Students 1362 (January 2012) Campus Les Roches, CH Founded 1954 | Established 1954 (1954) Postgraduates 155 Total enrollment 1,362 (2011) Undergraduates 1,150 | |
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Motto Les Roches - it's not just a school, it's a way of life! Founders Jean-Pierre Clivaz, Messrs Marcel Similar Glion Institute of Higher E, Les Roches Marbella I, École hôtelière de Lausa, Swiss Hotel Manage, LRG University of Applie Profiles | ||
Les Roches Global Hospitality Education is a private hospitality school owned by Eurazeo and located in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland.
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History
Les Roches is a hospitality school founded in 1979. Approximately 1118 students from 68 different countries attend every semester, with an additional 150 students on internship around the world at any given time.
The École des Roches, an international boarding school for young people, was founded in 1954 by Messrs Clivaz. In 1979, "Les Roches International School" became “Les Roches Hotel and Tourism School" and was the first hospitality school in Switzerland to offer all courses in English. In 2016 they became Les Roches Global Hospitality Education.
The main campus was virtually destroyed by a fire in April 1985. This obliged the school to house students and facilities in three hotels. In June 1987, the school moved into its new buildings. In November 2000, Les Roches became part of the group now known as Laureate Education Inc. who also manages Glion Institute of Higher Education. The school maintains close ties with the hotel and tourism industry through a panel of advisors from four major hotel chains.
Academic Programs
The school offers a range of undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate and MBA courses in the field of hospitality management with branch campuses in China, Spain, and the United States.
Undergraduate Degrees
The undergraduate options include the Hotel Management Diploma, the associate degree, and the Bachelor of Business Administration in International Hotel Management. These undergraduate courses cover the hotel, restaurant, and service industry operations and administration skill sets. Undergraduate students complete three internships in international hospitality organizations for a total of 18 months of work experience over three years.
In the final year of the Bachelor program, students can choose a specialization in Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance, Spa & Health Management, Culinary Business Management or Event Management. Since January 2014, Les Roches is the only hospitality institution to offer a Bachelor of Business Administration in Global Hospitality Management, which involves students rotating through three different campuses in China, Spain and Switzerland during their studies.
Postgraduate Degrees
The Postgraduate and Master division offer programs for students from diverse backgrounds. For students who have a first degree in a field unrelated to hospitality, the Postgraduate Diploma in International Hospitality Administration or Postgraduate Higher Diploma in Hospitality Management provide an overview of hotel operations, administration and general business courses. Mature students who have work experience but no bachelor's degree can obtain Professional Development Diploma or Higher Diploma following the same courses as in the post graduate program.
Graduate Degrees
The Master of Business Administration in Hospitality with Finance or Marketing is adapted for students with a first degree in hospitality and experience in a related field. This program requires a dissertation and offers management and strategic business development courses.
Accreditation
Les Roches is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Only programs held under Les Roches-Gruyères University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (LRG-UAS) are accredited at the Swiss Federal level.
Rankings
Les Roches International School of Hotel Management was ranked in 2013 among the top 3 hospitality schools worldwide for preparing students for an international career in hospitality management.
In 2015 the school was ranked the 6 better school worldwide.
In a global survey of 5-star hotel hiring managers, Les Roches was ranked number 2 among all international hospitality management schools for an international career. Statistically, three institutes occupy this ranking position.
Campuses
The Les Roches Switzerland campus is located in the village of Bluche, Valais at 1,200 meters of altitude. The campus features three academic wings with 30 classrooms, two computer labs, one demonstration kitchen/bar, a reception, a mock hotel room, a housekeeping practical classroom, two professional kitchens, two auditoriums, a library and separate media center.
Student accommodations are spread throughout the village in 16 separate buildings with different types of room options. The Les Roches campus provides sport and recreational facilities including fitness center, basketball and volleyball courts, a football field, and outdoor swimming pool.