News · 10 October 2026
Swiss culinary school with a US high-school diploma: how entry works
A US high-school graduate starts in Year 1, the Diploma in Culinary Arts. This guide covers the entry requirements, the start dates and the documents to send.
Where does a US high-school graduate fit into a Swiss culinary school? At the Swiss Culinary Academy by BHMS in Lucerne, the answer is Year 1. You start in the Diploma in Culinary Arts, and the academic requirement is a high-school diploma or equivalent.[1]
The program you start in, and where it leads
The Diploma is the first year of a three-year Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts, and each year ends with its own award.[1]
| Year | Award at the end of the year |
|---|---|
| 1 | Diploma in Culinary Arts |
| 2 | Higher Diploma in Culinary Arts |
| 3 | BA in Culinary Arts, a dual degree from BHMS and Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, UK[3] |
The rhythm is the same in all three years: six months of study in Lucerne, then a six-month paid internship.[3] An internship follows every academic semester, so the full bachelor's has three, and they're compulsory.[2] Teaching is in English, and German or French classes are part of every year.[3] The internships page explains how the placements work.
Entry requirements
We publish three requirements for the bachelor's program, which begins with the Diploma year.[1]
- Age: at least 17.[1]
- School: a high-school diploma or equivalent.[1]
- English: you need to show English proficiency.[1] Ask admissions which tests and scores they accept.
If your schooling was in English, ask admissions what proof they want before you book a test. Do the same for anything this list doesn't settle, such as a GED or a 17th birthday close to the start date.
Start dates, and what they mean for the class of 2027
This site lists three start dates: November 16, 2026, February 22, 2027, and August 16, 2027.[3] If you graduate in May or June 2027, the first two fall inside your senior year, so your first start date after graduation is August 16, 2027.
You don't have to wait for graduation to apply. If you haven't graduated yet, send your latest high-school transcripts in place of the diploma. The requirement itself doesn't change: a high-school diploma or equivalent.[1] Ask admissions to confirm your start date when you apply.
What you send
An application to the Diploma year has five parts, all in English:
- The application form, completed.
- A CV (resume).
- A motivation letter: about one page on why you want this program, what you've done so far and where you want to go.
- Your high-school diploma or, if you haven't graduated yet, your latest high-school transcripts.
- A scan of your passport (the photo page).
Check the passport first. A US passport issued before age 16 is valid for five years; one issued at 16 or 17 is valid for ten.[6] A 16- or 17-year-old can apply alone with their identification documents, as long as a parent signs a statement that they know about the application or comes to the appointment.[6] Processing times change through the year, so if you need a new one, start early.[6]
A US reference point: ACF accreditation
Our culinary programs are accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC) and by the Institute of Hospitality.[3] In ACF's own description, accreditation by this commission means a program meets at least a minimum set of standards for faculty, curriculum and student services.[4] You'll find the BHMS Diploma in Culinary Arts, Higher Diploma in Culinary Arts and Bachelor Degree in Culinary Arts on ACF's list of accredited postsecondary programs.[5]
What this means for you
- You start at the beginning. With a US high-school diploma you enter Year 1. That year stands on its own: it ends with the Diploma in Culinary Arts and includes your first paid internship.[3]
- Seniors don't have to wait. Apply with your latest transcripts and plan around August 16, 2027, the first start date on this site after a May or June graduation.[3]
- Parents can check three things today: that your child meets the minimum age of 17, the passport's expiration date, and the fees for each year on the fees page.
Your next step: start your application on the apply page. If you're not sure yet which program fits, take the fit check first.