Self-test for the HF Tourism Specialist course: Is this course right for me?
Test here whether a job as a specialist in the tourism industry suits you and whether an HF course to become a "Tourism Specialist HF" is the right path for you.
What does the everyday working life of qualified tourism specialists HF look like?
Qualified tourism specialists HF work in travel and tourism agencies, in the hotel and catering industry, for airlines, in the leisure and event sector or generally in tourism-related service companies. Here they typically take on specialist and management tasks at lower to middle management level in practically all areas of tourism: consulting, sales, advertising, marketing, finance, administration and human resources. In smaller companies, they can also take over the management.
Depending on whether qualified tourism specialists HF are employed in the so-called "Domestic", "Incoming" or "Outcoming" areas, different tasks are on the agenda:
- In the "Domestic" area, they provide advice and organizational support for domestic guests, i.e. people living in Switzerland who wish to travel and take excursions here.
- In the "Outcoming" sector, tourism professionals are responsible for guests who wish to travel abroad. They introduce their customers to various destinations from all over the world, organize flights, accommodation or sell entire travel packages, typically in a travel agency.
- In the "Incoming" area, the focus is on international guests arriving from abroad. Here, tourism specialists are responsible for marketing and selling domestic tourism offers and regional leisure activities, for example. They can also work in an advisory capacity.
Electronic reservation and booking systems are an important tool in the everyday work of qualified tourism specialists HF, which they use to organize hotel rooms, safari tours or train and flight tickets for their customers, for example. With their excellent communication skills and knowledge of foreign languages, they act as intermediaries between customers, service providers and other relevant contacts, such as media representatives, authorities, etc. Furthermore, they carry out ongoing research into the current offerings in the tourism and leisure industry at their destinations and analyze, assess, evaluate and evaluate them, taking into account social, ecological, economic, technological and political factors as well as their personal experience.
In addition, qualified tourism specialists HF are active in conceptual and project management. Focusing on the interests and wishes of customers, they develop proposals for new tourism offers (product and pricing) or look for additional sales opportunities.
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a qualified tourism specialist HF?
Great! Then you've come to the right place with this course. We wish you lots of fun and success.
By the way: If you are looking for further suitable training opportunities after successfully completing your HF degree, take a look atthe educational guidance services offered by Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
If you don't like all the jobs, think about which ones interest you the most. Also take a look at relevant job advertisements. You may find that there are only jobs that you are more suited to, in which case you are in the right place with this training.
If you are less interested in consulting activities and would like to focus more on marketing and communication within the tourism industry, these courses might be something for you:
- Marketing Manager HF
- Communication specialist with federal certificate (BP)
- PR specialist with federal certificate (BP)
If you are more interested in the business management aspect, perhaps this course would suit you?
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other training opportunities. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection.
Target group and skills: Who is the HF degree course in tourism suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
Studying at a university of applied sciences (HF) to become a "Tourism Specialist" is suitable for
- People with an upper secondary level qualification who are enthusiastic about the tourism and leisure industry and would like to gain a professional foothold in it.
- Ambitious professionals who are already working in the tourism and leisure industry and would like to demonstrate the knowledge they have acquired on the job and thus open up further career opportunities.
- Professionals with an upper secondary level qualification who want to reorient themselves and make a lateral entry into the tourism industry.
Tourism professionals should have the following personal qualities and skills:
- Flexibility and resilience
- Independent and reliable way of working
- Sense of responsibility
- Customer and service orientation and negotiating skills
- Winning, confident and professional demeanor
- Organizational skills
- quick comprehension
- Communication skills and foreign language skills
- Team and conflict management skills
- Interest in world affairs and foreign cultures, traditions, etc.
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for this training course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot aim for the federal HF diploma directly. There are various ways to enter the tourism and leisure industry. Take a look at the page "Tourism training" with various courses from suitable providers. You may come across further training courses here that are aimed precisely at people like you.
- If you do not have the necessary previous education (upper secondary level qualification), then look for a suitable training opportunity. Even as an adult, it is possible to obtain the Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) or a general qualification at upper secondary level. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you do not have the necessary professional experience in the tourism and leisure industry, go tofollowing websiteof the Swiss Tourism Association STV. There you will find links to various portals for job and internship offers in Switzerland. You may also know someone who works in the tourism industry; ask them if they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you will not be happy in the role of a qualified tourism specialist HF. Keep an eye out for other further training courses. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find numerous courses and suitable providers.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a role, it is best to talk to experienced people such as career advisors. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Requirements for admission to the HF degree course in tourism management
Admission to the HF degree course in tourism management is decided by the PET colleges.* As a rule, the following admission requirements apply:
- Secondary level II qualification (federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ), vocational baccalaureate, baccalaureate from a grammar school, degree from a technical or commercial secondary school)
And
- At least one year of practical work in the tourism and leisure industry or in a tourism-related field, unless the practical work is integrated into the course.
And
- Aptitude assessment: Passed entrance examination (written entrance examination or interview, in some cases there is a six-month probationary period). Commercial apprentices (EFZ), retail specialists (EFZ) and graduates of the commercial vocational baccalaureate can be admitted without an entrance examination (they will be credited with 1800 hours of previous vocational training)
Possible further conditions:
- Depending on the training model, a relevantPractical activity of at least 50% during the course of studyis required. Students who are unable to provide proof of work experience in tourism at the end of their studies will only receive their diploma later, once they have gained sufficient work experience.
- Note: Some schools also requirePrevious knowledgein the foreign languages English, French or Spanish, in finance and accounting and in computer science. Many schools offer corresponding preparatory or refresher courses, which must be completed either before or in the first semester of the course. If no preparatory courses are offered by the school, appropriate certificates (e.g. the ECDL Base Certificate in Computer Science) may have to be completed.
* The courses offered by the universities of applied sciences (HF) are based on framework curricula that have been jointly developed by education providers and industry associations and approved by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The universities of applied sciences must adhere to existing framework curricula when designing the details of their courses. The HF courses are then federally recognized and lead to a protected title.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
If you do not have the necessary basic vocational training, then look for a suitable training opportunity. It is also possible to obtain a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or an equivalent qualification as an adult. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for tourism specialists HF, clarify your chances directly with the school of your choice.
If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Search for a relevant position. To do this, go tofollowing websiteof the Swiss Tourism Association STV. There you will find links to various portals for job and internship offers in Switzerland.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who works in the tourism sector, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
If you do not have the necessary prior knowledge and the HF of your choice does not offer any corresponding preliminary courses, then look for a suitable course, e.g. onEducation-Further-Education.ch. Here you can quickly and easily find a large selection of courses offered by professional providers.
If you do not have the necessary basic vocational training, then look for a suitable training opportunity. It is also possible to obtain a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or an equivalent qualification as an adult. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for tourism specialists HF, clarify your chances directly with the school of your choice.
If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Search for a relevant position. To do this, go tofollowing websiteof the Swiss Tourism Association STV. There you will find links to various portals for job and internship offers in Switzerland.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who works in the tourism sector, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
If you do not have the necessary prior knowledge and the HF of your choice does not offer any corresponding preliminary courses, then look for a suitable course, e.g. onEducation-Further-Education.ch. Here you can quickly and easily find a large selection of courses from suitable providers.
Subject matter and content of the training
The universities of applied sciences have a certain amount of leeway in the design of their courses for prospective tourism specialists. The course content covered and structure can therefore vary from college to college. In principle, however, all HFs follow the "Tourism" framework curriculum of 11.08.2020. The sponsors of this framework curriculum are the Swiss Tourism Association (STV), the Swiss Travel Association (SRV) and the Swiss Association of Colleges of Tourism (IG-HFT Schweiz).
As a rule, the HF Tourism degree program includes the following subjects:
- Tourism
- Marketing/Sales
- Communication/PR
- Economy
- Management
- Languages
- Law
- Human resources, etc.
Some schools also offer electives or specialization subjects.
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
If you are only partially interested in the content of this HF course, take a look at other training and further education courses. You may find a course that suits you better due to the content taught. Alternatives to the areas of work covered in the tourism course can be found here:
Obviously the typical course content on the path to becoming a qualified tourism specialist HF is not your cup of tea. Take a look at other further training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
You can find inspiration on the topics covered in the tourism course here:
Costs and financing of further training
The costs vary depending on the provider, training location and training model. In general, the following costs can be expected for the 4-6 semester HF course:
- Course feesbetween CHF 12,000 and CHF 18,000 for students resident in the training canton*. The costs for the examinations and diploma thesis are usually included in the course fees. Some providers also include the issue of the student ID card and the MS Office 365 license during the course.
- Additional costsSome providers charge extra costs for teaching materials, training documents, exam repetitions or expenses during any excursions and seminars abroad. Find out directly from the provider of your choice what additional costs you can expect.
- Acquisition of additional qualificationsFor additional qualifications such as language diplomas, examination/diploma fees of CHF 150 to CHF 500 are to be expected.
*Courses at universities of applied sciences are financially supported by the cantons. The following requirements apply in order to receive cantonal funding:
- at least two years of residence in the canton (students from outside the canton pay higher tuition fees)
- The course is on the list of eligible courses, which can be viewed on the website of the EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education).
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance approx. CHF 12,000 - CHF 18,000 for course fees?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
Information on financial support from the canton and the procedure for this can be found in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. The schools usually charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
Information on financial support from the canton and the procedure for this can be found in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
Information on financial support from the canton and the procedure for this can be found in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Duration of study, number of lessons, training model and learning effort
- Duration of studyThe HF degree course in tourism is modular in structure and lasts 4 to 6 semesters, depending on the provider and training model.
- Number of lessonsThe course comprises a total of 5,400 learning hours (on average, 1,800 learning hours count as one year of training). Learning hours include attendance time, time for independent learning, individual work, group work, events, learning assessments and qualification procedures as well as time to put what has been learned into practice and supervised internships. For students with an EFZ in retail trade, a commercial EFZ or a commercial vocational baccalaureate, the scope is reduced by 1800 to 3600 learning hours. It is up to the schools to decide how to divide up these learning hours.
- Training modelsThe program is offered as a part-time or full-time course, with or without an integrated internship year.
- Teaching formatMany schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning).
- Learning effort: You should allow sufficient time to prepare for and follow up the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style, learning speed and chosen training model. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week for the part-time model.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: Set yourself realistic daily or weekly targets and think about a small reward when you have achieved them. A well-organized study strategy not only motivates you, but also protects you from chaotic, stressful study days and nights shortly before the exam.
If you don't have that much time, get in touch with the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the course over more than 4-6 semesters.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training.
Degree, diploma and title
The degree course in tourism (HF) concludes with an examination, which is generally based on the results of the precedingSemester examsand aDiploma thesisis composed. In some HFs, the thesis must be presented to a group of experts and defended in a discussion.
The schools are responsible for conducting the examination. At some schools, the diploma thesis is written after the subject lessons in the last semester, at others during the subject lessons.
In the diploma thesis, candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and networked thinking. They write their thesis in individual or group work on a topic relevant to the tourism and leisure industry.
Diploma and title
Graduates of the course receive an HF diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected professional title "Certified Tourism Specialist HF".
- In French: "Gestionnaire en tourisme diplômée ES / Gestionnaire en tourisme diplômé ES"
- In Italian: "Specialista turistica dipl. SSS / Specialista turistico dipl. SSS"
- In English (recommended by SERI, but not a protected title): "Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Tourism Management"
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the diploma exam?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain important exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you contact aInformation eventto attend this course.
Arrange apersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management aboutSupport options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
You can find suitable providers here:
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain important exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are not at all confident of passing the final examination, but would like to complete the training, it is best to arrange apersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask at the school of your choice whether there areSupport optionsfor you.
You should also consider whether you mightOther supportfor example by learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training. You can find suitable providers here:
No, the course for the federal HF diploma as a tourism specialist HF does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other would certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Tourism Specialist HF is probably not the right further education goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: working as a tourism specialist HF does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Further training as a tourism specialist HF is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you will learn a lot more about further education and can discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools: