University in South Africa
Ferndale, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa
University profile
The Swiss Hotel School South Africa (SHS) is a private higher education institution for hospitality and culinary education on a single campus at 33-35 Bond Street, Ferndale, Randburg, Johannesburg. It opened in 1995 and its curriculum and educational philosophy were modelled on the Hotel School Belvoirpark in Zurich, where founder Jürg Vontobel had been Director for ten years. It is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (registration certificate 2010/HE07/006), and its programmes are accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE).
Teaching is organised in two institutes. The Institute of Hospitality Management offers the 3-year Bachelor of Hospitality Management (NQF Level 7, SAQA ID 112690), the 1-year Higher Certificate in Hospitality Studies (NQF Level 5) and the part-time Advanced Certificate in Kitchen Management (NQF Level 6, 20 months). The Institute of Culinary Arts offers the 3-year Professional Culinary Arts Programme (ProfCAP, SAQA ID 101697, NQF Level 5) and one-year Higher Certificates in Professional Cookery and in Pastry & Bakery. ProfCAP graduates are eligible for the QCTO Occupational Certificate: Chef, City & Guilds Level 2 diplomas in Food Preparation and Culinary Arts (including Patisserie) and a First Aid Level 1 certificate. SHS is also accredited by the QCTO as an Assessment and Trade Test Centre for the Occupational Certificate: Chef, serving its own students and graduates and working chefs seeking qualification through recognition of prior learning.
Practical training is central. Students work in three kitchens, two culinary workshops and a demonstration kitchen, and run the 80-seat student restaurant 33 on Bond, the Legit Brew coffee shop and a licensed bar. Bachelor students complete a 12-week local internship in first year and a 22-week local or overseas internship in second or third year; internships have been placed in Switzerland, the UK, the USA, Europe and Australia. SHS reports an association with BHMS in Switzerland that allows graduates to continue to a Masters in Hospitality Management or a culinary degree.
Classes are small and the faculty combines academics, doctorate holders and industry practitioners. Subjects include foreign languages (French or German), Leadership and Entrepreneurship, and a Capstone Project in third year. Students can live on campus in The Swiss Inn (16 single rooms) and The Swiss Chalet (9 beds), and the campus has fast WiFi, 24-hour camera surveillance with rapid response, a quiet study space, gardens and a games room. SHS has hosted open days and campus tours for prospective students; private tours run Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 16:00.
Students who need funding can apply for a student loan through Student Hero, an independent student loan origination service that places an application with registered credit providers from a single point of contact. Repayment terms run to a maximum of 72 months, and the average repayment period is within two years of graduation. To start, email [email protected] to be connected with a Student Hero consultant. See swisshotelschool.co.za/apply-now.
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View scholarships for The Swiss Hotel School SA →Three years full-time, NQF Level 7 (SAQA ID 112690). Year 1: Accommodation Services, Food & Beverage Services, Food Preparation, Tourism, Hospitality Business Management, End-User Computing and Work-Integrated Learning. Year 2: Supervisory Management, Cost & Revenue Management, Management Fundamentals, Human Resources & the Legal Environment, Macroeconomics, a language (French or German) and Introduction to Accounting. Year 3: Hospitality Accounting, Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Hospitality Sales & Marketing, the Capstone Project and Work-Integrated Learning. Applicants attend an entry assessment and interview.
One year full-time, NQF Level 5. Entry requirement: National Senior Certificate with a certificate pass or higher. It is positioned as a pathway to the Bachelor of Hospitality Management for students who do not yet meet degree entry requirements.
The Professional Culinary Arts Programme (3 years, NQF Level 5) covers safety and hygiene, nutrition, commodity studies, food production, menu planning and recipe costing, cost control, operational supervision and five internships. The Higher Certificates in Professional Cookery and in Pastry & Bakery are one-year full-time NQF Level 5 programmes; Pastry & Bakery includes breads, viennoiserie, patisserie, cakes, chocolate work and food cost control, with work-integrated learning.
NQF Level 6, 20 months part-time, with 4 school days every two months and 10 modules from Resource Management and Leadership to F&B Marketing and Financial Control. It is aimed at experienced chefs with an NQF Level 5 culinary certificate, who present a Portfolio of Evidence with the application.
Applications are made through the online application form on the school's website; enquiries go to [email protected], 011-789-9934 or WhatsApp 068-073-6454.
SHS operates from one campus in Ferndale, Randburg, Johannesburg (33-35 Bond Street), where both the Institute of Hospitality Management and the Institute of Culinary Arts are taught. Facilities:
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