Hospitality management school in Switzerland for luxury and service careers

Discover Glion Institute of Higher Education

Founded in 1962, Glion is a leading hospitality management school in Switzerland, offering career-focused bachelor’s and master’s degrees in hospitality, luxury business and service-led management across Glion-sur-Montreux, Bulle and London.

Location Glion-sur-Montreux, Bulle and London
Programmes Bachelor’s, Master’s and Executive pathways
Internships Integrated professional placements
Career focus Hospitality, luxury, events and real estate
A leading hospitality management school in Switzerland

About Glion Institute of Higher Education

Glion Institute of Higher Education is a long-established Swiss hospitality school founded in 1962. It combines applied business education, academic rigor, hands-on learning and professional internships for students aiming at careers in hospitality, luxury and other experience-led sectors.

The school’s Swiss campuses offer two complementary settings: a flagship campus in Glion-sur-Montreux overlooking Lake Geneva, and a modern academic centre in Bulle that also hosts the Glion Research & Innovation Center. Glion also operates a London campus for selected programmes.

For families and students comparing hospitality management schools in Switzerland, Glion stands out for its international outlook, career focus, multicultural student body and strong links with hospitality, luxury, events, guest experience and the wider service economy.

Glion Institute of Higher Education campus in Switzerland

School at a Glance

A concise overview of the main academic, practical and admissions-related information families usually want first when exploring Glion as a hospitality school in Switzerland.

Location

Swiss campuses in Glion-sur-Montreux and Bulle, plus a London campus hosted by the University of Roehampton for selected programmes.

Programmes offered

Bachelor’s in International Hospitality Business, Bachelor’s in Luxury Business, specialised master’s degrees, executive master’s pathways and selected online executive courses.

Language of instruction

English.

Programme length

Bachelor’s: 4 years. Many master’s pathways: around 1.5 years depending on the programme. Executive formats vary.

Degree or diploma

Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, plus selected executive qualifications.

Internship format

Bachelor’s pathways include three professional placements or on-the-job experience. Glion’s master’s degrees also offer a six-month internship option.

Student profile

Students aged 17.5+ for bachelor’s entry and 21+ for master’s entry who want a career-focused education in hospitality, luxury, events, real estate or guest experience.

Tuition

Fees vary by programme and campus. 2026 application fee: CHF 275. Switzerland bachelor’s tuition totals CHF 176,500 before compulsory additional fees and living costs; Switzerland master’s tuition starts from CHF 52,100 before applicable fees and living costs.

Why students choose Glion Institute of Higher Education

Glion appeals to students looking for a leading hospitality management school in Switzerland that combines international exposure, practical training and strong career relevance.

Industry-relevant education

Glion combines academic learning with practical and professional components, helping students connect business theory to service, operations, finance and leadership.

International environment

With more than 100 nationalities on campus and exposure across Switzerland and London, students study in a multicultural setting aligned with the international nature of hospitality and luxury.

Practical learning approach

Programmes include practical semesters, field trips, applied business projects and professional placements designed to build confidence in real service and management environments.

Career-oriented mindset

Employability is central to Glion’s positioning, with internships, career services and industry-facing learning supporting students before graduation.

Hospitality and luxury focus

Beyond traditional hotel operations, Glion has developed strong pathways in luxury business, guest experience, entrepreneurship, hotel development and related sectors.

Global opportunities

Graduates can pursue opportunities across hospitality, travel, events, premium service, luxury brands, finance and real estate depending on their chosen pathway.

Programmes and specialisations

Glion offers career-focused hospitality and luxury degrees designed to prepare students for leadership in service-led and experience-driven industries.

Bachelor’s in International Hospitality Business

This four-year degree combines practical instruction, academic study and real-world professional experience. Glion highlights three professional placements and final-year specialisations including Luxury Brand Strategy, International Hotel Development & Finance, and Guest Experience and Event Management.

Bachelor’s in Luxury Business

This four-year degree is designed for students who want to work in luxury brand strategy, retail, guest experience or premium service sectors. The curriculum covers branding, marketing, finance, supply chains, sustainability and applied projects with real companies.

Master’s and executive pathways

Glion offers master’s degrees in Hospitality Business Leadership, Luxury Management and Guest Experience, Hospitality, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Real Estate, Finance and Hotel Development, alongside selected executive master’s and online courses.

Practical learning and campus experience

Beyond the classroom, students gain exposure to hospitality environments, applied projects, practical training and a multi-campus international experience.

Practical training

  • Applied business projects with real industry briefs
  • Field trips and guest lectures
  • Practical instruction in service and operations
  • Professional placements and on-the-job experience
  • Event and guest-experience project work
  • Exposure to luxury and hospitality business environments

Campus experience

  • Flagship campus above Montreux with Lake Geneva views
  • Restaurant Stéphane Décotterd on campus
  • Bulle academic centre and Research & Innovation Center
  • Student-led clubs and societies
  • Multicultural campus life with 100+ nationalities
  • Additional London study environment for selected programmes

International exposure

  • Switzerland and London campus options
  • Global internship opportunities subject to visa rules
  • 3,600+ industry partners highlighted by Glion
  • Alumni network of 17,500+ professionals and entrepreneurs
  • Career paths spanning hospitality and non-hospitality sectors
  • International student community and cross-cultural learning

Internships and industry exposure

A strong hospitality school in Switzerland should be closely connected to the industry. Glion puts significant emphasis on professional placements, recruiter access and practical exposure.

Internships and placements

  • Bachelor’s pathways include three professional placements or on-the-job experiences
  • Master’s degrees include a six-month internship option
  • Average of six internship offers per student highlighted for the hospitality bachelor
  • Placements may take place in Switzerland or abroad, subject to visa and work permit rules
  • Career Services supports internship search and professional preparation
  • Placements are designed to build managerial, entrepreneurial and personal skills

Industry connections

  • 3,600+ industry partners highlighted on the official site
  • More than 350 recruiters visit campus each year
  • Applied projects and field trips connect students with live business contexts
  • Employer exposure includes hospitality, luxury, events, finance and real estate
  • Alumni network exceeds 17,500 professionals and entrepreneurs
  • Industry-facing learning supports employability and career transitions

Career opportunities

Graduates can go on to build careers in hospitality, luxury, travel, events, guest experience, hotel development, business or entrepreneurship depending on their profile and chosen pathway.

Hospitality leadership and operations

Graduates may pursue roles in hotels, resorts, guest relations, food and beverage, operations and management training, especially when combining academic study with internships and applied projects.

Luxury, brand and guest experience

Glion’s luxury and guest-experience pathways can lead towards careers in luxury retail, brand marketing, bespoke events, concierge services, fine dining, wellness and premium customer experience.

Real estate, entrepreneurship and adjacent sectors

Depending on the chosen degree, graduates may also move into hotel development, asset management, entrepreneurship, events, tourism, private banking, marketing and other service-led industries.

Career sectors linked to Glion pathways

Students choosing Glion are often interested in more than one sector, especially where hospitality, luxury, finance, events and premium service overlap.

Luxury hospitality
Guest experience and events
Luxury brands and retail
Hotel development and asset management
Tourism and travel
Entrepreneurship and premium services

Discover Glion Institute of Higher Education in video

Watch this official Glion video to get a stronger sense of its positioning around luxury experiences and the school’s broader hospitality and service culture.

“Founded in 1962, we are firmly established among the world’s finest education institutions specializing in hospitality and luxury management.”

Glion official website

Frequently asked questions about Glion

Useful answers to some of the most common questions students and families ask when exploring Glion Institute of Higher Education.

What is Glion Institute of Higher Education known for?

Glion is known for hospitality and luxury business education, professional internships, applied projects and multi-campus exposure across Switzerland and London. It is especially relevant for students targeting hospitality, luxury, guest experience, events or service-led business careers.

Where are Glion campuses located?

Glion has Swiss campuses in Glion-sur-Montreux and Bulle, plus a London campus hosted by the University of Roehampton. The Swiss flagship campus overlooks Lake Geneva, while Bulle functions as a modern academic centre.

Does Glion include internships?

Yes. Glion states that its bachelor’s pathways include three professional placements or on-the-job experiences and that its master’s degrees offer a six-month internship option, helping students build practical experience before or during entry to the job market.

How much does it cost to study at Glion?

Costs depend on programme and campus. For Switzerland in 2026, the application fee is CHF 275. Bachelor’s tuition totals CHF 176,500 before compulsory additional fees and living costs, while certain Switzerland-based master’s programmes list total tuition from CHF 52,100 before applicable additional fees and living costs. London-based fees differ and are listed in GBP.

How Edelweiss Panorama International helps students and families

Beyond presenting the school, we help students and families assess fit, compare hospitality pathways and move forward with clarity throughout the admissions process.

Programme positioning

We help you understand whether Glion is the right fit compared with other hospitality schools in Switzerland based on profile, ambition, maturity and career direction.

Application guidance

We guide families through programme selection, application preparation and the practical steps required to move from interest to enrolment.

School comparison

We help compare Glion with alternatives such as EHL, Les Roches or César Ritz depending on the balance you want between brand, structure, specialisation and campus atmosphere.

Career-path discussion

We help students think beyond the school name and clarify the type of hospitality, luxury or service-led career they want to build.

Contact us

Choose the contact option that suits you best. We can help you assess fit, compare programmes and guide you through the next steps.

Book a 20-minute video call

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Glion website

You can also visit the school’s official website for the latest programme details, admissions updates and campus information.

Official website of Glion Institute of Higher Education.

Visit Glion website

Comparing schools

Students considering Glion may also wish to explore other hospitality schools depending on the balance they are looking for between practical learning, academic structure, luxury positioning and professional exposure.

EHL Hospitality Business School

A strong option for students seeking a highly structured hospitality business education in Switzerland with a large campus and strong global visibility.

  • Long-established Swiss hospitality institution
  • Strong business and operations focus
  • Attractive for students comparing brand visibility
  • Different atmosphere and scale from Glion
Discover EHL

Les Roches International School of Hotel Management

A relevant comparison for students who want a practical and international hospitality education in Switzerland with strong industry immersion.

  • Hospitality-focused environment in Bluche
  • Practical approach and international community
  • Often compared with Glion by global families
  • Strong fit for students wanting a Swiss mountain setting
Discover Les Roches

César Ritz Colleges Switzerland

Worth exploring for students looking for a hospitality business path with a strong entrepreneurship and management angle across multiple Swiss campuses.

  • Business-oriented hospitality positioning
  • Multi-campus Swiss experience
  • Relevant for management and entrepreneurship interests
  • Alternative culture and structure to compare with Glion
Discover César Ritz