Glion Secures No. 3 Worldwide in QS 2026 Rankings, rewarding its luxury boutique model in hospitality education since 1962
- Glion Institute of Higher Education
Montreux, 25th March 2026 - Glion Institute of Higher Education is proud to announce that it rises three places to secure the No. 3 position worldwide in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Hospitality & Leisure Management. This achievement reaffirms Glion’s position among the global elite in hospitality education.
This recognition reflects the continued strength of Glion’s academic model and its global reputation among industry leaders. Ranked No. 3 worldwide for Employer Reputation (93,5/100) and achieving a score of 89.9/100 for Academic Reputation, Glion continues to demonstrate the relevance of its luxury boutique approach to hospitality education. As a University of Applied Sciences Institute accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Council (SAC), the institution also reinforces its capacity to develop applied research and collaborate with industry partners on the future of hospitality, luxury and the wider experience economy. With more than 60 years of heritage, a global alumni network of over 18,000 professionals across 164 countries, and a highly personalized learning environment, Glion prepares future leaders for careers across hospitality, luxury and service-driven industries.
Key Facts at a Glance
No. 3 worldwide in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Hospitality & Leisure Management
89.9/100 Academic Reputation and No. 3 globally for Employer Reputation, reflecting strong industry recognition
Swiss-accredited University of Applied Sciences Institute, with 18,000+ alumni across 164 countries
NECHE accreditation, the same accrediting body as leading institutions such as Yale and Harvard
Personalized Education at the Heart of the Glion Experience
This latest recognition highlights not only Glion’s academic rigor, but also its distinctive boutique educational model. With a maximum of 35 students per academic class and groups of 15 in practical arts, Glion delivers a highly personalized and immersive learning experience. Across its three campuses in Montreux, Bulle and London, the institution maintains an intimate environment with a strong 5:1 staff-to-student ratio, ensuring individual mentoring and leadership development.
Being ranked No. 3 globally is an immense source of pride for our entire community. This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and confirms the uniqueness of our educational model. At Glion, we believe in transformative education ; one that develops not only technical excellence but also emotional intelligence, leadership capacity, and the human skills that define true hospitality.
Avant-garde luxury positioning
Glion occupies a distinctive position at the intersection of hospitality and luxury education. Anticipating the evolution of the sector, the institution launched a Luxury specialization in 2013, followed by new Master’s degrees in luxury in 2019, and most recently a dedicated Bachelor’s in Luxury Business in 2023. This progressive expansion reflects the growing convergence between luxury and hospitality, where experiential excellence and emotional connection define competitive advantage.
This evolution is supported by the strengthening of industry partnerships and the active engagement of Glion’s global alumni network, reflected in concrete initiatives such as the renewal of a research mandate with Breitling, involving students in mystery shopper analysis. It is further illustrated by a series of immersive field trips with leading luxury houses, as well as a wide range of internships across multiple segments of the luxury sector, reinforcing strong career pathways for graduates. The creation of the Glion Hospitality & Luxury Advisory Council in 2025 further strengthens the institution’s alignment with evolving industry expectations and consolidates its positioning at the intersection of hospitality and luxury.
Through strong industry partnerships and immersive experiences such as Maison Décotterd, the Michelin-starred restaurant located at the Montreux campus, Glion ensures that students engage directly with the standards of contemporary luxury.
With no previous experience in the hospitality sector, I chose Glion because I knew that the training I would receive here would be valuable in any industry. This is exactly what Glion did for me: it opened many doors.
Glion’s pedagogical approach is rooted in the Swiss “learning by doing” philosophy, combining academic theory with hands-on immersion, internships and applied business projects. This balance between hard skills and soft skills — including emotional intelligence, intercultural fluency and a strong sense of service — lies at the core of Glion’s transformative education model. It equips graduates not only for careers in hospitality, but more broadly for leadership roles across the experience economy, from luxury and travel to events, real estate, consulting and other service-driven industries.
From Swiss Heritage to a Global Community of Leaders
Founded in 1962, Glion has built more than six decades of educational heritage, combining Swiss hospitality traditions with a forward-thinking, international perspective. The institution holds NECHE accreditation, which also accredits Yale and Harvard, and is an official University of Applied Sciences Institute, recognized by the Swiss Accreditation Council (SAC).
Today, Glion counts over 18,000 alumni across 164 countries, forming a powerful global network that extends far beyond hospitality. Each year, between 400 and 500 new graduates join this community, further strengthening its global reach. While 51% work in hospitality, tourism and F&B, nearly another half have built careers in sectors such as luxury goods, finance, marketing, events and banking. This reach ensures that wherever graduates choose to build their careers, they are supported by an influential and engaged alumni community.
Academically, I really enjoyed my finance classes at Glion, as well as the practical arts courses, as they provided me with a very dynamic overview of the hospitality industry. Hoteliers need to be multitalented and know every aspect of the business.
A global mindset across campuses
The 2026 results also reinforce Glion’s international footprint, particularly through its campuses in Switzerland and London. The London campus continues to play a strategic role in connecting students with one of the world’s most dynamic hospitality and luxury markets.
This ranking reflects the global mindset we cultivate at Glion. In London, our students are immersed in a vibrant ecosystem where luxury, entrepreneurship, and innovation intersect. The industry recognition captured in this year’s employer ranking demonstrates that our graduates are not only career-ready ; they are future leaders who understand how to create value through service, empathy, and strategic thinking.
This latest QS recognition reinforces Glion’s longstanding credibility, academic authority and global impact, further solidifying its position as one of the world’s leading institutions in hospitality and luxury business education.
About Glion Institute of Higher Education
Founded in 1962, Glion Institute of Higher Education is a Swiss institution offering bachelor’s, master’s and executive degrees in hospitality, luxury and finance to an international student body across three campuses in Switzerland and London, UK.
Glion ranks number three among the world’s top higher education institutions for hospitality and leisure management in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject. It also holds number three globally in employer reputation, highlighting its strong industry recognition and ability to meet employer expectations.
Part of the Sommet Education network, world leader in education and training in hospitality, luxury and culinary arts. Glion has received official recognition from the Swiss Accreditation Council (SAC) as a Swiss University of Applied Sciences Institute. In addition, Glion is also accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
For more information, visit https://www.glion.edu/
