Les Roches Global Hospitality Education: what it's really like

Want the chance to study business hospitality at three different campuses across the world? Les Roches could be the place for you!

Les Roches Global Hospitality Education at a glance:

Fabienne Rollandin, Director of External Relations for Sommet Education of which Les Roches is a part, tells us more.

What is Les Roches?

Les Roches is a hospitality business management university. It has three campuses: in the mountains of Crans-Montana, Switzerland; in Marbella, in the south of Spain; and in China’s biggest city, Shanghai.

Globally, 2,000 students attend Les Roches, with over 100 nationalities represented on the institutions’ campuses. You can also transfer between campuses during your studies.

Why apply to Les Roches?

One great reason to apply to Les Roches is to experience the chance to mix the theory side of hospitality or business studies with the more practical learning. Employers are often looking for students with an understanding of how business works, so this can make you more likely to get a job once you graduate.

You’ll do two six-month internships throughout your studies, so by the time you graduate, you’ll have a full year of work experience. You’ll have had the chance to learn things like how to lead a team and how to anticipate the needs of customers.

We are also a truly international university. 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 Les Roches?

If you prefer working in a purely academic setting, studying at Les Roches may not be for you. If you also prefer to work in isolation – like behind a computer – Les Roches may not be the right fit, as you’ll be doing lots of group work and meeting lots of new people here.

Any application tips? 

To apply for Les Roches, students must have completed their secondary education, so that might include A levels, IB, or a high school diploma. 

We will look at your academic results, but we also want to get to know you as a person. So you will need to complete 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, what your ambitions are, what you enjoy doing, and what you want to do after your studies. This will help us work out if you are the right fit for the university.

What’s the location like?

Les Roches has three locations to choose from. The Switzerland campus is based in the Swiss Alps, five minutes from the famous ski resort of Crans-Montana. There are around 800 students here – more students than local inhabitants!

You could also study in our Marbella campus in the south of Spain, if you’re looking for a warmer climate and a location by the sea. Again, there are around 800 students based here.

Alternatively, you could study at our Shanghai campus in China. Shanghai is a big modern city with lots to discover, but the campus there is a little smaller, with around 200-250 students.

Students have the option to move between different locations throughout their studies.

What facilities does Les Roches have to offer?

Les Roches offers a range of facilities across its campuses. In Switzerland, you can get an experience of the working world through working in restaurant and reception settings. In Shanghai, you can enjoy modern state-of-the-art facilities and newly renovated accommodation.

In both Switzerland and Spain you’ll find fitness centres, and dedicated outdoor spaces for activities like volleyball and basketball. There’s a swimming pool on the Switzerland campus and access to a racquet club on the campus in Spain. All campuses offer different types of restaurants to enjoy, from fine dining to fast food.

To help you develop your leadership skills, there’s the chance to join various committees and clubs. You could become an ambassador of the university, you could lead the charity club, or you could join the student government, for example.

There’s also the opportunity to go on weekend trips to cities like Lyon and Milan so you can explore more of Europe.

What is the accommodation like?

At Les Roches, all students are provided with accommodation. Depending on the campus you choose, there are single through to triple room options, or apartments in which students can share. It is offered on a first-come first-serve basis, so the earlier you confirm your preference, the more likely it is that you will get your choice.

You are normally required to live on-campus for your first and second year of study, but in your third year, you can live elsewhere and share accommodation with other students locally if you’d 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.

For students who are struggling with their mental or physical health, we have nurses and counsellors available to offer support on all campuses.

For students who find the maths side of their studies difficult for example, like in accounting courses, we have supportive older students on-hand to help with learning specific subjects. 

Finally, we offer scholarships to give you financial support. These are on a merit basis, and it’s best to discuss this with your careers adviser or counselor before you apply.

Want to explore more European universities? Remember, Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.