You will consolidate a versatile degree programme that combines industry-specific subjects, business fundamentals and relevant management skills. You will also learn how tourism needs to be organised in a sustainable way so that the products and services on offer are fit for the future. Whether at a university of applied sciences or a university of applied sciences, all tourism degree programmes have been federally classified at Bachelor level (level 6 of the National Reference Framework). You graduate from a university of applied sciences with the title Dipl. Tourism Specialist HF. A university of Applied Sciences has the title Bachelor of Science in Tourism or in Business with a specialisation in Tourism. There are programmes between the two levels that make it easy for you to switch.
The requirements for studying tourism vary depending on the school and degree programme. You can find out more here.
The cost of a tourism degree programme varies depending on the training institute. You can find the exact fees here.
After completing your degree in tourism, you will usually receive the title Bachelor of Science (BSc), depending on the university and the degree programme. In some specialised practice-oriented programmes, the title of Tourism Specialist is awarded. You can find out more here.
First of all: regardless of whether you have a school-leaving certificate or not, all paths are open to you to successfully complete a degree in tourism. A college of higher education is aimed at apprenticeship graduates from the commercial sector, retail trade, the hotel and catering industry or all other recognised professional qualifications, as well as high school graduates. You can enter a university of applied sciences with a Matura. A college of higher education always integrates specific work experience (whether part-time, in an internship or seasonal position) if you don't already have it. Universities of applied sciences sometimes require one year of tourism experience, but this is not mandatory. At a university of applied sciences, you will receive a more academic education and you will be involved in applied research, so that you will also be able to study for a Master's degree immediately afterwards. At a college of higher education, you will also deal with challenging practical tasks. After successfully completing your studies at a college of higher education, you can transfer to a university of applied sciences thanks to the programme. Still unsure? Contact the student counselling services of the individual schools.
Depending on the school, you can study tourism in German, English, French or Italian.
Teaching on a tourism degree programme can take various forms, depending on the school and degree programme. As a rule, teaching consists of a mixture of classroom teaching, seminars and lectures on site. You also have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad and take part in excursions. The exact programme depends on the respective institution and the chosen study model. You can find out more here.
The focus of a tourism degree programme is on the acquisition of skills that are developed through applied projects during the course. This is often in co-operation with external partners (companies, destinations, tourism associations, etc.).
Many tourism degree programmes give you the opportunity to complete an internship - either during or after your studies to gain valuable insights into the industry. Other programmes do not require a mandatory internship, but offer you the freedom to gain experience independently and advance your career with practical assignments. You can find more detailed information about this with the respective institutions. There are also institutions that offer the opportunity to study part-time so that you can work in the industry alongside your studies.
At universities of applied sciences, you can complete your internship abroad, and at college of higher education you can often spend a semester abroad if you wish. There are good international partnerships and networks so that you can benefit from funding. This allows you to gain international experience during your studies.
You can start your degree programme in a relaxed manner - even if you are not currently working in the tourism industry. You only need to provide proof of at least 40 weeks of practical experience in the tourism industry to complete your degree programme. If this is not yet the case when you graduate, you will receive your diploma as soon as you have gained the necessary experience. This gives you enough time to find your way into the industry!
After studying tourism in Switzerland, you can expect different salaries depending on the professional field, company size and location. The salary also depends on your professional experience. Many companies also offer generous travel discounts and other attractive benefits.
After completing a degree in tourism, there are numerous opportunities for further training open to you. You can also further enhance your career opportunities through professional training or international internships. You can find an overview of possible career paths here.
Whether in an urban city environment, in the leisure paradise of the lakes or mountains, tourism takes place in the most beautiful places in Switzerland – but not only there. Hardly any other apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to gain international experience so easily. The doors are wide open to you.
The career opportunities in tourism are promising and future-proof, as the industry is growing worldwide, and more and more skilled workers are needed. With a degree in tourism, you can work in various areas. The global nature of the industry also offers numerous international career opportunities. As tourism is a real «people's business», personal contact and interaction with people will continue to play a key role in the future and therefore offer stable career prospects in the long term.
A tourism degree offers a versatile, generalist education that gives you the opportunity to specialise in different areas. The world of tourism opens up exciting prospects for you in both incoming and outgoing tourism as well as in the entire service industry. You can work in areas such as marketing, communication, event management, sales, sponsorship and sustainability – in a variety of companies worldwide.
A tourism degree programme offers a wide range of international career opportunities. The globally orientated industry offers numerous opportunities. In addition to specialised knowledge, language skills, intercultural competence and flexibility are important for a successful international career in order to be able to operate in different markets and cultural contexts. The training institutes often have an extensive national and international network that helps graduates to make valuable contacts and open doors to global career opportunities.
As a career changer in tourism, you have good opportunities, especially if you emphasise your transferable skills and experience and grow into the industry through specific internships. Flexibility, commitment and a proactive approach are often crucial to successfully entering the labour market. Entering the tourism study programme increases your chances on the job market.
Tourism graduates are good organisers, think in a networked way and are very service-oriented. And they are hands-on. As they have learnt that tourism only works if different interests can be reconciled in a sustainable way, companies value the openness, creativity and communication skills of graduates.
Supported by Innotour, the promotional instrument of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.
