Alongside them sits a management core shared with the other BHMS master's degrees: International Human Resource Management, Research Methods, Leadership in Business, Marketing and Branding in a Digital Society, Strategic Business Management, Academic Writing MSc. The full curriculum is on the MSc in International Hospitality Business Management page.
MSc, MBA or postgraduate diploma: which one do you need?
Three different products often get called "a hospitality master's". They suit different people, and mixing them up is the most expensive mistake in this search.
| Programme | Best for | Length | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc International Hospitality Business Management | A specialist hospitality degree | 1 year | Bachelor's in any field, IELTS 6.0 |
| MBA with Specialisation (International Hospitality Management) | General management with a hospitality focus | 1 year | Undergraduate degree in any field, IELTS 6.0 |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Business & Hospitality Management | A practical year with a built-in six-month internship | 1 year | Bachelor's in another field, or associate degree + 2 years' work; IELTS 5.0 |
| Graduate Certificate in International Hospitality Business Management | Experienced people without a bachelor's | 10 weeks | Associate degree + 2 years' work; IELTS 6.0 |
The diploma and the certificate are not master's degrees, but both lead directly into the MSc in Global Business Management or the MSc in International Hospitality Business Management. If you're comparing the two master's options, our MBA in hospitality management guide goes through who each one suits.
How long does it take?
Twelve months in two semesters. Semester 1 is six months on campus in Lucerne & Zurich (60 ECTS). Semester 2 is six months off campus: an independent research project worth 30 ECTS, with an optional six-month internship in Switzerland or abroad. Intakes for this MSc: November 2026, February 2027, August 2027.
A one-year master matters more than it sounds. You're out of the job market for one year, not two, and you pay one year of living costs.
How much does a master's in hospitality management cost?
Compare totals, not tuition. A low tuition figure with rent, meals and insurance outside it can end up costing more. BHMS prints one all-inclusive number per programme (2027 fees; dollar figures at the October 2026 rate):
| Programme | Total for the year | About |
|---|---|---|
| Any of the eight MSc degrees | CHF 41'700 | US$50,500 |
| MBA with Specialisation | CHF 44'700 | US$54,000 |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Business & Hospitality Management | CHF 40'700 | US$49,000 |
The MSc total breaks down as tuition CHF 31'800, operating costs CHF 2'750, living expenses CHF 6'150 (24 weeks of shared standard accommodation and meals) and a CHF 1'000 application fee. Operating costs cover health and medical insurance, the visa/B-permit and local tax, e-campus and internet, the internship placement service and your first airport pick-up. A refundable room deposit of CHF 1'500 comes on top. Every line is on the fees page.
What are the entry requirements?
- A recognised bachelor's degree in any discipline, or a BHMS Postgraduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate.
- English at IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (B2). A Preparatory English Programme is available if you're below that.
- For the application itself: the form, your CV, a motivation letter, your degree (or latest transcripts) and a passport scan.
BHMS notes that visa requirements differ for applicants aged 30 and over, so mention your age early if that applies.
Is there a paid internship?
On the MSc the internship is optional, and that's deliberate: some students want six months in a Swiss hotel, others want to go straight back to a job. If you take one in Swiss hospitality, the gross minimum is CHF 2'404 a month (about US$2,900), before deductions for board, lodging and social insurance. Where the employer provides accommodation, about CHF 1'500 a month is typically left; in a big city without accommodation, more like CHF 800–1'000. How Semester 2 works.
What to look for before you apply anywhere
- Who awards the degree. A school's own diploma, a university's degree, or both. The BHMS MSc is awarded by BHMS and Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen (UK).
- What the fee includes. Ask for the itemised list: room, meals, insurance, visa costs.
- Whether the internship is paid, optional or built in, and what the school says about pay.
- Length. One year or two changes the total more than any tuition discount.
- Intakes. Several start dates a year means you don't wait twelve months for the next one.
- Rankings, read carefully. BHMS is #12 in Hospitality & Leisure Management in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Check what any ranking actually measures.
No bachelor's yet? Our sister site on hotel management school in Switzerland covers the undergraduate route. Ready to compare dates? The official programme page is on bhms.ch, or you can start your application here; admissions replies within 72 hours.