Dates and Costs

Diploma Course Tourism Specialist:
The ticket to success

Course duration
Full-time course:
1st/2nd semester: Education and training at the IST. Acquisition of basic knowledge.
3rd/4th semester: Practical training. For a year you will be working in a tourism company. Your income can range between CHF 2000.– and 2500.–. The IST can support you in your job search. Your employment contract will also be joint-signed by the IST.
5th/6th semester: Education and training at the IST. Both theoretical and practical knowledge are linked together and expanded.

Part-time course in tandem with work:
The course lasts 5 semesters. At least a one-week block course per semester will take place.
It is required that during your course you work at least 60% in a touristicbusiness (80% is recommended).

Probationary period
The probationary period for both courses is a semester

Number of lessons
Full-time course:
Approximately 1500 lessons of 45 minutes each (not including one-year practical experience)

Part-time course in tandem with work:
Approximately 1300 lessons of 45 minutes each

Lesson times
Full-time course: Monday – Friday

Part-time course:
Tuesday evenings: Four lessons, Saturdays: Eight lessons

Administrative information, such as school regulations, schedules and lesson plans, are sent about a month before the commencement of the course.

Course commencement
Full-time course:
Begins every January and August

Part-time course in tandem with work:
Begins in January and August

Costs
Full-time course:
CHF 8600.– *per school semester

Part-time course in tandem with work:
CHF 5100.– *per school semester

*prices are subject to change 

The following applies to both courses:
The fee includes the attendance of all courses, the project week as well aslecture notes, photocopy funds, use of computers and the Internet.
The registration fee is CHF 500.– and is to be settled upon registration. The costs for literature (about CHF 250.– per semester) are charged at your own expense as well as the costs for optional subjects (about CHF 620.– per semester, depending on occupancy).

Examinations
Semester examinations as well as oral and written diploma examinations are an integral part of the course. A diploma work  assignment is written in the last semester. The cost of examinations is also included in the school fee.

Diploma
Students who successfully pass the examinations according to the regulations receive a diploma as Tourism Specialists at the end of their course, which authorises them to hold the title “Qualified Tourism Specialist’’. The diploma is federally acknowledged through the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET).