PGD in Culinary Arts

Launch your culinary career

Ready to turn your passion for food into a rewarding culinary career? Our Postgraduate Diploma in Culinary Arts is your pathway to success.

Designed for degree holders seeking a career shift, this intensive one-year programme takes you through the professional foundations to advanced techniques in all areas of culinary production and kitchen management principles.

A recipe for success

Designed specifically for those with degrees in other fields, this one-year programme offers a seamless transition into the culinary sector.

Through advanced techniques and a focus on creativity, our comprehensive curriculum ensures you receive a well-rounded culinary education.

Take the first step towards your culinary dream today. Join us and embark on a transformative journey that will redefine your career path.

Admission requirements

Bachelor’s degree in any discipline OR Associate degree and 2 years’ work experience
Mature candidates with alternative education/professional backgrounds will be evaluated individually for entry
IELTS 5.0 level or equivalent 
For those who do not meet the English requirements, we offer the Preparatory English Programme, an intensive course designed for students to level up their language skills.

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internship in switzerland or worldwide
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State-of-the-art kitchens

What can you expect from the programmes at BHMS Culinary Academy?

Curriculum

From stocks and sauces to cuts, explore advanced techniques and master classic European cooking methods within a real working restaurant environment, preparing you for your internship.

Awarded by:

Practical modules (330 hours in the kitchen) 

Essentials of Culinary Operations
Food Preparation Techniques
European Cuisine

Plus, one of the following:

A la Carte Cuisine
Mediterranean Cuisine
Global Cuisine
Themes & Concepts

Electives

Cakes and Creams
Bakery and Breads
Garde Manger II
Chocolate Creations

Plus, one of the following:

Academic modules 

Nutrition 
Food Safety 
German Communication

Electives

Food & Wine Pairing
Menu Planning
Food and Beverage Cost Management
Beverage Studies
German Communication
Supervisory Development

During your internship, you are evaluated by your employer based on an agreed set of developmental criteria and are invited to reflect on your professional development through a written assessment.  

Learn from the best

Our well-established network gives you access to some of the top employers in the industry, both in Switzerland and worldwide: from family-run Swiss hotels and restaurants to four- and five-star hotels, and well-known franchises and hotel chains.

Explore

Level up your English skills 

The Preparatory English Programme is a ten-week intensive language course designed to help you meet the English requirements of your chosen academic pathway. 

Through a dynamic approach to language learning, master skills key to your academic and professional success, such as brainstorming ideas, outlining and structuring written texts, and expressing your opinion.  With 15-20 hours of tutor contact per week, Monday to Friday, small class sizes ensure individualised support to meet your unique needs.  

Choosing BHMS was one of the best decisions I ever made. My education exceeded my expectations, especially during the enriching internships in the first two years. I honed essential soft skills like communication, punctuality, and leadership, and learned to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Vincent Negri, FranceBA in Culinary Arts

Securing my first internship required a lot of determination and willpower to navigate the process. Fortunately, it turned out to be an amazing experience. The internship office at BHMS supported me by sending my CV to numerous hotels across Switzerland and facilitating visits until I found the perfect fit. These trials boosted my confidence and gave me a clear idea of what to expect during the six-month internship.

Manga Mwinga, NamibiaBA in Culinary Arts

I've always known I wanted to be a chef, and pursuing this dream led me to BHMS. My journey began with an internship at Restaurant Bianchi in Switzerland, followed by a stint at the Intercontinental Vienna. After my final internship, I worked at the prestigious Arts Club in London. Despite the long hours—14 to 16 hours a day, 5 days a week—it was one of the best times of my life. I learned so much, becoming a better cook and getting to know some amazing chefs.

Daniel Biro, HungaryBA in Culinary Arts

4 intakes a year

January 2025
February 2025
May 2025
August 2025
November 2025

Breakdown of fees (in Swiss francs)

	YEAR 1
Tuition	29,100
Operating costs	2,500
Living expenses *	5,900
Application fee	1,000
Culinary operating expenses	500
TOTAL	39,000

*Only apply to academic semester

Operating costs include:

Mandatory health & medical insurance
Visa, B-permit, and local tax
Access to e-campus and internet
Excursions and field trips
Airport pick-up

Accommodation

Located in the heart of Lucerne, our two main campuses provide comfortable rooms and modern amenities to help you feel at home throughout your time with us. Shared accommodation for 3-4 people on our City Campus is included in your fees. However, room upgrades are possible for an additional fee.

	Per semester
Shared Superior Lakeside Campus (twin room)	CHF 1,800
Studio Standard Lakeside Campus	CHF 6,600
Studio Superior City Campus	CHF 7,500

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Postgraduate Diploma in Culinary Arts