Quality takes many forms – and not all of them are reflected in rankings. At SHL Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern, we stand for excellent, practice-oriented education with a clear focus on employability, leadership skills, and close industry ties. We do not measure our quality by positions in global rankings, but by the success of our students and the relevance of our educational programmes to the economy and society. The fact that we are not included in the QS Ranking is no coincidence – it reflects our strategic orientation and our belief that educational quality is more than just a place on a list.
The QS Ranking is primarily designed for academic institutions with a strong research focus. SHL is a federally recognised institution in higher professional education (Höhere Fachschule), characterised by its close industry integration, practical orientation, and strong collaboration with the hospitality and tourism sector. These strengths – which are crucial to our students and the industry – are only marginally captured by global rankings such as QS.
In addition, participation in such rankings requires considerable human and financial resources – for data reporting, survey coordination, or enhancing international academic visibility. As a specialised institution of manageable size, we prefer to invest these resources where they create real added value: in developing our programmes, providing individualised support, and the promotion of innovation and labour market relevance.
SHL follows a consciously practice-driven educational model that differs from the academic–theoretical approach of many universities. Our students take on responsibility early, work closely with industry partners, and gain skills that are directly applicable in professional settings. Furthermore, through our Bachelor degree programme, offered in collaboration with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – School of Business, we provide an academically recognised qualification that is accredited by AACSB – an international quality label held by only around 6% of business schools worldwide.
We rely on meaningful, transparent quality indicators, including:
We acknowledge rankings as one possible orientation tool – but not as the sole benchmark of quality. Our priority lies in what truly matters: the success of our students, the impact of our education on the industry, and our contribution to society. Rankings can provide impulses – but they cannot replace values such as passion, substance, and a deep sense of responsibility.