What to Look For in a Hospitality & Culinary School

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What matters when you choose a school

If you’re serious about a career in hotels, restaurants, resorts or events, the right school should deliver solid accreditation, hands-on training, strong industry links, global exposure, and career outcomes. Below, we outline these criteria and show how The Swiss Hotel School South Africa (SHS) stacks up against three renowned international peers.

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1) Accreditation & program strength

• SHS (South Africa) – Offers a CHE-accredited Bachelor of Hospitality Management (3-year degree) and a Professional Culinary Arts programme with City & Guilds and QCTO accreditation. That blend of academic recognition and professional credentials is ideal for both management and kitchen careers. The Swiss Hotel School South Africa+2The Swiss Hotel School South Africa+2
• EHL – École hôtelière de Lausanne (Switzerland) – Consistently ranks #1 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (Hospitality & Leisure Management), reflecting academic reputation and employer recognition. Top UniversitiesEHL
• Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration (USA) – Ivy League business-focused hotel school offering the BSc in Hotel Administration and the Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) (three semesters with a summer internship). Cornell Nolan+2Cornell Nolan+2
• University of Westminster (UK) – Longstanding hospitality/tourism portfolio (noted for Tourism & Events Management and MA Tourism Management), attractive for students eyeing destination-city experience in London. University of Westminster+1

Takeaway: If you need recognised credentials with a practical edge in South Africa, SHS delivers. For brand prestige and global research reputation, EHL and Cornell lead the rankings space.

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2) Practical, work-integrated learning

• SHS runs on-campus training kitchens and its own ‘33 on Bond’ training restaurant, embedding practical service and culinary rotations into study. The Swiss Hotel School South Africa
• EHL is famed for rigorous practical immersion from foundational semesters onward, with industry-standard facilities across Lausanne, Passugg and Singapore. Financial Times
• Cornell emphasises business immersion and internships (particularly at graduate MMH level), connecting students to a broad hospitality ecosystem. Cornell Nolan
• Westminster leverages London’s live hospitality and events market for applied projects and placements. University of Westminster

Takeaway: SHS and EHL are exceptionally hands-on, while Cornell and Westminster integrate industry immersion with strong business/urban exposure.

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3) Industry reputation & outcomes

• EHL holds a long-running #1 QS subject ranking, signalling powerful employer perception and alumni reach. Top Universities
• Cornell Nolan boasts a deep global network across hotels, real estate, F&B and tech—ideal for students targeting management and strategy roles. Cornell Nolan
• Westminster is recognised for tourism and events expertise in one of the world’s busiest cities for hospitality careers. University of Westminster
• SHS combines Swiss-rooted training with South African industry links; its degree + culinary pathway helps graduates move into operations, F&B management and entrepreneurship locally and abroad. The Swiss Hotel School South Africa+1

Takeaway: For global brand pull, EHL and Cornell stand out. For value, practical skills and employability within South Africa and the wider region, SHS is a strong proposition.

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4) Cost, access & return on investment

• EHL offers world-class facilities and prestige—with fees that match: a premium experience often exceeding US$200k across the degree. Financial Times
• Cornell (Ivy League) is similarly premium, with exceptional networks and US-market access. Cornell Nolan
• Westminster offers UK exposure with London’s living costs to consider. University of Westminster
• SHS provides CHE-recognised degrees and international culinary certifications at South African fee levels, making the ROI compelling for students targeting leadership tracks without overseas costs. The Swiss Hotel School South Africa

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Bottom line: which school fits your goals?

• Choose EHL if you want a top-ranked Swiss brand and an intensely international cohort. Top Universities
• Choose Cornell for Ivy League business depth and US-centric networks across hospitality, real estate and F&B. Cornell Nolan
• Choose Westminster for tourism/events specialisation and a London launchpad. University of Westminster
• Choose Swiss Hotel School South Africa if you want accredited management and culinary pathways, deep hands-on learning (kitchens + training restaurant), and strong ROI—all rooted in Swiss educational standards adapted for the African market. The Swiss Hotel School South Africa