About IMI

IMI — International Management Institute Switzerland — is a specialist private hospitality & business school with a compact lakeside campus near Lucerne. IMI blends Swiss practical hospitality training with UK-validated academic awards (partner: Manchester Metropolitan University) and places strong emphasis on paid internships and careers support.

 

Why study the MSc in International Hospitality Business Management at IMI?

• One-year master’s route to deepen leadership, strategy and advanced management knowledge for hospitality and related industries. The MSc targets both professionals with industry experience and graduates seeking management roles.

• Practical + strategic focus: units cover operations, asset management, strategy, marketing in the digital era, research methods and a substantial applied dissertation — so you learn theory and how to apply it.

• Paid placements available: IMI offers optional paid professional placements (in Switzerland or internationally) after completion of study semesters — great for CVs and networks. IMI’s Careers team helps with CVs and visa support for placements.

 

Level of study

• Postgraduate / Master’s degree (MSc) — UK validated (Manchester Metropolitan University). Suitable for those with a bachelor’s or relevant experience.

 

Campus location & student life

• IMI campus — Kastanienbaum, Lucerne (lakeside). Compact campus with practical hospitality labs, teaching rooms and student accommodation options; small classes and international cohort.

 

Mode of learning

• On-campus / face-to-face for taught semesters (practical workshops + lectures).

• Optional professional placements are off-campus (Switzerland or overseas). IMI does not advertise a fully online delivery for the MSc — it’s primarily an on-campus, experiential programme.

 

Duration of programme

• Taught part: two semesters × 22 weeks each (44 weeks ≈ 1 year).

• Placements (optional): up to 12 months of paid professional placements after study. Combined pathway (study + placements) can extend beyond one year.

 

Credits / points

• 180 credits (MSc) in total. Module credits are shown on IMI’s programme page.

 

Intake dates

• Primary MSc intake: August (check Admissions for occasional additional intakes or special intakes). Always confirm with Admissions for the exact year you plan to start.

 

Entry criteria

• Academic: Bachelor’s award in any discipline.

• English: IELTS 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) or equivalent.

• Profile: Suitable for both those with prior hospitality experience and degree graduates seeking to specialise in hospitality business management. (IMI explicitly positions the MSc for both cohorts).

 

Subjects / programme structure (modules & topics)

MSc study units (180 credits) — examples taken from IMI’s MSc page with credit values:

• Hospitality Operations Management — 20 credits.

• Hospitality Asset Management — 20 credits.

• Hospitality Concept Development — 20 credits.

• Marketing Strategies in the Digital Era — 20 credits.

• Business Research Methods — 10 credits.

• Applied Hospitality Business Dissertation — 60 credits.

• Human Resources & Talent Development, International Strategic Management for Hospitality, Contemporary Issues in the Global Business Environment — other 10–20 credit units (see IMI page for full list).

 

Disciplines / specialisations offered

• The MSc is focused on Hospitality Business Management — it prepares you for leadership roles in hospitality and related services. IMI also runs MSc variants / related programmes (hospitality & events) and offers business/hospitality pathways across its portfolio; check Admissions if you want a particular focus (events, asset management, digital marketing).

 

Scholarships & funding

• IMI runs a range of partial scholarships and funding schemes (Early Enrolment Scholarships and country-specific recognition such as UAE Ministry listings). Awards are discretionary and require a full application + motivation letter; if granted the award appears on your Provisional Letter of Acceptance. See IMI’s Scholarships page for current offers.

• Official programme fee (MSc): CHF 36,950 total (Registration Fee CHF 3,300 + Tuition CHF 33,650) — ask Admissions whether any scholarships/discounts can be applied to that total for your intake.

• Many students combine IMI partial awards with external funding (government scholarships, loans, employer sponsorship or private finance). You can also explore international scholarship portals for additional support.

 

Highlights

• One-year MSc (taught) with large applied dissertation (60 credits) — rapid upskilling.

• Optional paid placements up to 12 months — CV-building, with IMI Careers support for placements and visa assistance.

• UK-validated degree (Manchester Met) combined with Swiss practical training and industry links.

• Personalised careers support & global employer network (IMI advertises partnerships and high employability outcomes).

 

Career outcomes

• Graduates target senior operational and managerial roles in hotels, F&B, events, asset/operations management, revenue/marketing roles and strategic leadership positions in hospitality and service industries. The optional paid placements and the dissertation project increase employability and practical readiness. IMI highlights placement destinations including Switzerland, the US, the Middle East and Europe.

 

Latest updates / special requirements (important)

• MSc intake: current MSc page lists August as the start; IMI’s main website also runs early-application scholarship promotions (apply by published deadlines to be considered). Always check the MSc page and Admissions for any changes to start dates or scholarship windows.

• Visa & placement planning: placement locations and durations vary — if you’re a non-EU/EFTA student, verify visa/permit rules for both study and any intended placement country (IMI provides LOA/PLOA and support but you must ensure host-country visa eligibility). IMI’s How to Apply page instructs applicants to allow ~8 weeks for LOA/visa processing for Swiss student visas.

 

Fees & funding — numbers you can use right now

• Total MSc programme cost (official IMI figure): CHF 36,950 (Registration Fee CHF 3,300 + Tuition CHF 33,650). Accommodation & meals are additional and charged per semester (example accommodation & meals figures available on IMI Fees page). Ask Admissions for the full intake & accommodation quote for your chosen room type.

 

Visa requirements & practical steps for international students

• After acceptance: IMI issues a Provisional Letter of Acceptance (PLOA). Once registration fee / required payments are made, IMI issues a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) — you need the LOA to apply for a Swiss student visa/residence permit. IMI’s guidance asks applicants to allow ~8 weeks for the LOA/visa application process (longer from some countries).

• Documents typically required: passport, LOA/PLOA, proof of funds, accommodation details, health insurance, academic transcripts, English certificate, passport photos (IMI’s How to Apply & Brochure outline these)

• Internships / placements: If you take up paid placements in Switzerland after study, make sure your student/residence permit permits the work (IMI Careers can advise). If the placement is outside Switzerland you will need that country’s visa/permit — check early.

 

Practical tips & checklist (apply with confidence)

1. Confirm the start date (August) for your chosen year and apply early to be considered for scholarships (IMI advertises Early Enrolment scholarships).

2. Gather documents: Bachelor’s transcript, CV, IELTS 6.0 (no band <5.5) or equivalent, motivation letter (~500 words), passport copy. Submit via IMI’s online application (forms).

3. Budget: CHF 36,950 programme fee + accommodation + meals + living costs + visa fees + travel. Ask Admissions for a tailored cost sheet.

4. Plan placements: if you want placements in a specific country (e.g., UAE, US), discuss this with IMI Careers early so they can advise on visa feasibility and employer fit.