Swiss Professional Degree
Lifelong Learning
The Swiss Professional Degree in Hotel & Gastronomy is a comprehensive program to prepare you to become a successful Hotel or Restaurant Manager.
The next intake is:
January 19, 2026
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.
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.
Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Hospitality Management
(Dipl. Hoteliere-Gastronomin/Hotelier-Gastronom HF)
3 Years, including 1 year of work experience
Thun, Canton Bern, Switzerland
Full-time (3.5 year part-time program also available)
The program lasts for 3 years. In the first semester (Check-in), the modules Kitchen, Restaurant, and Rooms Division take place on two consecutive days per week. Additionally, students work as interns in a hospitality or hotel business for 60 percent of the time, gaining their first professional experience. In the 2nd, 4th, and 6th semesters, practice-oriented theoretical instruction follows.
The program is reduced to 2 years for holders of a EFZ in hotel and restaurant. Find out more here.
Introduction days
Check-in
Focus: Processes and organisation of the Kitchen, Restaurant and Rooms Division departments.
Students holding a relevant Swiss Federal VET Diploma (EFZ) may be exempted from one of the modules mentioned above.
Introduction to Individual Academic Coaching (IAC)
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
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 internships (3rd and 5th semester) 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: 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 internships (3rd and 5th semester) 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)hfthun.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
One of your 2 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?
Gisela Pogrielz-Krebs
Program Advisor
Do you have questions about the program or the school?
Get in touch with me! I will be happy to help.
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.
Matthias Möri
Hotel Management Diploma Student
"As a student at the Hotel Management School Thun, I was impressed by the hands-on teaching approach and the opportunity to apply my knowledge in real hotel settings. These three years of experience have been very inspiring and educational for me and will always help me in my future projects."
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.
1 Semester at EHL Campus Passugg
2 Final Semesters at EHL Campus Lausanne
Fill out the form to get your brochure for the Swiss Professional Degree in Hotel & Gastronomy - Full-Time (in German).
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