Application

Students who have previously completed courses in hospitality may apply for advanced standing with accredited prior learning credit or (APL) directly onto the Diploma, Higher Diploma or BA (Hons.) semesters. To determine the level at which you would join our programme, please fill in our Student Evaluation Form 
(Alternatively send your details of the courses you have attended together with your transcripts, C.V. and reference letters to imi-info@imi-luzern.com.)

Step 1: Application Form

This can be done on-line or by fax or post.

If by post, please download the application form and fill it in carefully. You will also have to provide the following documents: Five recent passport photographs (3.5 x 4.5 cm), make sure background is white or grey, if it is colour it might be refused

• Copy of passport
• Transcript of your previous education
• Copies of school certificates and degrees
• Work references if available
• TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent English test results
• Certificate of good health made out by a licensed physician. A specific form for your doctor can be downloaded from here as part of the enrollment package (last pages only).
• Students transferring from recognised hotel management schools must also include official transcripts or records for each semester of the previous course of study or fill in our student evaluation form from here.

In most countries the Swiss embassy request the following material

• Bank Statement (if possible in students else in parents name)
• Evidence of English certification
• Letter of intent
• Letter of motivation

Applications by mail should be sent to:
The Registrar / IMI University Centre / Seeacherweg 1 / 6047 Kastanienbaum / Switzerland

Application by e-mail should be addressed to registration@imi-luzern.com
All documents should be scanned and sent with the online application form.
Applications by fax should be sent to The Registrar on 00 41 41 349 6460

If your application is successful you will receive a Provisional Letter of Acceptance, on receipt of this, you transfer the registration fee of CHF 2800 to the Bank Address below to confirm your place. 

Eight weeks before the beginning of the course half the fees should be transferred to the same account. Please state clearly your reason for payment and your name. When you have been assigned a student number, please include this on the bank transfer.

Reason for Payment:

Student number, Family Name(s), First Name(s)
CREDIT SUISSE AG / Paradeplatz 8 / CH-8070 Zurich
SWIFT/ BIC: CRESCHZZ80A / Clearing no: 4835
IMI International Hotel Management Institute
CH-6047 Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
IBAN CH03 0483 5068 8510 9100 0
A/C No. 688510-91

In many countries outside Europe, students have to submit an application for an entry visa to Switzerland. This application should be done at the nearest Swiss Embassy or Consulate and can take up to 12 weeks.

The Registrar will be happy to speak to you about your individual situation. If you are applying through IMI representatives, they will advise you on the details of the visa application process pertaining to your country of application. All efforts will be made to assist in the processing of your visa application. You will be informed by the Registrar as soon as your Visa has been approved.

Since the Shengen agreement of 2009 it is now easy for any permit B holder (students at IMI) to travel within Europe. This allows all B- or C- Permit holders to take short holidays in the Schengen Countries of Germany, Austria, Italy or France without a visa. However to avoid disappointment you should get information from the Embassy of the country you intend to travel to about any regulations. You will need to carry Passports and Swiss Permits.

IMI cares - IMI University Centre is not only a place where you come to study, but for a short and very important time in your life, it is your home. For many of you this is the very first time that you have been away from your families to experience a totally new culture and environment. Initially the differences can be overwhelming: different languages, different climate and different food, it can all be a little daunting, but in a very short time these very differences will be the basis of the happy memories you take away from your time at IMI.

After welcoming over 5,500 students through our doors, we know that during these first few days you will need a lot of support and will have many questions. We will do everything we can to make you feel at home as quickly as possible.

It starts from the moment your plane touches down at Zurich airport or you arrive at the station in Luzern. Our driver will be there to meet you and will bring you to the campus by IMI bus. 

As you arrive on campus, you will be greeted by our special welcoming committee who will help you with your room check in and orientation. Then begins a fun and busy few days.

IMI organises many different activities; a treasure hunt, to explore the campus, a tour to the nearby town of Luzern and a Swissness day with a entertaining presentation about Switzerland . Also on offer are Swiss culinary delights and some surprise Swiss guests! During the first week you are also advised on how to make international phone calls, how to connect your computers to the campus WIFI internet and how to get used to everyday things such as public- transport, opening a mobile phone contract and finding important facilities like pharmacies, post offices, food delivery services and local shopping possibilities.

During induction as well as throughout the whole semester, parents and family members are always welcome to visit IMI and join their loved ones for lunch or dinner.

To ensure that our students do not miss out on anything digital, IMI has created a One Entry Page for current students - MyIMI with email information, timetables, alumni online database and even the latest bus schedules.

We want our students to be able to see exactly where their fees are being spent. To allow for this transparency we have broken our cost structure down into four areas, details of which can be found below. These areas are:

• Registration fee
• Tuition fee
• Accommodation fee
• Food

REGISTRATION FEE

In addition to tuition fees, students must pay a registration fee.

• 480 CHF for the intensive English Course (IEC)
• 1 440 CHF for the University English Preparatory Course (UPEC)
• 2 800 CHF for all other courses

This includes:

• Registration Documents
• Residence Permit
• Compulsory health and accident insurance during the academic semester
• Core textbooks
• Teaching materials
• Tie or scarf (for Certificate to Higher Diploma)
• Kitchen Uniforms (for European Culinary)
• Kitchen Shoes (for Diploma )
• Federal Taxes
• Wireless LAN
• Student card
• Social assistance from the Student Counsellor
• Use of library, gym and other facilities.

TUITION FEE, which includes:

• All class materials and handouts
• Access to Moodle – a virtual learning environment
• Professional and cultural excursions
• Guaranteed Internship placements
• Career placements, graduate placements in permanent positions, coaching and on- campus recruitment

You are always welcome at IMI University Centre. We do not have open days for the simple reason that we know you want to see the school as it really is, to feel the atmosphere and meet the students. So come and experience IMI hospitality by visiting our campus in Kastanienbaum, nestled between the famous mountains of Rigi and Pilatus, only minutes from the centre of Luzern.

One of our dedicated visitor guides will show you around the campus. You and your family are invited for a free lunch in our Swiss Room Restaurant and of course you can have a meeting with our academic staff and students. We will endeavour to answer all your questions. This is the best way to make your final decision, by immersing yourself in the everyday life of IMI. In case you want to combine your visit with some days of relaxation in Luzern, we can book a room for you and your friends in a very good hotel nearby, at a very competitive rate. Just call us to book your visit or send a mail.