IMI International Management Institute Switzerland is a private hospitality and business management institute located in Kastanienbaum‑Lucerne, Switzerland, founded in 1991 with a mission of “Aiming for Excellence in International Hospitality Management.” The school combines Swiss‑style academic teaching with practical, industry‑focused training, offering a personalised educational experience with small class sizes and close faculty support.
At IMI International Management Institute Switzerland, students benefit from a highly personalized education with small class sizes that allow individual attention, close interaction with faculty, and hands‑on learning across hospitality, business, and culinary programmes designed to develop leadership and professional competence.
IMI fosters a vibrant residential community on its picturesque Lake Lucerne campus, where students from over 35 nationalities live, learn, and share cultural experiences together, enjoy daily meals, supportive campus life, and networking events that strengthen friendships and global perspectives.
IMI offers a wide range of programmes including foundation certificates, BA (Hons) undergraduate degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and MSc master’s degrees in hospitality, international business, and culinary arts — all validated with UK academic partners and enriched with integrated paid internships.
The institute maintains strong global industry connections with leading hospitality brands and international corporations, embedding paid internship opportunities in Switzerland and worldwide into each academic programme and hosting recruitment events where top employers connect directly with students.
IMI provides comprehensive support services including personalised academic advising, career guidance, internship placement assistance, visa and arrival support, and culturally inclusive student life programmes — all designed to help students succeed academically, professionally, and personally.
While IMI is a private institution that generally requires students to finance their studies, it does offer merit‑based scholarships and awards — such as semester credits and prizes of up to CHF 6,000 for outstanding academic performance — alongside occasional fee waivers and community awards that collectively amount to significant financial support for eligible students.
International Management Institute provides vibrant and inclusive campus communities that inspire learning experiences and personal development.
IMI provides dedicated career support that helps students prepare professionally and connect with employers through internships, recruitment events, and industry networking opportunities. Every student completes a paid 22‑week internship in Switzerland or abroad as part of their programme, giving them valuable practical experience and strong industry contacts before graduation. Employers from luxury hotels, restaurants, and global hospitality brands also visit campus to recruit students, reflecting IMI’s strong links with the industry.
Although IMI is a private institution, it offers merit‑based partial scholarships and tuition reductions for academically strong or motivated applicants. These scholarships are evaluated with admission and may include awards for academic excellence and performance distinctions, sometimes crediting tuition or semester fees. The institute also offers flexible payment plans and supports students in applying for external funding or government scholarships to help finance their studies.
International students at IMI benefit from comprehensive support, including help with admissions documentation, visa guidance, orientation, and settling in Switzerland. On campus, administration and faculty are easily accessible for support with academic queries, housing assistance, and day‑to‑day student needs. The small community and staff presence ensure that students can quickly access guidance and assistance for both personal and academic matters.
IMI has a diverse international community with students from over 35 nationalities studying together on its scenic Kastanienbaum campus. This multicultural environment encourages cultural exchange, global networking, and lifelong friendships. The small, close‑knit student body creates a supportive atmosphere where students can engage socially, collaborate academically, and grow both personally and professionally.