New Swiss Hotel School Player Climbs Ranking Ladder

New Swiss Hotel School Player Climbs Ranking Ladder
By Habib Souleiman, Bachelor of Arts in Hotel Management

Are you planning to study Business-BBA/MBA, Hospitality management, Hotel, Tourism or a mix of one or more of these fields in Europe?

Here is my story:
During my last year of my secondary education in the Middle East, my family asked me, what my plans were for my future career. As I was unsure what I could do and did not want to join the ranks of the unemployed after completing my education, I went to the career advisor of my school to get some sound advice. She informed me of careers in the various sectors of the economy. I was not interested in manufacturing, or primary sector jobs and I finally decided to make my career in the services industry, after finding out that more than 50% of the Fortune 500 companies were in that part of the economy. I am an outgoing person, enjoying interactions with people from many walks of life. I know I would not be happy to work cooped-up in an office all day, so I settled on the hotel and tourism industry. My plan was to work after graduation in one of the local 5 star hotels, hoping to be transferred after a time, within the hotel company into the various exotic locations were they have hotels.

I formed my decision after talking to the daughter of a friend, who came back home three years ago after her studies abroad in Switzerland. She told me, that after she had completed her education with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Hotel Management, she managed to get a management internship through the placement office of the Swiss school. She works now as a manager for one the prime hotel companies in town, training front of the house staff in their hotels all over Asia.

From her I found out, that when she planned her studies, she was faced with an overwhelming choice of offers for education in many countries. In the end she choose Switzerland, because she felt that she would get the most comprehensive education there, had the ability to learn French and she found in her research a number of Swiss Alumni working as managers in hotels in her home town.

Obviously things have changed since her graduation and for others wanting to pursue this education I have added my school selection criteria and the research that led me to make my choice where to study.
My criteria were:

• A good education at the most reasonable price
• The shortest path to a degree
• An accredited degree
• City location
• Possibility of foreign work experience
• Paid industry training (I need this to partly finance my education)
• Placement guarantee by the school into an industry training
• Ability to learn German
• Good ranking (this was difficult because in some countries this is not available)
• Successful Alumni

Today (31.10.2011) I was surprised to learn, that my school ranks first in AMAZON.com (Alexa), the world's largest Web Services Company, among students looking to study in a Swiss Hotel and Tourism School.  Of course, I am not surprised about this, because for me “value for money” a short study time” and “accredited degree” was the main criteria for me to choose a school. It is good to know, that other prospective students have the same emphasis.
For the record, I have listed the schools in order of popularity.

Top 10 Hotel Schools in Switzerland are:
1. Business & Hotel Management School
2. Glion Institute of Higher Education
3. Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL-Lausanne Hotel School)
4. César Ritz Colleges Switzerland - Hotel School
5. Les Roches International School of Hotel Management
6. International Hotel Management Institute (IMI University Centre Switzerland)
7. Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS-Switzerland)
8. HIM - Hotel Institute Montreux
9. Les Roches-Gruyère University of Applied Sciences (in Clarens, Bulle and Bluche)
10. IHTTI-Neuchatel School of hotel management - Hospitality – Tourism (Member of ASEH)

Of course, there are lots of other places to study and many prospective students have other criteria for their choice of education or place to study than mine. For these people I include a link, were one can find some more schools: Swiss Universities Handbook – Swiss Hotel Management School – Top Universities in Switzerland.

I am writing this article from my desk here in Switzerland, having successfully graduated a short while ago and working now in my first management position with good prospects for further promotion. You may ask, were did he study in the end and did he reach is goal? Well for me the criteria listed above led me to my school and the name of it is BHMS Business and Hotel management school located in the tourism capital of Switzerland the City of Lucerne. I am very proud for my school to be topping the AMAZON ranking list.

Oh… did I reach my goal? You Bet!!
Are you interested to know more about Hospitality industry in Switzerland feel free to contact me at habibals@gmx.ch

List of largest universities by enrollment in Switzerland

Rank	Institution	Total students
1	University of Zurich	25,618
2	Zurich University of Applied Sciences	15,334
3	Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich	15,093
4	Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale, HES-SO	14,982
5	University of Geneva	14,489
6	University of Bern	14,290
7	University of Basel	11,360
8	University of Lausanne	11,062
9	University of Fribourg	9,826
10	University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland	7,500
11	École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne	~6,800
12	University of St. Gallen	6,726
13	Bern University of Applied Sciences	5,673
14	Lucerne University of Applied Sciences	5,033
15	University of Neuchâtel	4,053
16	University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland	~ 4,100
17	University of Lugano	2,157
18	École hôtelière de Lausanne	2,000
19	University of Lucerne	1,851
20	Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences	~1,300
21	Franklin College Switzerland	~450
22	Les Roches-Gruyère University of Applied Science	~50

Read More at Top Accredited Business Schools in Switzerland

Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration (HWZ)

The University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration Zurich (HWZ, German: Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich) is the oldest and biggest part-time University for economics and Business Administration in Switzerland and is a Part from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences.

History

It was founded in 1986 as the part-time HWV Zurich (University for Economics and Administration) by the KV Switzerland and the Juventus Schools Foundation of Zurich.

Location

The HWZ is situated in the modern “Sihlhof” right in the heart of Zurich, 3 minutes from the main railway station.

BACHELOR

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BBA) “in German”
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BBA) “in English”
• Bachelor of Science in Communication
• Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology

MASTER

• Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Business Analysis & Information Engineering
• Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Business Communications
• Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Business Consulting
• Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Business Engineering
• Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Controlling
• Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Health Care Management
• Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Human Resources Leadership
• Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Project Management
• Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Quality Leadership
• Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Real Estate Management
• Master of Science (MSc) in Business Administration
• Master of Science (MSc) in Accounting & Finance
• Executive MBA - Marketing 80% “in German” in Switzerland and 20% “in English” at University of Virginia.
• Executive MBA - General Management
• DUAL EMBA AND MBA: EXECUTIVE Master of Business Administration from HWZ, Switzerland and MASTER of Business Administration from University of Southern Queensland, Australia (“in English”)

DBA

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from University of Southern Queensland, Australia

CAS CERTIFICATES

• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Communication & Moderation
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Corporate Communications
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Corporate Publisher
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Intern Communication / HR-Communication
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in IT Service Management
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Kundenkommunikation
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Live Communication
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Leadership & Strategy
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Management in der Psychiatrie
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Professionelle Medienarbeit
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Public Affairs Management
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in PR-Redaktor/-in
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Process Management
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Rhetorik und Moderation
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Certified Investment Products Expert (SCIPE)
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Social Media Management

DAS DIPLOMAS

• Diplomas of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Accounting & Finance
• Diplomas of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Live Communication

Keys

• Member of the Universities of Applied Sciences of Zurich (ZFH)
• Accredited by the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET) [1]
• Private and independent
• Full suite of courses: bachelor, masters, doctorate and other courses
• International academic network and partners from the business world
• Practical work by the students and lecturers
• Active Alumni Association with more than 2,500 members

Read More at Top Accredited Business Schools in Switzerland

University of Business & Finance Switzerland

University of Business and Finance Switzerland (UBFS) is a private business school located in Wettingen, Switzerland offering BBA and MBA degrees recognized by the University of Wales, and focusing in topics of Finance, International and Hospitality Management. BBA degrees are three years (nine trimesters), MBA degrees two years (five trimesters).

Read More at Top Accredited Business Schools in Switzerland

Swiss Hotel Schools Association (ASEH)

Switzerland has trained the world's hotel management leaders for more than a century. Swiss hotel schools are famous for their professionalism, discipline and their mixture of practical and theoretical education and training. The Swiss Hotel Schools Association (ASEH), is the primary accreditation agency upholding established academic, professional and ethical standards for its members. Schools are inspected on a regular basis to ensure compliance with ASEH's standards. ASEH's aim ist to protect the high reputation of the traditional hotel management schools and only accepts members that meet the high standards. This unique consolidation of 11 Swiss Hotel Management Schools educate national and international students. The schools teach in German, English, French or Italian.  ASEH is supported by the two professional Organizations GastroSuisse and Hotel & Gastrounion, which each have one representative on the committee.

Member schools

• Belvoirpark Hotelfachschule Zürich
• DCT University Center Hospitality Leadership & European Culinary Arts
• École hôtelière de Genève "ES"
• HIM, Hotel Institute Montreux
• Hotelfachschule Thun
• IHTTI, International Hotel and Tourism Training Institute
• Institut Hôtelier "César Ritz"
• Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern
• Swiss Hotel Management School
• SSAT Scuola superiore Alberghiera e del Turismo
• SSTH Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality Ltd

Read More at Top Accredited Business Schools in Switzerland

SBS Swiss Business School

SBS Swiss Business School is a management institution located in Zurich. SBS Swiss Business School was founded in 1998 and it provides graduate and undergraduate academic programs in business and management. The Honorary President is Dr. Charles Mercieca, former Professor Emeritus at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama, USA. The Academic Dean is Dr. Bert Wolfs.  SBS Swiss Business School was listed 29th out of 42 entries on the Financial Times 2009 online MBA list.

Academic Programs

SBS Swiss Business School offers a variety of programs:
Bachelor

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Science in E-Commerce (BS)
• Accelerate Adult Education

Master of Business Administration

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Distance Learning MBA
• Executive MBA
• Flex MBA

Doctorate

• Doctor of Business Administration (Doctorate)

All academic programs are taught in English.


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University of St. Gallen

The University of St. Gallen (in German: Universität St. Gallen) is a public research university located in St. Gallen, Switzerland. It is specialized in the fields of business administration, economics, law, and international affairs. The University of St. Gallen is also known as HSG, which is an abbreviation of its former German name Hochschule St. Gallen.  Despite being one of the smaller universities in Switzerland, the University of St. Gallen has the largest faculty for business administration within Switzerland, Germany and Austria. It is considered to be one of the leading business schools in Europe. Recently, the Financial Times ranked the University of St. Gallen's Master's program in Management (SIM) 1st worldwide and its Master's program in Finance (MBF) 12th worldwide.  The University of St. Gallen is a member of the CEMS and APSIA networks. It is EQUIS and AACSB accredited

History

The University of St. Gallen was founded as a "business academy" in 1898 and offered its first lectures in 1899, making it one of the oldest universities of its kind in the world.
In autumn 2009, there were about 6,500 students, 80 tenured professors, 60 assistant professors and senior lecturers, and over 300 lecturers and 300 assistants. The University is financed by the Canton of St. Gallen and other Swiss cantons. The laws of the Canton of St. Gallen give the university far-reaching research autonomy

Rankings

In the Financial Times Executive Education Ranking 2009, the University of St. Gallen is ranked 30th globally and 13th within Europe. Within the German speaking area, St. Gallen takes the lead. The St. Gallen EMBA is ranked 60 worldwide and ranked 21 within Europe. St. Gallen was ranked 26th among the Global Top 200 Business Schools in QS Quacquarelli Symonds 2010 ranking. The Masters of Arts program in Strategy and International Management (SIM) has been ranked 1st and the Masters of Arts program in Banking and Finance (MBF) has been ranked 12th globally by Financial Times in the 2011 ranking. Bloomberg Businessweek has included St. Gallen MBA as one of the Top 23 programs outside the US. The Wall Street Journal has ranked St. Gallen MBA 13th globally for accelerated MBA program. Handelsblatt, a German business newspaper, has ranked the University of St. Gallen 2nd in Business Administration in 2009 and 9th in Economics in 2011 for its research output among universities in Germany, Austria, and the German speaking part of Switzerland. According to a 2009 ranking by the Centre for Higher Education Development, a German think tank, the University of St. Gallen belongs to a top group of only six universities in Europe that provide an outstanding overall study situation for Master's and doctoral students in Economics. In 2011, the program Strategic International Management (SIM) of the University of St.Gallen was ranked 1st worldwide, leaving its peer programs from Harvard Business School and Wharton Business School on second resp. third rank.

Read More at Top Accredited Business Schools in Switzerland

List of Hospitality Management Schools in Switzerland

The following Schools are at least accredited by Swiss quality label for further education institutions (EduQua) or Swiss Hotel Schools Association (ASEH) in Switzerland.

Hospitality Schools in Switzerland

• Business and Hotel Management School - Switzerland - BHMS
• Belvoirpark Hotelfachschule Zürich
• Les Roches International School of Hotel Management
• DCT University Center Hospitality Leadership & European Culinary Arts
• École hôtelière de Genève - ES
• École hôtelière de Lausanne
• Glion Institute of Higher Education
• Hotel Institute Montreux - HIM
• Hotelfachschule Thun
• International Hotel Management Institute Switzerland IMI
• International Hotel and Tourism Training Institute - IHTTI
• Cesar Ritz Colleges
• LRG University of Applied Sciences
• Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern - SHL
• Swiss Hotel Management School
• Scuola superiore Alberghiera e del Turismo - SSAT
• Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality - SSTH

Read More at Top Accredited Business Schools in Switzerland

International University in Geneva

International University in Geneva (IUG) is a private university founded in 1997 and located in Geneva, Switzerland.


Founded with the aim of providing a multicutural education and incorporated as a not-for-profit Swiss Private Foundation in 1997, its first president was David Williamson (retired president of DuPont). IUG's mission is to "provide the highest quality education for student success in business and related careers" in "cooperation with the international business community." . International Herald Tribune and The New York Times called IUG "The most international of Switzerland's university level institutions"  IUG indicates that it promotes and encourages cultural diversity, and aims to develop analytical skills and human behavior analysis that serves the needs of future leaders in the professional & political world scenario of 2020.

Academics: Faculty is distinguished by program-completion at LBS, Cranfield, HLS, IMD, INSEAD, Sorbonne, Berkeley, and work at United Nations agencies, NGOs, and other multinational companies.

Membership

IUG is a member of

• EMFD: European Foundation for Management Development
• Φβδ International Honor Society: εΓ Chapter
• AACSB: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (USA)
• NAFSA: Association of Foreign Student Advisers (USA)
• NACAC: National Association for College Admission Counseling (USA)
• AACRAO: American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (USA)
• ECIS: European Council of International Schools (U.K.)
• AGEP: Association Genevoise des Ecoles Privées (Switzerland)
• FSEP: Fédération Suisse des Ecoles Privées (Switzerland)

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International School of Business Management

International School of Business Management or ISBM Hotel Management School shortly (ISBM) is a private University in Switzerland with two campuses located in Canton of Lucerne. One of the campus is in Littau and the other is in Weggis. It is one of the best hotel management school in the country offering world-class hotel management courses in reasonable tuition fees. Every year the school selects a specific amount of students for admission which is directly governed by the immigration authority of Kanton Luzern.

ISBM-Switzerland is offering a very flexible study programs, 6 months Education and 6 months Paid Training each year during the education at ISBM. This courses are designed to develop the student's professional skills and to make them familiar with the demand of Hospitality Industry. Graduates from ISBM are working in different sectors of the industry all around the world. The BBA is 4 years and MBA is 2 years

Read More at Top Accredited Business Schools in Switzerland

International Institute for Management Development

IMD - International Institute for Management Development is a non profit business school located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

IMD was formed in January 1990 through the merger of independent management education centers International Management Institute (Geneva) (IMI), established in 1946 by Alcan, and Institut pour l'Etude des Methodes de Direction de l'Entreprise (IMEDE) Lausanne established in 1957 by Nestlé. The new organization settled in Lausanne.  Its industrial heritage sets it apart from the other leading business schools, which are all university-affiliated. IMD is set up as a business school that solely provides executive education; it is determinedly not part of a university, and there are no academic departments, just one integrated multidisciplinary faculty. The professors do not have permanent academic tenure but work under one-year contracts and a performance based pay package. The faculty consists of 60 full-time members, made up of 23 different nationalities. The current President is Dominique Turpin, who follows John R. Wells and Peter Lorange. The latter ran the school from 1993 till 2008 and has been widely credited with having established the institute as one of the world's leading business schools. IMD has a strong focus on training and developing general management and leadership skills. IMD selects therefore experienced candidates for both the Master of Business Administration (MBA) (average age 31) and the Executive MBA (average age 39). Its other focus is to have a broad international group of participants attending the courses to ensure that no nationality dominates. It intentionally doesn't set up branches in other countries but brings the participants together in Lausanne to stimulate cross-cultural interaction. Every year, some 8,000 executives, representing over 98 nationalities attend one of the programs.

Read More at Top Accredited Business Schools in Switzerland

International Hotel Management Institute Switzerland

IMI University Centre OR International Hotel Management Institute Switzerland (IMI) is a Swiss private University with three campuses located in Luzern teaching Tourism, Hospitality, Events Management and Culinary Arts. IMI University Centre offers undergraduate, postgraduate and graduate programs, range from Certificate through to Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration (MBA) . In any semester there are over 50 different nationalities and the IMI- Staff is from over 10 different nationalities. The teaching language of instruction is English. IMI’s educational partner is Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK (MMU)

An Internship (formerly known as in-training) is a paid practical training and play a crucial role in the education programme of IMI. The reason is that the hotel and tourism industry is constantly looking for individuals not only with a strong academic background but also with fundamental practical skills. And after each academic semester, students have an opportunity to do a practical training of 6 months in Switzerland (or as an alternative 12 months abroad). And according to the Swiss law in Switzerland all Trainees have to be paid.

Typical internship positions
The Internship positions are mostly available in hotels or restaurant in the German or French speaking part of Switzerland. Depending on the previous work experience and language skills, students will find positions mostly in operational departments like service, kitchen, housekeeping or reception. Some opportunities are also available in the UK, USA, Dubai and other countries.

Double degree

IMI University Centre students who study for their Certificate, Diploma, Higher Diploma and/or BA Degree at IMI will receive two qualification: Swiss IMI award and the British MMU award. At BA level, Honours are given if the student passes his/her dissertation.

Undergraduate courses

validated by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
• Certificate in International Hotel and Tourism Management
• Diploma in International Hotel and Tourism Management (Cert HE)
• Higher Diploma in International Hotel Management (Dip. HE)
• Higher Diploma in International Tourism Management
• Higher Diploma in International Hotel and Tourism Management
• Higher Diploma in European Culinary Management
• BA Degree with Honours in International Hotel Management (BAHM)
• BA Degree with Honours in International Hotel and Tourism Management (BAHTM)
• BA Degree with Honours in International Hotel and Events Management (BAHEM)
• BA Degree with Honours in International Tourism Management (BATM)
• BA Degree with Honours in International Tourism and Events Management (BATEM)
• BA Degree with Honours in European Culinary Management (BACM)

Postgraduate courses

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Hospitality Management (MBA)
• Postgraduate Diploma in International Hospitality Management (PgD)

Other courses

• Foundation in English Studies Course (FESC)
• University English Preparatory Course (UEPC)
• Intensive English Certificate (IEC)

Membership

IMI University is member in:
• Luzern Tourism, IMI is the first active member of the Luzern Tourism Board actively working to promote Luzern as a student city.
• Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Quality label for Swiss Tourism (QQQ) programme is supported by all major Swiss tourism associations. Its purpose is to enhance and safeguard the quality of service in Switzerland . The level QQQ means that IMI have successfully implemented a comprehensive and internationally recognised Quality Management System.
• International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IHRA)
• Institute of Hospitality (UK). Previously MHCIMA.
• European Foundation for Accreditation of Hotel School Programmes (EFAH)
• European Association of Hotel and Tourism Schools (AEHT)
• World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS)
• The Leading Hotel Schools in Europe (EURHODIP)
• Swiss Chefs Society (Schweizerischer Kochverband)
• Craft Guild of Chefs
• Euhofa International (EUHOFA)
• Cercle des Chefs de Cuisine (CCCL)
• The Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE)

Key Dates  2008: 
2008 Summer Olympics Games. IMI was chosen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by Luzern Tourism to be its hospitality ambassador at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. the IMI students helped to run the official House of Switzerland
2009: All undergraduate programs are dual awards by both MMU Manchester Metropolitan University and IMI University Centre. Luzern has hosted the first Global Tourism Forum. IMI was an executive partner during this event.
2010: 3 star hotel accommodation for IMI student in Lucerne City


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Institut de Finance et Management

Since 1971, the University IFM trains future leaders, executives or business leaders. The university concentrates on excellence, professionalism and experience and adds usability and personalization to its courses. IFM University - Institute of Finance and Management is an independent institution that is dedicated to the formation of national and international students. The university prepares students in the fields of business, management, finance, marketing, communication and international relations.

IFM University proposes several 3-year Bachelor Programs such as the BBA (Bachelor in Business Administration), BIB (Bachelor in International Business), BBF (Bachelor in Business Finance) and the BCD (Bachelor in Communication and Digital Marketing)

It also offers a 1-year MBA (Master in Business Administration) Program with options in International Business and Digital Marketing.

Read More at Top Accredited Business Schools in Switzerland

HEC Lausanne

HEC Lausanne (standing for Faculté des Hautes Études Commerciales), also called the Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Lausanne in English, is the affiliated business school of the University of Lausanne. It offers different programs: two Bachelors of Science, six Masters of Science, all integrated to the Bologna System, executive MBA programs and PhD programs.  The faculty received the AMBA and EQUIS accreditations for the excellency of its teaching and is ranked among the Top 10 Business Schools in Europe for its research according to the ranking published by the University of Texas, Dallas. The Financial Times ranked its Master's program in Management 35th worldwide

In 1537, the Academy of Lausanne is founded as a school of theology. In 1890, the Academy of Lausanne receives the status of University and it is within the Faculty of Law that economics is taught. This period is strongly influenced by Léon Walras (1834-1910), the founder of the Lausanne School and creator of the general equilibrium theory. It is also the time of Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923), famous author of the concept of Pareto efficiency.  On April 15, 1911, the "Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales" (HEC) is founded by Léon Morf and Georges Paillard within the Faculty of Law. The same year, the school welcomes its 12 first students. Léon Morf, professor of management tools, public accounting, and financial mathematics is its first dean, followed by Georges Paillard.  Over the years, professors like Henri Rieben, founder of the first department of European Integration, François Schaller, President of the Bank Council of the Swiss National Bank from 1986 to 1989, perpetuate the reputation of the school.


HEC's Bachelor program is made up of three modules spread over three years and may be completed within a minimum of three years, not counting possible repeats of the first or second years, and up to a maximum of five. From the summer term of the second year onwards, the course syllabus is made up of two choices, each corresponding to one of the two specialised subjects for which HEC awards its two Bachelors of Science (BSc) Degrees:

• BSc in Management
• BSc in Economics

The two first years of Bachelor are highly selective. HEC's Bachelor program is open to all holders of a Federal Matura School-Leaving Certificate (Swiss highschool degree) or equivalent.

The Graduate School

HEC Lausanne offers the following Masters of Science (MSc) Degrees:

• MSc in Accounting Control and Finance
• MSc in Actuarial Science
• MSc in Information Systems
• MSc in Economics
• MSc in Finance
• MSc in Management

HEC Lausanne offers also a multidisciplinary Master program in collaboration with the Faculty of Law and Criminal Justice and the School of Criminal Justice of the University of Lausanne:

• Master of Law (MLaw) in Legal Issues, Crime and Security of Information Technologies

PhD Programs

HEC Lausanne offers the following doctoral programs (PhD):

• PhD in Actuarial Science
• PhD in Information Systems
• PhD in Economics
• PhD in Finance
• PhD in Management
• PhD in History of Economic Thought
• PhD in Public Administration

Read More at Top Accredited Business Schools in Switzerland

GSBA Zurich

GSBA Zurich was an unaccredited international Business School at lakeside Zurich, Switzerland. In July 2009 Peter Lorange, former IMD president, bought GSBA Zurich. The GSBA's new name is Lorange Institute of Business Zürich


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Geneva Business School

Geneva Business School (GBS) is an International private business school created in 2001 in Geneva Switzerland.

GBS offers Bachelor's and Master's degree programs specialized in Finance and Business Administration with Swiss (EduQua), European (ECBE), Accreditation Council for Business School & Programs, US (IACBE) accreditations.  There is also an active dual degree transfer program with ESC Chambery in France for Bachelor and Master.  GBS offers three kinds of Bachelor's degrees: Bachelor's in Finance (BF), Bachelor's in Business and Administration (BBA), and the dual bachelor's degree with ESC Chambery. At the Master's degree level there is a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Science degree in Finance (MSc.F), the European Master Degree in Private Banking (EMIB) and a dual degree with ESC Chambery.  GBS also offers a doctorate level degree: the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in finance, marketing or administrations.


Established upon the request of Swiss international banks and financial institutions, IFGP (in 1995) has been responsible for the professional development of individuals assuming leadership functions in financial and management institutions.
This same institutions created University of Finance (UF) in June 2001, a University specialized in Banking and Insurance educations.
Following the bankruptcy of Geneva Business Institute Cie (GBI) in August 2003 (a small private school specialized in Management), and with the agreement of the Canton of Geneva (Departement of education) University of Finance (UF) integrated the academic programs of this University, and consequently the name of University of Finance Cie was updated to Business & Management University (BMU), and University of Finance remained as the Finance program.
In partnership with more than 200 international banks, insurance companies and Swiss institutions BMU / IFGP group is recognized as one of Switzerland's leading educational center in training of management, finance, banking and insurance professionals.
In 2010, it has been decided by the management broad of BMU after extensive research and analysis to gradually replace the name of Business & management University with the name "Geneva Business School"(GBS). This strategic decision coincides with the development of many new programs and ever-changing and adapting the University image. In addition to the existence of the first 10 years of the business and Management University in 2011.


The Geneva Business School is committed to higher education. It carries out its mission by assembling a faculty team having high academic and professional standards.
GBS is dedicated to the preparation of students in Business Administration and Finance.
GBS provide educational services for the larger national and international community, especially graduate education for mature students.
The encouragement of students to develop their unique potential and to quickly become a productive member of society is the principal aspiration of GBS. In addition the University responds to the needs of its students through administrative services, teaching and research programs.
The stated institutional goals of GBS are as follow :

• To provide educational programs that enable students to read, write, compute, speak effectively, and think critically.
• To prepare students to demonstrate competence in their chosen fields of study at corresponding degree levels and to encourage excellence in student learning.
• To develop educational programs to meet the needs of constituencies.
• To develop continuous educational programs for both professional advancement and personal enrichment.
• To encourage and provide essential support services for creative activities and research.
• To provide leadership and planning for future development.

Geneva Business School is located in the heart of the International neighborhood, rightfully known as " Nations", between the World Trade Organization and the United Nations.
The Campus has several classrooms within which some rooms are capable of catering 100 seated students and a dedicated IT room with student access to the school's network as well as 4.8MPS wifi connection throughout the entire school.
Students have access to the enormous University library located within five minute walking distance from the campus, at the Library for the Geneva Institute of International Studies.
In the enormous park found across the street, a popular student restaurant can be found serving mid day meals at a discount price with a valid student card. For those looking for a more multi-cultural experience, the famous Paquis with its Chinese and Indian restaurants, as well as small "mom and pop" sandwich stores, are only a few minutes walk away.


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University of Geneva

The University of Geneva (French: Université de Genève) is a public research university located in Geneva, Switzerland.  It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin, as a theological seminary and law school. It remained focused on theology until the 17th century, when it became a center for Enlightenment scholarship. In 1873, it dropped its religious affiliations and became officially secular. Today, the university is the second-largest university in Switzerland. It has programs in various fields but is particularly acknowledged for its academic and research programs in international relations (with Geneva being hostess to a dense agglomeration of international organizations), law, astrophysics, astronomy, genetics (with a record of prominent contributions to the fields of planetary science and genetics, developmental psychology, neuroscience, and theology.  Classes are taught mainly in French. The university holds and actively pursues teaching, research, and community service as its primary objectives. It was ranked 73rd worldwide by the Academic Ranking of World Universities, and 69th in the QS World University Rankings in 2011. The university is a member of the League of European Research Universities.  In 2009, the University of Geneva celebrated the 450th anniversary of its founding through a wide range of public events.

Before 2005, the University applied the French education model of granting academic degrees, with some minor differences: demi-licence (two years), licence (four years), diplôme d'études approfondies and diplôme d'études superieures spécialisées (DEA/DESS) (1–2 years), and doctorate (3–5 years). The University now follows the requirements of the Bologna process: bachelor's (three years), master's (1–2 years), Master of Advanced Studies (1–2 years), doctorate (3–5 years). 


The University is composed of eight faculties:

• Faculty of Sciences (natural sciences)
• Faculty of Medicine (medical school)
• Faculty of Arts (Humanities)
• Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences with studies including business school (Haute École Commerciale - HEC), economics, sociology and international relations)
• Faculty of Law (Geneva Law School) (law school)
• Faculty of Protestant Theology (Protestant theological school)
• Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (psychology and education)
• School of Translation and Interpretation (translating and interpreting)

The university has also developed a continuing education programme. The university has a partnership with the nearby Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and the Bossey Ecumenical Institute, and students at the university may take courses at these institutes.
Inter-faculty centers:

• Institute for Reformation History (the Reformation)
• Computer Science Department (computer science)
• University Centre for Study of Energy Problems (energy policy)
• The European Institute of the University of Geneva (European studies, European integration)
• Interfaculty Center of Gerontology (gerontology)
• Swiss Center for Affective Sciences (affective science)
• Center for Environmental Studies
• Geneva Finance Research Institute

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European University

The European University (EU) is a multi-campus business school, established in 1973, with headquarters in Switzerland. It operates campuses in Switzerland (Geneva and Montreux), Spain (Barcelona), Germany (Munich), and the United Kingdom (London), with an executive facility in Yvorne, Switzerland.  European University's Spain campus was ranked at 52 out of sixty-seven European business schools in the 2010 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings. It tied for last in QS's 2010 ranking of finance programs. The president of the school is Professor Dirk Craen, who is also UNESCO Chair in International Relations, Business Administration and Entrepreneurship.

EU offers English-language business education programs. It classifies these programs at undergraduate and graduate level; such as bachelor, master and doctoral degree programs in business administration (BBA, MBA and DBA). The university also offers majors in several fields of management education such as communication and public relations, information systems management, wealth management, finance banking and corporate finance.

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Zurich University of Applied Sciences/ZHAW

The ZHAW University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW, German: Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften) located in the city of Winterthur, with facilities in Zurich and Wädenswil, is the largest University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland and is part from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences.

Currently, the university has eight schools, covering architecture and civil engineering, health, linguistics, life sciences and facility management, applied psychology, social work, engineering and management and law.

The Zurich University of Applied Sciences was founded in September 2007, when the previously independent institutions Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur, University of Applied Sciences Wädenswil, the School of Social Work and the School of Applied Psychology in Zurich merged. The former Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur was itself made up out of schools with long histories: the Technikum Winterthur was founded in 1874 as Switzerland's largest engineering school, and the Höhere Wirtschafts- und Verwaltungsschule was established in 1968. Both schools were the first of their kind in Switzerland.

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BSL, Business School Lausanne

BSL was founded in 1987 by John Hobbs, a university professor who felt business education was missing valuable practical learning. He built BSL as a small international business school in Lausanne, Switzerland certified by the ACBSP in 1996 and in 1997 it was integrated into the Lemania Group of Private Schools. Thanks to a partnership with ESM Ecole de Management et de Communication in Geneva, the Executive MBA program is also available in French.
In line with BSL’s focus on practical and pragmatic learning, the multidisciplinary faculty is formed by experienced business professionals. The faculty consists of 35 members from 15 different nationalities. Today the school is dedicated to offering its students a sound and innovative business education that will prepare them for successful careers in management in a global business environment. Learning is an interactive experience and participants and faculty are professional partners in learning and innovation. For this reason, BSL selects experienced candidates for the MBA (average age of 32) and the EMBA (average age of 37) to enrich the learning exchange. For all programs, BSL selects a broad international group of participants with over 40 nationalities represented to enhance the cultural learning experience. Small class sizes with a balanced cultural mix contribute to the interactive and participative educational environment.

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SHMS Swiss Hotel Management School - Caux/Montreux

SHMS Swiss Hotel Management School is Switzerland’s largest English speaking Hotel Management School. SHMS offers a wide range of world-class academic programmes for undergraduates and postgraduates in Hospitality, Events and Tourism Management. The Swiss Diploma and Higher Diploma combine theoretical and practical modules and include two internship placements where students gain valuable industry experience.

The BA (hons) Degree in Hospitality, Tourism or Events Management is awarded by the University of Derby (UK). For graduates, SHMS offers a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management and a variety of exciting postgraduate diploma courses, recognizing the strong demand in the industry for highly educated professionals.

The two SHMS campuses in Caux and Leysin welcome students from over 65 nationalities making student’s life a truly international experience. Caux is a unique location close to the lively city of Montreux. The campus is located in the historic Caux Palace. Leysin is an international ski resort providing students with a wide range of recreational and sporting activities.

As a member of the Swiss Education Group, SHMS is 100% Swiss owned ensuring that its students receive top quality education with a distinctive Swiss style which is renowned worldwide.

SHMS offers two intakes each year in February and September. For students who need to improve their English language skills prior to beginning the academic year, the school provides a partly sponsored English Foundation programme.

Testimonials:

Marta
SHMS Student, Portugal

“SHMS has a great reputation within the hospitality industry and is also our home during the time we are studying here. I know from the experience of my internships and from talking to my friends, that SHMS students are respected and sought after in many countries around the world.”

Phan Ing Pai
SHMS Graduate
Group General Manager, Modena Hospitality Management Co. Ltd

"Learning at SHMS was an eye-opening experience which laid a solid and professional foundation to my career.”

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School of Hotel Management - IHTTI

IHTTI School of Hotel Management in Neuchâtel city, is one of the most established and successful hotel management schools in Switzerland. With a long history of producing world-class hospitality and tourism executives, IHTTI’s graduates are its strongest credential. They are working in key positions around the world.

The IHTTI campus consists of a modern building located in the heart of Neuchâtel. The lobby and the rooms were recently renovated. Neuchâtel is a pulsating Swiss University city. Its atmospheric Old Town is extremely attractive, with the golden beauty of its architecture, its many cafés and restaurants and its trendy bars. With its upscale street markets and hip designer boutiques Neuchâtel has the flavour of a town actively seeking influences from beyond its own borders.

Over the years IHTTI has built strong links to local institutions such as the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the University library and the local hotel industry. These links provide students with additional support throughout their studies.

IHTTI offers a wide range of world-class academic programmes in Hospitality and Tourism management. The BA Degree is awarded by the University of Derby (UK). Due to the limited number of students IHTTI is able to provide a very individual and personal service to each student.

As a member of the Swiss Education Group, IHTTI is 100% Swiss owned which ensures its students receive top quality education with a distinctive Swiss style that is renowned worldwide.

IHTTI offers two intakes each year in February and September. For students who need to improve their English language skills prior to beginning the academic year, the school provides a partly sponsored English Foundation programme.

Testimonials:

Alexandra D.

IHTTI student, Moldovia

1st Year Student on BA route

“The school gives outstanding opportunities for the future and an unforgettable experience of the lifetime. If you have an opportunity to study in IHTTI, definitely grab it, and you won't regret!”

Mr Michael Smithuis

IHTTI Graduate

General Manager Fairmont Le Montreux Palace

Montreux, Switzerland

“IHTTI has proven to be an outstanding choice as a starting point for my career in the hospitality industry. The excellent theoretical and practical training I received gave me the foundation on which to develop my professional career. IHTTI is a school with an excellent reputation in the hospitality industry.”

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Hotel Institute Montreux

HIM Hotel Institute Montreux offers an internationally recognized Swiss Diploma in Hotel Operations Management, a Swiss Higher Diploma in Hospitality Management and together with its partner Northwood University, a BBA degree in Business Administration and Hotel, Restaurant and Resort Management. A winning combination of Swiss style Hospitality and American Management training.

HIM recognizes the global demand for well-educated business leaders and is proud to offer an MBA with its US partner the Northwood, DeVos Graduate School of Management.

Graduates leave HIM as highly educated professionals after completing their academic and practical curriculum including Internships in Switzerland and around the world.

HIM is located in the heart of Montreux, a lively town rich in hospitality history, on beautiful lake Geneva. The unique living environment as well as the blend of over 60 nationalities under one roof creates an exciting and unforgettable student experience.

HIM’s large and influent Alumni network is an obvious proof of its success. As a member of the Swiss Education Group, HIM is 100% Swiss owned which ensures its students receive top quality education with a distinctive Swiss style that is renowned worldwide. HIM is also accredited by the Swiss Hotel Schools Association (ASEH) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Inc, USA (NEASC).

HIM offers two intakes each year in February and September. For students who need to improve their English language skills prior to beginning the academic year, the school provides a partly sponsored English Foundation programme.

Testimonials:
Filippos
HIM Student, Greece
"I chose HIM because I wanted to study hospitality at the highest level of professionalism. At HIM the professors are your coaches and the students are your friends. HIM has been a place for me to explore who I am and opened my eyes to different points of views."

Mr Omer Acar
HIM Graduate
General Manager of Ritz Paris, France
"HIM has a great reputation within the hospitality industry for educating culturally diverse students and developing an exceptional professional attitude. HIM graduates have the qualities and skills that are needed to build a successful career."

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Business and Hotel Management School (BHMS)

BHMS Business & Hotel Management School is located in the city of Lucerne, and is a member of the Bénédict Switzerland chain of schools. The chain has grown into a world-renowned learning organization, with specialization in hotel management being offered exclusively at BHMS in Lucerne. Here, a select group of approximately 300 students per year prepare themselves for hospitality opportunities available in the world's fastest growing market and career segment.

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Executive MBA HEC Lausanne | UNIL

The Executive MBA HEC Lausanne | UNIL is designed for ambitious managers who are looking to enhance their career opportunities. The programme provides a forum for interaction with international participants and outstanding professors, as well as an opportunity for professionals to gain more in depth knowledge of business fundamentals within a challenging and well renowned university environment.
The Executive MBA HEC Lausanne | UNIL offers two specialisations:

• The Executive MBA in Management & corporate Finance (McF)  
• The Executive MBA in Healthcare Management (HcM)

The programmes start in September and last 15 months. The classes are held on Fridays and Saturdays every second week, with the exception of the 3 residences which last 5 consecutive days. The courses are given in English and each programme cost CHF 34 500 (fees: CHF 30 000 + study tour: CHF 4 500).

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International School of Business Management - ISBM Switzerland

The International School of Business Management (ISBM) is a Swiss Hotel Management school with two campuses located in Canton of Lucerne, in Littau and Weggis, we have around 300 students per year.
Courses:
   * Certificate in Hospitality Management
   * Diploma in Hospitality Management
   * Higher Diploma in Hospitality Management
   * Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Hospitality Management
   * Post Graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management
   * Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Hospitality Management

ISBM is EduQua certified and the registration number is: 06-485-450. EduQua is the Swiss Quality Certificate for the Educational Institutions offering further Education in Switzerland. 
ISBM is a member of the following:
   * American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute
   * The leading hotel schools in Europe
   * British Hospitality Association
And you are welcome to visit our website or our campuses to know more about our International School.

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The Open University

Distance learning courses taught in English leading to British Bachelor (BA/BSc) and Masters (MA/MSc/MEd/MBA) degrees. Study an individual course or combine courses to obtain a qualification. Please contact us for details of Information Events or to obtain a prospectus.

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The Open University Business School

Study for an MBA with the leaders in distance learning.  The Open University Business School has triple international accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA)


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Kalaiodos University

Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, one of only eight such universities accredited by the Swiss Federal Council. Our students and corporate partners benefit from our hybrid role as the only UAS organized according to private law, which allows us to award nationally and internationally recognized and protected degrees while maintaining a high degree of flexibility and customer focus. With currently three undergraduate and twelve graduate degree programs in the field of business and management, we are one of Switzerland's most successful business schools.

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University of London - Study in Switzerland for a University of London Degree

Invest in yourself, Realise your ambitions, Immerse yourself in a subject you love. Find out how you can do all the above, and at the same time, achieve an internationally-recognized qualification by distance learning.
A wide range of courses are available at undergraduate and postgraduate levels including Health, International management, law, English literature, Philosophy and European literature, Sustainable Development, Environmental Management and Poverty Reduction.

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Webster University - Geneva

Established in 1915 in St.Louis, Missouri, and active in Geneva since 1978, Webster is a non-profit, American-accredited university, with campuses in Europe, USA & Asia. The Geneva campus has 600 students from over 90 nationalities and offers Graduate & Undergraduate degrees:
* Undergraduate:
 o Business & Management
 o Computer Science
 o International Relations
 o Media Communications
 o Psychology
* Graduate:
 o MBA
 o Management & Leadership
 o HR Management
 o International Relations
 o International NGOs
 o Counseling
 o Media Communications
 o Domaine de la santi

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International EMBA Program by ZHAW School of Management and Law

The International Executive MBA is an intensive, generalist, two-year, part-time leadership and management program. It builds on a foundation of advanced general management skills and emphasizes three core competencies: global leadership and relationship management, international business, and business ethics and corporate responsibility.
Foundations
Participants are expected to bring a basic knowledge of general management and law to the program. Participants who fail to meet the expectations will obtain a preparation package to acquire the basic knowledge in self-study.
Building on the basic knowledge, the participants will practice during the advanced general management module how to systematically and effectively apply general management and law tools and concepts.

Based on the firm foundation of advanced general management skills the participants will acquire key competences in three main areas.

Core competence 1:

• Leadership and Decision Making
  The innovative organizational leadership methodology combines the tried and tested approach used by the Swiss Army, many cantonal police forces and civilian crisis management groups with established business concepts and tools.
• Organizational Behavior and Global Relationship Management
  This module teaches the participants to understand why individuals and groups within an organization behave in a certain way, to assess the influence of cultural and demographic diversity in groups and solve associated problems, to understand the Customer Relationship Process and proactively build and maintain customer relationships and how to network effectively across borders.

Core competence 2:

• International Business Environment
  The participants will receive an introduction to certain aspects of international trade and investment, of competitiveness and business systems, and of cultures and civilizations, with a particular focus on emerging markets.
• Strategy and Internationalization
  The students will learn how to analyse the strategic position and recognize international opportunities and threats of a firm, how to develop international strategies and design the necessary organizational structures and processes, how to access and select target markets in line with the firm’s overall international strategy and how to recognize international drivers.
• Value Chain Internationalization and Risk Management
  The participants will analyse the effect of international operations on the value chain of a firm before planning and implementing functional strategies and measures.

Core competence 3:
Business Ethics and Corporate Responsibility
In this module the introduction to the Winterthur Model of Corporate Responsibility will take place. This is a coherent, holistic framework that will enable the operator to recognize and evaluate questions of business ethics and corporate responsibility, encompassing more than just social responsibility.
Integration
Various integration events, such as the kick-off seminar in the beginning, study trips, case studies and group studies during the program as much as the week-long international Business Simulation at the end of the course ensure, that the participants are forced to apply the knowledge and practice their skills which they have acquired during the various stages of the program.

The culmination of the academic part of the program is the writing of the EMBA Thesis. The author of the thesis must solve complex real-world business problems, understand scientific and academic thought and work and apply this to business issues.

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Doing an MBA in Switzerland

 

Over the past decade, Switzerland has attracted an impressive roll call of European corporate headquarters: Yahoo, Procter & Gamble, McDonald’s, Nissan and Starbucks, to name but a few. In 2010, Switzerland also benefited from the UK’s decision to impose a bonus tax on finance professionals, with hedge funds such as Brevan Howard Asset Management and BlueCrest Capital Management responding by opening large offices in Geneva. So, what does this influx of international headquarters mean for someone contemplating an MBA course in Switzerland? David Williams of QS TopMBA.com investigates.

By David Williams

“Any professional who is good and who has very good experience or skills, has great opportunities in Switzerland at the moment,” says Alessandro Fonzi, an MBA graduate of the IMD in Lausanne. Originally from Italy, Fonzi is now a senior vice-president with private bank Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch in Zurich. 

Call of the Alps

But what is the attraction of the small mountainous country to companies from all over the world?

It comes down to a confluence of positive factors, but fundamentally, it is Switzerland’s liberal taxation policies, which – despite the country’s location at the heart of Europe – are not constrained by EU membership. The transport infrastructure is superb and the quality of life extremely high, with Geneva and Zurich consistently ranking as some of the best cities in the world in which to live. Its education system is very well regarded, plus a long tradition of language learning means any company wishing to set up its headquarters in the country can expect to find a skilled, multilingual workforce. 

What’s more, the economy and the banking sector in particular, have weathered the downturn very well. A conservative, save-before-you-spend culture means Switzerland is less indebted than other nations, while the country’s banking sector was less exposed to toxic assets than many elsewhere.

“Switzerland has traditionally had a very resilient labour market and economy,” says Dr. Rob Straw, MBA director at the University of St. Gallen. “It is smaller, so there is more stability, and the economy has not been hit as hard here as it has been in other countries.”

The MBA jobs market

Not all the companies who have relocated to Switzerland are necessarily MBA recruiters, of course; and it seems that international MBA candidates are still more interested in the quality of the business schools in the country than in working in the country itself. “We ask our students why they choose IMD,” says Katty Ooms Suter, director of MBA Admissions and Career Services at IMD. “Switzerland as a factor doesn’t even make it in to the top 10.”

Nevertheless, the influx of multinationals is having an effect on the opportunities available to Swiss MBA-holders, if simply in terms of the quality of the networking available. Having so many corporate headquarters on your doorstep creates opportunities – whether in Switzerland or elsewhere in Europe – and facilitates both formal and informal interviewing.

“When I started my MBA at the International University in Geneva, my only goal was to re-orientate myself away from my philosophy degree,” says Dekin O’Sullivan, a French national who now works for the credit department of HSBC Private Bank Switzerland. “But once I went into the MBA, I discovered that finance was my favourite subject. And as it was senior local bankers giving us courses in finance, I was able to approach them and ask what the opportunities were. [Then] it was really very easy for me to get into banking here in Geneva.”

O’Sullivan attributes another factor to his success. He argues that the country’s American-style, easy-hire-easy-fire culture means that Swiss-based employers are more prepared to take risks on someone without a banking background, like him, than they would be under the less flexible regime of an EU country, where employers use experience to avoid the costs of making expensive hiring mistakes.

“There is certainly more employee turnover here,” confirms Oliver Ernst, a Swiss national who did his MBA at the Business School Lausanne, and who now works at Lloyds TSB International Private Banking. “This helps us stay competitive. At 4.5 per cent, the unemployment rate is much lower than everywhere else I know. Employment opportunities are plentiful in the 

dynamic Swiss economy.” Since Ernst took part in this interview, unemployment has dropped yet further, to around 3.7 per cent (as of June 2010).

Other factors affecting the ability to get a job in Switzerland include a visa programme, which has recently become more flexible. Katty Ooms-Suter of the IMD reports that since January 2010, a new law has been in place, granting graduates of Swiss institutions a six-month visa extension in order to seek employment. This, she says, puts Switzerland above the UK as the easiest place for non-Europeans to find a job.

“Of course every country tends to become more nationalistic during times of economic crisis,” argues Dr. Straw, MBA director of University of St. Gallen, “yet Switzerland realises that without its dependency on highly trained expats, it is too small to be able to grow its economy. We do have a prioritisation issue with EU citizens, but we are not having any difficulty with placing non-EU candidates.”

One significant characteristic of the Swiss job-market worth noting is that multilingualism is the norm. It is taken for granted that candidates will be proficient in a number of European languages: so much so, there are anecdotal reports that the quality of an applicant’s accent can become a relevant factor.

The MBA experience

The opportunity to network doesn’t only affect job seekers. It is also changing the student experience – both educationally and socially.

“The quality of the guest speakers we can attract is amazing, simply because of all the multinational headquarters in the area,” says Dr. Katrin Muff, dean of the Business School Lausanne. “Students love this, of course, and appreciate both the networking opportunities and the practical knowledge and experience the guest speakers are able to bring in with them.”

“There is a strong international community here,” adds O’Sullivan, “and this is making it very easy to network because it is a small place. Bonds are created much more easily [in Geneva] than they would be in a big city with millions of people.

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