The Swiss Professional Degree in Hotel & Gastronomy is a comprehensive program to prepare you to become a successful Hotel or Restaurant Manager. The duration of the program is reduced to 2 years for holders of an apprenticeship in the hotel and restaurant industry. 

The next intake is:

January 19, 2026

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Practical approach:
Our program emphasizes hands-on training and real-life practical experience, enabling you to develop the essential skills required in the industry.

Industry-Relevant curriculum:
We have established strong collaborations with leading hotels and restaurants, and our curriculum is naturally designed to align with the latest trends of the industry.

The Lab Hotel:
We have our own 65-room hotel on campus! You will have the chance to practice being a hotel manager in a real-life environment right at school.

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Cool, modern learning spaces:
Our school has a unique vibe, with its colorful facilities that reflect the laid-back style of modern hotel concepts. The friendly atmosphere will enhance your learning experience.

Recognized diploma:
The Swiss Professional Diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management offered by our school is recognized by the Swiss Confederation and highly regarded in the industry. Our graduates are highly sought-after.

Choose your format: Our degree is available both in full-time and part-time formats. You can choose to fully focus on your studies before entering the workplace, or work while studying.

Key Facts

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Diploma

Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Hospitality Management
(Dipl. Hoteliere-Gastronomin/Hotelier-Gastronom HF)

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Duration

2 Years, including 6 months of work experience.

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Location

Thun, Canton Bern, Switzerland

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Format

Full-time (3.5 year part-time program also available)

Courses by semester

The program lasts 2 years, and the internship takes place in the 3rd semester. Depending on prior education, it is completed in various departments of a hotel or catering business. The semesters are practically oriented to optimally prepare students for leadership positions in the hospitality industry. They cover basic business administration, hospitality-specific knowledge, leadership and social skills, management and strategy, language and intercultural competencies, as well as technology and digitalization.

Focus: Customer- and Process-Oriented Business Management

Module: My Business

  • Principles and interrelations of business management

  • Economics and law

Module: Market4you

  • Sales & Marketing, marketing concepts

  • Digital marketing

  • Communication, PR

Module: Service to the Guest

  • Rooms Division Management

  • Food & Beverage Management

Additional Modules

  • Procurement and facility management

  • Bookkeeping

French I
Digital Applications & Technologies

Individual Academic Coaching (IAC)

Introduction to Group Dynamics and Teamwork

Transfer Module

Involvement in the implementation of real-life projects

Focus: Financial and People-Oriented Business Management

Module: Our Offer

  • Gastronomy and accommodation market

  • Concept development of hospitality offerings

  • Innovation, Design Thinking

  • Circular economy

Module: People & Leadership I

  • Human Resources Management

  • Employer Branding

  • Diversity Management

Financial Management

  • Business accounting tools

  • Budgeting

English I
French II
Digital Applications & Technologies II

Individual Academic Coaching (IAC)

Perception and interpretation, emotional competence and empathy

Transfer Module: Pop-up & Event

Concept development and implementation of real-life projects

Hospitality area can be chosen based on past education and personal preferences

If in Switzerland, monthly gross salary CHF 2,385 (as of 01.01.2025).

The internship can be completed abroad if the requirements are met.

Hotels and restaurants can publish their internship positions free of charge on our job exchange.

Please contact us at e-mail: praktikum(at)hfhun.ch

Focus: Holistic Entrepreneurial Management

Key Factors in Business Management

  • Strategic and operational business management

  • Legal fundamentals

  • Future orientation

Module: People & Leadership II

  • Staff development

  • HR policy

  • Values and leadership principles

Additional Modules

  • Financial planning

  • Design, construction projects and planning

English II

Individual Academic Coaching (IAC)

  • Conflict emergence, types of conflict and approaches to resolution

Transfer Module

  • Case studies from hospitality companies

Diploma Thesis

The next intakes is January 20, 2025

  • 20.01. – 27.06.25 1st semester at the Hotel Management School Thun
    Sport vacations: 15.02. – 23.02.25
    Spring break: 22.03. – 13.04.25
    Summer holidays: 28.06. – 03.08.25
  • 04. 08.25 - 16.01.26 2nd semester at the Hotel Management School Thun
    Autumn holidays: 27.09 .– 19.10.2025

    Christmas holidays: 20.12.25 - 04.01.26

  • February - July 3rd semester, 6 months internship

  • 10.08.26 - 22.01.2027  4th semester at the Hotel Management School Thun
    Autumn holidays: 03. - 25.10.2026
    Christmas holidays: 20.12.2026 –03.01.2027
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Practical Experience

  • The Swiss professional degree is based on the famous Swiss dual education model that balance academic and practical learning. You will gain 6 months of work experience through an internships in a renowned hotel or restaurant. You will refine your skills in a professional setting, and build a network of industry contacts.

  • Your internships can be done internationally. Discover some of the internship locations of our students.  

  • We have a cooperation agreement in Kathmandu, Nepal, with the Global Academy of Tourism and Hospitality Education (GATE). Selected Hotelfachschule Thun students and staff can travel to Nepal twice a year to work on international projects with students from GATE.

Are you an employer looking to hire our students?

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Admission Requirements

  • Swiss Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) in the hotel and restaurant industry. 
  • The program is delivered in German. Applicants who are not native speakers of German must be able to show that they have passed a C1 level German exam.
  • Prior knowledge of foreign languages: English A2, French no prior knowledge required
  • If you wish to study in English, the Swiss Professional degree is delivered in English at EHL’s campus in Passugg.
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You can live with us !

Single rooms of various sizes (prices from CHF 650 to CHF 750 per month, including weekly cleaning) are available for students. 

This also includes access to the lounge and the modern communal kitchen with dishwasher and lockable refrigerator compartments.

Depending on availability, parking spaces can be rented at a price of CHF 496 per semester. 

Three Semesters to Bachelor’s Degree Completion

After successful completion of the HF program, students can continue their studies and earn the EHL Bachelor's degree, ranked world’s #1 in three additional full-time semesters.

2 Semesters at EHL Campus Passugg  

  • Semesters 3 & 5 of the Bachelor in International Hospitality Management
  • Advanced level courses in business analysis, strategic management, applied and integrated hospitality management, communication, and culture.
  • Teamwork assignments, case studies, and interactions with industry experts.

Final Semester at EHL Campus Lausanne

  • Semester 6 of the Bachelor in International Hospitality Management.
  • Choose three electives from nearly 20 industry-relevant subjects to develop specific expertise for your career path.
  • Student Business Project: A final group project where you become the consultant and solve a business challenge for an external industry partner.

Download your Brochure

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