A world leader in Hotel Management for the 21st century, SHMS offers renowned education in the ex Five-star Hotel “Caux-Palace” in Montreux, Switzerland, in a location with a gorgeous view to the Alps and the Lake of Geneva.

SHMS provides quality training in the long established Swiss tradition combined with advanced management techniques, to match current international trends in the hospitality industry.

Academic Programmes

SHMS offers a wide range of professional programmes combining the multifaceted hospitality management, which prepares the graduates to face the challenging and competitive world of hotel management.

The students at SHMS study in a multilingual milieu, enrolling in MA, Professional, and Transfer programmes.

Starting Dates:

05.02.2007
03.09.2007

Teaching Hours per Week:

First Year – 28 hours
Second Year – 28 hours
Third Year – 29 hours
BA Programme – 32 hours

Each academic year at SHMS consists of a five-week semester and a 4-5 month paid internship.

BA Programmes

All the 3-year programmes at SHMS consist of a 2.5-year period dedicated to the obtaining of a higher education diploma, and a 5-month intensive study course combining theory and practice.

Upon completion of the 5-month study course, the graduates are expected to write a dissertation within 6 months, during which they can enroll in a distance learning course. In addition to the basic qualification, the students can choose between the following profiles:

• Hospitality Management
• Events Management
• International Spa Management
  

MA Programmes

The MA Programme is designed for those SHMS students who desire to further their studies in hotel management. All programmes consist of a five-month period of academic studies, and a six-month period dedicated to writing a dissertation. Students can choose between:

• Hospitality Management
• Tourism Management
• Marketing Management
• Business Administration

Postgraduate Programmes

SHMS offers a unique modular postgraduate programme for graduates and students from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. Postgraduate studies are designed to provide basic skills in the hospitality management. The students can choose the subjects they study according to their individual needs. The Postgraduate programmes include:

Postgraduate Programme in Hotel Management – studies include theoretical subjects with a 5-month duration. Suitable for candidates who wish to occupy non-operational positions at work, or for those who would like to continue their education.

Postgraduate Programme in Hotel Operational Management – includes a five-month time in practical studies, as well as a 4-6 month period of internship. Suitable for those who wish to acquire practical knowledge or to occupy operational positions at work. Students can choose to do their internships in Switzerland or abroad.

Academic Collaboration

SHMS has established a line of collaboration between a number of universities in the UK and the USA, such as:

• The University of Portsmouth, UK
• The University of Johnson and Wales, USA
• The Hawaiian Pacific University, USA
• The New Hampshire College, USA
• The International Florida University, USA

  The duration of these programmes is specific for each university or college.

Life at SHMS

Part of the SHMS education is the experience of interacting with students from more than 60 countries living and studying together on campus. Although the study programme is intensive, there still remains time to enjoy the wealth of leisure activities that Switzerland offers. The school arranges various recreational and sports activities for the students, as well as many trips to the nearby European countries.

Accommodation

During the academic term students are accommodated in the magnificent Caux-Palace built originally as a five-star hotel. Students can choose between the following options:

• Double or Single Standard Room located in either the main building or an annex. Shared bath.
• Double or Single Deluxe Room located in the main building with an ensuite bath and a view on the Lake of Geneva.
• Double or Single Superior Deluxe Room located in the main building with an ensuite bath, view on the Lake of Geneva, TV, Video, Hi-Fi.

All rooms have phones with a direct line for incoming calls. For a small deposit, the phone line can also be used for outgoing calls and internet access.

Meals

Full-board is included seven days a week – three meals a day on weekdays and two meals at weekends. Meals can be taken in either the self-service buffet restaurant, the French Petit Palais restaurant, or the East Meets West restaurant.

Facilities

• Spacious Classrooms
• Demonstration Theatre
• Large Production and Training
• 2 training restaurants – Le Petit Palais and Trendz
• Reception Desk
• Computer room with 45 terminals providing free internet and email access
• Front Desk Training Unit
• Language Training Lab
• Library with free internet access in an international university network
• Graphic Design Studio for Class Projects
• Conrad Theatre
• Main Theatre

Recreation Facilities

• Cinema with satellite TV and videos
• CNN Lounge
• Internet Centre
• Internet Cafe with a 24-hour free internet access
• Recreation room with Table Tennis and Pool Table
• Sports Club
• Student Lounge Grotto with Discotheque
• Coffee Beans Bar
• Chunky Burger Fast Food
• Epicerie Shop
• Student Kitchen

  Social Club and Students Committee

The Students Committee was founded in order to promote student interest and participation in all aspects of the school and to promote social and sporting activities. Representatives are elected from each class and meet on a regular basis, organizing a wide range of activities, cultural events and excursions in the evening or during weekends. These include ski trips, international evenings, parties and gatherings every Friday and Saturday nights. Many events are fully or partially funded by the school. Sports teams are also organized by the social manager each semester. During the academic term, students are provided with free passes for unlimited use of the Panorama Train to Montreux.

Sports, Leisure, and Excursions

A programme of excursions, many of which are related to the hospitality industry, is arranged each term. The costs for official school excursions and professional visits are included in the course fees.

The school campus provides the following sports:

Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Horse Riding, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Sailing, Windsurfing, Water Skiing, Swimming, Ice Skating, Fitness

Leisure Activities

Parties, Discotheques, Karaoke, International Nights, Satellite TV Room, Students Bar, Students Lounge, Coffee Shop, Concerts, Discostheques, Cinemas

School Centre

The BA and MA students finish their last term in the School Centre located in the magnificent Hotel Miramonte which is 5 minutes from Montreux centre. The infrastructure includes: special halls, deluxe rooms, internet access, library, Riviera restaurant, students lounge, study room, recreation room, volleyball, basketball, Jacuzzi, sauna.

DIPLOMAS

Swiss Hotel Operational Management Diploma (after a two-year period of study)	Higher Swiss Hotel Operational Management Diploma and the American AH&MA Hotel and Motel Association Diploma in Hotel Management (after a 2.5-year period of study)
3. British BA Degree in International Hotel Management, the Swiss Higher Diploma in Hotel Management & Tourism, and the American AH&MA Diploma in Hotel Management (after a three-year period of study)	4. British Masters of Arts in International Hospitality Management, the British BA Degree in International Hotel Management, the Swiss Higher Diploma in Hotel Management and Tourism, and the American AH&MA Diploma in Hotel Management (after a four-year period of study)

Paid Internship

All SHMS students have the opportunity to acquire practice and skills in hotel management in a variety of countries. Every academic year consists a five-month semester including theoretical studies and a 4-6 month internship in celebrated restaurants and hotels. The internship is usually done in Switzerland, but it can also be done in hotels and restaurants in other countries approved by SHMS. While doing their internship, the students receive a salary. When the internship is in Switzerland, the salary is between 2060-2450 CHF. After the fees for food, taxes, and insurance are deducted from the salary, the students can save approximately 1000-1400 CHF per month. The salary will depend greatly on the country where the internship is done.

The internships are organized and supervised by an SHMS department specially designed for that purpose. The staff at that department visit regularly the students who are being assessed by their employers. In order to continue their studies on a higher level, the students must complete their internships successfully.

Labour Market

The Swiss Hotel Management School is proud with the opportunities it offers to its graduates, in relation to finding a job in the hospitality industry. Having a year-round labour market, SHMS is continually able to offer employment in the world’s most prestigious restaurants and hotels. Thus, most of the SHMS graduates start their careers in the USA, Asia, the Middle East, or in Europe’s most prestigious hotels.

Admission

Fees

Diploma, Higher Diploma, BA and MA Diploma

Fees include: *Registration Fee, *Tuition Fee, *Accommodation in a Standard Double Room (an additional fee of 1350 CHF for a Double Deluxe Room, and 2700 CHF for a Single Deluxe Room; 2700 CHF for a Double Superior Deluxe Room, and 3600 CHF for a Single Superior Deluxe Room), Meals (Full Board 7 days a week).

Additional Fees

These fees cover all additional expenses such as: textbooks, study materials, insurance, uniforms (during the first year only), official trips, sightseeing fees, entry fees, and tickets for the trips between Caux and Montreux.

Accommodation Deposit

The deposit which is paid for accommodation is 1000 CHF which is refunded when the internship is completed, on condition that there is no damage done by the students.

Transfer from the airport

The group transfer (at least 5 students) from Geneva to Caux costs 50 CHF.

Holidays

There is a two-week holiday usually at the end of each term and at Christmas. SHMS is not responsible for accommodation outside the academic terms (18 weeks).

Remarks

Bookings may be cancelled up to 8 weeks before each course starts, 1500 CHF being refunded to the students. The students can direct their deposits to another starting date, forewarning the school administration 8 weeks in advance. Once paid, the Tuition Fee cannot be refunded. It is advisory that each student has insurance which will cover the expenses for any cancellation in case of illness. Currently the insurance fee is 250 CHF per semester. It is paid together with the deposit.