EHL Hospitality Business School is a hospitality management school in Lausanne, founded in 1893. Since 1998 it has been linked by agreement to HES-SO, the public University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, and the official swissuniversities list names it among HES-SO's affiliated ("conventional") schools. That makes the EHL bachelor's a Swiss Bachelor of Science HES-SO, not a degree from a foreign partner university. The programme takes four years including a preparatory year, is taught in English or French, and includes two internships of at least 24 weeks each. International students pay the full rate: $220,290 (CHF 183,874) for the whole course, excluding housing and insurance, for the September 2027 and February 2028 intakes.
| At a glance | September 2027 and February 2028 intakes |
|---|---|
| Status | affiliated school of HES-SO; NECHE (USA, 2024) and AACSB (2024) accredited |
| Who awards the bachelor's | Bachelor of Science HES-SO, delivered by EHL within HES-SO |
| Campuses | Lausanne; Singapore (exchange semester); EHL Hotel School Passugg, a professional school in Graubünden |
| Language | English or French; the preparatory year is English only |
| English | C1: IELTS 7.0, with 7.0 in speaking and listening |
| Age | 18 when classes begin |
| Full bachelor's for international students | $220,290 (CHF 183,874): tuition, services and compulsory food credit |
| With housing and insurance | about $262,740 (CHF 219,309) |
| Visa-applicant deadlines | 31 May 2027 for September 2027; 31 October for February intakes |
Who awards the degree and why it matters
The key point for applicants: the EHL bachelor's is a Swiss professional higher-education degree awarded within HES-SO. EHL states that its HES-SO link ensures official recognition of its degrees. Its HES-SO portfolio covers the Bachelor of Science HES-SO in Hospitality Management, the Executive MBA, the Master in Global Hospitality Business and the Master in Wine and Hospitality. EHL is also accredited by the US commission NECHE (reaccredited April 2024) and by AACSB (spring 2024).
In practice this affects:
- Work during studies. The Canton of Vaud allows side jobs for students at universities, universities of applied sciences and universities of teacher education: from six months after the start, up to 15 hours a week, and full time in holidays. An EHL student on an HES-SO programme falls into this group; schools awarding British or American partner degrees do not.
- Job search after graduation. Federal SEM rules give graduates of a Swiss higher-education institution up to six months to look for work. An HES-SO bachelor's qualifies. The work permit itself is then requested by the employer.
- Master's study in Switzerland. An HES-SO bachelor's is recognised within the Swiss system, although universities still check the content.
According to EHL, it has ranked first in the QS subject ranking for Hospitality & Leisure Management every year from 2019 to 2026.
For a comparison with schools whose degrees come from British or American partners, see Hospitality management in Switzerland.
Who EHL suits
EHL fits students aiming for management careers in hotels, restaurants, luxury or service businesses who want a strong business core: finance, analytics, strategy. The second internship can be in any sector, from consulting to banking.
It suits you if you:
- are finishing school with good grades and mathematics in the last three years;
- have C1 English, or accept a mandatory English course in the preparatory year;
- are budgeting for a private school rather than a public university;
- want a Swiss degree rather than a foreign partner's.
Consider alternatives if:
- your English is still B2: Glion, Les Roches and SHMS admit with IELTS 5.5;
- you will be under 18 at the start;
- your budget is for a public university: economics and management at the University of Lausanne cost $690 (CHF 580) per semester.
The bachelor's programme
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Preparatory year, semester 1 | practical workshops on campus: kitchen, restaurant, bar, events, oenology, service at a Michelin-starred training restaurant |
| Preparatory year, semester 2 | operational internship of at least 24 working weeks in a hotel, food service or private clinic |
| Years 1–3 | business subjects, data and finance; optional semester in Singapore in year 2 |
| Semester 4 | management internship of at least 24 weeks in any sector, or your own start-up |
| Final semester | Student Business Project: a team of five consults for a real client |
Half the programme happens outside the classroom, and business dress is part of daily life. You can study the bachelor's in English or French, but the preparatory year is English only. Intakes are in September and February.
Direct entry is possible for applicants with relevant training and experience. Graduates of the Swiss hôtelier-restaurateur HF diploma can finish the bachelor's in three semesters, the first at Passugg. Students from hospitality schools with 60 ECTS and a year of experience may enter a four-semester track. Each case is assessed individually.
Admission requirements
| Requirement | EHL condition |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 when classes begin |
| School certificate | qualifies for university admission in the issuing country; grades well above the pass mark; mathematics in the last three years |
| English for the preparatory year | IELTS Academic 7.0 (7.0 speaking and listening), TOEFL iBT 5 on the new scale, Cambridge C1 Advanced grade B, Duolingo 130 |
| English at the lower bound | IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 4, B2 First grade B or Duolingo 110: admitted with mandatory English in the preparatory year |
| French section | DALF C1 or DSLCF, plus English at IELTS 6.0 |
| Essay | 500–650 words on one of three topics |
A Russian school certificate meets the "qualifies for university admission at home" wording. Final-year students can apply on current grades and send final results later. Documents in Russian need a certified English translation with a description of the school and grading system.
Essay topics:
- why you chose EHL and how you judged that it fits you;
- what you expect from EHL and what your career goals are;
- which hospitality trends interest you most and how EHL will help you handle them.
Before applying in full, you can submit a pre-assessment form and the admissions team will tell you whether you formally qualify.
Selection steps
- Choose campus, intake and language of study.
- Create an EHL account and upload your certificate, transcripts, language certificate and passport; a CV and references are optional.
- Pay the $260 (CHF 220) fee by Visa or Mastercard. It is neither refundable nor transferable.
- Write and upload the essay.
- Complete the online stage: a 20-minute webcam interview and three aptitude tests covering analytical reasoning, leadership, interpersonal skills and motivation.
- Attend the final interview about work experience, summer jobs, extracurricular activities and international exposure. It does not test factual knowledge.
- Confirm enrolment on the portal and pay the down payment.
| Intake | Visa-applicant deadline | Final deadline |
|---|---|---|
| February 2027 | 31 October 2026 | 15 December 2026 |
| September 2027 | 31 May 2027 | 15 June 2027 |
EHL warns that the visa process can take up to three months. The visa deadline for February 2027 has passed, so for applicants from Russia the realistic next intake is September 2027.
Bachelor's fees
EHL quotes fees in Swiss francs including VAT for the September 2027 and February 2028 intakes.
| Item | Preparatory year | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $29,830 (CHF 24,898) | $47,970 (CHF 40,045) | $29,170 (CHF 24,352) | $41,340 (CHF 34,507) | $148,310 (CHF 123,802) |
| Infrastructure and services | $13,580 (CHF 11,335) | $18,560 (CHF 15,489) | $10,340 (CHF 8,631) | $15,280 (CHF 12,755) | $57,760 (CHF 48,210) |
| Prepaid campus food credit | $4,320 (CHF 3,606) | $4,940 (CHF 4,126) | $2,480 (CHF 2,066) | $2,480 (CHF 2,066) | $14,210 (CHF 11,863) |
| Compulsory total | $47,730 (CHF 39,838) | $71,470 (CHF 59,660) | $41,990 (CHF 35,049) | $59,100 (CHF 49,328) | $220,290 (CHF 183,874) |
Added on top:
- housing, at least $32,390 (CHF 27,035) for the course. A double room on campus in the preparatory year is $7,010 (CHF 5,850) per semester; a bachelor's single room is $9,340 (CHF 7,800). NeighborWood flats near campus cost $5,380–9,060 (CHF 4,488–7,561) per semester;
- health insurance, about $2,520 (CHF 2,100) a year, with exemption possible for equivalent cover;
- a refundable deposit of $5,990 (CHF 5,000);
- a Singapore semester top-up of $8,990 (CHF 7,500);
- HES-SO registration $180 (CHF 150), study materials about $180 (CHF 150) per semester, resits $360 (CHF 300) each;
- the Lausanne tourist tax, $44 (CHF 37) a month for students without a legal address in Switzerland.
Why Swiss students pay less: under EHL's agreement with HES-SO, the canton subsidises students with A-HES status, whose full cost is $106,830 (CHF 89,170). A B permit issued for study does not qualify, so an international student who comes to study pays the full rate. EHL reviews scholarships and financial aid separately and does not publish amounts.
Payments and the pre-visa deposit
- After admission is confirmed: $7,190 (CHF 6,000) within 15 days, non-refundable under any circumstances and deducted from the total.
- Students from outside the EU/EFTA also pay $21,560 (CHF 18,000) before submitting a visa application, as required by the Swiss authorities. This too is deducted from the total.
- Each academic year is invoiced before it starts and payable within 30 days.
- Withdrawing less than 10 working days before the year starts, or not showing up, means paying for the full year.
Paying from Russia requires a legal route; see How to pay for studies abroad from Russia. Russian citizens should also note Article 20 of Ordinance SR 946.231.176.72: Swiss banks may not accept deposits above $119,800 (CHF 100,000) from Russian nationals and residents who lack a Swiss, EEA or UK residence permit.
EHL master's
The Master of Science in Hospitality Management (MiHM) starts every September, and applications for September 2027 are open.
| Item | Condition |
|---|---|
| Degree | bachelor's in hospitality, tourism or business administration; business graduates take a bridge module of up to 10 ECTS |
| Experience | at least six months in hospitality or services, internships included |
| English | IELTS 7.0 (7.0 speaking and listening) or TOEFL iBT 5 |
| Fee for international students | $53,670 (CHF 44,800): tuition $36,540 (CHF 30,500), services $9,580 (CHF 8,000), food $7,550 (CHF 6,300) |
| Summer courses if required | $1,440 (CHF 1,200); accounting and finance $720 (CHF 600) each |
| Housing | single room $9,340 (CHF 7,800) per semester, deposit $3,110 (CHF 2,600) |
| Application fee | $260 (CHF 220) |
EHL lists the Master in Global Hospitality Business, the Master in Wine and Hospitality and the Executive MBA among its HES-SO programmes. The Canton of Vaud's list of institutions names a "Master HES-SO en Management Hôtelier" at EHL, and Swiss MiHM students receive an HES-SO subsidy, yet EHL's own list of HES-SO programmes does not name the MiHM. Ask admissions in writing for the exact title of the degree before applying.
Visa and residence permit
Russian residents apply for a national D visa at the Swiss Embassy in Moscow (appointments via moscow.visa@eda.admin.ch, fee RUB 8,700), which also serves residents of Belarus and Uzbekistan. Residents of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan apply in Astana. Vaud's Service de la population decides.
For private-school students, Vaud requires proof of payment for at least the first semester, funds for the whole study period or a solvent financial sponsor, housing, and a commitment to leave after studies. Minors need a document naming who has custody. The full list is in Swiss student visa.
Internships in Switzerland follow separate rules: the employer requests the permit, work may not exceed half the study period, and pay must meet local standards. Discuss internships abroad with careers services early, since entry and work rules vary by country and nationality.
EHL, Glion and Les Roches compared
| Criterion | EHL | Glion | Les Roches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss legal status | school within HES-SO | university of applied sciences institute | university of applied sciences institute |
| Degree | Bachelor of Science HES-SO | Glion BSc | Les Roches BSc |
| English | IELTS 7.0 | IELTS 5.5 | IELTS 5.5 |
| Age | 18 | 17.5 | not stated |
| Full bachelor's | $220,290 (CHF 183,874) without housing | see the Glion profile | $270,730 (CHF 225,975) with housing and board |
| Internships | 2 × 24 weeks or a start-up | 3 semesters | 2 × 20 weeks |
Common mistakes
- Applying with IELTS 6.0 without planning for mandatory English in the preparatory year.
- Missing the visa deadline, which comes two weeks before the final one for September and six weeks before it for February.
- Forgetting the $21,560 (CHF 18,000) pre-visa payment. Without it you cannot file the visa application.
- Comparing schools by annual price when some totals include housing and insurance and others do not.
- Expecting internship pay to cover tuition. Internships pay local rates and at best cover living costs during that period.
FAQ
How much does EHL cost?
For international students on the September 2027 and February 2028 intakes, the bachelor's costs $220,290 (CHF 183,874) over four years, covering tuition, services and compulsory food credit. Housing (from $32,390, CHF 27,035) and insurance (about $2,520 a year) are extra.
Is EHL a university?
EHL is an affiliated school of HES-SO, the public University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, and appears on the swissuniversities list within HES-SO. Its bachelor's is awarded as a Bachelor of Science HES-SO. It is not a classic research university.
What English level does EHL require?
C1: IELTS Academic 7.0 with 7.0 in speaking and listening, TOEFL iBT 5, Cambridge C1 Advanced grade B or Duolingo 130. With IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 110 you can be admitted but must take English courses during the preparatory year.
Can I go to EHL straight after school?
Yes, if you are 18 by the start date, your grades are well above the pass mark and you studied mathematics in your last three school years. You can apply in your final year on current grades and send the final certificate later.
When should visa-required applicants apply?
For September 2027, by 31 May 2027; for February intakes, by 31 October of the previous year. The visa process takes up to three months, and applying earlier leaves time for interviews and selection.
How long are the internships and where do they take place?
There are two, each of at least 24 working weeks. The first is operational, in a hotel, food service or private clinic. The second is a management role in any industry and can be replaced by your own start-up. Students obtain placements through employer selection with support from EHL careers services.
How can StudyU help with an EHL application?
Profile assessment, essay and interview preparation, and checking your documents and visa file are provided under an agreement with StudyU. EHL's admissions committee decides on admission, and Vaud's Service de la population decides on the permit.
Sources
- EHL: bachelor's fees, September 2027 and February 2028 intakes (PDF)
- EHL: bachelor's requirements, procedure and deadlines, internships and projects
- EHL: accreditations and HES-SO link
- EHL: MiHM admissions, MiHM fees (PDF)
- swissuniversities: accredited Swiss higher-education institutions
- EHL: awards and rankings, including QS 2019–2026; Canton of Vaud: list of higher-education institutions, EHL programmes
- Canton of Vaud: stays for study and side jobs
- SEM: directives on foreign nationals, study and post-graduation job search (PDF)
- Swiss Embassy in Russia: where to apply for a D visa, fees; Swiss Embassy in Kazakhstan
- Fedlex: Ordinance SR 946.231.176.72, Article 20, consolidated version of 21.09.2026
- Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 30.09.2026 (€1 = $1.1355 = CHF 0.9478, so CHF 1 ≈ $1.1980), rounded to $1 below $100 and to $10 above. Facts checked on 01.10.2026.
For an overview, see Study in Switzerland, Hospitality management in Switzerland and Bachelor's in Switzerland. If you are comparing EHL with other schools for your budget and English level, send us a request.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- University of Lausanne (UNIL): Admission, Fees and Requirements for International Students
- Les Roches Crans-Montana: Swiss Campus, Degree, 2027 Fees and Admission
- Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS): University of Derby Degree, Fees and Admission
- Studying in Switzerland for international applicants
- Bachelor's Degrees in Switzerland: Entry Routes, Language and Costs for International Students
- Hospitality Management in Switzerland: Schools, Degrees, Fees and Paid Internships
