HIM Business School is the current name of Hotel Institute Montreux, a private Swiss Education Group business school in central Montreux, canton of Vaud. swissuniversities does not include it among the country's accredited institutions. Its Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is awarded by Northwood University in the United States, not by the school. HIM's own award is a Swiss Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Business Administration (ES level), which the school says it awards from October 2026 while recognition is still pending. The full 2026 bachelor's budget is $155,030 (CHF 129,400) for three years including housing and meals.
| At a glance | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Status | private school, Swiss Education Group; not on the swissuniversities accredited list |
| Campus | Montreux, canton of Vaud, on Lake Geneva |
| BBA | awarded by Northwood University (USA); Northwood programmes accredited by ACBSP, the university by the Higher Learning Commission |
| HIM's own award | Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Business Administration (ES), recognition pending from October 2026 according to HIM |
| BBA format | 3 years: 6 academic terms and 3 six-month internships; majors in Management, Finance, Marketing, Hospitality Management |
| English | IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 46; recommended minimum age 18 |
| Full BBA budget | $155,030 (CHF 129,400): tuition, double room, meals, infrastructure and services |
| Next BBA intakes | January 2027, then April and October 2027 |
Which qualification you actually get
One programme, two documents, two awarding bodies:
| Document | Awarded by | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Business Administration (your major) | Northwood University, Michigan, USA | a US bachelor's degree; Northwood's 2026/27 academic catalog names Switzerland among the countries with its International Program Centers and lists Montreux faculty |
| Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Business Administration ("Économiste d'entreprise ES") | HIM Business School | a Swiss professional qualification at higher vocational (ES/HF) level, built on a SERI framework curriculum approved on 14.04.2022; HIM says it awards it from October 2026, pending recognition |
| Master in Applied AI in Customer Experience | HIM Business School | the school's own master's programme |
HIM itself warns that its own separate award may not open the way into Swiss higher education. That matters if you plan a master's at a Swiss university later.
According to the ES programme page, the diploma follows five academic terms, two placements and a final project defended before a jury, while a sixth term tops it up to the Northwood BBA. The fee page, however, says the ES diploma covers the first three terms and two internships, with a fourth semester as a top-up leading to both the ES diploma and the BBA. Because the two pages disagree, ask the school to confirm in your contract which terms count towards the ES diploma for your intake.
What the lack of Swiss higher-education accreditation means in practice:
- Term-time jobs. The canton of Vaud allows them only for students of universities, universities of applied sciences and universities of teacher education. HIM is not one of them.
- Work after graduation. The six-month job-search period under SEM directives applies to graduates of Swiss higher education institutions; a US degree earned in Montreux does not qualify.
- Internships inside the programme follow a separate rule: the employer requests the permit, and you start only once it is granted.
We compare these statuses across EHL, Glion, Les Roches and schools with UK or US degrees in hospitality management in Switzerland.
Who HIM suits
| A good fit if | Consider alternatives if |
|---|---|
| You want a business bachelor's in 3 years with 18 months of work experience | You need a Swiss accredited degree: EHL, Glion, Les Roches and César Ritz Colleges award one |
| You are interested in finance, marketing or management as well as hotels | You plan to work part-time during term or to job-hunt in Switzerland after graduating |
| Your English is around B1–B2 and you would take a preparatory course | You need a lower budget: BHMS costs less |
| A January or April start suits you | You want a UK degree: SHMS offers one with the University of Derby |
How the BBA is structured
Year one in Montreux covers business and customer-experience foundations: mathematics, accounting, finance, marketing, microeconomics, data-driven decision-making, front office and a language (French, German or Spanish). A six-month internship follows.
From year two students choose one of four majors:
| Major | Sample courses |
|---|---|
| Finance | financial institutions, portfolio management, capital markets, corporate finance, CFP topics |
| Marketing | luxury brand management, digital marketing, professional selling, international marketing, e-commerce |
| Management | human resources, ERP, international management, operations management |
| Hospitality Management | conventions and banqueting, F&B management, revenue management, resort management |
Core courses in years two and three include macroeconomics, AI in business, strategic planning, ethical leadership and business law. Each academic year ends with an internship, about 18 months in total. A bilingual track lets students start in French and move gradually into English.
Requirements and how to apply
| Requirement | HIM condition |
|---|---|
| Education | completed secondary school: national certificate, IB, A-levels, Abitur and others |
| Age | 18 recommended |
| English | IELTS Academic 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 46; otherwise the English Foundation Program |
| Documents | school certificate, English test, passport copy, CV, motivation letter of 500+ words, references if available; official English translations |
Steps:
- Register online and complete the application with documents.
- Pay the $180 (CHF 150) application fee via the link in the confirmation email.
- Review and provisional letter of acceptance.
- Pay the $3,590 (CHF 3,000) confirmation fee within 30 days; it counts towards the first term.
- Receive the enrolment letter for the visa.
- Settle the balance of term one no later than six weeks before classes begin.
HIM advises 8–12 weeks between application and start if you need a visa. Credit transfer is possible for IB, IBCP and BTEC holders and for students from related colleges.
How much does the BBA cost at 2026 rates?
| Item | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $31,630 (CHF 26,400) | $31,630 (CHF 26,400) | $31,630 (CHF 26,400) | $94,880 (CHF 79,200) |
| Housing (standard double room) | $5,270 (CHF 4,400) | $5,270 (CHF 4,400) | $5,270 (CHF 4,400) | $15,810 (CHF 13,200) |
| Meals | $4,550 (CHF 3,800) | $4,550 (CHF 3,800) | $4,550 (CHF 3,800) | $13,660 (CHF 11,400) |
| Infrastructure and services | $10,540 (CHF 8,800) | $10,060 (CHF 8,400) | $10,060 (CHF 8,400) | $30,670 (CHF 25,600) |
| Total | $51,990 (CHF 43,400) | $51,520 (CHF 43,000) | $51,520 (CHF 43,000) | $155,030 (CHF 129,400) |
No school fees are charged during internships. Services cover residence-permit processing, Swiss residence taxes, VAT, health insurance during academic terms, liability cover and a welcome desk at Geneva Airport.
On top of this:
- refundable security deposit of $2,400 (CHF 2,000) from every applicant; health insurance during internships (CHF 170 a month) is deducted from it, and the balance is refunded six months after the last term;
- cancellation insurance, optional, $370 (CHF 310) per term;
- room upgrades from +$2,440 (CHF 2,040) per term for a double deluxe to +$5,030 (CHF 4,200) for a single deluxe;
- housing during breaks at $520 (CHF 430) a week;
- airport transfer at $260 (CHF 220).
A 2% discount applies if you pay in full 90 days before each term. Scholarships are limited, apply to tuition only and cannot be combined with other reductions. The school names three types: for Swiss citizens and Swiss permit holders, for graduates of institutions it has agreements with, and merit-based awards; amounts are set case by case. Fees are reviewed every year, so request the current budget for a 2027 start.
Master's: Applied AI in Customer Experience
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | 12 months: a term in Montreux, a term with industry immersion in Macao, an online capstone |
| Intake | 24 places, starting January 2027 |
| Requirements | bachelor's in any field with GPA 3.0+, IELTS 6.0, online case study, video and interview |
| Fee | $45,530 (CHF 38,000), including a double room in term 1 and housing and meals in term 2 |
| Second master's | optional extra term at César Ritz Colleges in Brig for its MSc in Leadership, awarded by César Ritz Colleges |
Internships
HIM's career services and the International Recruitment Forum, held twice a year, support the internship search; the student is hired after an interview with the employer. According to HIM, gross intern pay in Switzerland can reach $2,820 (CHF 2,350) a month. That is a ceiling rather than a typical wage, and conditions abroad depend on the country. Placements are not limited to hotels and restaurants: HIM names cruise lines, airlines, luxury brands, banks, insurers and retail.
Visa and residence in Vaud
Russian citizens apply for a national D visa at the visa section of 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 apply in Astana. The decision lies with the Service de la population of the canton of Vaud.
For a private school, Vaud requires:
- the school to be recognised by the canton;
- proof that at least the first semester is paid, or the school's confirmation that you can pay;
- funds for the whole study period or a solvent guarantor, a study plan, CV and motivation letter;
- a written undertaking to leave Switzerland after your studies.
Applicants under 18 need a document from their legal representative naming who has custody. See our Swiss student visa guide for the steps.
Russian citizens should also note Swiss sanctions. Article 20 of Ordinance SR 946.231.176.72 (version of 21.09.2026) bars banks from accepting deposits above CHF 100,000 from Russian nationals and residents and limits some payment services, unless the person holds a Swiss, EEA or UK residence permit. HIM invoices in Swiss francs only. Legal payment routes are explained in how to pay for studies abroad from Russia, and country-specific issues in studying in Switzerland for Russian citizens.
HIM, César Ritz and SHMS compared
| HIM | César Ritz Colleges | SHMS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status under Swiss law | not accredited as a higher education institution | accredited university of applied sciences institute | not accredited as a higher education institution |
| Who awards the bachelor's | Northwood University (USA) | the school itself (BSc) | University of Derby jointly with SHMS |
| Swiss qualification | ES diploma (recognition pending) | BSc is a Swiss accredited degree | ES/HF diploma |
| Bachelor's length | 3 years, 3 internships | 4 years, 2 internships | about 3 years, 2 internships |
| Full budget | $155,030 (CHF 129,400), 2026 | $195,520 (CHF 163,200), 2026 | $223,430 (CHF 186,500), 2026/27 |
Common mistakes
- Calling the BBA a Swiss degree. Northwood University awards the bachelor's; HIM's Swiss document is the ES professional diploma.
- Assuming access to Swiss master's programmes. HIM itself warns its award may not open the Swiss higher education system.
- Planning a term-time job. Vaud does not allow it for students of private schools without higher-education status.
- Treating internships as pre-assigned. HIM helps with the search; the employer chooses.
- Comparing schools by "price per year". HIM's budget includes housing, meals and services; EHL lists housing separately.
Timeline for a January or October 2027 start
- October–November 2026. Take IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 46; if you fall short, consider the English Foundation Program.
- Four to five months before the start. Apply with translated documents and a motivation letter.
- After provisional acceptance. Pay CHF 3,000 within 30 days and receive the visa letter.
- 8–12 weeks before the start. Book the visa appointment and submit your file.
- Six weeks before the start. Pay the rest of the first term and the deposit.
FAQ
Who awards the bachelor's degree at HIM Business School?
Northwood University in the United States awards the Bachelor of Business Administration. HIM itself awards only its Swiss ES professional diploma in business administration, which it starts issuing from autumn 2026 while recognition is still being completed.
Is HIM an accredited Swiss university?
No. swissuniversities does not list HIM as an accredited institution. It holds the Swiss eduQua quality label and industry memberships, which are not federal accreditation as a higher education institution.
How much does HIM cost?
The 2026 BBA costs $155,030 (CHF 129,400) for three academic years, covering tuition, a double room, meals and services. The CHF 2,000 refundable deposit and personal spending come on top; no fees are charged during internships.
What English score does HIM require?
IELTS Academic 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 46 for the BBA. Applicants below that level can take the English Foundation Program first. The AI master's asks for IELTS 6.0.
Can I work part-time while studying at HIM?
Term-time jobs are not available to HIM students in Vaud, because the cantonal rule covers only higher education institutions. Paid internships inside the programme remain, with the permit requested by the employer.
Does HIM handle the visa decision?
No. HIM issues the enrolment letter after the confirmation fee is paid; the Swiss embassy issues the D visa, and the Service de la population of Vaud decides on the residence permit.
Sources
- HIM: 2026 fees and term breakdown
- HIM: BBA programme, awarding body, requirements, intakes
- HIM: Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Business Administration (ES)
- HIM: Master in Applied AI in Customer Experience
- HIM: admissions, fees and scholarships, quality assurance, career services
- Northwood University: Academic Catalog 2026–2027 (PDF)
- swissuniversities: accredited Swiss higher education institutions
- Canton of Vaud: residence for study, private schools and side jobs
- Swiss Embassy in Russia: where to apply for a D visa, fees; Swiss Embassy in Kazakhstan
- Fedlex: SR 946.231.176.72, Article 20, version of 21.09.2026
Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 30.09.2026 (€1 = $1.1355 and CHF 0.9478, so CHF 1 ≈ $1.1980), rounded to $10. The embassy charges the visa fee in roubles. Information checked on 1 October 2026.
For the country overview see studying in Switzerland, and for routes after school see bachelor's degrees in Switzerland. If you want to work through whether a US BBA in Montreux fits your plans, send a request: document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and HIM Business School makes the admission decision.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- César Ritz Colleges Switzerland: Accredited Degrees, Fees and Admission
- Studying in Switzerland as a Russian Citizen: D Visa, Sanctions, Payments and Degree Recognition
- Studying in Switzerland for international applicants
- Hospitality Management in Switzerland: Schools, Degrees, Fees and Paid Internships
- EHL Hospitality Business School (Lausanne): HES-SO Degree, Fees and Admission
- Glion Institute of Higher Education
