STUDY CULINARY ARTS in SWITZERLAND’S
STUDY CULINARY ARTS in
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduates step into roles as restaurant chefs, pastry chefs, food entrepreneurs, consultants, or catering specialists. Many also launch their own food ventures or build careers with international hotels, restaurants, and culinary brands.
Switzerland is globally recognized for excellence in culinary and hospitality education. You’ll train with expert chefs in state-of-the-art kitchens, gain international exposure, and complete two paid internships in Europe or abroad. Combined with the prestige of a Swiss-based education, this gives your degree lasting global value.
Yes. You’ll graduate with 2 degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Derby (UK) and a Bachelor of International Business in Culinary Arts or Pastry & Chocolate Arts from Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland.
This is a 3-year program that includes two academic terms each year, plus two 6-month paid internships. Along the way, you’ll also earn the Swiss Grand Diploma (Year 1) and the Swiss Higher Diploma (Year 2).
No. The program is all-inclusive — covering tuition, accommodation, and meals. Our admissions team also supports you through the entire visa process, ensuring you’re guided every step of the way from acceptance to arrival.
Yes. Scholarships are available for highly motivated and ambitious students. They are awarded on a merit basis and offered competitively. Flexible payment plans and education loans are also available, helping families plan confidently for this investment.
Yes. Every student completes two 6-month paid internships in Switzerland or abroad (average gross CHF 2,350/month in Switzerland, depending on placement). You’ll also benefit from career coaching, CV workshops, and a global employer network.
Absolutely. Both of our campuses are safe, well-supported, and welcoming to students from around the world. You’ll enjoy modern facilities, international student services, and a diverse community where cultural exchange is part of everyday life.
Tell Us More About You
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Paid Internships. Global Careers. Real Return on Investment.
• All students complete at least one paid internship in Switzerland, gaining real-world experience while earning
• Internship earnings help offset study costs — average gross monthly salary of CHF 2,350 (varies by placement)
• Alumni have built careers with world-renowned brands such as Nobu, Ritz Paris and Burj Al Arab — or launched their own ventures
• A smart investment comparable to studying in major US cities, with added international training and long-term career value
Get full tuition details, scholarship opportunities, and career pathway guidance
Why Study in Switzerland
Prestigious. Global. Career-focused. 
• Career pathways supported by international job forums, dedicated career services and a global employer network
Influential Alumni Network
Over the past 20 years we have helped launch more than 5K culinary careers around the world. The stars below are just a sample of what can be achieved. As part of Swiss Education Group, our alumni also have access to one of the largest hospitality networks in the world.
5K
ALUMNI FROM CULINARY ARTS ACADEMY
45K
ALUMNI FROM
THE SWISS EDUCATION GROUP NETWORK
97%
OF STUDENTS
HIRED UPON
GRADUATION
100
+
NATIONALITIES
IN THE ALUMNI
COMMUNITY
Christodoulos Theofanous
Chef of the Year 2020
Golden Hat 2023
Co-owner and Chef at
COR Gastronomy
Danna Vu 
Culinary World Cup 2018
Champion
Culinary Olympics 2020
Gold Medal
Kristin Hamberg
Culinary Olympics 2024
Sweden Junior Team
Gold Medal
Varun Menghani
Owner & Chef
at Sabah Dining
in Dubai
Built for aspiring chefs, pastry specialists, food entrepreneurs, and future industry leaders, this Swiss Bachelor’s program offers two pathways — Culinary Arts or Pastry & Chocolate Arts. Whichever you choose, you’ll combine intensive hands-on training with essential business knowledge, preparing you to thrive in the global food industry.
Across three years of study, you’ll train in 18 state-of-the-art kitchens, gain over 1,100 practical hours, operate a 50-seat restaurant open to the public, and complete two paid internships. By graduation, you’ll hold 2 degrees recognized worldwide and the real-world experience to lead in the global culinary industry.
Next intake
Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
October 2025
January 2026
April 2026
Duration
3-year program including 2 paid internships
Location
Le Bouveret & Brig
Practical Training
1,100+ kitchen hours
SWITZERLAND’S
Why Students Around the World Choose This Program
Program highlights
• Hands-On Learning at Scale – 1,100+ practical kitchen hours across 18 state-of-the-art kitchens
• Real Restaurant Operations – Run a 50-seat student restaurant open to the public
• Global Industry Experience – Two 6-month paid internships in Switzerland or abroad, giving you invaluable industry experience — with an average gross salary of around CHF 2,350/month in Switzerland (depending on placement).
• Culinary Meets Business – Management, entrepreneurship, and leadership modules integrated with practical training
• Step-by-Step Progression – Earn the Swiss Grand Diploma (Year 1), Swiss Higher Diploma (Year 2), and 2 degrees upon graduation
Structure 
100+ Industry-Leading Partnerships
Students benefit from exclusive collaborations with top hotels, restaurants, and luxury brands — gaining access to master classes, internships, competitions, guest speakers, and professional-grade equipment that connect learning directly to real-world careers.
Study in an Exceptional Setting: Our Campuses at the Foot of the Swiss Alps
Le Bouveret 
On the shores of Lake Geneva near the French border, Le Bouveret offers a lovely blend of Swiss and French culture. Students train in Apicius, a state-of-the-art culinary facility, and gain experience preparing and serving gourmet meals. Beyond the classroom, opportunities range from alpine adventures to cultural and gastronomic experiences.
Requirements & fees 
• Recommended minimum age of 18 years
• Completed secondary school education (IB Diploma, IBCP Diploma, Maturité, Abitur, French Bac, 2 A-levels, high school diploma or equivalent).
• All applications will be considered on an individual basis.
• Candidates with prior learning from other culinary schools or the workplace may also apply.
We highly recommend applying early. If you need a student visa, please be sure to allow 8 – 12 weeks between application and program start date.
Turn your passion for food into a career for life
More than Cooking–A World of Opportunity
Our culinary programs prepare you for more than life in the kitchen — they open doors to careers in hospitality, business, media, and beyond.
Culinary 
& Chef Roles
• Hotel / Restaurant Chef 
• Pastry Chef 
• Personal Chef 
• In-Flight Chef 
• Culinary Instructor 
• Catering Chef
Business & Entrepreneurship
• Restaurant Owner 
• Food Consultant 
• Grocery Store Manager 
• Food Product Developer 
• Kitchen Equipment Sales 
• Food Service Manager
Media
& Specialists
• Food Writer or Critic 
• Food Blogger 
• Culinary Tour Guide 
• Food Stylist 
• Sommelier 
• Gastro-Diplomacy
Operations
& Safety
• Food Safety Inspector 
• Quality Control Manager 
• Food & Beverage Director 
• Hospitality Manager 
• Food Manufacturing 
• Nutritionist
Complete year 1 and graduate with a Swiss Grand Diploma in your chosen pathway
Le Bouveret
Culinary Arts
TERM 1: 11 WEEKS
TERM 2: 11 WEEKS
Optional Internship
Switzerland or abroad (6 months) for Swiss Grand Diploma – special conditions apply
TERM 3: 11 WEEKS
Internship
Switzerland or abroad (6 months)
Le Bouveret
Pastry & Chocolate Arts
TERM 1: 11 WEEKS
TERM 2: 11 WEEKS
Optional Internship
Switzerland or abroad (6 months) for Swiss Grand Diploma – special conditions apply
TERM 3: 11 WEEKS
Internship
Switzerland or abroad (6 months)
Complete year 2 and graduate with a Swiss Higher Diploma in your chosen pathway
Le Bouveret
Culinary Arts
TERM 4: 11 WEEKS
TERM 5: 11 WEEKS
Internship
Switzerland or abroad (6 months)
Le Bouveret
Pastry & Chocolate Arts
TERM 4: 11 WEEKS
TERM 5: 11 WEEKS
Internship
Switzerland or abroad (6 months)
TERM 6: 11 WEEKS
TERM 7: 11 WEEKS
• English language proficiency of TOEFL iBT 55 or IELTS academic module 5.5, or equivalent Duolingo scores. Students who do not have the required English level will be advised to join the English Foundation Program.
Pathways
Culinary or Pastry & Chocolate Arts
• Direct entry options or credit transfer options may be available for IBCP, IBDP and BTEC Candidates. For further details or an individual assessment, please kindly contact directentry@swisseducation.com
Brig
In the Valais region at the foot of the Alps, Brig combines Swiss precision with Italian charm. Here, students manage a 50-seat restaurant open to the public, gaining real-world experience in restaurant operations. Outside of studies, students enjoy alpine sports, historic villages, and iconic sites like the Matterhorn.
Perfect for future entrepreneurs looking to launch their food-based businesses, this program links practical skills to academic knowledge, with equal hours split between the kitchen and the classroom. 
PATHWAY 1
Culinary Arts
GRADUATE WITH A BACHELOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS IN CULINARY ARTS FROM CULINARY ARTS ACADEMY SWITZERLAND
PATHWAY 2
Pastry & Chocolate 
GRADUATE WITH A BACHELOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS IN PASTRY & CHOCOLATE ARTS FROM CULINARY ARTS ACADEMY SWITZERLAND