Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches: Fees, BBA & Hospitality Careers Guide

Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches is the Abu Dhabi campus of Les Roches, a Swiss-founded hospitality management school that is part of the Sommet Education group. In Abu Dhabi it teaches a Bachelor of Business Administration in Global Hospitality Management and a Master of Science in International Hospitality Management, both available at each intake. The school's model mixes business teaching with practical hospitality training and internships. This guide covers what international students should know: the two programmes, fee figures that vary a lot between sources, what the total cost is said to include, scholarships, and the UAE's post-study options.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, the Abu Dhabi campus of Swiss-founded Les Roches (Sommet Education group)
• Programmes: BBA in Global Hospitality Management and MSc in International Hospitality Management, both offered at each intake
• BBA structure: accredited as a Bachelor of Business Administration, combining business teaching with experiential hospitality learning
• Fees reported by third parties (they conflict): about AED 116,838 a year for the BBA; AED 103,105 to AED 105,105 per semester; and about AED 225,200 a year including VAT
• What the total is said to include: tuition, learning and practical-arts resources, Les Roches for Life career support, and visa and health insurance for international students
• Financial aid: scholarships, grants, and financial assistance are reported, without published amounts

Rankings and reputation

Les Roches is well known in the hospitality education sector, and the brand is often cited in hospitality-specific school rankings, but the Abu Dhabi campus does not have a separate general university ranking. Judge it on the programme's accreditation, internship placements, and graduate outcomes in Abu Dhabi's hotel and tourism sector. Ask which accreditations apply to the Abu Dhabi BBA and MSc specifically, rather than to Les Roches' Swiss or Spanish campuses.

Academics and signature programs

The BBA in Global Hospitality Management combines business subjects such as finance, marketing, and revenue management with practical training in food and beverage, rooms division, and service. The MSc in International Hospitality Management is aimed at graduates who want management roles. Ask how many semesters are taught in Abu Dhabi, whether internships are paid and where they take place, and whether students can transfer to other Les Roches campuses.

Admissions and international eligibility

Admission is based on school or university results, English ability, and usually an interview or motivation statement, since hospitality schools look for service aptitude as well as grades. After acceptance, international students need a UAE student visa, a medical test, and an Emirates ID. Ask for the intake dates and whether the school sponsors the visa.

English language requirements

• Programmes are taught in English, so an English test such as IELTS or TOEFL is normally required; I could not confirm the exact score
• Applicants from English-medium schools may be exempt
• The MSc may set a higher requirement than the BBA
• Confirm the requirement for your programme before booking a test

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, English results, a CV or motivation letter, passport details, and attested certificates for the UAE visa. Ask about the deposit and the refund terms.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Third-party figures conflict: one source gives about AED 116,838 a year for the BBA, another gives AED 103,105 to AED 105,105 per semester, and a third gives about AED 225,200 a year including VAT. The higher figures may include items the lower figure leaves out. The school's own fee sheets are published as PDFs, which I could not read, so ask Les Roches for the current fee sheet and a list of what is included, such as uniforms, knives or kits, housing, visa, and insurance.

Estimated living costs

• Housing costs vary widely by area, so compare options near the campus and the commute
• The UAE has no personal income tax, which helps part-time workers and graduates
• Health insurance is compulsory in Dubai and is a recurring cost
• Taxis are widely used, and the Dubai Metro and buses serve central areas
• Summer temperatures are very high, so plan air-conditioned housing and transport

Scholarships

Les Roches Abu Dhabi reports scholarships, grants, and financial assistance for international students, but I could not find published amounts. Ask for the criteria, the typical award, and whether it continues after the first year.

Campus life and student support

The Abu Dhabi campus offers a smaller, hospitality-focused community with training facilities for practical work. Abu Dhabi has a large hotel, tourism, and events sector that gives students a close link to industry. Ask about student housing, transport, and the balance between classroom and practical training.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Hospitality graduates typically move into hotel operations, events, tourism, luxury retail, and related service businesses, and the UAE's hotel sector is large. Les Roches for Life career support is listed as part of the package. Ask for placement rates, typical first roles and salaries, and how many graduates stay in the UAE.

UAE post-study visa options

The UAE offers several routes for graduates. The Green Visa allows self-sponsored residence for up to five years, generally with conditions, and a job exploration visa of up to 120 days has been reported for graduates of top-ranked universities. The UAE has also extended the post-study grace period to 12 months. Conditions can depend on your degree and institution, so verify them with UAE authorities.

Checking what the fee includes

Hospitality school fees often bundle tuition with uniforms, kits, meals, housing, visa costs, and insurance. When comparing Les Roches Abu Dhabi with another school, compare the full cost of attendance, not only the tuition line.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Students need a UAE resident student visa, a medical fitness test, an Emirates ID, and valid health insurance. Budget for these costs and arrange housing early, since rental contracts and deposits differ from many home countries.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, visa and Emirates ID steps, and finding housing and transport. Students who plan their study routine early tend to settle faster.

A realistic budget

If the annual cost is about AED 225,000 including VAT, a three- to four-year BBA could total AED 675,000 to AED 900,000. If the lower figure of about AED 117,000 a year is correct, the total would be about half that. The difference is large, so get the full cost in writing before you commit.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What is the current annual fee, and what does it include?
• Which accreditations apply to the Abu Dhabi BBA and MSc?
• How long are internships, are they paid, and where are they?
• Can I transfer to another Les Roches campus?
• What scholarships are available, and for how long?
• What are the placement rates and typical first jobs?

Who Les Roches Abu Dhabi suits best

Les Roches Abu Dhabi suits students set on a hospitality management career who want a known hospitality brand, practical training, and access to the UAE's hotel sector, and who can meet a high total cost. It may suit less well students who are unsure about hospitality or who need a lower-cost general business degree.

Les Roches Abu Dhabi compared with Les Roches in Switzerland

The Swiss campus carries the brand's original reputation, while Abu Dhabi offers the same programme family closer to the Gulf's hotel market. Compare the fee, the internship locations, and where you want to build your career.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and check its accreditation.
2. Confirm the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with attested transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer and pay the deposit.
5. Complete the UAE student visa, medical test, and Emirates ID steps.
6. Arrange housing and health insurance before orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Start certificate attestation early, because it involves several offices and can take weeks. Keep copies of everything, and ask the institution to confirm fees and refund terms in writing.

How hospitality school teaching works

Hospitality schools such as Les Roches mix classroom modules with practical sessions in training kitchens, restaurants, and front-office settings, and they usually build one or more internships into the degree. Students are often expected to follow a professional dress code and attendance rules similar to a workplace. This suits students who learn by doing, but it is a heavier and more structured timetable than a typical business degree, so ask for a sample week before you enrol.

Internships and where they lead

Internships are the main bridge from a hospitality degree to a first job. Ask Les Roches Abu Dhabi where recent students completed internships, whether placements are in the UAE or abroad, whether they are paid, and what visa arrangements apply if an internship is outside the UAE. Ask also how often internship hosts hire their interns after graduation.

Common mistakes applicants make

The most common mistakes are comparing tuition lines that include different items, assuming a scholarship renews automatically, and not checking how an internship affects the time needed to graduate. Keep every fee sheet and offer letter, and ask the school to confirm in writing any figure you rely on.

Frequently asked questions