Look at the CVs of top hoteliers around the world and you’ll see that many (but by no means all) possess a postgraduate qualification in hotel or hospitality management.
While of course experience on the front line in a hotel will always shine through, these masters degrees and postgraduate diplomas have given many professionals a solid base on which to build.
The following pages should give you an idea of the courses – and the institutions offering them – which could be your next step on your way up.
This list is not in any particular order and is not intended to be comprehensive, but we hope it will provide a useful starting point for anyone looking to find their path in the industry
Click through to the next page to find out which courses have made our list…
Glion Institute of Higher Education
Postgraduate Higher Diploma in Hospitality Management
This two-year course prepares students to become hospitality business specialists. It builds on the Postgraduate Diploma in Hospitality Administration, with basic hotel management courses, hands-on supervisory experience in service and operations, and a professional internship in a hospitality related business.
During one extra semester, students take courses to develop strategic management skills for their chosen specialization: either Human Resources Management, Financial Management or Marketing Management.
The first and third semesters take place at the Bulle campus in Switzerland, while the second is in London.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM), Dubai
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Hospitality Management
This programme, which can be completed in one year on a full-time basis, or up to four years while working, develops the knowledge, skills and competence of graduate industry professionals to enable them to function effectively at executive, corporate and senior managerial levels within the contemporary hotel and hospitality industry.
It is taught by hotel and hospitality academics from around the globe and consists of nine modules and a thesis. It is benchmarked against leading MBA’s and hospitality masters degrees.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland
Executive MBA in Hospitality Administration
This 12-month course builds on students’ previous experience to empower them with a combination of marketable skills for the hospitality sector.
The programme is highly personalised and prepares participants for specific opportunities and niche markets offered by the hospitality industry.
While the focus is on hospitality, it also extends to the services sector in general, preparing students to be leaders in any hospitality-related business.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
Penn State – School of Hospitality Management, USA
Master of Science in Hospitality Management
This one-and-a-half year program is a research/academic degree rather than an industry/professional master’s degree.
The program is designed to help students develop solid graduate-level research skills focused within a hospitality research area. Course work is largely customized to a student’s area of interest and academic and professional background.
Students plan concentration area courses as well as thesis research with a thesis committee. Among the areas students can concentrate on are facilities management, operations management and hospitality real estate management.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Bluche – Switzerland
MBA Hospitality Management
This Master of Business Administration course prepares students for senior managerial positions through a focus on problem solving, data-driven decision making, and strategic business and leadership development.
Developed in collaboration with industry experts, the course includes leadership lectures, real-world project collaboration with hospitality companies to implement leadership problem-solving skills, a dissertation and specialisation courses in marketing or finance.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
Cornell University – School of Hotel Administration, USA
Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH)
This AACSB-accredited, specialised business degree can be completed in one year, with a programme based on degree requirements that cultivate strategic thought and quantitative skills, a combination essential in upper management positions.
Beyond the core requirements, students can choose their own concentration, a series of courses concentrating in their intended career path.
The programme also integrates many professional development opportunities where students are able to meet and interact with industry executives, offering them the opportunity to establish professional relationships and build an individual network to rely on throughout their careers.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
Hotelschool The Hague, Netherlands
Master in Hospitality Management
Based in Amsterdam, this programme starts in September 2014 and runs for 13 months. In this time students can enhance their knowledge and leadership competencies, gaining tools and perspectives necessary to forge a strategy and implementation scenarios for their future career.
On completion of the programme, Hotelschool The Hague awards students the diploma and degree title ‘Master in Hospitality Management.
This programme is open to graduates with a hospitality related or economics/business management Bachelor’s degree.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
University of Nevada – William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, Las Vegas, USA
Master of Hospitality Administration, Executive Online Program
Classes for this course run continuously throughout the year in five eight-week sessions, and students can begin the programme at any time. Courses are offered online via WebCampus, a course management program.
All that is needed is a computer, internet access and a password to read course materials and upload assignments.
Tests are taken through the system, which has networking features including a discussion board, email system and real-time chat capabilities for communicating with professors and other students.
Professors also make themselves available by phone or online, so questions and concerns can be addressed in a timely manner.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
Oxford School of Hospitality Management, Oxford Brookes University, UK
MSc International Hotel and Tourism Management
This specialist MSc course is accredited by the European Foundation for Management Development Programme Accreditation System and is suitable for students who with a good bachelor’s degree in business, hospitality, or tourism management and a minimum of one year’s relevant work experience.
Aimed at future leaders of the hospitality and tourism industry, the programme builds on previous studies and work experience and develops the student’s ability to think strategically across core management disciplines, as well as allowing them to specialise.
It can be completed in 12 months, while there is a two-year part-time option for UK and EU students.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
César Ritz Colleges, Le Bouveret, Brig – Switzerland
Master of Science in International Hospitality Management
Accredited by the University of Derby, this Masters of Science is an academically rigorous programme that develops critical thinking and the problem-solving skills required for management level positions.
It is designed to expand candidates’ aspirations in management development, consultancy, research, education and training and is the foundation for continuing onto a Ph.D.
Specialisations on the course include international business and tourism and sustainability management and there is an option of a six-month paid internship.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
University of Surrey, UK
Strategic Hotel Management MSc
The programme provides an intellectually rigorous programme relevant to the needs of future senior managers, executives and professionals in the hotel industry.
An integrated approach gives students both a coherent overview of the topic as a whole and the opportunity to pursue specialisation through optional modules relevant to their interests or particular career goals.
This programme’s emphasis on strategy rather than operations makes it particularly relevant to those who aspire to senior management positions or consultancy and advisory roles in the hotel industry.
Among the compulsory courses is Hotel Investment and Finance while Event Operations Management is among the elective modules.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
BHMS Business & Hotel Management School, Switzerland
MBA in Hospitality Management
This 18-24 months MBA degree is a joint programme between BHMS Switzerland and City University of Seattle, USA. It is specifically designed for graduates holding Bachelor Degrees in service or non-service specialisations who are aiming to join the global tourism industry or the service sector.
The program comprises two study blocks of six months each followed by a paid internship period of six months in Switzerland. During the internship periods, students should complete two practical business application courses online applying the knowledge they gain in the courses prior to their internship.
Students have an exit option to complete their MBA in 18 months.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
The Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality
Postgraduate Diploma in International Hospitality Management
This one-and-a-half-year programme is geared towards Bachelor Degree holders in a field other than hospitality.
Skills such as critical thinking, entrepreneurship and problem solving, as well as essential practical knowledge, are developed through a combination of managerial and operational courses.
The semesters are an mix of management courses, such as environmental management, event management or sociology, together with key input from food and beverage services and cuisine. The on-the-job training experience enable studens to put their knowledge into practice under real world industry working conditions.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
Georgia State University – Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration, USA
Master of Global Hospitality Management
This course is a year-long cohort programme – a structure designed to encourage peer learning and collaboration. The sequenced curriculum begins each August and provides graduates with in-depth knowledge of the global impact of the hospitality industry.
Students benefit from extensive contact with industry executives, guest speakers, and professional and social events.
The course is targeted at established hospitality professionals who want to update and expand their knowledge, as well as managers who oversee hospitality operations but lack formal training in the discipline.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
Hotel Institute Montreux, Switzerland
Postgraduate Diploma in Hospitality Business Management
This diploma is is designed for university graduates or candidates with extensive work experience at managerial level who are seeking to change paths or advance an existing career in the global hospitality industry.
It includes a module – Hospitality Studies – which provides students a greater knowledge and understanding of the size and structure of the industry.
After two 11-week terms, there is the option of an internship (up to six months long) in Switzerland or abroad.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
Swiss Hotel Management School
Master of Science in International Hospitality Management
Another course validated by the University of Derby (UK), this is an intensive and balanced academic and practitioner-relevant programme of study for career development in the field of international hospitality management.
Skills are developed in hospitality-related business sciences and techniques in identification, problem-solving and developing strategic and operational plans for management of international hospitality related organisations.
An additional asset is brought to the programme by the input from Eric Aebi and Erich Steinbock, guest lecturers, who share with students their wealth of industry experience.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
IMI University Centre Switzerland
MBA in International Hospitality Management
This 22 week intensive residential course is followed by a 22 week non-residential programme for the field consulting project or dissertation. The course is designed for students with qualifications and/or experience in hospitality management who wish to develop their skills and understanding of the industry in preparation for middle and senior management positions.
The objective of the programme is to equip students with the skills necessary for eventual higher level management in the hospitality industry by focusing on those subjects that relate to the internationalisation of hotel and hospitality companies.
The core focus is on strategic management with subjects including studying at Master’s level, strategic international marketing management, enterprise development, project appraisal and feasibility studies, business cultures in developing new markets.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
IHTTI School of Hotel Management, Switzerland
Postgraduate Diploma in International Hotel and Design Management
This diploma offers opportunities for graduates seeking a new opportunity in their career path, or for those who are currently working in the hospitality industry and require further training to enhance their career opportunities.
It focuses on four main areas: Hotel Management, Food and Beverage Management, Hotel Operations and Hotel Design, with a combination of academic and practical education.
Students also have the opportunity to enhance their language proficiencies through studies in French or German.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, Australia
International Hotel Management Masters Degree
This course gives undergraduates, or those wishing to develop their career path, the opportunity to enhance their hospitality knowledge and capabilities with a higher qualification, accelerating career progression.
It is conducted at the Sydney campus with some practical components undertaken at the Leura campus over blocks of 3/4 days. There is also the added benefit of an industry placement as an integrated part of the curriculum.
The full masters degree takes two years, while a postgraduate certificate can be obtained after six months.
For more information about the course, click HERE.
Click through to the next page to find out which other courses have made our list…
University of Derby, UK
MSc International Hospitality Management
Aimed at those interested in developing their leadership and management potential, this programme enable students to meet a variety of industry representatives who regularly collaborate with the university.
Lasting one year full time, with an integrated work placement, the programme allows students to get involved in consultancy work.
According to the university, students who have completed the course have started their own hospitality business or have accessed senior management positions in 4 and 5 star international hotel chains. Some have also moved into academia and the research arena.
For more information about the course, click HERE.Â
