About IMI

IMI (International Management Institute Switzerland) is a private, specialist hospitality & business school based in Kastanienbaum (Lucerne). It combines Swiss practical training with UK-validated academic awards and places strong emphasis on paid industry placements and small class sizes.

 

Why study the Graduate Diploma at IMI

• Fast re-skilling / conversion route — ideal if you already hold a bachelor’s in another subject or have relevant work experience and want to move into hospitality management quickly.

• Practice + theory mix — taught modules include F&B service, accounting, project & talent management so you gain operational and managerial skills.

• Optional paid professional internship — Careers team helps place students in paid internships in Switzerland or internationally (excellent for CV building and networking).

• Internationally recognised environment — IMI’s programmes are accredited/associated with Manchester Metropolitan University, eduQua and appear in QS hospitality listings.

 

Level of study

• Postgraduate / Graduate diploma level (target audience: holders of a bachelor’s in any discipline OR applicants with a minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience).

 

Campus location

• IMI campus — Seeacherweg 1, 6047 Kastanienbaum (Lucerne), Switzerland — lakeside campus with practical hospitality facilities.

 

Mode of learning

• Mainly onsite / face-to-face on the IMI campus. The graduate diploma is campus-based (practical labs + classroom). An optional off-campus paid placement follows the study semester.

 

Duration of programme

• 22 weeks on-campus study (one semester / six months).

• Optional paid internship: an additional 22-week placement (six months) organised by IMI’s Careers team if you choose to take it. (Internship is optional but strongly recommended for experience).

 

Credits / points

• 120 credits for the Graduate Diploma.

 

Intake dates

• Four intakes each year: February, May, August and November (rolling start dates).

 

Entry criteria

• Academic: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline OR a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience.

• English: IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) is published as the standard requirement for this diploma. Confirm exemptions or equivalent tests with Admissions.

• Age: typical postgraduate applicants are adult learners (IMI does not list a specific minimum age on the programme page beyond the standard entry requirements).

• Application documents: recent academic transcript, passport copy, proof of English level, CV, motivation letter and health declaration.

 

Subjects / programme structure (modules & topics)

Total: 120 credits. The programme units listed on IMI’s page are:

• Food & Beverage Service — 20 credits.

• Business Accounting — 20 credits.

• Talent Management & Development — 20 credits.

• Consumer Behaviour & Market Research — 20 credits.

• Project Management for Business — 20 credits.

• Hospitality Concepts — 10 credits.

• Hospitality & Tourism Across Cultures — 10 credits.

 

Disciplines / specialisations

• The Graduate Diploma has an industry-wide hospitality focus (hotel & events) — it’s designed as a conversion/management pathway rather than a narrow technical specialism. IMI also offers separate Graduate Diplomas in Culinary Arts (with heavier kitchen practice) if your interest is culinary.

 

Scholarships offered (funding support)

• IMI is a privately-owned school and states it cannot offer full scholarships, but partial scholarships and early-enrolment awards are occasionally available. Eligibility is discretionary and based on a full application + motivation letter; awards are confirmed on the Provisional LOA (PLOA). IMI runs an Early Enrolment Scholarship for some intakes (check deadlines).

• Many students combine partial IMI awards with external funding (national sponsor, loans, employer sponsorship) or national scholarship schemes.

 

Highlights (at a glance)

• Short, career-focused programme (22 weeks) — quick route into hospitality management.

• 120 credits covering operations, finance, people and marketing.

• Optional paid 22-week internship in Switzerland or internationally with IMI’s Careers support (visa help, CV support, placement sourcing).

• Four intakes per year — flexible start dates for international applicants.

• All-inclusive fee option (tuition + accommodation/meals).

 

Career outcomes

• The Graduate Diploma prepares you for supervisory and entry-management roles across hotels, events, F&B, tourism and hospitality operations. The optional paid internship gives practical experience and employer contacts that significantly boost employability. IMI highlights placements across Switzerland, the US, Middle East and Europe.

 

Latest updates or special requirements

• 2026 Early Enrolment Scholarship promotion (apply early to be considered). IMI’s home page often lists “last places” for near intakes — useful if you’re applying late.

• Internship & visa practicality: the Careers team provides visa application support for placement; however, non-EU/EFTA students should confirm immigration/permit rules for internships (host country dependent). Plan visa timing carefully.

 

Fees & funding — clear numbers (IMI official)

• Graduate Diploma (International Hospitality Management) — TOTAL programme cost: CHF 26,300. This is broken down as: Registration Fee CHF 3,300 + Tuition Fee CHF 23,000. (This total is for the 22-week Graduate Diploma semester; internship costs may vary and accommodation/meals are additional).

• Accommodation (22-week semester) options range from approx CHF 2,700 → CHF 5,750 depending on room type; full-board meals ~CHF 2,950 for the semester. (See IMI fees page for exact room options and current prices).

• What the tuition covers: IMI states tuition includes class materials, loan of core textbooks, some uniforms where applicable, online resources, professional excursions, guaranteed internship opportunity sourcing, career coaching and on-campus recruitment support.

 

Visa requirements & practical steps (for international students)

• After acceptance: IMI issues a Provisional Letter of Acceptance (PLOA) / Letter of Acceptance (LOA) once you’ve paid applicable fees — this is required to apply for a Swiss student visa/residence permit.

• Typical documents: passport, LOA/PLOA, proof of funds, accommodation evidence, health insurance, passport photos, academic transcripts, English test — IMI lists required documents on its How to Apply page. Allow several weeks for visa processing.

• Internships: If your optional paid internship is in Switzerland you must confirm it is compatible with your residence permit; if it is in another country you will need the host country’s visa/permit. IMI provides visa application support for placement searches.

 

Practical application tips

1. Apply early to maximise scholarship chances (IMI’s Early Enrolment Scholarship deadlines are published on the site).

2. Prepare documents: CV, transcripts, passport copy, IELTS (or equivalent), motivation letter (IMI asks for ~500 words) and health declaration.

3. Budget realistically: programme CHF 26,300 + accommodation + meals + living costs + visa fees + travel.

4. Ask Admissions about internships: whether IMI has recent host partners in the country/region you prefer and any visa implications.