HIM Business School (formerly Hotel Institute Montreux) is a private business school located in Montreux, in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. Established in 1985, the school is part of Swiss Education Group. The school offers a 3-years Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree, with various majors allowing students to tailor their degree to a specific focus in global industries. The campus spans 4 central Montreux buildings—Hotel Europe, Leman Residence, Hotel Miramonte, and the Freddie Mercury hotel.
History
Originally founded in 1985 as École Hôtelière de Montreux, the institution began as a traditional hospitality management school. In 2002, it was acquired by the Swiss Education Group (SEG), a prominent network of hospitality, culinary and business schools in Switzerland. In 2018, SEG became part of Summer Capital, a Hong Kong-based investment management firm, marking a new chapter in the school's international development and growth.
In recent years, the school transitioned from a hospitality-focused curriculum to a broader business education model, reflecting a shift in academic orientation and global market demands. As part of this evolution, it was rebranded as HIM Business School.
Programs
HIM Business School offers bachelor & master degrees:
a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in partnership with Northwood University (USA). The program offers a choice of 4 majors:
a Master in Applied AI in Customer Experience, with global immersion as the program is taught between Switzerland and Macao, one of Asia’s fastest-moving innovation regions
Educational Approach
There are 2 differentiating elements in the educational approach of HIM compared to other business schools:
The business curriculum at HIM Business School includes elements traditionally associated with Swiss hospitality education, such as service orientation, intercultural communication, and soft skills. This approach emphasizes:
Soft skills development, including cultural awareness, empathy, active listening and communication
Customer-centric business perspectives drawn from hospitality traditions and service-based training
These elements enhance students’ professional adaptability and interpersonal competencies across various sectors.
Vocational Training
The other differentiating factor is the inclusion of internships as a requirement for program completion. The Swiss education system follows a dual education model that combines practical and vocational education with academics and theory, and HIM Business School follows the same structure. To support students in this aspect of their studies, the school offers:
Personalized career coaching
Masterclasses and events with participating partners offering insights and connections into the industry
Access to international recruitment fairs for professional networking and job placement
The inclusion of practical education prepares students for the professional world and speeds up their process of finding a job upon graduation.
Industry Collaboration
HIM has formed strategic partnerships with key corporations that support and contribute to the curriculum in line with its mission to bridge academia and the professional world and be always industry-relevant.
At the date of this most recent update, the partners endorsing and contributing to the curriculum are:
Banque Privée Edmond de Rothschild: supporting the Financial Analysis and Wealth Management specialization
Swissquote: supporting the Financial Analysis and Wealth Management specialization
Swiss Sustainable Finance: endorsing the Financial Analysis and Wealth Management specialization
Tourbillon Boutique: endorsing the Luxury Brand Management specialization
AccorInvest Group: supporting the Hospitality Management pathway
Through this collaboration, students benefit from:
Expert-led workshops
Current industry-relevant curriculum
Real industry projects and case studies
Rankings
Quacquarelli Symonds/ QS World University Rankings -
Hospitality and Leisure category
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Position
24
6
7
7
6
7
8
In the 2025 ranking of the British higher education consultant Quacquarelli Symonds (QS World University Rankings), the institute was designated as number six for employer reputation and academic reputation in the world in its subject category.
