Your pathway to a successful global hospitality career starts at SHS – The Swiss Hotel School South Africa
Your pathway to a successful global hospitality career starts at SHS – The Swiss Hotel School South Africa — a respected institution that continues to shape the future of hospitality, culinary arts, tourism, and food entrepreneurship in South Africa and beyond.
Now operating through two distinct specialist faculties — SHS – Institute of Hospitality Management and SHS – Institute of Culinary Arts — SHS offers students an industry-driven education designed to prepare graduates for real-world success in hotels, restaurants, resorts, cruise ships, events, tourism, and culinary businesses across the globe.
Whether your dream is to become a hotel manager, entrepreneur, chef, pastry specialist, food innovator, or hospitality executive, SHS provides internationally respected qualifications, hands-on experience, and valuable industry connections that open doors locally and internationally.
SHS – Institute of Hospitality Management
The SHS – Institute of Hospitality Management focuses on developing future hospitality leaders with practical business knowledge, management expertise, and operational experience.
Bachelor of Hospitality Management (3 Years Full-Time)
The flagship Bachelor of Hospitality Management is a CHE-accredited degree designed for students who aspire to leadership positions within the hospitality and tourism sectors. The programme combines operational hospitality training with strategic business management, entrepreneurship, accounting, marketing, leadership, and work-integrated learning.
Students gain experience in areas such as:
- Hotel and resort operations
- Food and beverage management
- Tourism and guest experience
- Hospitality sales and marketing
- Entrepreneurship and innovation
- Conference and events management
- Hospitality finance and leadership
The degree also includes valuable internships, including:
- 12-week local internships in first year
- 22-week local or international internships during second or third year
Graduates have gone on to work in luxury hotels, airlines, cruise ships, safari lodges, international resorts, restaurants, and hospitality businesses around the world.
NEW: Higher Certificate in Hospitality Studies
One of the most exciting additions to the SHS – The Swiss Hotel School portfolio is the new 1-Year Higher Certificate in Hospitality Studies, offering students a focused pathway into the hospitality industry and providing an accessible route into further hospitality education.
This qualification is ideal for students seeking practical hospitality training combined with foundational business and operational knowledge.
Advanced Certificate in Kitchen Management
SHS also offers a respected Advanced Certificate in Kitchen Management, aimed at chefs and culinary professionals looking to move into leadership and management roles within kitchens and food operations.
SHS – Institute of Culinary Arts
The SHS – Institute of Culinary Arts at The Swiss Hotel School has built a reputation for producing highly skilled chefs, pastry specialists, and culinary entrepreneurs equipped for modern hospitality environments.
Professional Culinary Arts Programme (ProfCAP)
The renowned Professional Culinary Arts Programme (ProfCAP) is a comprehensive three-year culinary qualification combining professional kitchen training with international certifications and industry readiness.
Students receive training in:
- Professional food preparation
- Culinary techniques and presentation
- Patisserie and bakery
- Nutrition and food science
- Hospitality operations
- Kitchen management
- Food safety and hygiene
The programme aligns with QCTO and City & Guilds standards and includes multiple qualifications and certifications, giving graduates a competitive edge both locally and internationally.
Higher Certificate in Professional Cookery
The Higher Certificate in Professional Cookery is a practical, industry-focused qualification designed for aspiring chefs wanting to enter professional kitchens quickly and confidently.
Students learn:
- Professional cooking techniques
- Kitchen operations and cost control
- Nutrition and specialised diets
- Food preparation and presentation
- Practical work-integrated learning in real hospitality environments
This qualification is ideal for students passionate about restaurant kitchens, catering, hospitality operations, and culinary entrepreneurship.
Higher Certificate in Pastry & Bakery
The highly popular Higher Certificate in Pastry & Bakery reflects the growing demand for pastry chefs, artisan bakers, dessert specialists, and café entrepreneurs.
Students develop expertise in:
- Artisan breads and viennoiserie
- Cakes and patisserie
- Chocolate and plated desserts
- Sugar work and decorative techniques
- Bakery business management and entrepreneurship
The programme at The Swiss Hotel School combines artistic creativity with strong commercial and operational skills, preparing graduates for employment in hotels, bakeries, restaurants, cafés, cruise ships, and luxury hospitality environments.
Practical Learning That Sets SHS Apart
One of the defining strengths of SHS is its strong emphasis on practical training and industry immersion.
Students train in world-class facilities including:
- Professional culinary workshops
- Demonstration kitchens
- Fully equipped commercial kitchens
- The student-run 33 on Bond Restaurant
- The Legit Brew coffee shop
- Quiet study lounge and recreation areas
- On-campus accommodation facilities including Swiss Inn and Swiss Chalet
- Organic kitchen garden
- Fully equipped classrooms
This hands-on environment ensures students graduate with confidence, professionalism, and real operational experience.
A Hospitality School with Global Vision
Founded in 1995, SHS continues to blend traditional Swiss hospitality values with modern innovation and African hospitality excellence.
Today, graduates of The Swiss Hotel School South Africa are employed across:
- South Africa
- Europe
- The UAE
- The USA
- Australia
- International cruise lines and resorts
SHS graduates are known for their professionalism, adaptability, leadership, and practical skills — qualities highly valued in the global hospitality industry.
Why Students Choose SHS
Students choose SHS because it offers:
✅ Internationally respected and accredited hospitality qualifications
✅ Strong industry connections and internship opportunities
✅ Practical hands-on learning
✅ Experienced academic and industry faculty
✅ Small class sizes and personalised support
✅ Modern campus facilities in Randburg
✅ Pathways into global hospitality careers
✅ Entrepreneurial and business-focused education
At SHS, students are not simply taught theory — they are prepared for the realities of one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic industries.
Your Future Starts Here
The hospitality industry remains one of the world’s largest employers, offering exciting opportunities in hotels, restaurants, tourism, luxury travel, events, food entrepreneurship, culinary arts, and guest experience management.
By studying at The Swiss Hotel School South Africa through either the SHS – Institute of Hospitality Management or the SHS – Institute of Culinary Arts, students gain the qualifications, confidence, and industry exposure needed to succeed anywhere in the world.
To learn more about programmes, applications, open days, and campus tours, visit The Swiss Hotel School South Africa.
Key Takeaways
- The Swiss Hotel School offers industry-driven education through its two faculties: the Institute of Hospitality Management and the Institute of Culinary Arts.
- It provides various programmes, including the Bachelor of Hospitality Management, Higher Certificate in Hospitality Studies, and Professional Culinary Arts Programme.
- Students gain practical training and industry experience, preparing them for successful careers in hotels, restaurants, and culinary businesses across the globe.
- SHS emphasizes hands-on learning in professional facilities, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for the hospitality industry.
- With strong global connections, SHS graduates find opportunities in South Africa, Europe, the UAE, the USA, and beyond.
Stephen is a hospitality professional from Johannesburg South Africa. His career started with THF hotels in the UK and subsequently with the Southern Sun Hotel group in Johannesburg. Stephen’s first steps into entrepreneurship was Hickmore Recruitment / CareerMap, a leading supplier of Senior and Exec recruitment services. Stephen was a founder of Pple Hospitality (formerly HSC) the largest Hospitality Industry full-service outsourced staffing company in South Africa. In March 2020 Stephen became a director and owner of the Swiss Hotel School South Africa, which is now his full time passion.
SHS – Institute of Hospitality Management
SHS – Institute of Culinary Arts
Stephen writes for a number of publications on food and hospitality industry matters, trends and opinions. He also hosts a Podcast on Spotify “Hospitality Insight with The SilverFox”
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