The International Hotel Management Institute is located on the shores of Lake Lucerne, ten minutes drive from the exciting city of Lucerne itself.

IMI offers a full range of state-of-the-art programmes. Its Certificate, Diploma and Higher Diploma programmes are recognized by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) in the UK and its degrees are validated by MMU. The Higher Diploma and BA Honours Degree programmes can currently be taken in three exciting configurations specialising in international hotel management, international tourism management and international hotel and tourism management. In addition, an MMU recognized Higher Diploma in European Culinary Management is available, successful completion of which leads to the additional IMI Associate of Science degree award. Each course covers a 5 or 6 month semester and an in-training (internship) may be taken after each programme. Flexibility and quality are IMI key words. Direct entry to different courses is possible with accreditation of prior learning. Completion of course requirements at each level leads to the award of a qualification.

In addition to the rigorous standards IMI must meet for recognition and validation of its courses by Manchester Metropolitan University, all IMI’s courses are additionally accredited by the Education Ministry of the Swiss Canton of Nidwalden and IMI is a member of Switzerland’s leading private schools association, the VSP. The quality of IMI courses is subject not only to the scrutiny of these organizations and MMU but to that of the independent UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, ensuring that students receive an education worthy of their investment. IMI is also a candidate for the coveted global ISO 9000 standard which it hopes to obtain in 2005.

IMI is a different kind of private Swiss hotel school. It remains deliberately small, never more than 200 students per semester, so that students on all courses can be assured of highly personalised and individual support in their learning. However, IMI is inclusive, not exclusive. Its students come from all over the world contributing to a truly international learning culture. IMI is committed to equal opportunities for all and supports diversity in all its forms. This is also reflected in the diverse backgrounds of faculty and staff who come from countries including the UK, Germany, France, Finland, Indonesia, Korea, China, Malta, the Netherlands and the USA as well as Switzerland of course!

IMI also offers a unique combination of tradition and innovation in its approach to teaching and learning. With a brand new state of the art training kitchen and restaurant as well as an accommodation laboratory, students can be assured that the practical and managerial skills required for success in the world’s fastest growing industry are being taught in the most appropriate environments. Spacious and well-equipped classrooms support other forms of teaching, learning and assessment which include traditional lectures, live case studies, business development, creative problem solving and computer simulations. IMI’s commitment to its students learning is reflected in the fact that all its full time faculty are qualified to at least Master’s level and are trained or certified teachers. Visiting faculty are of truly international stature, leaders in their fields. The School employs independent educational advisors to ensure that it remains at the forefront of best practice in education. Faculty also maintain awareness of developments in industry through consultancy, regular internships of their own and through the School’s industry advisory board that ensures that the curriculum of all courses remains relevant to the industry’s needs.

IMI is a school where students can fulfil their academic, employment and social ambitions in a friendly and supportive environment without undue pressure. In addition to their academic studies, students may undertake a variety of internships in Switzerland as well as overseas including, subject to satisfying employers’ requirements, the UK and the USA. Good industry contacts and an extensive alumni network support the process of career placement upon completion of the courses.

Opportunities for personal and social development are extensive. IMI is the only private hotel school in Switzerland to adopt student personal development planning, an innovative UK process that is being adapted to the needs of different educational systems around the world. Personal development planning allows students to develop the general transferable business and social skills that employers truly value and to develop a portfolio which demonstrates that they possess these skills.

IMI’s mission is the development of the whole student. To this end, in addition to what has been already described, the School has a voluntary programme of social events as well as access to facilities for recreation and sport. Taken together with the wider opportunities in the Lucerne area for both indoor and outdoor recreation and sporting activities, IMI offers a warm, caring and holistic educational experience for its students.

Certificate in International Hotel and Tourism Management
The equivalent to the first year of a BA degree course, the IMI Certificate programme, which is recognized by Manchester Metropolitan University, covers the basic areas of hospitality operations for students who have no prior education or experience in the field. Topics covered include food and beverage management (including food production and food service); front office operations and systems; business and communication skills; financial management; tourism studies; and language studies (English, German and French). A supervised and paid in-training/internship may be taken at the end of the course for up to 5 or 6 months in order to consolidate learning and develop industry experience.

Diploma in International Hotel and Tourism Management
Equivalent to the second year of university study, on entry to the Diploma students study Beverage Studies, Tourism, Accommodation Operations Management, Financial Management, Marketing and E-Commerce, all supported by practical demonstrations, excursions and guest lecturers where appropriate. As with the Certificate programme, a supervised and paid in-training/internship may be taken at the end of the course for up to 5 or 6 months in order to consolidate learning and further develop industry experience.

Higher Diplomas in International Hotel Management, International Tourism Management, International Hotel and Tourism Management and European Culinary Management
At Higher Diploma level, there is a common care of business subjects including Advanced Finance, Enterprise Development, Languages and Human Resource Management. Students may, if they wish, choose to specialize in International Hotel Management or International Tourism Management. They may also keep their options open by studying both subjects jointly. Specialist subjects include Tourism and Transport, Tourism Behaviour, Food and Beverage Administration and Food Costing, Purchasing and Merchandising.

Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours of the Manchester Metropolitan University in International Hotel Management, International Tourism Management and International Hotel and Tourism Management
The core subjects at degree level include Strategic Management, International Marketing and a dissertation on a topic selected by the student, specialist subjects include Issues and Controversies in Hotel and Tourism Management; Food and Beverage Concept Development, International Tourism; and Tourism and the Environment. In-training opportunities are again available at the end of the course.

Higher Diploma in European Culinary Management
IMI’s newest programme, the Higher Diploma in European Culinary Management is designed for those with at least formal diploma qualifications in hotel management, culinary arts, culinary management or directly related subjects. Its objectives are to give students a broad overview of the technical and managerial dimensions to culinary management in Europe. Subjects include Western Gastronomic Cookery; European Patisserie; Beverage Studies; Food and Beverage Administration; Food Merchandising and Cost Control; and Language Studies, all supported by extensive excursions. In-training may be taken at the end of the programme. The course is recognized by Manchester Metropolitan University and students successfully completing the course are also awarded the IMI Associate & Science Degree.

Postgraduate Diploma in International Hospitality Management
In addition to the courses described, IMI offers a successful and long-standing Postgraduate Diploma of its own, separate from its relationship with the Manchester Metropolitan University. This course, of 5 months duration with the possibility of in-training upon completion, is intended for graduates or equivalent in other subjects who wish to train for entry level positions in the hotel and tourism business. Successful completion of the postgraduate diploma allows entry to IMI’s own MBA course. The curriculum includes Introduction to Food Production and Service; Accommodation and Front Office Operations; Marketing; Business and Communication Skills; Human Resource Management; Finance and Accounting; and Language Studies.

MBA in International Hospitality Management
Commenced in 2003, the IMI MBA course is designed for those with experience of, and/or qualifications in, hospitality and tourism management who wish to upgrade their qualifications in preparation for entry to senior middle management. Taught by IMI’s own faculty and distinguished guest lecturers, the course covers International Marketing and Strategy; Project Appraisal and Development; Advanced Strategic Management; Food and Beverage Concept Development; Enterprise Development; Hospitality Systems Technology; Asia Pacific Business Cultures; and Service Operations Management. In-training is available to those students completing the course.