The Swiss Professional Degree in Hotel & Gastronomy is a comprehensive program to prepare you to become a successful Hotel or Restaurant Manager. Our study-work format enables you to combine classes with a part-time job.

Next intake:

January 19, 2026

HFThun Kitchen Vibes

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

Adapted to a 50-70% job:
you can keep a permanent position during your studies: you stay financially independent and earn work experience while progressing towards your degree.

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.

Hotelfachschule Campus Thun Students

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.

Key Facts

icon_diploma_dark_blue

Diploma

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

icon_time_dark_blue

Duration

3,5 years

icon_location_dark_blue

Location

Thun, Canton Bern, Switzerland

icon_calendar_dark_blue

Format

Part-time 
(3 years full-time format also available)

Courses by semester

Classes generally take place on two consecutive weekdays. The program also begins with the Check-in semester. Students with a relevant vocational diploma (EFZ) can be exempted from one of the above-mentioned modules. The semesters are designed to be practice-oriented, preparing students optimally for leadership roles in the hospitality industry. They cover fundamentals of business administration, specialized knowledge in hospitality, leadership and social skills, management and strategy, language and intercultural competencies, as well as technology and digitalization. Practical experience is gained throughout the entire study period through employment with a company in the hospitality industry.

 

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

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

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

Hotelfachschule Thun (7)

Admission Requirements

  • Swiss Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) or other upper secondary level qualification (e.g. Matura or Fachmittelschule)
  • If applicants didn’t previously study hospitality, it is recommended that they acquire knowledge of the restaurant and/or hotel 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

Requirements for the work-study format

  • At least 50% of the professional experience in the hotel and restaurant industry is required for the part-time course.
  • For students without a relevant certificate of proficiency, the professional activity must include employment in both accommodation and gastronomy for the duration of the course.
  • For students with a relevant certificate of proficiency, 800 hours of work must take place in a different area of ​​the hotel/gastronomy industry than the one in which the basic vocational training was completed.

Are you a company with an employee interested in our program?

The following qualifications in the hotel and catering trade are considered relevant EFZ:

  • Chef EFZ  
  • Restaurant Specialist EFZ  
  • Hotel specialist EFZ  
  • Hotel communication specialist EFZ  
  • Businessman EFZ / Businesswoman EFZ branch Hotel-Gastro-Tourism
  • Restaurant System specialist EFZ
Campus-Lab-Zimmer-2

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

Fill out the form to get your brochure for the Swiss Professional Degree in Hotel & Gastronomy - Part-Time (in German).