Graduates of César Ritz Colleges Switzerland go on to lead global hotel brands, manage luxury businesses, work in international finance and tourism, or start their own ventures. With a strong focus on leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship, this education prepares you for success across a wide range of industries — not just hospitality. Many graduates reach C-suite roles or launch their own companies within just a few years.

Yes. César Ritz Colleges Switzerland is officially accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Council as a University of Applied Sciences Institute. This ensures your degree meets the highest academic and industry standards and is recognized by top employers and universities around the world.

Switzerland is the birthplace of luxury hospitality and a global leader in innovation, education, and quality of life. It’s ranked among the safest and most career-focused countries in the world — ideal for students seeking structure, international recognition, and real-world opportunities. You’ll study in Brig, a charming alpine town near the Italian border, combining cultural exposure with personal safety and natural beauty.

No. All César Ritz Colleges Switzerland programs are all-inclusive, covering accommodation, meals, and full visa support. You’ll live on campus in safe, comfortable student housing and have access to services from arrival to graduation — including help with your Swiss residence permit, insurance, and more.

We know that international education is more than a cost — it’s a lifelong investment in your future. That’s why César Ritz Colleges Switzerland offers competitive merit-based scholarships of up to 20% and flexible payment options for eligible students — to support those with the drive and ambition to pursue their dreams. Our admissions advisors can also assist you with education loan planning, early-bird offers, and building a payment plan that works for you.

Your time with us is about much more than just classes.

• Bachelor’s Degree: 4 years, including two paid internships and an immersion year.
• Master’s Degree: 5 terms (about 15 months), with an optional internship.

This structure gives you the perfect balance of academic depth and hands-on learning, so by the time you graduate you’ll already have real-world experience, confidence, and a clear edge in your career.

Yes. All on-campus programs include at least one global paid internship with top employers in Switzerland or abroad. Some students also qualify for elite Management in Training (MIT) programs, which offer even faster leadership growth. Average gross internship earnings in Switzerland are around CHF 2,350/month, depending on placement.

Absolutely. Brig is a peaceful, welcoming student town with a strong sense of community. You’ll be part of a vibrant, multicultural campus that values safety, structure, and personal support. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel at home.

• Bachelor’s Program
  If you’ve completed secondary school (high school diploma or equivalent) and have an English level of IELTS 5.5 or equivalent, you’re ready to apply.
• Master’s Program
  You’ll need a recognized bachelor’s degree (ideally in business or a related field) and an English level of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. Prior work experience is helpful but not required, and if you already have hospitality experience, you may be exempt from the immersion year.

To be eligible for our program, you must be at least 18 years old by the date of departure. You must also have a high school diploma or GED. If you are under the age of 18 while you’re applying, a parent or legal guardian must co-sign all of your documents.

The pacing and physical requirements of EF Gap Year programs vary by itinerary. Certain programs require considerable physical exertion; for example, many historic sites are only accessible on foot and involve stairs, rough trails, or inclines. Programs that include Service Learning activities may involve lifting, digging, hammering, or other strenuous physical activities and similar accessibility issues. Outside the United States, accommodations facilities, and modes of transportation are not bound by the same accessibility laws that apply in the United States, and therefore they may not be up to the same standard of accessibility. Our philosophy is to accept as many qualified candidates as possible. Your Gap Year Consultant will work with you to determine a program that will work for you and go through the essential program requirements and travel expectations of your planned itinerary.

There are a limited number of scholarships, university-based financial aid, and private funding opportunities available to gap year students nationwide. EF Gap Year has options for discounts and scholarships. You can find more detail on these on our Scholarships & Fundraising page. Another great resource to search for external scholarships and funding information is the Gap Year Association. Additionally, we offer flexible payment plans allowing you to pay your program fee in installments (see below).

There are 3 different payment options: 1) enroll in a monthly Automatic Payment Plan, 2) pay manually in 3 installments, or 3) pay in full upon enrollment. Please review the Payment Plans Terms and Conditions in the Booking Conditions for further details. Your Gap Year Consultant can also walk you through these options.

Once you officially enroll in the program, you will thereafter be subject to our Cancellation Policy, which you can read in detail in our Booking Conditions.

EF Gap Year offers a specially designed Global Travel Protection Plan that meets all of the program’s requirements and recommendations at a very competitive price. This cost is not included in your base price and is non-refundable after the 10-day review period. Note that all EF Gap Year participants are required to maintain adequate medical and accident insurance throughout the term of their program.

Our Essential Eligibility Criteria are in place to make sure all students are set up to successfully complete their EF Gap Year program, including the physical & mental challenges that may be outside their comfort zones. Please see the full list of our Essential Eligibility Criteria listed in our Booking Conditions.

To participate in our program, every EF Gap Year student must agree to and sign the Rules of the Road prior to departure.

Our program is primarily designed for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact an EF Gap Year Consultant about your eligibility for the program. U.S. citizens do not, in general, need any special visas to visit any of the European countries we offer on this program. Starting in 2025, U.S. passport holders traveling to Europe will need to apply online ahead of their travels for authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) before their visit. Based on your itinerary, you may need to obtain appropriate visas for countries outside of Europe to complete other modules. Your Program Advisor will help guide you on the correct visas based on your destinations. If you do require a visa, you will need to obtain one directly from the country’s nearest embassy or consulate in the United States. Before doing so, we strongly recommend that you first contact the embassy or consulate to verify what sort of documentation they will need from you, as well as the length of processing time they require. (Note that this can vary at each consulate location.) Again, some of the required application documentation you will need to gather and supply to the embassy or consulate yourself; some documentation (like your flight itinerary and letter of invitation), EF will need to supply. It is ultimately your responsibility to obtain any travel documents necessary to complete your program. Any fees for visas you may require are also your responsibility and are not included in your program fee. If you are traveling before or after your program, make sure that you check on any visa requirements that may be in place because of the extended duration of your travels. It’s always wise to verify the entry requirements for each country of travel on your program, including any required vaccinations. For more information on countries requiring visas for U.S. persons, please refer to the U.S. Department of State website: travel.state.gov.

All programs include accommodations, some meals, activities, and support. Most programs include all your flights and transportation as well. You will need to budget additional spending money for some of your meals. This varies based on your program. You should also budget for laundry, toiletries, snacks, coffee and beverages, and any other customary travel incidentals. You’ll also probably want to budget extra money for souvenirs and gifts, and any shopping you may want to do. For more information, view our Program Guides that give an estimate of what you may want to budget for spending money during your program.

All programs include flights, transportation, accommodations, some meals, activities, and support. What you pack will largely depend on what program you choose. The time of year, climate, location, and types of activities you’ll be doing all play a role in what you should pack. View the Program Guide for each program to see an example packing list. Note that students doing a Study Abroad program that includes taking academic courses during their program will need a laptop or tablet to complete their coursework.

How you communicate with family and friends back home tends to be a highly individual decision. We recommend having a conversation about how frequently and in what way you want to connect with family members prior to departure. We always recommend our students focus on immersing themselves in the local culture, bonding with their cohort of fellow EF Gap Year students, navigating their new life on their own, and making their own decisions. EF staff are always there to offer advice and support when needed

To get the most out of your experience, it’s always best to immerse yourself in it completely. We do not recommend parents visit students during the Pathfinder, Voyager, and Changemaker semester programs. These programs are fast-paced and full of activities with limited free time during the program. Family visits can be distracting and take away from students’ independence and enjoyment of the program. Students are required to attend program activities and stay in program provided housing throughout the duration of their program. During the Gap Year program, we recommend family plan visits during the spring semester of the program, when students are living independently abroad. This allows for more time for family and student to visit together and plan activities during free time, like weekends.

To avoid expensive international calling and data fees, consider either buying international plans through your carrier or purchasing prepaid cards. EF has an international phone plan with unlimited data through T-Mobile that we can offer to our students. Ask your Program Advisor for more info.