EHL: What it's really like

Want to pursue an international career in hospitality, management, finance, or marketing? EHL might be the perfect university for you.

École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) at a glance:

Louise Pitcher, Regional Recruitment Manager at EHL, explains what makes EHL special - and how to put together a strong application.

What is EHL?

EHL is a hospitality management school that is widely considered the best in the world. It was also the first in the world, founded in 1893. Undergraduates gain a Bachelors of Science in International Hospitality Management. 

Why apply to EHL? 

EHL is an entirely English-speaking campus based in Switzerland, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to get to live and study abroad even if you haven’t been studying a foreign language (though you can take languages alongside your degree!). You can take languages alongside the degree which is a bonus! EHL’s three campuses mean you have your choice of Swiss locations, from the city of Lausanne to the more rural Passugg campus, or even the newest campus in Singapore. Plus, most students travel somewhere away from Lausanne or Passugg to complete their internships-- yet another chance to try out living and working somewhere totally new. 

EHL’s learning style is very hands-on and collaborative. If you’re tired of sitting alone and studying after A-levels, the practical, teamwork-based course at EHL could be the perfect change of pace. The beginning of both degree pathways is very practical, with time spent in the restaurants, bars, and kitchens to gain skills in teamwork and communication. After that, your coursework will take a more theoretical approach, but it still stays hands-on and collaborative, allowing you to develop professionally and practically. By the time you’re done, you’ll have the business acumen and soft skills for a ton of different career pathways: EHL grads find themselves working not just in hospitality, but in finance, consulting, luxury brands, and much more. 

Who isn’t the right fit for EHL?

The BA program at EHL is an extremely flexible degree, and is hugely respected in many fields. However, if you have a specific career course in mind - working at Barclays, perhaps, or becoming a maths teacher - then you’d be better off pursuing a specialist course at a different university to get yourself there more quickly. Likewise, though there are conversion courses, if you’re hoping to become a doctor or a lawyer, you’ll do better pursuing a degree in medicine or law right from the off. 

Any application tips? 

Because EHL is relatively small, they have the capacity to help you individually with your application - so reach out! Getting in touch with the person who handles admissions from your region can help clarify the process and make sure you understand exactly what you need to do at every step of the way. 

Make sure to talk about your extracurricular activities as well! Even if they seem totally irrelevant to the course, like chess or horseback riding, what EHL is interested in is learning how you pursue your passions, that you’re the kind of person who goes above and beyond. Plus, because it is such a small, collaborative environment, it’s just useful to get a broad sense of who you are as a person, and how you’ll contribute to the EHL community. 

Remember, Unifrog’s Personal statement tool can help you share everything you’ve been doing so that you can make your application stand out!