CH · Bachelor's
EHL Hospitality Business School (Lausanne)
BSc (Hons) in International Hospitality Management
EHL Hospitality Business School (Lausanne)
Course Overview
EHL Hospitality Business School (Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne) is the original and #1 ranked hospitality business school globally — founded 1893, the world's oldest hospitality school, consistently ranked #1 worldwide for Hospitality & Leisure Management (QS Subject Rankings 2025 for the last decade running). EHL is the benchmark school referenced by every luxury hospitality group on earth: Four Seasons, Aman, Mandarin Oriental, Belmond, LVMH Hotel Management Group, Marriott Luxury Collection, Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood Hotels — all run dedicated EHL recruiting events and prefer EHL grads for general manager fast-track programmes. The 4-year BSc combines a Preparatory Year (operational training in EHL's on-campus practical immersion kitchens, F&B outlets, service operations) with three subsequent academic years covering hospitality management, finance, marketing, real estate, plus TWO 6-month PAID industry internships at luxury properties globally.
Sri Lankan applicants choose EHL only if budget allows — at CHF 45,000/year tuition (LKR 16.6M/year) it's expensive by any standard, but the ROI is real: EHL Bachelor's graduates command CHF 55,000-70,000 starting salaries in Switzerland (LKR 20.3M-25.9M/yr) and Sri Lankan returnees enter Cinnamon, Jetwing, Aitken Spence, Resplendent Ceylon, and Anantara at assistant manager / management trainee level immediately rather than the standard 2-3 year supervisor track. Switzerland offers a 6-month post-study residence permit for job search; the country is non-EU, so EU Blue Card does not apply — Swiss employment requires direct work permits (federally capped, but luxury hospitality is a recognised shortage sector).
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan Cambridge / Edexcel A-Levels: 3 A-Level passes at minimum grade C (combined with O-Level / GCSE in 5 subjects including English and Mathematics).
- check_circle Sri Lankan GCE A/L: 3 passes (S or above) in Commerce / Arts / Physical Science / Bio Science stream.
- check_circle IB Diploma: 26 points minimum.
- check_circle EHL Application Test (online aptitude / situational judgement test) — mandatory, scored alongside admissions.
- check_circle Two academic / professional references.
- check_circle Motivational Letter (1-2 pages) on hospitality interest and goals.
- check_circle EHL admissions interview (online for international applicants, in-person at EHL campus for shortlisted local candidates).
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (min 6.0 in each section).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 88 Overall (min 22 in each section).
- check_circle Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 176.
- check_circle Pearson PTE: 65 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if you have completed at least 3 years of full-time English-medium secondary education (most Sri Lankan Edexcel / Cambridge International / Royal / Trinity / St Joseph's / Asian International / Lyceum / Wycherley applicants qualify with an MOI letter).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (CHF) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | CHF 45,000 | Rs. 16,650,000 |
| Living Expenses in Lausanne (per year) | CHF 18,000 | Rs. 6,660,000 |
| Health Insurance (mandatory, per year) | CHF 2,500 | Rs. 925,000 |
| Student Visa, Residence Permit & Application Fees | CHF 900 | Rs. 333,000 |
| Uniforms, Practical Materials & Travel | CHF 4,000 | Rs. 1,480,000 |
| Total Programme Investment (4 years, offset by ~CHF 30k paid-internship income) | CHF 285,600 | Rs. 105,672,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for Switzerland's 6-month post-study residence permit for job search after Bachelor's graduation. Swiss federal work permits are capped (no EU Blue Card route — Switzerland is non-EU) but luxury hospitality is a recognised priority sector and Swiss-based EHL grads have strong placement rates. EHL Bachelor's graduates are the most heavily-recruited hospitality cohort globally: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts (Global Leadership Development Programme — fast-track to GM), Aman Resorts, Mandarin Oriental, Belmond, Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, Ritz-Carlton, Marriott Luxury Collection (St. Regis, JW Marriott, Edition, W Hotels), Hyatt's Andaz / Park Hyatt portfolio, Six Senses, Anantara, LVMH Hotel Management Group (Cheval Blanc, Bulgari Hotels), plus hospitality real estate at CBRE Hotels, JLL Hotels, HVS, and luxury-brand strategy at LVMH and Richemont. Median EHL global starting salary CHF 55,000-72,000 in Switzerland (LKR 20.3M-26.6M/yr); USD 65,000-85,000 in the US (LKR 20.8M-27.2M/yr). Sri Lankan returnees enter Cinnamon Hotels (Cinnamon Grand, Cinnamon Lakeside, Cinnamon Wild Yala), Jetwing (Jetwing Lighthouse, Jetwing Beach), Aitken Spence Hotels (Heritance Kandalama, Tea Trails), John Keells Hotels, Anantara Tangalle / Peace Haven, Six Senses, Soneva, Aman, and Resplendent Ceylon at assistant manager / fast-track GM level.
Related Programs
BBA in International Hospitality Business
Glion Institute of Higher Education
BBA in Global Hospitality Management
Les Roches Global Hospitality Education (Switzerland)
BSc International Hospitality Management
EHL Hospitality Business School (Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne)
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