Internships · Swiss Culinary Academy by BHMS
Six months of study, six months of salary
Every programme year ends in a guaranteed six-month paid internship — CHF 2'390/month gross minimum in Switzerland, protected by national law. Placement, pay, housing and coaching: all built in.
The math
More than a third of the fee, earned back
3 internships × 6 months × CHF 2'390 = CHF 43,000+
Students who complete all three bachelor internships in Switzerland earn a guaranteed gross minimum of over CHF 43,000 during their studies — more than a third of the entire three-year fee, earned back before graduation.
In countryside and resort placements where the employer provides room and board, students typically keep around CHF 1,500 a month — up to roughly CHF 27,000 saved across the degree.
At most culinary schools abroad, work placements are short and unpaid. In Swiss hospitality, paid internships are the law.
The promise
Guaranteed. Paid. Housed. Coached.
Four commitments, repeated every programme year — from the diploma to the dual bachelor degree.
Guaranteed
Internship placement is built into every programme year — BHMS reports a 100% placement rate across a partner network spanning 85 countries, from family-run Swiss houses to five-star flags and Michelin-starred kitchens.
Paid
In Switzerland, interns from recognised schools are entitled by the national hospitality labour agreement (L-GAV) to a gross minimum of CHF 2'390/month (2026 rate, adjusted annually; before deductions for board, lodging and social insurance). BHMS is on the official recognised-school list.
Housed
Resort and countryside employers typically provide staff accommodation and meals, deducted from gross pay. In cities, the BHMS internship team helps find housing and reviews every rental contract before you sign — and for Lucerne placements, offers rooms in BHMS residences subject to availability.
Coached
CV workshops, professional photoshoots, mock interviews and visa support — plus 40 Career Days a year with recruiters flying in from three continents, and personal check-ins during your placement.
Partner brands include
- Four Seasons
- Fairmont
- Mandarin Oriental
- Ritz-Carlton
- Kempinski
- Hilton
- Hyatt
- InterContinental
- The Chedi Andermatt
- Bürgenstock
- Baur au Lac
- Palace Luzern
On placement
A six-month working interview
Your employer watches you work for half a year — and strong interns walk out with references and job offers in hand.
Where our graduates work“BHMS has been our trusted recruitment partner for over two decades.”
— Maya Schroeder, Frenchman’s Creek Beach & Country Club, Florida
Questions
Internships, answered straight
Is internship placement really guaranteed?
Yes. A six-month internship is built into every programme year, and BHMS reports a 100% placement rate across a partner network spanning 85 countries — from family-run Swiss houses to five-star flags and Michelin-starred kitchens.
How much are BHMS culinary interns paid?
In Switzerland, interns from recognised schools are entitled under the national hospitality labour agreement (L-GAV) to a gross minimum of CHF 2'390 per month (2026 rate, adjusted annually; before deductions for board, lodging and social insurance). BHMS is on the official recognised-school list. Students who complete all three bachelor internships in Switzerland earn a guaranteed gross minimum of over CHF 43,000 during their studies.
How much do interns actually keep after deductions?
The CHF 2,390 minimum is gross — board, lodging and social insurance are deducted where the employer provides them. In resort and countryside placements with staff accommodation and meals, students commonly keep around CHF 1,500 a month, which can add up to roughly CHF 27,000 saved across the three-year degree.
Where do interns live during placement?
Resort and countryside employers typically provide staff accommodation and meals, deducted from gross pay. For city placements, the BHMS internship team helps you find housing and reviews every rental contract before you sign; for Lucerne placements, rooms in BHMS residences are offered subject to availability.
How does BHMS prepare me for my internship?
With CV workshops, professional photoshoots, mock interviews and visa support — plus 40 Career Days a year, with recruiters flying in from three continents, and personal check-ins from the internship team during your placement.
Can an internship turn into a job offer?
Each internship is a six-month working interview: your employer watches you work for half a year, and strong interns walk out with references and job offers in hand.
Three intakes a year. One decision that pays you back.
Next intakes: 17 August 2026 · 16 November 2026 · February 2027 · Lucerne, Switzerland
Every bachelor year pairs six months of study with a six-month paid internship — a guaranteed gross minimum of CHF 2,390/month in Switzerland. How the internship model works →