Les Roches is a private hospitality management school whose main campus sits in Bluche above the Crans-Montana resort in the Canton of Valais. On 20 September 2024 the Swiss Accreditation Council accredited it under the federal Higher Education Act as a university of applied sciences institute, and it also holds US accreditation from NECHE. The school awards its BSc in Global Hospitality Management (180 ECTS) itself, with no foreign partner university. Most students start with a practical Experiential Year, followed by a three-year bachelor's with two 20-week internships. The full bachelor's for the spring and fall 2027 intakes costs $270,730 (CHF 225,975) including on-campus housing and board.
| At a glance | Spring and fall 2027 intakes |
|---|---|
| Status | university of applied sciences institute under Swiss law (decision of 20.09.2024); NECHE accredited |
| Who awards the degree | Les Roches Global Hospitality Education, no partner university |
| Campuses | Crans-Montana (Switzerland), Marbella (Spain), Abu Dhabi (UAE) |
| Bachelor's | Experiential Year (if needed) + 3 years, 180 ECTS, two 20-week internships |
| English | IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 70, Pearson 48 or Cambridge 160; result no older than 24 months |
| Full bachelor's | $270,730 (CHF 225,975): tuition, services, insurance, board, double room |
| Down payment after admission | $5,990 (CHF 5,000), non-refundable |
| Intakes | spring and fall |
Les Roches in Switzerland and Spain
Les Roches runs one bachelor's across three campuses. This page covers the Swiss campus in Crans-Montana. The Spanish campus has its own profile, Les Roches Marbella: fees there are in euros, there is a bilingual Spanish–English option, and the visa is Spanish. Students can transfer between campuses within the programme, but each campus sets its own transfer conditions and prices.
Les Roches and Glion both belong to Sommet Education, so their procedures, deposits and fee sheets look alike. Under Swiss law both hold the same status: university of applied sciences institute.
Who awards the degree and what that means
Les Roches is accredited at institutional level and awards its BSc itself. No British or American university is involved, unlike schools whose bachelor's degrees come from a foreign partner, such as SHMS with the University of Derby.
What accreditation does not settle automatically:
- Side jobs during study. Federal SEM directives allow them for students at universities, universities of applied sciences and universities of teacher education. They do not say explicitly whether accredited private institutes are covered, so ask the school and the Valais migration office before enrolling.
- Post-graduation job search. SEM grants six months to graduates of Swiss higher-education institutions. Confirm with the canton whether this applies to a private institute's graduates.
- A master's at a Swiss university. The university will check your BSc content against the programme's requirements.
Les Roches reports that it ranks second in the QS 2026 subject ranking for Hospitality & Leisure Management.
Who Les Roches suits
Les Roches fits you if you:
- want a hands-on, English-taught programme and a career in hotels, restaurants, resorts, events or luxury service;
- are ready for campus life in the mountains with full board and a business dress code;
- have IELTS 5.5 and are not aiming for the 7.0 EHL requires;
- are budgeting for a private school including housing and food.
Look elsewhere if:
- you want a public degree at low cost: business at the University of Lausanne costs $690 (CHF 580) per semester;
- you need a degree within HES-SO: EHL awards one;
- your budget is under $200,000: compare schools with shorter programmes, such as BHMS.
How the bachelor's works
| Stage | Content |
|---|---|
| Experiential Year, campus semester | guest relations, food and beverage, hotel operations |
| Experiential Year, internship | 20 weeks of operational work |
| BSc year 1 (semesters 1–2) | hospitality foundations, sustainability, innovation, marketing, management |
| BSc year 2 (semester 3) | second internship, 20 weeks, in a more senior role |
| BSc year 2 (semester 4) | financial modelling, revenue and pricing, CRM, analytics |
| BSc year 3 (semesters 5–6) | leadership and strategy; a specialisation or general management; final semester as Launch your career or an on-campus academic deep dive |
The Experiential Year carries US credits but no ECTS towards the 180-credit BSc. The programme totals 180 ECTS, or 125 US credits under the NECHE framework including the Experiential Year.
Three routes to admission
| Route | For whom | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| A — professional | Federal Vocational Baccalaureate with a related VET diploma, a specialised baccalaureate in a related occupation, or a recognised equivalent | direct BSc entry |
| B — baccalaureate plus experience | gymnasial baccalaureate or a foreign certificate assessed as equivalent under ENIC-NARIC frameworks, plus at least 12 months of related work | direct BSc entry |
| C — Experiential Year | academic and English requirements met, no related experience | Experiential Year first, then BSc |
A school-leaver from Russia or Kazakhstan without work experience almost always takes route C. The school assesses foreign certificates following Swiss ENIC guidance, and admissions has the final word, so ask how your certificate will be assessed before you pay anything.
Documents: CV, official academic credentials and final transcripts, English test score or exemption evidence, proof of work experience where relevant, ID, and a signed, dated personal statement. Interviews and written assessments follow the application review.
English:
- IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 70, Pearson 48, Cambridge B2 First grade C (160+) or C1 Advanced 160+;
- results no older than 24 months at the intake;
- exemptions for native speakers or after two years of full-time study in English;
- test centre code for Switzerland: 9827.
Non-credit English courses are available on campus if your level falls short.
Bachelor's fees in Crans-Montana, 2027
| Item | Experiential Year | BSc year 1 | BSc year 2 | BSc year 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $40,070 (CHF 33,450) | $80,150 (CHF 66,900) | $40,070 (CHF 33,450) | $43,220 (CHF 36,075) | $203,520 (CHF 169,875) |
| Academic resources, career support, services | — | — | — | — | $7,850 (CHF 6,550) |
| Health and accident insurance | — | — | — | — | $8,570 (CHF 7,150) |
| Full board and double room | — | — | — | — | $50,980 (CHF 42,550) |
| Total | $270,730 (CHF 225,975) |
Final-semester tuition is shown for the Launch your career option, $3,140 (CHF 2,625); the on-campus deep dive costs more in academic and living fees.
How the main charges fall:
- tuition of $40,070 (CHF 33,450) for each of five academic semesters; no tuition is charged during internships, but insurance is;
- full board at $6,290 (CHF 5,250) per semester for the first three campus semesters, then flexible board at $4,700 (CHF 3,920);
- a double room at $7,570 (CHF 6,320) per semester, with a single-room upgrade of $1,830 (CHF 1,530) subject to availability;
- parking $600 (CHF 500) per semester; upgrading to full board when living off campus $1,590 (CHF 1,330).
One-off charges:
- application fee $330 (CHF 275), non-refundable;
- refundable damage deposit $1,200 (CHF 1,000);
- down payment of $5,990 (CHF 5,000), credited to the first semester.
Living off campus is allowed only from BSc semester 4. New students and first-time transfers live on campus and start in a double room.
Payment deadlines, cancellations and refunds
- After the conditional offer, you pay a non-refundable $5,990 (CHF 5,000) down payment that counts towards the first semester. If you postpone, it carries over to one of the next two intakes.
- New students pay each semester in full by 15 May for fall and by 15 November for spring.
- If a new student cancels before the official arrival date, only the down payment is retained. Students who withdraw, are suspended or are expelled after the semester starts get no refund, except in mitigating circumstances.
- Students cannot start until the semester is paid. Residence permit documents, transcripts and degrees are released only once all fees are settled.
The school states plainly that internship pay cannot be expected to finance studies.
Scholarships for new students are limited and competitive, with criteria per scholarship. Current students in severe financial difficulty can apply for financial aid at least four months before the semester.
Master's and MBA in Crans-Montana
| Programme, 2027 | Academic fees | Compulsory board | Housing |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc in International Hospitality Management | $47,710 (CHF 39,820) | $9,390 (CHF 7,840) | optional, $7,570 (CHF 6,320) per semester |
| MSc in International Hotel Management | $45,550 (CHF 38,020) | $7,030 (CHF 5,870) | optional, $11,200 (CHF 9,345) |
| MSc in Sports Management & Events | $54,670 (CHF 45,630) | $9,390 (CHF 7,840) | optional, $7,570 (CHF 6,320) per semester |
| MBA in Global Hospitality Management | $81,260 (CHF 67,830) | $9,390 (CHF 7,840) | optional, $7,570 (CHF 6,320) per semester |
Master's programmes run three semesters: two on campus and a third for an internship or applied research project. Admission criteria for master's and MBA programmes are published separately on the school's site. Master's students may live off campus.
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. The Valais migration office decides. Les Roches says a student visa takes at least 2–3 months and asks students to apply as soon as they receive the acceptance package.
Health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland. Les Roches enrols all students in its school plan, and the cost is already in the fee sheet. For internships in Switzerland, the employer requests the permit.
Russian citizens should note Swiss sanctions: Article 20 of Ordinance SR 946.231.176.72 bars banks from accepting deposits above $119,800 (CHF 100,000) from Russian nationals and residents without a Swiss, EEA or UK residence permit. Legal payment routes: How to pay for studies abroad from Russia. D visa rules: Swiss student visa.
Les Roches, EHL and Glion
| Criterion | Les Roches | EHL | Glion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | university of applied sciences institute | school within HES-SO | university of applied sciences institute |
| Degree awarded by | the school itself | HES-SO | the school itself |
| English | IELTS 5.5 | IELTS 7.0 | IELTS 5.5 |
| Internships | 2 × 20 weeks | 2 × 24 weeks | 3 semesters |
| Full bachelor's budget | $270,730 (CHF 225,975) with housing and board | $220,290 (CHF 183,874) without housing | see the Glion profile |
| Down payment | $5,990 (CHF 5,000) | $7,190 (CHF 6,000) | see the Glion profile |
Timeline for a fall 2027 start
- Autumn 2026: take IELTS 5.5 or equivalent, mindful of the 24-month validity.
- December–February: apply, pay $330 (CHF 275), complete the interview.
- After the conditional offer: pay $5,990 (CHF 5,000).
- March–May: apply for the D visa and gather proof of funds.
- By 15 May: pay the first semester in full.
- August: arrive on campus and register with the commune.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up campuses: Marbella has different prices, currency and visa rules.
- Expecting ECTS from the Experiential Year. It qualifies you for the BSc but does not count towards the 180 credits.
- Assuming the down payment is refundable. The $5,990 (CHF 5,000) is not.
- Comparing totals with EHL without adjusting for housing: Les Roches includes board and room, EHL does not.
- Building a budget on internship pay.
FAQ
How much does Les Roches cost in Switzerland?
The full bachelor's in Crans-Montana for the spring and fall 2027 intakes costs $270,730 (CHF 225,975), covering tuition, services, insurance, full board and a double room. The $330 (CHF 275) application fee and $1,200 (CHF 1,000) refundable deposit are extra.
Is Les Roches accredited in Switzerland?
Yes. On 20 September 2024 the Swiss Accreditation Council accredited Les Roches under the federal Higher Education Act as a university of applied sciences institute. The school is also accredited by the US commission NECHE.
Who awards the Les Roches bachelor's degree?
Les Roches itself awards the BSc in Global Hospitality Management. No British or American partner university is involved, unlike at several other Swiss hospitality schools.
What English level does Les Roches require?
IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 70, Pearson 48 or Cambridge 160 and above. The result must be no older than 24 months at the intake. Native speakers and students with two years of full-time English-medium study may be exempt.
Can I enter the bachelor's without the Experiential Year?
Yes, with relevant vocational training, or with a recognised school certificate plus at least 12 months of hospitality work experience. School-leavers without such experience start with the Experiential Year.
Is the CHF 5,000 down payment refundable?
No. The $5,990 (CHF 5,000) down payment is due after the conditional offer and is not refunded. If you postpone your start, it can be carried over to one of the next two intakes.
How can StudyU help with a Les Roches application?
Choosing the campus and admission route, preparing the personal statement, interview and visa file, and comparing fee sheets across schools are provided under an agreement with StudyU. The Les Roches admissions committee decides on admission, and the Valais migration office decides on the permit.
Sources
- Les Roches: Crans-Montana fees and terms, 2027 (PDF); fees page
- Les Roches: bachelor's admission criteria and accreditation
- Les Roches: BSc in Global Hospitality Management
- swissuniversities: accredited Swiss higher-education institutions
- Les Roches: rankings and accreditations
- SEM: directives on foreign nationals, study and work sections (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
- EHL: bachelor's fees for comparison (PDF)
- Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 30.09.2026 (€1 = $1.1355 = CHF 0.9478, so CHF 1 ≈ $1.1980), rounded to $10. Facts checked on 01.10.2026.
For an overview, see Study in Switzerland, Hospitality management in Switzerland and the Les Roches Marbella profile. Comparing campuses, or Les Roches with other schools, for your profile is provided under an agreement with StudyU; the school makes the admission decision. To start, 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
- EHL Hospitality Business School (Lausanne): HES-SO Degree, Fees and Admission
- University of Lausanne (UNIL): Admission, Fees and Requirements for International Students
- Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS): University of Derby Degree, Fees and Admission
- Studying in Switzerland for international applicants
- Hospitality Management in Switzerland: Schools, Degrees, Fees and Paid Internships
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
