Many people think that hospitality management focuses only on the administrative and operational aspects of hotels and restaurants. However, the field is much broader. Hospitality management can involve lodging, food and beverage services, events, resorts, casinos, and other businesses connected with hospitality, travel, and tourism.
Hospitality management graduates can pursue careers in hotel and resort management, restaurant operations, casino and gaming management, event planning, tourism and travel services, and food and beverage management. In this article, let us take a look at some of the best-known schools for hospitality management in the world.
Top Hospitality Management Schools in the World
1. Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne
- Study Program
- Location: Switzerland and Singapore | Programs Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, MBA, and Doctorate Programs
Recognized as a leading hospitality management school worldwide, EHL Hospitality Business School was founded as École hôtelière de Lausanne in 1893. Its founder, Jacques Tschumi, was the managing director of the Lausanne Beau-Rivage Palace and championed the creation of the school to train professional hotel staff.
EHL has campuses in Lausanne and Chur-Passugg in Switzerland, as well as a campus in Singapore. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, EHL was ranked number one in the world for Hospitality and Leisure Management for the eighth consecutive year. The institution offers hospitality business programs ranging from pre-university courses and vocational diplomas to bachelor’s, master’s, MBA, doctorate, certificate, and online programs.
2. University of Nevada
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is a public university in the United States. It was founded in 1957 and currently enrolls 32,911 students.
UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, which typically takes four years to complete. Undergraduate students can choose from concentrations such as Event Design and Management, Gaming Management, Hospitality Beverage Management, Human Resource Management, Innovative Restaurant Management, and PGA Golf Management.
The college also offers graduate programs, including an in-person Master of Science in Hotel Administration, an online Executive Master of Hospitality Administration, a Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration, dual master’s programs, and an online Gaming Management Certificate.
3. Glion Institute of Higher Education
The Glion Institute of Higher Education specializes in hospitality and luxury business education. Founded in 1962, Glion offers career-focused bachelor’s and master’s degrees that combine academic study with professional experience.
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Glion was ranked number three worldwide for Hospitality and Leisure Management and number three globally for Employer Reputation.
Glion has three campuses: Glion-sur-Montreux and Bulle in Switzerland, and London in the United Kingdom. The Glion campus has 16 classrooms, the Bulle campus has 26 classrooms, and the London campus has seven classrooms. The campuses also include accommodation and dining facilities. Some degree programs are offered in Switzerland and London, while Glion also provides online courses.
4. Hotelschool The Hague
Hotelschool The Hague is a university of applied sciences in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1929 and has campuses in The Hague and Amsterdam.
Hotelschool The Hague is ranked number seven worldwide for Hospitality and Leisure Management by QS and is ranked as the number one public Hospitality Management school in the Netherlands by Keuzegids.
The institution offers a Bachelor in Hospitality Management, a fast-track bachelor’s program, a Master in Leading Hotel Transformation, an MBA in International Hospitality Management, and a Professional Doctorate in Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality. Students gain practical experience at the institution’s hotels and restaurants in The Hague and Amsterdam, including Skotel, Le Début, Les Saveurs, and Zinq.
5. University of Surrey
Located in Guildford, the University of Surrey was established in 1966, although its roots date back to the founding of Battersea Polytechnic Institute in 1891.
Surrey Hospitality and Tourism Management offers undergraduate, postgraduate taught, postgraduate research, CPD, and short-course options. In ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025, Surrey was ranked first in the United Kingdom and third in the world for Hospitality and Tourism Management. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, it was ranked first in the United Kingdom and 18th in the world for Hospitality and Leisure Management.
6. Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Study Program
- Location: Hong Kong | Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate Programs
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) traces its history to the Government Trade School, which was founded in 1937. Its predecessor institution moved to Hung Hom in 1957, and PolyU attained full university status in 1994.
PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management offers programs at the Bachelor of Science (Honours), Master of Science, Doctor of Hotel and Tourism Management, and Doctor of Philosophy levels.
In ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025, the school was ranked number one in the world for Hospitality and Tourism Management for the ninth consecutive year. It was also ranked number two globally among comprehensive universities for Hospitality and Leisure Management in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
7. Cornell University
An Ivy League institution, Cornell University is a privately endowed research university located in Ithaca, New York. It was founded in 1865.
Part of the SC Johnson College of Business, the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration describes itself as the world’s premier school for hospitality business and the only Ivy League school of its kind. Its programs include a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration, master’s programs, a Master of Science, and a Ph.D. in Hotel Administration.
We hope that this article on the best hospitality management schools in the world was helpful. If you are interested in learning more, check out the Hospitality and Tourism Management Programs for International Students!
