Why Bangladeshi Students Choose Switzerland
Switzerland is the world's birthplace of professional hospitality education — schools like Glion, Les Roches, and EHL combine rigorous Hotel/Hospitality Management degrees with mandatory paid internships, giving graduates a globally respected credential and direct industry placement.
সুইজারল্যান্ড পেশাদার হসপিটালিটি শিক্ষার জন্মস্থান — Glion, Les Roches, EHL-এর মতো স্কুলগুলো বাধ্যতামূলক পেইড ইন্টার্নশিপসহ ডিগ্রি প্রদান করে।
High cost of living: Switzerland is among the most expensive countries in the world to live in — factor CHF 1,500-2,000/month realistically into your budget alongside tuition, even at a Swiss hospitality school's own campus town.
উচ্চ জীবনযাত্রার ব্যয়: সুইজারল্যান্ড বিশ্বের সবচেয়ে ব্যয়বহুল দেশগুলোর একটি।
Universities & Popular Programs
École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL)
The world's original and most prestigious hotel school (founded 1893), now offering Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Hospitality Management.
Glion Institute of Higher Education
Globally ranked hospitality school with campuses in Switzerland and London, known for its strong industry internship network.
Les Roches Global Hospitality Education
Sister institution to Glion, offering Bachelor's degrees in Hospitality and Business Management with global campus options.
ETH Zurich / EPFL
World top-10 ranked universities for Engineering and Sciences — highly competitive but tuition is remarkably low for public Swiss institutions.
Popular Fields
জনপ্রিয় বিষয়সমূহ: Hospitality & Hotel Management, International Business, Engineering (at public universities).
Tuition & Living Costs
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Hospitality management Bachelor's tuition per year | CHF 30,000 - CHF 45,000 |
| Public university tuition per year (ETH Zurich/EPFL) | CHF 1,300 - CHF 4,000 |
| Living costs per month | CHF 1,500 - CHF 2,000 |
Hospitality schools often include accommodation and some meals in their fee structure during on-campus terms — confirm exactly what's included before budgeting separately for housing.
হসপিটালিটি স্কুলগুলো প্রায়ই ফি-এর মধ্যে থাকা-খাওয়া অন্তর্ভুক্ত করে — নিশ্চিত করে নিন।
Scholarships & Funding
School-specific merit scholarships — Glion, Les Roches, and EHL each offer a limited number of partial tuition scholarships for outstanding applicants; check each school's admissions office directly, as government-level scholarships for Bangladeshi students in Switzerland are essentially nonexistent.
Budget primarily for self-financing — the mandatory paid internship terms do offset costs somewhat through a real salary, but Switzerland should be approached as a largely self-funded destination.
Visa & Work Rights — Full Step-by-Step Guide
Required Documents
- Three completed and signed National (Type D) visa application forms.
- Four recent passport-size photographs.
- Valid passport and copies of relevant pages.
- Letter of acceptance from a Swiss educational institution.
- Proof of payment of tuition fees.
- Proof of sufficient financial means — a bank certificate confirming a balance of at least CHF 21,000.
- A written commitment that you will leave Switzerland after completing your studies.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) and copies of all previous educational certificates.
- A letter of motivation.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Secure admission and receive your letter of acceptance from a Swiss institution.
- Arrange proof of financial means — a bank certificate confirming at least CHF 21,000 available.
- Download and complete three copies of the National (Type D) visa application form from the VFS Global website.
- Prepare your CV, letter of motivation, and the written commitment to leave Switzerland after your studies.
- Book an appointment with VFS Global in Dhaka to submit your full application package.
- Attend your appointment, submitting all three application forms, your passport, and all required documents in person.
- Wait for the decision — the application is forwarded to the Embassy of Switzerland, which sends it to the cantonal authorities for a final decision.
- Collect your passport with the visa once approved, and plan arrival ahead of your intake (January or September).
Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| National (Type D) student visa | Confirm current amount with VFS Global at application |
Embassy & Application Centre
Embassy of Switzerland in Dhaka
Bay's Edgewater, 12 North Avenue, 9th Floor, Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
VFS Global - Switzerland Visa Application Centre
Delta Life Tower, 4th Floor, Plot #37, Road #90, Gulshan North, Gulshan-2, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
Application Tips
- The final decision rests with the cantonal migration authority, not the Embassy — build extra buffer time into your planning since this adds a layer to processing.
- Ensure your CHF 21,000 bank certificate is recent and clearly matches the name on your application.
- Prepare all three copies of every form identically — inconsistencies between copies are a common cause of delay.
Work Rights
Most Swiss hospitality management programs build mandatory paid internship semesters directly into the curriculum, which function as legitimate, salaried work experience under a student work permit — separate part-time work during academic terms is typically limited and requires cantonal permission.
সুইস হসপিটালিটি প্রোগ্রামে বাধ্যতামূলক পেইড ইন্টার্নশিপ কারিকুলামের অংশ, যা বৈধ বেতনভুক্ত কাজের অভিজ্ঞতা হিসেবে গণ্য হয়।
Language Requirements
| Program | IELTS (typical) | PTE Academic (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality Management (English-medium) | 6.0 - 6.5 | 50 - 58 |
| ETH Zurich/EPFL (English-medium Master's) | 7.0 | 65+ |
Hospitality schools also assess interpersonal and communication skills through an admissions interview — English proficiency is necessary but not the only selection criterion.
Application Timeline (January/September Intakes)
Application & Interview
Apply to your chosen hospitality school and complete an admissions interview.
Acceptance & Financial Proof
Receive your letter of acceptance and arrange your CHF 21,000 bank certificate.
VFS Dhaka Submission
Submit your visa application at VFS Global Dhaka for forwarding to cantonal authorities.
Arrival
Arrive in time for orientation before your term begins.
FAQ
Are Swiss hospitality degrees recognised internationally? Yes — schools like EHL, Glion, and Les Roches carry strong global brand recognition in the hospitality and tourism industry specifically.
Who makes the final visa decision? The competent cantonal migration authority in Switzerland, after your application is forwarded there by the Embassy — not VFS Global or the Embassy itself.
Do internships pay a real salary? Yes — mandatory hospitality internships are typically paid positions under Swiss labour law, though the amount varies by employer and role.