# University Pathway Switzerland — BHMS Certificate in Hospitality and Business Operations

> A 6-month Certificate programme in Lucerne, Switzerland, for international
> students aged 17+ who did not finish or pass upper secondary school and want
> a route into a bachelor's degree. The Certificate in Hospitality and Business
> Operations is the pathway into Year 1 of the BHMS bachelor degrees; the
> semester also earns the Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Business
> (equivalent in size to one A-level). Run by BHMS Business & Hotel Management
> School, Lucerne (Pearson BTEC Approved Centre).

## The essentials

- Programme: Certificate in Hospitality and Business Operations
- Length: 1 semester (6 months), Lucerne campus
- Awards: the Certificate plus the BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Business (Pearson)
- Progression: designed to bridge into Year 1 of the BHMS/RGU BA in Global
  Business Management, Hotel and Hospitality Management, or Culinary Arts
  (degrees validated by Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen)
- Intakes: every February, May, August and November — four starts a year
- Price: CHF 26'525 all-inclusive, with shared accommodation (BHMS fee table 2027):
  tuition CHF 18'000 · operating expense CHF 1'375 (mandatory health & medical
  insurance, internship placement service, visa, B-permit and local tax, e-campus
  and internet, complimentary airport pick-up for new students) · application fee
  CHF 1'000 · accommodation CHF 3'800 (Shared Standard, LakeSide Campus: 2-bed
  shared apartment, no kitchen) · meals CHF 2'350
- Extras: optional room upgrades as a surcharge on top of the fee (Shared Superior,
  City Campus, 3–4 bed shared apartment with kitchen CHF 1'200 · Studio Standard,
  LakeSide Campus CHF 4'900 · Studio Superior, City Campus CHF 7'900); a CHF 1'500
  refundable room deposit is required
- Entry: minimum 17 years old; 5 iGCSEs including Maths and English or
  equivalent (admissions assesses other countries' certificates individually);
  English 5.0 / B2 or equivalent
- Who it fits: students who completed lower secondary (Year 11 / Grade 10 /
  secundaria) but failed or never finished A-levels, IB, Grade 12 or prepa —
  and school-leavers who want a practical route into hospitality and business
- Important: progression to the BHMS BA follows completion of the Certificate
  semester; entry requirements are real — this is not "university without
  qualifications". The BTEC Subsidiary Diploma is an included credential
  equivalent in size to one A-level, not a standalone university-entry ticket.

## Pages

- [The Pathway](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/pathway/): the 3-step ladder from Certificate semester to BHMS BA degree
- [Programme & modules](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/programme/): the six modules, awards, entry requirements
- [Who it's for](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/who-its-for/): the honest eligibility page
- [For parents](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/for-parents/): the plan, safety, cost and timeline in one place
- [Intakes](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/intakes/): four starts a year mapped against results days worldwide
- [Fees](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/fees/): CHF 26'525 all-inclusive, line by line, with room upgrades and the deposit
- [Visa & studying at 17](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/visa-at-17/): D visa timing, parental consent, guardianship
- [Campus](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/campus/): living in Lucerne at 17-18
- [Why Switzerland](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/why-switzerland/): the case for a Swiss fresh start
- [FAQ](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/faq/): eligibility, BTEC, visas, parents' questions
- [Fit Check](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/fit-check/): 2-minute eligibility and fit questionnaire
- [Apply](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/apply/): five steps, answer within 72 hours
- [Guide: Failed high school or A-levels — now what?](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/guides/failed-high-school-what-now/): for students — the five real routes after failed exams (resits, national alternatives, gap year, a foundation year or pathway programme abroad, the BHMS Certificate), with honest costs and timelines
- [Guide: My child failed school — the options](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/guides/my-child-failed-school-options/): for parents — the same five routes compared on cost, safety and timeline, plus the conversation to have this week
- [Guides hub](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/guides/): every guide on the site, one line each
- [Guide: Foundation year or pathway program?](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/guides/university-pathway-program/): foundation years, pathway colleges and bridging programmes compared, who they suit, six questions to ask before choosing, and how the BHMS Certificate route into Year 1 of the BHMS bachelor degrees works
- [Guide: What should I major in if I don't know yet?](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/guides/what-should-i-major-in/): for undecided students — how to choose a major, and the BHMS bachelor pathway (business and hospitality every year, 6 months study + 6 months paid internship per year, the BA in Hospitality or Global Business Management chosen in the final year)
- [Guía en español: ¿No sabes qué estudiar?](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/es/no-se-que-estudiar/): the undecided-student guide for Mexico and Colombia, with costs in Mexican and Colombian pesos (Spanish hub: https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/es/)

## News and guides

- [UCAS Clearing 2026 statistics: 1 in 12 without a place](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/news/ucas-clearing-2026-statistics/): UCAS Clearing 2026 statistics: 28 days after results, 22,360 offer holders (8.3%) had no place, up from 6.5% in 2025. The 2027 dates and your options.
- [No me quedé en la UNAM, ¿qué hago? Fechas y opciones](https://universitypathwayswitzerland.com/es/news/no-me-quede-en-la-unam-que-hago/): ¿No te quedaste en la UNAM? El examen SUAyED es del 18 al 22 de noviembre (registro cerrado), resultados el 9 de diciembre. Qué sigue y una ruta en Suiza.

## Contact

- WhatsApp: +41 76 601 45 64 (fastest)
- Email: martin.wyler@bhms.ch
- School: BHMS Business & Hotel Management School, Guetschstrasse 2-6, 6003 Lucerne, Switzerland

## Videos

Videos: official BHMS films on every page (hosted on bachelorsinswitzerland.com/videos/)

## Sister sites (BHMS Lucerne)

- Summer Camp in Switzerland (ages 16–19): https://summercampswitzerland.com
- Culinary School in Switzerland: https://culinarystudyabroad.com
- Hotel Management School in Switzerland: https://hotelschoolsabroad.com
- Pastry & Chocolate Arts in Switzerland: https://pastrystudyabroad.com
- Master's Degrees in Switzerland: https://mastersinswitzerland.com
- Finish Your Bachelor's in Switzerland: https://bachelorsinswitzerland.com
- BHMS main site: https://www.bhms.ch