School in Focus: Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne

The Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne Hospitality Business School is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to hospitality education at the higher level. The school provides an education of Swiss quality that combines academic rigor with practical experience and management techniques that have been applied in the real world. This article will provide you with all the information you require regarding EHL Hospitality Business School, as a prestigious institution.

How did EHL start?

When exactly did the EHL Hospitality Business School open its doors for the first time? In 1893, the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), which was founded in response to a rapidly evolving society at the tail end of the 19th century, first welcomed its first class of students. The school’s mission was to educate future employees of the hospitality and tourism industries.

Over 2,600 students from over 100 countries are currently enrolled at EHL, making it the number-one hospital management school in the world. These students are preparing for careers at some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts.

Now, it connects students with industry executives and an expert faculty so that they can investigate existing best practices, carry out research, and develop innovative solutions. Recognized by the Swiss Federal Government, EHL is a member of Switzerland’s HES-SO, and University of Applied Sciences and Arts (UAS). Also, EHL has received accreditation from NECHE, which is recognized by the United States Department of Education.

What is the academic situation at EHL?

In the realm of academia, what sort of standing does EHL enjoy among its fellow hospitality business schools? Students at EHL, which is an international school, have the option of pursuing their education in either English or French.

Both a Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in International Hospitality Management, which prepares students to enter junior management positions in top companies and a Master’s degree (MSc) program, both of which allow students to develop their professional success as hospitality managers, are among the degree programs that are available to prospective students. Both the European Union and the United States acknowledge and accept both degrees.

The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed to equip students with the knowledge, connections, and resources necessary to establish an international career. After graduating, students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to assume positions of leadership in Europe and elsewhere across the world in the field of global hospitality as well as in a wide variety of other service-oriented enterprises.

With 7,000 industry partners, over 140 firms hiring students directly on campus, 25,000 alumni, and a senior or executive job being secured by 64% of graduates, EHL makes a solid argument for preserving its position of leadership in the industry of hotel management training.

The Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management degree offered by EHL is a comprehensive program that lasts for four years and is based on strong academics, engagement with the industry, experiential learning, and an international perspective. Students have the option of applying to either the English language track or the French language track.

Students start their education at EHL Hospitality Business School with a Preparatory Year, which lays the groundwork by providing an overview of all the areas students will need to master during their degree and also includes a semester-long (24-week) operational internship. The Preparatory Year is the first year of the EHL program. As a result, students will have, in effect, completed practically every job that their future workers will undertake. This will prepare them to be effective managers.

Students can anticipate taking classes in Corporate Finance & Strategy, Talent Management Systems (Human Resources), and language classes (French, Spanish, German, Mandarin, or Russian), and they will also have the opportunity to take three 6-week electives chosen from a wide variety of topics. Some of these topics include Trends in Hospitality Franchising, Hospitality Luxury Brand Management, Creating the Future of Food Service, and Crisis/Strategic Communication, amongst many others. This makes EHL Hospitality Business School a cut from the rest of hospitality schools.

Students who are admitted into this program will participate in an educational experience that is genuinely international in scope. After spending the first semester of their studies in Lausanne, students have the opportunity to visit two world-class campuses located in Hong Kong and the United States.

These locations allow students to gain exposure to a variety of cultures as well as cities that are renowned for having active student communities. Participating in educational excursions to hospitality centers such as Paris, Berlin, New York City, Shanghai, and Macau, amongst others, will give you first-hand experience with the operations of major hospitality companies. Among the highlights of the course are:

Hong Kong

• Hospitality business strategies in Asia
• Business field trips to Macau, Shanghai, Beijing

Lausanne

• Business field trips to Paris, Berlin, Lisbon
• Hospitality real estate finance & investment
• Hospitality business strategies in Europe, the Middle East & Africa

Houston, USA

• Innovative hospitality technologies
• Business field trips to Washington, D.C., Mexico, Las Vegas
• Hospitality business strategies in the Americas & the Caribbean

What are the reasons for choosing EHL?

What are the advantages of going with EHL Hospitality Business School over others? Find out why students choose EHL over other schools that offer programs in hospitality management and find out if EHL is the right school for you.

Ranked the Best Hospitality Management School in the World

According to rankings that evaluate hospitality schools based on academic excellence, reputation in the industry and among employers, and research contributions, EHL consistently places first among hospitality schools throughout the world.

Just in the last decade, EHL has been recognized among the best institutions in the country for hospitality management an astounding 19 times.

#1 in the Hospitality & Leisure Management category of the QS World University Rankings for each of the years 2019, 2020, and 2021. During the same time period, EHL was recognized by CEO World Magazine as having the Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the World.

Exceptional Diversity & Society

We are big fans of highly diverse schools like Cornell and Columbia. Knowing that EHL has more than three thousand undergraduate and graduate students, made our hearts skip with joy.

The school carefully chooses prospective members for our community, which serves as an ideal setting for the development of students’ awareness, relationships, and individual interests.

EHL students come from 120 different countries throughout the world. In addition to that, 84% of students are fluent in at least three other languages. There are more than thirty student athletic and social committees in order to accommodate the wide variety of activities that are offered at the university (and this is in the Lausanne Campus alone).

Dual Excellence & Accreditation

The courses offered by EHL mix a high-quality professional education that instills the art of hospitality with rigorous academics that improve the student’s capacity to employ a scientific approach in business and research related to the hospitality industry.

In order to achieve this equilibrium, we draw upon the expertise, experience, and knowledge of both the academic faculty members and the professional teachers who are all leaders in their respective fields.

The only hospitality management school in the United States and Switzerland to hold dual accreditation is EHL. This indicator of academic quality ensures that our students will be able to transfer credits to other universities throughout the world and that our graduates will be able to continue their education at other institutions.

The New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), which is recognized by the United States Secretary of Education, has granted the school its accreditation. In addition to this, it was acknowledged under the Bologna system through the use of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

What is a typical day for an EHL student?

What does a regular day look like in the life of an EHL Hospitality Business School student? Even while they may give off the impression that they take their studies at EHL very seriously due to the fact that they wear suits to class, the students actually like having fun.

Students have access to a wide variety of activities outside of classrooms and internships, including tennis courts, sailing, and the 30 student organizations that make up the school’s athletic department. Le Berceau des Sens is EHL’s very own fine dining establishment, and it is run by both students and staff members. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.

EHL graduates become instant leaders in a variety of industries since they are part of a formidable worldwide network consisting of 30,000 professionals located in 150 countries. In point of fact, about half of all EHL graduates work in industries other than hospitality, tourism, and food and beverage, and of those, half are chief executive officers, business owners, or executive managers.

On a consistent basis, some of the most recognizable companies in the world come to the EHL campus to recruit students:

• Mandarin Oriental The Hotel Group
• The Ritz-Carlton
• Four Seasons
• Swiss Airlines
• Tesla

How to apply for EHL?

What are the steps to apply for EHL Hospitality Business School? EHL is looking for candidates who are capable of creating as well as critical thinking, who are open-minded and multilingual, optimistic, and leaders who are focused on providing service.

The following are some of the prerequisites for entering the Bachelor’s program:

• A high school diploma (transcripts/grade reports)
• Essay (a motivation letter or personal essay demonstrating your interest)
• English proficiency (IELTS score of 7, TOEFL score of 100)
• 18 years of age

Following the submission of the application, students will receive an invitation to participate in an online interview.

The final step in the application procedure is a visit day, which consists of a personal interview as well as group activities. The purpose of this experience is for the EHL admissions committee to evaluate the candidate’s level of motivation as well as the candidate’s comprehension of the trends and problems in the hospitality industry.

The following are some of the prerequisites for entering the Master’s program:

• A bachelor’s in hospitality, tourism, or business management
• At least 1 year of related work experience
• English proficiency (IELTS 7, TOEFL 100)

Master’s application should include:

• CV/résumé
• Motivation letter/personal statement
• Copy of transcripts (grade reports) and diploma in English
• 2 recommendation letters
• English proficiency test scores
• Copy of passport

Students will receive an invitation to participate in two interviews following the completion of the application, one of which will be with a partner university.

How Does EHL Support Student Well-being and Personal Growth?

You might wonder, in the midst of rigorous academic training, how does a world-renowned institution like EHL Hospitality Business School ensure the holistic development of its students?

The answer lies in EHL’s unwavering commitment to not just academic excellence but also to the personal and emotional well-being of every individual. At EHL, they believe that a student’s well-being is paramount to their success.

It’s not just about the grades or the internships; it’s about nurturing a well-rounded, emotionally resilient individual ready to take on the challenges of the hospitality world. And how do they achieve this? Through a plethora of facilities, services, and activities tailored to support and enhance the student experience.

Campus facilities and recreational activities

Imagine stepping into a campus that feels like a blend between a top-tier university and a luxury resort. The EHL Hospitality Business School offers state-of-the-art facilities designed to cater to both the academic and recreational needs of its students.

You’d find cutting-edge classrooms and labs, but alongside, there are also sprawling green spaces, sports facilities, and even gourmet restaurants run by the students themselves. Fancy a dip after a long day of classes? The campus pool awaits.

Or perhaps you’d prefer a game of tennis or a session in the modern gym? At EHL, the emphasis is on creating a balance, ensuring that while you immerse yourself in studies, you also have ample opportunities to relax, rejuvenate, and engage in physical activities.

Clubs, societies, and events to foster personal interests and hobbies

Beyond academics, EHL believes in the power of extracurricular activities to shape one’s personality and skills. Whether you’re passionate about music, arts, sports, or even culinary experiments, there’s a club or society at EHL waiting for you.

These platforms not only allow you to pursue your hobbies but also offer opportunities to organize events, manage teams, and even represent the school at various competitions. From cultural fests to sports tournaments, from culinary showdowns to music nights, the calendar at EHL Hospitality Business School is always bustling.

Engaging in these activities, you not only enrich your college life but also build invaluable skills that will serve you well in your future hospitality career.

Conclusion

As we delve deep into the world of hospitality education, it becomes evident that institutions like EHL Hospitality Business School are not just centers of academic excellence but are pillars that uphold the very essence of the industry.

Their holistic approach to education, emphasizing both personal growth and professional prowess, sets them apart. The journey through EHL isn’t just about acquiring a degree; it’s about transforming into a leader, an innovator, and a visionary in the realm of hospitality.

The future of the hospitality industry and the role of EHL in shaping it

The hospitality industry stands at the cusp of a revolution. With evolving consumer demands, technological advancements, and a renewed focus on sustainable and experiential travel, the future promises endless possibilities.

Amidst this dynamic landscape, the role of institutions like EHL Hospitality Business School becomes paramount. EHL isn’t just reacting to these changes; it’s actively shaping the future.

Through its cutting-edge curriculum, global internships, and a strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, EHL is molding the next generation of hospitality leaders. These leaders, equipped with the EHL ethos, are set to redefine the industry, making it more resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

Segue to AdmissionSight

Since its founding in 1893, the Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne (EHL) has been a trailblazer in the field of education for hospitality administration. It is widely regarded as the foremost authority on traditional Swiss hospitality.

Studying at this prestigious university will inspire you to be the best version of yourself because its stellar reputation is based on the caliber of its educational offerings and its high level of accreditation.

We at AdmissionSight would be happy to assist you in realizing your goal. With over a decade of experience, AdmissionSight has helped countless students just like you earn acceptance to their top-choice colleges and universities. Make sure to get in touch with us immediately away so we can set up your no-cost consultation.