Bachelor's degree in
Tourism

Our Bachelor's degree programme

The Tourism Bachelor's degree programme is a three-year full-time programme (6 semesters) or a four-year part-time programme (8 semesters). Its multidisciplinary curriculum covers key areas such as tourism, economics, finance, marketing, digitalisation, management, communication, leadership, entrepreneurship, languages, sustainability, social policy, emotional intelligence, and cognitive flexibility.   

During the first part of their studies, students build a strong theoretical foundation, which they later apply to real-world projects in collaboration with businesses and the Institute of Tourism. 

Recognition of ECTS credits:

• Holders of an Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Tourism will be admitted to the 4th semester (full-time) or 5th semester (part-time).
• Holders of an Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in a related field will be admitted to the 3rd semester (full-time or part-time).

Part-time studies (8 semesters)

Our part-time programme is designed for students balancing studies with work, high-level sports or arts, or family commitments.

Tourism companies actively seek part-time students eager to apply their knowledge and gain valuable industry experience. Explore opportunities on our partner jobs platform by filtering by Job Type > Jobs for part-time students.

Courses take place three days a week, with no classes during school holidays.

Admission to the part-time programme is on request. Contact us for further information: admissions.heg@hevs.ch

NEW: Specialisation in Event Management, Sports Management or Service Design & Product Management

From September 2025, students will have the opportunity to specialise in their final year. They will select a main elective (18 ECTS credits) and write their Bachelor's thesis (12 ECTS credits) within their chosen field.

Students can choose from the following main electives:

• Event Management
• Sports Management
• Service Design & Product Management

This flexible approach allows students to tailor their studies to their personal interests and career aspirations.  

Curriculum

Choice of modules

Students can choose from a wide range of modules to tailor their course to suit their interests and career ambitions. These modules are divided into two categories: free modules and elective modules.

Free modules

Free modules are designed to deepen the students' understanding of tourism and its diverse sectors. Covering topics such as cultural and heritage promotion, local branding, communication strategies, accessible tourism, and soft skills development, these modules provide valuable insights to enhance students' expertise.

In addition, students can earn ECTS credits by spending 2 to 4 weeks in a different linguistic environment during their holidays.

Here are some examples of free modules:

• Oenotourism
• Management, entrepreneurship and leadership
• Communication strategies
• Languages
• Culture and heritage

Elective modules

In the final two semesters, students have the opportunity to collaborate with companies, associations, or public institutions on specific projects as part of their elective modules. This real-world experience helps students build practical skills and makes it easier for them to start their careers.

ePortfolio: showcasing your skills

The online platform Portfolium enables students to showcase their coursework and projects, professional skills and personal experiences. This individual portfolio helps them tailor their curriculum to their chosen specialisation and career goals. It can also be shared with potential employer to highlight their expertise.  

Bachelor's thesis: kickstart your career

In their final year, students write their Bachelor's thesis in cooperation with companies or research institutes, which significantly improves their employability. 

View published Bachelor's thesis

An internationally recognised diploma

The title Bachelor of Science HES-SO in Tourism is nationally and internationally recognised and legally protected. This degree marks the completion of the first study cycle and is equivalent to 180 ECTS credits.