Diploma & Short Course
Programs in Switzerland
🎯 Who Should Apply?
- High school graduates seeking skill-building before university
- Career-switchers exploring hospitality, luxury, or business
- Hospitality professionals seeking international credentials
- Undergraduate or MBA students adding a specialization certificate
- Travelers combining education + tourism
🎓 1. Diploma Programs (6–18 months)
These are career-focused programs offering foundational or advanced knowledge in a specific field, often with internship components.
Popular Diploma Fields:
- Hospitality Management
- Culinary Arts
- Luxury Brand Management
- Event & Conference Planning
- Digital Marketing & E-Commerce
- Sustainable Business Practices
- Wine & Beverage Management
- Hotel Operations or Rooms Division
- Foundation in Business & Management (ideal before Bachelor’s)
✅ Many diplomas include:
- Internship placement (4–6 months)
- Hands-on training (kitchen labs, hotel simulations, case studies)
- Pathways to continue into bachelor’s or MBA programs
🕒 Duration: 6–12 months (sometimes up to 18 months with internships)
📍 Locations: Geneva, Montreux, Lucerne, Lausanne, Brig, and Neuchâtel
📚 2. Certificate & Short Courses (1 day to 12 weeks)
These are intensive programs ideal for:
- Professional development
- Upskilling or reskilling
- Specialization in one topic
- Gaining international experience on a budget
Popular Short Course Topics:
- Swiss Hotel Operations (1–3 weeks)
- Intro to Wine & Spirits
- Luxury Customer Experience Design
- Leadership & Communication Skills
- Digital Branding for Hospitality
- Fundamentals of Revenue Management
- Sustainability in Tourism
- Culinary Bootcamp / Pastry Art
- Barista & Mixology Essentials
- International Etiquette & Protocol (popular for diplomacy students)
🕒 Duration: 1 week to 3 months
📜 Outcomes: Certificate of Completion or Executive Certificate
📍 Offered by: Private hospitality & business schools, some universities of applied sciences
🌐 3. Online Diplomas & Executive Certificates
Perfect for busy professionals or remote learners.
- Digital Hospitality Management
- E-Commerce for Retail and Luxury
- Executive Leadership in Tourism
- Intro to Finance for Non-Financial Managers
- Online Culinary Labs & Theory Courses
Includes live webinars, group projects, and self-paced content. Many programs offer digital badges or certificates.
🏫 Institutions Offering Diplomas & Short Courses
- Swiss hospitality schools (Montreux, Lucerne, Brig)
- Swiss private business academies (Geneva, Zurich)
- Swiss Education Group partner schools
- Universities of Applied Sciences (e.g., HES-SO, FHNW)
- Industry associations (e.g., Swiss Wine, Swiss Tourism Board workshops)
💰 Estimated Tuition
Program Type | Cost (CHF/USD) |
1–2 Week Short Course | CHF 800 – 2,500 ($850 – $2,700) |
4–12 Week Certificate | CHF 2,000 – 6,000 ($2,200 – $6,500) |
6–12 Month Diploma | CHF 10,000 – 25,000 ($11,000 – $27,000) |
Some programs include accommodation, meals, excursions, or internship placement.