About IMI Switzerland

IMI is a private specialist school based in Kastanienbaum (Luzern), Switzerland, focusing on hospitality, tourism, business and management. It combines Swiss-style practical training (especially in hospitality) with UK-validated academic degrees via a partner university (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK). It emphasises a lakeside campus, small class sizes, international student body (35+ nationalities) and strong industry/placement support.

 

Why Study the BA (Hons) in Business Management at IMI

• You get a UK-validated Honours degree from Manchester Met, giving global recognition.

• The programme includes substantial paid internship placements (minimum 12 months) which enhance employability and hands-on experience.

• The structure supports progression: you don’t only study theory — you apply it via practical modules and internships.

• Opportunity to specialise in areas such as Global Business Management or Global Marketing Management (see below).

• Swiss setting + international student body provides strong exposure to global business environments and culture.

 

Level of Study

• Undergraduate level: Bachelor of Arts with Honours (Hons) in International Business Management.

• The degree is delivered via a combination of semesters of study + internship placements.

 

Campus Location

• Main campus: Kastanienbaum, near Lucerne (Luzern), Switzerland. Lakeside campus, scenic Swiss setting.

• On-site learning in Switzerland (not remote/online primary mode) for the core programme.

 

Mode of Learning

• Mostly onsite / face-to-face (on-campus) for the study semesters. The website describes study semesters being 22 weeks on campus.

• Internships are off-campus (in Switzerland or abroad) organised by IMI.

• No prominent mention of full online or blended mode for this particular degree on the programme page — so assume primarily onsite with some off-campus internship variation.

 

Duration of Program

• The pathway is structured as three study semesters plus internships, each 22 weeks. For example:

  1. Diploma semester – 22 weeks study.

  2. Paid internship – 22 weeks.

  3. Higher Diploma semester – 22 weeks.

  4. Paid internship – 22 weeks.

  5. BA (Hons) semester – 22 weeks.

  6. Paid internship (20+ weeks) required to complete the BA.

• So total under three years (depending on how internships fit) (IMI states “Gain your BA (Hons) award in under three years”).

 

Credits / Points

• For the Diploma semester: 120 credits.

• For Higher Diploma semester: also 120 credits.

• For BA (Hons) semester: 120 credits.

• Thus the total for the BA pathway = 360 credits (120 + 120 + 120) across study semesters (plus internships).

• Note: Internship credits are not always explicitly stated as part of the “credit” tally but are mandatory for completion.

 

Intake Dates

• The programme offers four intakes per year: February, May, August, November.

• Good to apply early; IMI website also promotes early-application scholarships (see latest updates).

 

Entry Criteria

• Age: Minimum 18 years old.

• Academic: High School / IB / A-Levels or equivalent (or IMI Certificate) for first semester entry.

• English proficiency: IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) required for first semester.

• Direct entry onto later semesters may be possible if you have equivalent prior education/credentials.

• Note: Some source (SwitzEducation) suggests IELTS 5.5 for some programmes or internships.

• Additional: Internships are mandatory (paid placements) and students must be ready to undertake them (visa/permit issues may apply).

 

Subjects / Topics / Programme Structure

Diploma Semester (120 credits) – example units:

• Academic Skills – 10 credits

• Introduction to Business & Services Management – 20 credits

• The Digital Consumer – 10 credits

• Hospitality Business Operations – 30 credits

• Principles of Entrepreneurship – 10 credits

• Business Accounting – 20 credits

• The Tourism Business – 10 credits

• Introductory Economics – 10 credits

Higher Diploma Semester (120 credits) – example units:

• Talent Management & Development – 20 credits

• Consumer Behavior & Market Research – 20 credits

• Financial Performance Analysis & Revenue Control – 20 credits

• Project Management for Business – 20 credits

• Operations Management for Services – 20 credits

• International Trade & Finance – 10 credits

• International Business Law – 10 credits

BA (Hons) Semester (120 credits) – example units:

• Digital Marketing Strategies – 20 credits

• International Marketing Management – 20 credits

• Applied Research – 10 credits

• International Strategic Management – 20 credits

• Cross-Cultural Management – 10 credits

• Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility – 10 credits

• Research Project – 30 credits

Internships

• As noted above: minimum 12 months of paid internships overall are required to complete the BA degree.

 

Disciplines / Specialisations Offered

• The Business Management BA gives you pathway options such as Global Business Management or Global Marketing Management.

• Although the Business Management programme is the focus, IMI also offers specialisms in hospitality, culinary arts and tourism (but if you apply for Business Management you follow the business path).

• The “Higher Diploma” semester allows for pathway selection (see earlier).

 

Scholarships Offered

• IMI offers partial scholarships / early enrolment discounts (for example: up to CHF 10,000 for some intakes) via external education-agent promotions.

• On the IMI site: they note that full scholarships are not standard, but partial awards are available (for example via country sponsorship or merit). (While not always directly visible on the business management page, the general IMI Scholarships page covers this.)

• It is recommended to apply early to benefit from scholarship consideration (early applications attract better chances).

• Because fees are significant, many international students combine the partial scholarship with own funding / external loans / sponsorship.

 

Highlights

• UK-validated Honours degree (Manchester Met) → international recognition.

• Minimum 12 months paid internships (Switzerland or abroad) → strong experiential learning and employability.

• Four start dates per year → flexibility for international students.

• Lakeside Swiss campus + international student cohort → rich cultural exposure.

• Clear structured study-path from Diploma → Higher Diploma → BA in under three years.

 

Career Outcomes

• Graduates are prepared for international business, marketing, management roles in global companies (not only hospitality). The business path is designed for “international roles in a variety of sectors”.

• The paid internships and career-services support help build CV and networking, increasing job prospects post-study.

• For hospitality pathways, many alumni move into hotel management, F&B management, events, tourism operations. For business management, careers may include marketing manager, business development manager, operations manager, international trade & business consultant etc.

• While salary data is not publicly detailed on the business version, the internship salary figure for Swiss hospitality internships is given at CHF 2,359/month (for the hospitality pathway) which gives a baseline for expectations.

• As always, career outcomes depend on region, sector, individual performance, language skills (especially if staying in Switzerland/Europe) and work-permit circumstances for non-EU students.

 

Latest Updates or Special Requirements

• IMI website currently advertises Last Places for November 2025 intake and Early Application Scholarships for February 2026 intake.

• Visa & internship support: IMI’s Careers team supports students with visa application for internships and the placement process. (Important for international students.)

• While the business management page lists internships as “optional” in wording (“Paid Internship … optional”) for each study semester, completion of minimum 12 months of paid work experience is required to finish the BA. So students should plan financially and time-wise for that.

• Special requirement: Because internships may be abroad or in Switzerland, non-EU/EFTA students must ensure immigration/permit eligibility for the country of placement.

 

Fees & Funding

• From IMI’s general Fees page: The fees for BA (Hons) in International Hospitality Business Management (as a proxy) show e.g.: Diploma semester: CHF 25,000 tuition + registration + room/meal etc.

• For Business Management specifically, exact breakdown on the business page isn’t fully listed; but one source (Uni Enrol) gives an estimated tuition fee approx. MYR 136,047 (≈ CHF 25,000+).

• From the Hospitality pathway fee listing: Registration fee CHF 3,300 + Tuition Fee CHF 25,000 per semester for Diploma/Higher Diploma/BA semesters each.

• Additional costs to account: Accommodation/Room Fee (≈ CHF 3,000/semester or twin-room standard) + Meals (≈ CHF 2,950/semester) as per hospitality listing.

• For budgeting: Students should consider tuition + registration + accommodation + meals + insurance + living costs for the duration (3 years).

• Funding: Partial scholarships available; family funds/loans may be needed; early application may improve scholarship chance.

• Always request the exact fee schedule for the specific intake and programme (Business Management) as fees may change annually.

 

Visa Requirements (for International Students)

• IMI issues a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) once you’ve been accepted and paid registration fee; that is required for student visa/residence permit.

• Non-EU/-EFTA students must arrange Swiss student visa/residence permit prior to arrival; internships abroad may require separate visa/permit for the placement country.

• IMI’s careers/admissions team supports visa application for internships and for study, but you must ensure you meet national requirements (passport validity, health insurance, proof of funds, accommodation).

• For the paid internship periods, if you remain in Switzerland, ensure your permit allows work; if abroad, check host country’s rules for international students/interns.

• Plan early: Given intakes start February/May/Aug/Nov, visa processing may take several weeks; aim to apply immediately after acceptance.