Study in Montreux, Switzerland

About Montreux

Montreux is a small lakeside town on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva, in the canton of Vaud, with views of the Alps across the water. It is part of Romandie, the French-speaking region of Switzerland, so French is the language of daily life.

For its size, Montreux has an unusual concentration of private international schools, especially in hospitality and business, and it is also a base for French courses. Students live in a compact town where schools, the lakefront and the railway station are close together.

Studying in Montreux

Our directory lists three schools in Montreux: two business and hospitality schools and one language school.

• HIM Business School describes itself as a business school with a hospitality legacy and is part of Swiss Education Group, an alliance of schools in hospitality, business and culinary arts. Its three-year Bachelor of Business Administration, in hospitality management or management, is awarded by Northwood University (US) and includes a six-month internship; a bilingual French-English BBA, a Swiss Professional Bachelor (Advanced Federal Diploma) and a Master in Applied AI in Customer Experience are also offered. The campus is spread across four buildings in the town centre, within walking distance of each other and the station.
• Alpadia Language Schools, first established in 1996 and headquartered on the Grand-Rue in Montreux, runs French courses for adults aged 16 and over. Courses start every Monday all year round, from beginner (A1) to advanced (C1) level, for 1 to 48 weeks, with a recommended minimum of 20 lessons per week. Four-week courses prepare for the DELF/DALF and TCF exams. In 2026 Alpadia was acquired by Inspirit Capital.
• EU Business School Montreux is the Montreux campus of the EU Business School network and teaches business programmes in English.

Montreux has no public university of its own; students who want a public degree in the region look to the universities in nearby Lausanne or Geneva. All Swiss universities require a good knowledge of the language of instruction.

Cost of living for students

Switzerland is not a cheap country to live in. The national portal study in switzerland+ gives a sample student budget of CHF 1,850 per month, including CHF 700 for accommodation and CHF 90 for health insurance, and notes that costs vary by region. Private schools such as those in Montreux set their own fees, published on each school's website.

Local buses are run by VMCV, which has served the Riviera since 1888, and use the zone-based Mobilis fare network of the canton of Vaud. A 12-month Mobilis subscription costs the same as nine months, and some Riviera municipalities subsidise public transport passes. For travel across Switzerland, the national GA travelcard costs CHF 2,780 a year in second class for young people aged 16 to 25, and the half-fare card costs CHF 190 for the first purchase.

Students may work up to 15 hours per week during term and full time in the semester breaks; students from outside the EU/EFTA may start only six months after their studies begin.

Getting around and daily life

The town is small enough to walk, and buses link it with Vevey and the other Riviera towns. Montreux station is on the main rail line along Lake Geneva, with connections towards Lausanne and Geneva.

Students from outside the EU/EFTA need a visa from the Swiss embassy or consulate before arrival; it takes at least eight weeks, and it is not possible to study on a tourist visa. EU/EFTA citizens must register with the cantonal authority within 14 days of arrival for longer stays.

Frequently asked questions

Is Montreux a good place to learn French?

French is the language of daily life in Montreux. Alpadia offers French courses for adults from 16, starting every Monday, from A1 to C1, with preparation for the DELF/DALF and TCF exams.

Can I study hospitality and business in Montreux?

Yes. HIM Business School offers a three-year Bachelor of Business Administration in hospitality management or management with a six-month internship, and EU Business School Montreux teaches business programmes in English.

How much does a month in Montreux cost for a student?

The national portal study in switzerland+ estimates a student budget of about CHF 1,850 per month, excluding tuition, and notes that costs vary by region. Private school fees come on top.

Do I need a visa to study in Montreux?

Students from outside the EU/EFTA need a student visa before entering Switzerland, which takes at least eight weeks. EU/EFTA citizens register with the canton within 14 days of arrival.