English-Taught Hospitality Management Programs

Many students look for hospitality degrees taught in English in countries where English is not the main language. This guide explains how we decide whether to label a program English-taught, why a website in English proves nothing about the classroom, and what to check beyond the label.

Our rule

A program is labelled English-taught only when its official pages say it is taught entirely in English. Anything less is labelled differently:

• Partly in English. English for some modules or some campuses, or a pathway that begins in English but continues in another language.
• Not offered in English.
• English pathway not stated. The pages do not say. This is not "no".

A translated website is not evidence. Institutions often translate admissions pages for international audiences while the degree itself is taught in the local language. Likewise, an English program name is not evidence that classes are in English.

Teaching language is recorded for each program, not for an institution as a whole, and may differ by campus. Programs can be taught in any language and appear on this site whatever the language.

What to check beyond the label

Which parts are in English? Lectures, seminars, assessments, supervision, handbooks and the dissertation may be treated differently. Ask whether examinations can be written in English.

Is there a compulsory language component? Some English-taught programs require you to study the local language, for a placement or a part of the course. Ask how much, and at what level you must pass.

Is the placement in English? An English-taught classroom does not mean English-speaking workplaces. Placements in hotels and restaurants frequently require the local language. See internships and industry placements.

Are all electives available in English? The option list may be shorter for English-taught students.

Is it the same degree? Ask whether the English version and the local-language version lead to the same award and the same institution's certificate.

Admission language requirements

If English is not your first language, the institution will usually require evidence of ability, such as a recognized test or an earlier qualification taught in English. Accepted tests, minimum scores and exemptions differ by institution and by program, so read the program page, and ask if it is not stated. For a student visa, the immigration authority may set its own requirement. For example, the UK government says applicants for a student visa must be able to speak, read, write and understand English, and refers to a separate page on how to prove this. The language requirement for admission and for immigration are separate things; satisfying one does not necessarily satisfy the other.

Daily life

Even if your classes are in English, daily life, housing, banking, healthcare and part-time or placement work can be in the local language. It helps to learn the basics before you go. This is not a reason to avoid a destination, but it is a reason to budget time for it.

English as a requirement versus as an advantage

In many countries, hospitality employers value language skills, and some programs include extra language modules. Whether a language will help your career depends on the labour market where you want to work. We do not publish employment outcomes that cannot be sourced, and no program promises a job.

Examples of what we do and do not infer

• A page says "The program is delivered in English." → English-taught, if it applies to the whole program.
• A page says "Lectures are in English; some modules are taught in German." → partly in English.
• A page is available in English, but the program name is in the local language and the language of instruction is not stated → English pathway not stated.
• An institution offers English-taught programs generally, but this program is not mentioned → not stated for this program.

Checklist

• [ ] The official program page states the language of instruction.
• [ ] I know whether this applies to the whole program, all campuses and the dissertation.
• [ ] I know the admission language test, score and any exemption.
• [ ] I know whether I must learn the local language during the program.
• [ ] I have checked the immigration language requirement separately.
• [ ] I have confirmed the placement language.

Next steps

Use Find programs and filter by English-taught, then check the destinations you are considering. See also studying hospitality in different destinations and how to choose a hospitality management degree. If you suspect a language label is wrong, tell us.