Top hotel management schools in the world 2017
For hoteliers, or those looking to enter the hospitality profession, a hotel management degree is an important qualification.
Over the following pages, Hotelier Middle East has put together a selection of some of the world’s finest hotel management schools. This list is a combination of schools listed on Educations.com and the QS World University Rankings.
This is by no means intended to be a comprehensive list, nor is it in any particular order, and we would recommend that all prospective students do their own thorough research into where they intend to study.
If you are already a hospitality graduate, be sure to see if your school made it onto our list; if it didn’t, feel free to leave a comment below on why you think it should have been.
1. The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM) - Dubai
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM) is a higher learning institution that aims to educate tomorrow’s business leaders through the lens of hospitality. EAHM offers the only MBA degree specific to the Gulf region.
The fully accredited MBA in International Hospitality Management can be completed in one year of part-time study, or up to four years. In addition to being accredited by the Ministry of Education in the United Arab Emirates, this MBA degree is also accredited in the UK and in Australia, so making it a truly Global qualification.
Around 60 senior hospitality executives were consulted and involved in developing this programme, which ensures that it delivers the learning, skills and abilities that the regional industry desires. In effect, it is designed by senior hospitality executives for the senior leaders of the future.
By joining the programme candidates have access to a wide network of premier hospitality brands. The Emirates Academy has relationships with the major five-star hotel properties in Dubai and internationally, allowing candidates to gain exposure to the industry and new professional opportunities. The Career Services & Corporate Relations Director advices each candidate on his career path to achieve the goals set prior to starting the programme.
2. School of Hotel Administration (Cornell University) - New York, USA
Founded in 1922 at the request of leading hotel magnates and the American Hotel Association, the Cornell School of Hotel Administration has a rich history.
The founders wanted to create a first-rate academic institution providing a field of study for the ‘science’ of running hotels and restaurants.
It began with 21 students under the direction of a single professor, Howard B. Meek.
In 1927 Ellsworth M. Statler, a self-made millionaire who founded the largest hotel chain of his day, was persuaded to attend the second Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC) conference organised by the Hotel Department students. When he arrived on campus, Statler was skeptical about the programme as he believed individuals interested in a hospitality career could be better served by on-the-job training than by classroom learning. By the end of the weekend, however, he said, “I’m converted. Meek can have any damn thing he wants”.
As the only Ivy League (top US University) programme in hospitality management, the school offers a curriculum that addresses all of the aspects of running a business - strategising and planning, design and construction, financing and marketing, as well as management and operations.
Its world-renowned faculty members are at the cutting edge of developments in the industry and alumni are more often than not extremely successful executives and entrepreneurs.
For more information click here.
3. William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration (University of Nevada) - Las Vegas, USA
The William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration Hospitality Management Major offers a broad educational approach to a career in the hospitality industry, with a varied course of study preparing students with both the management theories and operational competencies necessary to enter any segment of the industry upon graduation.
In addition to the university’s general education requirements, students take classes specific to the industry, including an introduction to hospitality, human resources management, organisational behaviour, facilities management, hospitality law and a course in leadership, management and ethics.
Students also study food sanitation, food service operations, cost control, career development, financial and managerial accounting, financial management, hospitality service management, and operations and strategic management.
Click here to visit the school's website.
4. Les Roches International School of Hotel Management
Les Roches is building a superb international platform for hospitality education in the world, with campuses in Switzerland (Bluche / Crans-Montana), China (Shanghai), Spain (Marbella) and Jordan (Amman). Les Roches offers six academic programs, including a three-year Swiss Hotel Association hotel management diploma, a four-year bachelor of business administration degree in international hotel management and a one-year master of business administration degree in hospitality management. Students at Les Roches learn not only hotel management, service skills and kitchen operations, but also finance, accounting and marketing. Theory and practice combine to train students to succeed in the service industries.
Each program has its own admission requirements, and educational counsellors are available for consultations.
For more information click here
5. Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) - Switzerland
Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) is an ambassador for traditional Swiss hospitality and has been a pioneer in hospitality education since 1893. It has created and inspired a unique professional community of over 25,000 hospitality managers, united by the values and the legacy of EHL.
EHL is a leading university that provides learning solutions for enthusiastic, talented and ambitious students from 114 different countries. With undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, EHL offers its students a range of on-campus and online education opportunities at different stages of their professional journey.
EHL is regularly recognised as the best hotel management school in the world with the highest graduate employment rates in the industry. EHL is a member of EHL Holding SA, a Group dedicated to hospitality management education.
Programs for hospitality professionals
EHL has developed three programs designed for hospitality professionals:
MBA program
80% online and 20% on-site
The MBA in Hospitality is a blended program designed to accommodate busy hospitality professionals.
Taught by industry experts, this program gives you a solid education in financial, marketing, leadership, and risk management strategies. It focuses on current best practices within hospitality, giving you practical know-how that you can apply immediately at work.
By the end of the program, you will have acquired a solid hospitality management education and you will be prepared to tackle the future hospitality industry challenges.
More information: mba.ehl.edu
Executive MBA program
Full-time program
The Executive MBA in Hospitality Administration is an accelerated full-time program designed for hospitality professionals looking for a career change.
During 11-months, you will acquire solid hospitality management skills and will develop your leadership potential. Field trips, CEO challenges and networking events give you the ability to grow your personal & professional network.
At the end of the program, you will emerge as a truly effective business leader and you will be ready for your next career step.
More information: emba.ehl.edu
Advanced Certificates
Composed of 12 certificates lasting between 4 to 12 weeks, EHL’S CERTIFICATES are designed for hospitality professionals wanting to update their know-how while keeping their busy professional schedule. The EHL Digital Education platform provides remote access to the expertise of EHL’s professors and world-leading industry partners, through a variety of videos, online forums, and multi-media content.
More information: certificates.ehl.edu
6. Oxford Brookes University - Oxford School of Hospitality Management, United Kingdom
The Oxford School of Hospitality Management, run by Oxford Brookes University, aims to focus on stimulating students’ intellectual curiosity and enhancing their professional knowledge and skills.
One of the ways in which it does this is through a series of guest lectures delivered by visiting speakers from a wide range of external organisations.
Among the courses offered are the BSc (Hons) International Hospitality Management and MSc International Hotel and Tourism Management.
Click HERE to visit the school's website
Notable alumnus: Slim Zaiane, general manager, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates
7. Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech)
Virginia Tech has a variety of degrees that cater to students who want to learn more about the business of hospitality and tourism. The university has an undergraduate degree, an industry-driven Master’s degree that’s now located in the National Capital Region (NCR), new graduate certificates, and a research-focused Ph.D.
The university also offers two graduate degrees: Masters of Science in Business Administration (MSBA) with a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a Ph.D. in Business with a Concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
You can reach them at 001-540-231-5515 or e-mail htmdpt@vt.edu.
Hotelschool The Hague was founded in 1929 by HORECAF, the employers’ organisation in the hotel and catering industry. Since its foundation, the Hotelschool has become an international school specialised in hotel management offering a four-year international Bachelor’s degree course.
This degree course is also available as a two-year International Fast Track programme. Since October 2001, the Hotelschool offers in collaboration with Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) Erasmus University a one-year Masters programme in Hospitality Management.
In July 2002 Hotelschool The Hague became a member of ‘The Leading Hotel schools of The World’, and in September of that same year it opened a second campus in Amsterdam.
A small, autonomous and independent institute with approximately 1900 students, graduates from the Hotelschool have careers in hospitality companies around the world.
For more information click here.
9. University of Surrey, UK
The University of Surrey offers International Hospitality and Tourism Management BSc and International Hospitality Management BSc (Hons) or MBus courses at its Guilford campus.
The programmes aim to educate the next generation of industry leaders and feature the latest insights on the major issues facing the industry, alongside practical learning that builds in-depth knowledge and skills.
Click here to visit the school's website
10. Swiss Hotel Management School
The Swiss Hotel Management School offers a range of programmes which focus on global trends, business strategy and operational leadership.
Students who join the international hotel school learn the art of Swiss Hospitality Management and develop the principles of the Swiss Hospitality Touch.
They also gain hands-on experience in operational facilities including a restaurant open to the public, a spa with a public section, a culinary arts studio and an events gallery.
Click HERE to visit the school's website