Glion Institute of Higher Education: What it's really like
Find out more about the Glion Institute of Higher Education
Looking to study at a small but highly internationally diverse university, with great business hospitality career prospects? Glion could be for you!
Glion Institute of Higher Education at a glance:
| Founded | 1962 |
| Locations | Switzerland and London |
| Undergraduate course length | Three-and-a-half years, starting in September or March |
| Courses | BBA International Hospitality Business with options to specialise in things like Luxury Brand Management, International Event Management, or International Hotel Development and Finance. |
| Students | 1,600 |
| Great for | Students who want to learn by doing, getting work experience as they study. |
| Not for | Students who might prefer learning in traditional ways, through lectures rather than practical study. |
Fabienne Rollandin, Director of External Relations for Sommet Education of which Glion is a part, tells us more.
What is Glion?
Glion is a hospitality business management university. It has two campuses in Switzerland – one in Bulle and one in Gruyere – and one in London. There are about 1,600 students studying with Glion, but around 500 of those are on internships at any one time, so you’ll find between 300 and 700 students on each campus.
The university is very international, with almost 100 nationalities represented.
Why apply to Glion?
Students often apply to Glion because they want to learn by doing. They want to combine academic learning with work experience through an internship. This is arguably the best way to learn, as employers are often looking for students with an understanding of how business works.
For example, in the first semester of your studies you’ll develop your soft skills by working in environments like kitchens or offices. Then you’ll do two six-month internships, so by the time you graduate, you’ll have a full year of work experience.
We are also a very international university. For instance, in a classroom of 30-35 students, you’ll find around 20 different nationalities. This is a great advantage to your studies, as you’ll have the chance to learn from different cultures and mindsets. Plus our faculty is also internationally diverse and experienced in business around the world too.
Who isn’t the right fit for Glion?
We tend to find that our students don’t like routine – they want to learn outside the classroom in changing, dynamic environments where they meet lots of people and learn lots of new things. So if you prefer to learn in a traditional education setting, perhaps at a bigger university where you can blend in a bit more, then Glion might not be the right fit for you.
Any application tips?
To apply for Glion, students must have completed their secondary education, so that might include A levels, IB, or a high school diploma.
But we also want to get to know you better as a person, and check that the university is the right fit for you. So we will ask for a written assessment as well as a spoken interview with a member of our management team. This is so we can understand a bit more about why you want to study with us, and what you want to do after your studies.
What’s the location like?
Students at Glion have three location options. The first, in Glion-sur-Montreux, is on the shore of Lake Geneva with amazing views of the lake and mountains. This is the starting point for most students studying the Bachelor of Business.
Another is in Bulle, Switzerland, 35 minutes’ drive from Glion, where you will study from your second year onwards. This is more similar to a university environment.
Students have a third option, which is to study in London, on the campus of the University of Roehampton with dedicated facilities for Glion students. There are around 250-300 students there, and you can study here for your second and third year.
Plus there’s the option to study at the university’s sister school, Les Roches, which has campuses in Switzerland, Spain, and China. So students have the chance to move from a more urban location to resorts
What facilities does Glion have to offer?
At Glion we want to help you develop both professionally and personally, and to enjoy yourself whilst you are studying with us. This is why we offer facilities like dedicated academic centres, where you can book study rooms for working on group projects; but also restaurants, fitness centres, a swimming pool, and sports pitches.
You’ll have the chance to join a range of clubs and committees, like the green committee, student government association, arts club, and entrepreneurship club; or even get involved in our Masterchef competition!
We also arrange cultural nights and visits, including trips abroad with your fellow students.
What is the accommodation like?
At Glion, all students live on campus for at least the first two years of their studies. Students can choose between single or double rooms, or studio-style accommodation.
In their third year, students can live off site, sharing in an apartment with other students if they would like to.
How does the university meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?
If you need additional support whilst at university, our faculty are here to support you. We can make accommodations for those with learning differences, like giving extra time in exams.
If you’re feeling homesick or not physically well, we have nurses and counsellors available to offer support on all campuses.
Our existing students also offer support to new students who find specific parts of their studies difficult – for example, the maths side of accounting courses.
Want to explore more European universities? Remember, Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.