Entry Requirements

IMI Switzerland welcomes students from diverse educational backgrounds. We review each application holistically. Below you’ll find the typical academic qualifications we accept for our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. If your specific curriculum isn’t listed, don’t worry – our Admissions Team will assess your case individually.

Undergraduate Entry (Bachelor’s Degrees)

Most candidates should have completed secondary education with qualifications equivalent to UK A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate. Here are common examples:

UK A-Levels: 2 or 3 passes (e.g., grades AA or BBC). Plus, 5 GCSE/IGCSE passes at grade C or above (including Math and English) are preferred.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 24–28 points total (out of 45).
United States: High School Diploma with a C average (GPA ~2.5) or 60%. (SAT/ACT not required but can be a plus.)
India: CBSE/ISC/HSC Grade 12 with an average of 55–70%.
France: Baccalauréat with a minimum score of 12–13.5 (out of 20).
Germany: Abitur or Fachhochschulreife with final grade between 2.0–2.6.
Italy: Esame di Stato with a score of 65–80 (out of 100) – equivalent ~6.5–8.0/10.

We take a personalized approach: if you didn’t achieve the grades you hoped for, we will consider your overall profile – including academic progress, extracurricular achievements, motivation, and potential. Don’t be discouraged from applying. Our goal is to find ambitious students and help them succeed.

Foundation Programme Entry

High school completion is required, but with lower grades or non-standard curricula:

China: High School graduation with ~75% average, or Gaokao results around 60% of max.
Pakistan: Higher Secondary Certificate with at least 60%.
Nigeria: WAEC/NECO with 5 subjects passed at C6 or above.
UAE: Tawjihiyya (General Secondary) with 60% or above.
Russia & CIS: Certificate of Secondary Education with strong academic performance (we will evaluate transcripts).

If you meet the Foundation criteria, you can enroll in the one-semester Foundation in Hospitality & Tourism, after which you progress to the BA degree.

Postgraduate Entry (Master’s & PG Diplomas)

Master’s (MSc) Programmes: Typically require a Bachelor’s degree (minimum 2:2 honours or equivalent; roughly a GPA of 2.5/4, or 50%+ aggregate depending on system) in any discipline. Hospitality or business experience is beneficial but not mandatory.
Postgraduate Diplomas: Also require a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. These programmes are designed for those switching fields, so the academic requirements are similar, but we heavily consider motivation and willingness to learn new skills.
English Language: Since courses are taught in English, non-native English speakers need an IELTS score of ~6.0 (with no sub-score below 5.5) or equivalent (TOEFL, etc.). If your prior education was in English, this requirement can be waived. IMI also offers internal English placement tests or a short English preparation if needed.

Credit Transfer and Advanced Entry

Already started a degree elsewhere or have a hospitality diploma? You can apply for credit transfer at IMI.

What if my qualifications aren’t listed?

Ready to apply?

If you meet or are close to these requirements, go ahead and start your application – remember, we consider more than just grades.

Develop your skills in a close, supportive academic environment