Decision guides · Swiss hotel management
IMI Winter Programme 2027: CHF 1,800 early fee and a possible credit towards later tuition
| **By James Liu | Lux Education Partners | Checked 25 September 2026** |
IMI’s published winter programme runs 17–24 January 2027, for ages 16–24, with an early fee of CHF 1,800. After successful completion, joining an eligible longer-term IMI programme within two years allows the camp fee actually paid to be credited against first-year tuition under the published conditions.
For someone considering hospitality, business or culinary study, a week of classes, campus life and international activities can make the decision more concrete. I suggest approaching it as a chance to test a direction before committing to a degree.
Dates, price and eligibility
| Item | Published arrangement |
|---|---|
| Arrival and departure | 17 and 24 January 2027 |
| Location | IMI campus near Lucerne, Switzerland |
| Age | 16–24 at the start of the programme |
| Language | English; IELTS 4.5 or equivalent ability, with no formal test certificate required according to the current page |
| Early fee | CHF 1,800, with full payment received before 18 November 2026 |
| Standard fee | CHF 3,000 |
| Application support | Contact LEP for coordination with IMI, fees and arrival arrangements |
The early price is CHF 1,200 below the standard fee. The condition concerns receipt of the full payment, not simply applying or initiating a bank transfer by the date.
What happens during the week?
The example includes Swiss business and hospitality culture, sustainable business, marketing and consumer behaviour, leadership, presentations and practical activities. Excursions include experiences in Lucerne, Zurich and Bern, alongside industry visits.
I want students to return with clearer answers: can they follow English-medium classes, do these business subjects interest them, how comfortable are they working internationally, and does campus life suit them?
What is included?
The published materials include arrival airport pickup, shared on-campus accommodation and meals, classes and materials, organised excursions and their transport and admissions, campus Wi-Fi and a completion certificate. Flights and personal health, accident and travel insurance are additional.
Travel requirements depend on the participant’s nationality and current status. We discuss the arrangements relevant to that person; participation does not mean every international visitor needs the same visa.
Does later enrolment make the camp free?
The sequence is to pay for the camp, complete it successfully, then use the amount paid as a tuition credit when entering an eligible longer-term programme under the conditions. It is not a cash refund after the camp.
For example, a participant who pays CHF 1,800 at the early rate may use a CHF 1,800 credit after meeting the conditions; it does not automatically become CHF 3,000. LEP checks the eligible longer course, timing and whether another scholarship can be combined with the credit.
What if plans change after enrolment?
The August 2026 version of the short-programme terms generally makes withdrawal after confirmed enrolment, or non-attendance, non-refundable. For a visa refusal supported by the official refusal document, the fee refund is subject to a CHF 200 administration deduction. Visa-related expenses remain the participant’s responsibility.
Before payment, we go through dates, travel arrangements and the applicable terms so the family can make an informed decision about the early fee.
What about Summer Programme 2027?
At this review, IMI lists Summer Programme 2027 as “Coming Soon”, described as one week in English. Confirmed dates and prices have not yet been published. Older two-week summer listings should not be used to plan a 2027 trip.
The current short-programme form includes summer and winter options and a fee-equivalent scholarship provision after successful completion. The summer 2027 brochure will still need to be checked for that intake’s precise fees and benefits.
How LEP helps you make the week useful
As a formal IMI partner, LEP can coordinate the application and clarify age, English, payment and later tuition-credit conditions. Before departure, we discuss what the student most wants to find out. Afterwards, we can compare hospitality business, international business, culinary study or another route in light of the experience.
If a longer programme becomes the right choice, we continue with scholarships, course and internship planning, bringing our European business information and local network into the longer-term career discussion.
The most useful outcome is a clearer decision about the next step. Contact LEP to discuss the winter programme or register your interest in the forthcoming summer details.
Explore IMI programmes, costs and applications
- Why study hospitality management in Switzerland? Start with what you want to do afterwards
- Why choose IMI Switzerland? Curriculum, internships and value matter more to me than luxury facilities
- IMI bachelor’s, MSc or Graduate Diploma: which programme fits your next step?
- What does IMI Switzerland cost? Tuition, scholarships, living costs and internship income
- IMI internships and graduate careers: experience matters, and so does the person willing to recommend you
- Applying to IMI Switzerland? LEP can handle programme selection, scholarships and the application with you
- What I look for when visiting IMI: the student’s future beyond the campus
If you are facing this decision, let's talk. contact@luxedupartners.lu →