Hospitality Major: What You Study for a Bachelor's Degree and What You Can Do After Graduation

Graduating as a hospitality major opens a world of opportunity for you. Unlike a standard business degree, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management covers core business principles while also emphasizing interpersonal aspects such as customer service, operations, and people management. This combination makes graduates uniquely suited for roles beyond the hotel industry, allowing graduates to venture into fields such as event planning, luxury retail, consulting, real estate, and beyond.

Bachelor of Arts in International Hospitality Management at SHMS

The Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS) is the #2 hospitality school in the world. They offer a comprehensive Bachelor of Arts in International Hospitality Management that is ideal for hospitality majors. This three-year program combines academics with hands-on learning in a real-world hospitality environment. Their course is structured to guide students through the fundamentals of hospitality management as well as advanced business strategies. With this bachelor’s degree, you can also choose a specialization in either Hospitality, Events, or Design.

Hospitality Major – What You Study Each Term

Year 1 – Food & Beverage Management & Rooms Division Management

Your first year as a hospitality major takes place at the Caux campus. The first semester introduces the fundamentals of the hospitality industry through both theory and hands-on experience. You'll explore topics like Beverage Studies, Introduction to Hospitality and Events, and Food and Beverage Service. In the second semester, you will study Marketing, Accounting, Yield and Revenue Optimization and more, gaining the administrative tools needed to manage different departments effectively. Then you will go on a global internship for 6 months where you can apply what you’ve learned, getting you real-world experience at a leading company.

Year 2 – Management & Choosing Your Specialization in Hospitality, Event or Design

After completing your Year 1 internship, you will go to the Leysin campus for a semester of studying focused on business management principles within the hospitality industry. You’ll study topics such as Data-Driven Decision Making, Project Management, Human Resources and Leadership and more. During this year, you can choose which specialization you would like to focus on, in either Hospitality Management, Event Management, or Design Management. Each specialization includes tailored courses that align with your career aspirations, ensuring you graduate with a deep understanding of your chosen niche. Upon completing this semester, you will go on another internship for 6 months to apply what you’ve learned in real-life situations.

Year 3 – Management & Specializations in Hospitality, Event or Design

For your fourth semester as a hospitality major, you will be studying in the Leysin campus where you will continue to build your core hospitality skills, studying topics such as Contemporary Trends, Strategic Management, Digital Marketing and more, alongside your specialization courses. As this is your final year, you will also undergo Independent Study and deliver a digital portfolio project, digital CV, a project presentation (either in Hospitality, Events or Design depending on your specialization), and a reflective digital portfolio as a final chapter of critical reflection.

Career Opportunities as A Hospitality Major

With a global network of alumni and esteemed partnerships, graduating as a hospitality major from a prestigious institution like Swiss Hotel Management School opens doors to a broad spectrum of career paths, both within and outside the traditional hospitality industry. Here are some potential roles outside the traditional hospitality scope that showcase the versatility of a hospitality major, giving you the flexibility to thrive across numerous industries by applying your people-focused and strategic skills.

• MICE and Events – Global Events Manager, Director of Corporate Events, Event Risk Management Consultant
• Luxury Brands – Creative Director, Luxury Product Manager, Product Design Manager
• Real Estate – Real Estate Development Manager, Leasing Consultant, Property Manager
• Marketing and Sales – Sales Director, Brand Manager, Business Development Manager
• Talent Management – Human Resources Specialist , Talent and Development Manager, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Become an Hospitality Major at Swiss Hotel Management School

If you’re passionate about pursuing a career path that balances both business and people, become a hospitality major at the #2 hospitality school in the world. To learn more, reach out to our Swiss Education Group counselors by calling 02-652-1481 or add us on Line @swisseducation to chat with us directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  How long is the Bachelor of Arts in International Hospital Management program from Swiss Hotel Management School?

A: This course takes three years to complete. It is divided into four semesters, with a mix of academic terms and 2 professional internships.

Q: What is the degree awarded for Bachelor of Arts in International Hospital Management program?

A: You will receive double degree awarded as follows: Bachelor of Arts in International (in chosen specialization) from Swiss Hotel Management School and Bachelor of Arts (in chosen specialization) from the University of Derby