1. Why should I study at IMI?

Recognition. IMI's Culinary Certificate, Diploma and Higher Diploma and BA Degree courses are recognized by the partner the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), UK.

Validation. All IMI Programmes (BA) are taught in Switzerland and validated and awarded by the Manchester Metropolitan University.
Prestige. The Manchester Metropolitan University has one of the oldest and most respected hotel schools in the world.

Language. All courses are in English however students can additionally sign up for a 3rd language (German, French or Spanish)

Quality. IMI is one of the only schools in Switzerland possessing the Swiss ‘EDUQUA' quality standard; the International Standards Organization (ISO) award for quality of organizational processes; with its partner MMU, the highest possible endorsement of the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education; and recent (2002) Cantonal endorsement of the quality of its programmes including recognition by cantons Luzern and Canton Nidwalden.

Location. The IMI campus enjoys an enviable location on the shores of Lake Luzern yet is only ten minutes away by car or public transport from the thriving city of Luzern and one hour from Zurich.
To summarize: internationally recognized qualifications, excellent career prospects, quality training in both theoretical and practical aspects of tourism and hospitality management in association with a top UK hospitality programme.

2. Do I need to have studied tourism or hospitality before I come to IMI?
Not if you are joining the full undergraduate or MBA programmes - for direct entry students credit will be given to those who have studied tourism and hospitality at another school.

3. What kind of credit do I get for previous study?
It depends on what level you have studied to before and what relevant employment experience, if any, you may already have. All relevant documentation should be submitted to IMI who will subsequently reach a decision on a case-by-case basis.

4. What do courses cost?
Courses vary in costs depending on entry point, and living arrangements. Please contact the IMI Admission Office for detailed information relevant to your personal situation.

5. Do I have to pay all the fees up-front before I come to Switzerland?
No, fees may be paid in installments. The first installment of 50% is due and should be paid 8 weeks prior to term commencement. The second installment should be paid a maximum of 12 weeks after course commencement but may be subject to additional charges. In some countries, students are requested to make the full payment in order for visas to be released. In such cases, IMI is obliged to request full payment prior to term commencement.

6. Do you offer scholarships?
IMI is a private institution and has no financial support from the government. Some part-scholarships are available for students who are already studying at IMI. New students may apply for partial tuition assistance.

7. How do I apply to IMI?
See the simple application procedure on our website. In some countries and regions we have local representatives who will assist you and guide you through the process. email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to get more details or if you are close to Switzerland, come visit us anytime (please contact us beforehand so we make sure somebody is there to answer your questions and guide you around)

8. How do I get a Visa for my studies in Switzerland and what other documentation do I need?
To obtain a student visa to Switzerland, the applicant must provide the following documents and information:

Completed application form, duly signed by the applicant
Passport, valid for at least three months beyond the planned stay in Switzerland (please provide a copy)
Three recent passport-sized photographs
Attestation from the school that will be attended
Attestation about the payment of the school fees
Proof of financial means for the duration of the proposed stay in Switzerland (bank statement of applicant; bank statement of her/his parents together with a letter of sponsorship; bank statement and letter guarantee by sponsors in Switzerland etc.)
Diploma of already completed studies
Curriculum Vitae
Motivation letter mentioning:
commitment to leave Switzerland after the requested stay
reasons for choosing Switzerland as a place to study (i.e. languages, hotel, university, etc)
plans of the applicant after completing his studies in Switzerland

The Embassy will also assess the language knowledge of the applicant.

Requests for student visas will be submitted to the Swiss Authorities for a decision. Please be advised this process to enter Switzerland can take up to two months.
For further information, do not hesitate to contact the Swiss Embassy.

9. What is the timezone at IMI University Centre?
Click onto the worldmap to see the different timezone, IMI is in Europe at GMT +1

STUDYING AT IMI

1. How long to get a Bachelor's Degree at IMI?
If you start at the beginning of the course, you need to study a total of 4 semesters (two years) plus a minimum of 5-6 months industry training. With prior credit, the study periods may be shorter.

2. How long to get a MBA Degree at IMI?
Only obtaining the IMI or equivalent undergraduate qualification, you will need 6 months (one semester) to complete your MBA. If you enter the MBA program with an unrelated Degree in a different discipline, you will need to obtain advanced credit for those qualifications  or study a total of 12 months (two semesters) plus a minimum of 5-6 months industry training.

3. Can I do an in-training (internship) as part of my studies?
Yes, you must do at least one compulsory in-training if you do the four-semester course leading to the BA. You may also do other voluntary in-trainings if you wish provided that each in-training comes after a course of study (this is a Swiss legal requirement). In-training on all other courses is voluntary.

4. Will my qualifications be recognized for further study in other universities?
Students from all IMI courses have at some point, successfully transferred to other schools and universities, including Masters' study in the UK, Canada, USA, Hong Kong, China and Australia.

5. What does IMI provide for its Alumni network?
Students at IMI have immediate access to the IMI Alumni database online and can collaborate with its large body of professionals. This enables students to (re-)connect and find long lost classmates, read and post news and events and profit from best-of-the-best Weblinks. Post and search for jobs and exchange internal messages to groups or individuals

6. Who must do in-training?
All students must do one compulsory in-training (Except Direct Entry/transfer into Higher Diploma and BA Semesters; Postgraduate Diploma and MBHM students).

7. How long are the in-training periods?
In Switzerland 5-6 months (by law), abroad 12 month



LIFE AT IMI

1. How many students do you have at IMI and where do they come from?
Each semester the number of students is currently limited to a maximum of 250. IMI also strictly regulates the mix of the student body to ensure that no one country or culture dominates and that every student gets a truly international experience. In any one semester there are around 35 different nationalities represented at IMI with no national group generally exceeding 20 in number. In the second semester of 2008 students came from: Bulgaria, China and Hong Kong, Germany, Greek, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Latvia; Malaysia; North America (USA and Canada); Russia; Saudi Arabia; South Korea; Sweden; Switzerland, Thailand; Ukrainia, Venezuela, United Kingdom; and Vietnam (selection).

2. What is your student accommodation like?
Students have the option of twin room shared accommodation with private bathroom facilities; twin roomed accommodation with shared bathroom; or single room accommodation at an extra charge. All rooms have adequate work surfaces, bookshelves, a colour television, a refrigerator and telephones for receiving incoming calls. The school has wireless computer facilities accessible from all student rooms.

3. Can I choose my own roommate?
Requests may be made to share with a particular student.

4. Are meals provided?
Meals are provided 7 days a week - 3 meals per day are provided during weekdays and 2 meals per day on Saturdays and Sundays. Special diets are catered for and there is a small student kitchen where meals can be prepared.

5. What is the social life like?
The School organizes many social events throughout the year and the Student Representative Council, elected by the student body, organizes a regular bar. The School has pool and table tennis tables and a weights/training room. In addition it has access to an all weather sports pitch at the local primary school in Kastanienbaum.

6. What are the study facilities like?
There is 24 hour computer access including wireless computing in all student rooms.
IMI has one of the best specialized hospitality and tourism libraries in Europe sponsored by leading publisher Butterworth-Heinemann (part of the Elsevier Group) with over 4500 volumes, 30 journals and on-line subscriptions to several major research databases. As well IMI has an eLibrary on a student shared folder
IMI has a state of the art training restaurant and kitchen, and well-equipped classrooms.

7. What is the weather like?
The weather in Lucerne during summer (June to middle September) is between 25-30°C, but could also be rainy and cold during this time. Winter (beginning of November to end of March) is very cold and windy approx -5 to 10° C. Check here for the current weather online.

8. What International Time does IMI/ Luzern have?
Switzerland's time is +1 EMT. What is the current time in Luzern right now?

9. How much pocket money should i calculate for one month?
CHF 500.00 pocket money per month should be enough if you are living in the Kastanienbaum campus since ALL costs besides your personal needs are covered in the fee. Students living in private accommodation should consider rental, heating and food costs in addition to the above.

10. Will I need a bank account in Switzerland?
We suggest you open a bank account as soon as you arrive in Switzerland. The School invites staff from the Credit Suisse Bank to explain how to open a bank account in the first week. Do not bring too much cash or leave a lot of money in your room since we do not take any responsibility for money or expensive goods in your room.

11. Can I bring my own car?
Yes you can but we have limited parking areas for the students to use at Kastanienbaum. This is free of charge. Please inform us early enough if you intend to bring along your car

12. Do you have the oportunity to travel
Yes, during termbreak and even at weekends our students can travel through switzerland or europe. They do not even need and Visa to travel neighbouring countries and with the international student card (ISIC) which is available for all IMI students they can profit from many price reductions.