The programme aims to empower future tourism professionals with a broad range of research-based and practically oriented knowledge, raising awareness of the sustainable transformation of tourism and enabling the future-oriented direction of the sector.
- The curriculum includes a variety of UN-related modules, for instance UN Diplomacy & Tourism and Global UNWTO Missions & Initiatives, and deliberately embeds the UN's values and global goals throughout the modules.
- Practice-oriented teaching is carried out via guest lecturers, practical projects with partners, excursions and case discussions. It is both a strength and a priority of HSLU.
- International diversity is integrated in two ways: content-wise and in terms of execution. For example, we address students from all over the world to include a diversity of perspectives and work-related experiences.
- We teach in Madrid, where UNWTO’s headquarters are located, and in Lucerne at HSLU’s home campus. We can also access a more international panel of lecturers by teaching exclusively in English.
Learn more about the variety of modules here ->
The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) is the largest university level institution in Central Switzerland.
The Lucerne School of Business is a public, non-for-profit educational institution where each student, even those from abroad, is partly subsidised by the government.
The Lucerne School of Business is involved in continuous research which feeds first hand into teaching. In addition, students benefit from established processes and a high-quality infrastructure.
Our new campus building which is currently being built within walking distance of Lucerne railway station is scheduled to be finished in autumn 2025.
Virtual walk through the HSLU (only in german) ->
UNWTO, as the leading organization in tourism, has not only recognised the need for qualified personnel and therefore high-quality education, but has also contributed to the content orientation of the programme.
UNWTO is directly involved in several modules, with experts personally passing on their firsthand knowledge to you.
More information about UNWTO ->
Students are prepared for the tourism industry holistically, i.e. the teaching goes far beyond hospitality management, which is already commonly taught. The programme is divided into five core subject areas:
In addition to the subject-specific expertise, the BSc in International Sustainable Tourism develops soft skills. This fosters the individual development of future professionals and managers and entrepreneurs.
- effective communication
- problem-solving skills
- critical thinking
- teamwork
The competence goals of graduates are summarised in this overview ->
During the fourth semester, students complete an internship anywhere in the world within the field of tourism. The aim of the internship is to gain subject-specific work experience, apply the theoretical knowledge gained within the first three semesters and then build on these practical insights in the final academic year in order to be one step ahead of the competition when it comes to entering the job market after graduation.
Students can test their professional orientations and learn how to build professional relationships, integrate into a team and develop skills such as enthusiasm and motivation, self-confidence, adaptability, responsibility, diligence and problem solving in their day-to-day business.
The internship is closely accompanied by coaching in three parallel modules. These modules, entitled Corporate Innovation, Self-Leadership & Reflection and Topicality in Tourism & Sustainability, take place online in synchronous and asynchronous formats and incorporate the experiences from the internship. Each student is supported by a trainer in the organisation and a coach from HSLU.
