I’m interested in applying, but can you explain the difference between a “registered” institution and an “accredited” institution such as yours?
As outlined by the Ministry of Advanced Education of British Columbia, Canada:
“Accreditation means that an institution has met standards of quality set by the Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA). Only an accredited institution can be designated for StudentAid BC funding, which allows its students to apply for student loans. To become accredited an institution must demonstrate educational competence and integrity based on requirements set out by the PCTIA.”
In the province of British Columbia, all institutions offering career-related training programs with at least 40 hours of instruction and CAD$1,000 in tuition per month are required to register with the PCTIA, while only those who can demonstrate their educational competence and integrity are given the accreditation status.
What is the first step in applying to your institution?
The first step in the application process is to write the Personal Statement and to submit the Application Form.
What are the application fees?
The application fee (non-refundable) is CAD$150 for domestic students (namely Canadian citizens and permanent residents) and CAD$250 for international students. The entrance fee is CAD$50 for all students.
How much is the tuition for the 9-month diploma program?
The Executive Hotel Management Diploma Program is CAD$17,000 and includes: tuition, study materials, textbooks, notes, uniform and training placement in all major hotel departments.
For those who require accommodations, there is a CAD$16,000 boarding fee which will include 3 meals a day plus accommodation for the 9 months at a hotel campus.
What are the fees for the 12-month Advanced Diploma Program?
Application Fee (non-refundable): |
 |
CAD $ 100 |
Entrance/Registration Fee: |
|
CAD $ 50 |
Tuition Fee: |
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CAD $ 11,000 |
Books/Course Material Fees: |
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CAD $ 1,000 |
Co-op enrollment and arrangement fee: |
|
CAD $ 500 |
Is financial assistance available to students?
Yes. Domestic students (Canadian citizens or landed immigrants) may be qualified for the Federal and provincial student loan programs. We also work with a financial institute specializing in offering student loans to further meet students’ needs in covering the balance in tuition fees, or even living expenses. Please contact our administrative office for detailed information, and if needed, assist you in determining your most suitable financing options.
Can I start the program at different times of the year?
Our programs are module based and have start dates every three weeks throughout the calendar year. Please refer to the start dates section.
Do I have to complete the program all at once? (for both the 9-month program and the 12-month Advanced Diploma)
Students are expected to make a commitment to the program of study and complete it within the given time frame (either 9 or 12 months). Students can only be granted time off for legitimate reasons such as medical and family emergencies.
If I am not a Canadian resident, how do I apply for a Canadian student visa?
International students need to apply for a study visa. You can apply for a study visa at your nearest Canadian embassy abroad. Before you apply for a permit you will need:
- A Formal Letter of Acceptance from Imperial Hotel Management College. Students who are qualified to join the program will receive their Formal Letter of Acceptance once they have submitted their program fees in full.
- A valid passport.
- A temporary resident visa (depending on your country of origin).
For more information on the specific requirements for a study permit, and to find out your country’s specific requirements for a resident visa, please visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada at: www.cic.gc.ca.
I understand that the program fee has to be paid in full before I apply my study visa. What if my study visa is rejected?
In the unlikely event that the study visa application is rejected, the program fee is fully refundable within 30 working days, after the college receives the written proof that the study visa has been rejected by the Canadian Immigration Office.
Can you tell me more about the academic material?
Imperial Hotel Management College uses the industry-endorsed curriculum from the Educational Institute of American Hotel and Lodging Association (EI AHLA) as the foundation of the academic portion of our program. The Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association was established in 1953 as a non-profit organization serving the need for the hospitality industry training worldwide.
In addition to the EI AHLA curriculum, students are also required to complete various professional workshops, assignments and group projects (see sample wine research). Students are introduced to the various operational standards of different hotel brands. Throughout the program students have industry specialists as their instructors and mentors.
Are the courses at your college transferable to other universities?
Yes, through the Articulation Agreements we have developed with our partner universities which specialize in hotel management training, our graduates are guaranteed acceptance into their bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
If I’m interested in obtaining a degree at the partner universities after graduation, how long would it take?
Depending on the individual and the program selected, it ranges from half a year to 2 years.
What are my instructors’ qualifications?
It is always the Academic committee’s priority to select the most competent instructors to teach courses in the programs offered. Our instructors have years of practical experiences at managerial levels in the hospitality industry. The high qualifications in their areas of specialties allow our instructors to provide you with more knowledge that is out side of the textbooks. Also importantly, our instructors are enthusiastic and have a strong sense of responsibility in hospitality education, and will ensure your time in the program is fully utilized for your study.
How does your program compare to the many other hotel management courses out there?
Our 9-month Executive program is considered an intense hands-on program where work training is integrated with academic studies. It is the only program of its kind where students are guaranteed the opportunity to gain perspective into all departments of a full-size hotel within a relatively short time-frame.
The 12-month Advanced Diploma in International Hotel Management focuses on culture and luxury studies and specialized co-op learning experience.
Where are the classes held?
The classes are held within the hotels’ conference rooms and other hospitality facilities, for example, some selected restaurants.
Training
Where do the students gain their work experience at the hotel?
Students will gain direct work experience at various hotel departments such as:
Front Office
Human Resources
Shipping & Receiving
Administration
Housekeeping
Guest Services
Food & Beverage
Sales & Marketing
Information Systems
Accounting & Finance
Convention Management
Maintenance & Engineering
Since the students will be studying and working at the hotels during the entire length of the program, they will get to know the hotel staff and will have the opportunity to find out directly from staff members what life is like working in the hospitality field. In fact, some of the hotel staff may be guest lecturers during some of the courses.
How is the practicum work experience arranged? Do students make the arrangements?
The practicum component is completely arranged by the college with the affiliated hotels and other hospitality facilities, for example, some selected restaurants. Students do not need to waste their time writing to hotels, arranging interviews, or waiting and hoping to be accepted into a practicum position in order to graduate.
One of the biggest challenges faced by students interested in a career in the hospitality field is getting the necessary work experience required to secure desirable job placements at reputable hotel establishments.
In other programs where students are responsible for finding their own internship, even if a student manages to obtain an internship position, most often the employer does not have the resources or dedication to properly rotate the trainee between hotel departments to provide him or her with the preferred well-rounded work experience.
Our training component on the other hand, provides an in-depth, guaranteed work experience for a complete hospitality education.
How much time should I expect to spend studying in class and how much time working in practicum positions?
About half the time in class and the other half of the time working: roughly 3 hours of studying and 3 hours of practical training Monday to Friday.
Here is a Sample Daily Schedule for the Students:
06:30am – 09:00am Breakfast Available
09:00am – 12:00pm Practicum Work Experience
11:00am – 02:00pm Lunch Available
02:30pm – 05:30pm Lectures
05:30pm – 08:30pm Study/Workshop
05:00pm – 09:00pm Dinner Available
*The above schedule is only a sample. Actual student schedules may vary depending on the module and the hotel campus.
What are the practicum destination options?
Students may travel to the provinces of Alberta or Ontario to carry out three weeks of their practicum at either the Crowne Plaza Edmonton – Chateau Lacombe (Edmonton) or the Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel (Toronto). The student is responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from the Edmonton and Toronto hotel campuses.
We have also placed students for short term training at many different ’boutique hotel’ type properties, including high end ranches, resorts at Lake Louise and Whistler. Through our strong industry connection, we have the flexibility and resources to assist students in meeting their needs.
As an international student, do I need a work permit for the practicum during the program?
Generally speaking, if you are a student in the Executive Hotel Management Diploma Program, you will be participating in the practicum at our hotel campuses. It is not required to have a work permit for working on-campus.
On the other hand, if you are in the Advanced Diploma in International Hotel Management Program, you will be required to participate in the co-op work, which is an essential part of the program. The school will help you obtain a work permit, which allows you to work off-campus on pre-arranged paid jobs.
Living
What type of living environment should I expect if I live at the hotel?
Students have the option to live at the hotel in a regular hotel guest room. The hotel rooms where students live will have amenities that include high-speed internet, television with cable TV, free local calls, voicemail, private bathroom, and housekeeping service twice a week. Students will have another student as a room mate while they live at the hotel campus. If a student desires their own large completely private hotel room for the entire duration of the program, it can be arranged for an additional CAD$12,000.
Where do students eat if they live at the hotel?
Students who live at the hotel have all their meals provided for them at the hotel restaurant and the staff cafeteria.
Is there a place for students to work out?
There are workout rooms at the hotel campuses. The workout rooms include weights and exercise machines. Some of our hotel campuses have indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
Do I have to live at the hotel?
No. Students have the option of either stay on or off campus.
What will students receive upon graduation of the 9-month Executive Hotel Management Diploma Program?
Upon graduation, students will receive the Imperial Hotel Management College Executive Hotel Management Diploma as well as the Hotel Management Diploma, and 12 Certificates from the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Graduates may also receive reference letters from the General Managers or Department Heads of the hotels where they have worked during the program, acknowledging the students’ work experience and contribution.
What resources/supports in finding a job can I expect after graduation?
There is a strong connection between the college and its alumni. Frequently the school provides our graduates with most current information on employment opportunities or internship placements obtained from employers and recruiting agencies in Canada and internationally. The school will always help you in making connections with your local hospitality organizations, updating your resume, and will provide you with official transcripts or reference letters whenever you need. Just let us know and we will do our best to support you in your career development.
What are my options if I prefer not to work but to further my studies after I finish?
We have direct transfer agreements with partner Universities in the UK and in Switzerland. The college strives to establish articulation agreements with reputable universities that are offering notable hotel management programs.
It is worth mentioning that all of our four partner Universities in Switzerland, namely Glion, Les Roches, SHMS and César Ritz, are ranked in the Top Ten international hospitality management schools in the World, according to the surrey done by TNS Travel & Tourism, the world’s largest provider of custom research and analysis in 2007.
Our partner Universities in the UK include Queen Margaret University College. Graduates are guaranteed admission into a specific year of study at the above institutions, usually the last year or two of a degree program.
Regarding the acceptability of our program in the US, the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) materials that we use as the foundation of our academic program are recognized and used by many American universities. This means that students may be able to transfer credits earned from the AHLA courses to a degree program at accredited colleges and universities in USA, on an individual basis.
I’m not sure what types of hotel jobs are out there, can you please give me some advice?
We have compiled a comprehensive list of hotel positions, classified based on the following departments:
• Accounting and Financial Management
• Rooms Division/Facilities
• Food and Beverage
• Human Resources
• Sales and Marketing
• Information Technology
• Leadership
• Activities
Try to pick an area that interests you and build a career ladder in that field. The opportunities are endless. Please check for the complete list of jobs.
What is the advantage of the Imperial Hotel Management College Executive Hotel Management Diploma Program?
At IHMC, practical experience and classroom studies are integrated together, providing a complete and balanced learning experience. We are the only Hotel Management College in North America where students live, work and study at hotel and resort properties. The combined work experience and industry recognized academic learning result in a very high job placement rate which our graduates enjoy.
Can you give me some examples of where graduates are hired after successfully completing the program?
CANADA
Bank of Montreal, British Columbia, Canada
Blenz Coffee, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Calhoun’s Bakery Cafe, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Comet Strip, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Comfort Inn Vancouver Airport, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Dunowen Properties Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Edgewater Casino, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Empire Landmark, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Fort Garry Hotel, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Four Points by Sheraton, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Four Seasons Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Grand Villa Casino, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Gucci, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Holiday Inn Express Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Judy Kim CGA, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Louise Inn, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
Listel Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Marriott, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Mini Richmond, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Montana’s Cookhouse, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Pacific Sunspots Tours Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Pan Pacific, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Plaza 500 Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Posh Restaurant, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Prestige Lakeside Resort, Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
Ramada Hotel, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
Richmond Hilton, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Sandman Hotel, Suites & Spa, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sutton Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Terminal City Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The Hermitage, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Time Square Suites, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Toronto Airport Marriott, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Travelodge, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, BC, Canada (A Relais and Chateaux Property)
Wingate by Wyndham, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
CHINA
Air China, Beijing, China
All Nippon Airways, Beijing Office, Beijing, China
Clyde & Co., Law Office, Shanghai, China
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
Hyatt Hotel Beijing, Beijing, China
InterContinental Beijing Financial Street, Beijing, China
Peninsula Hotel Beijing, Beijing, China
Shenzhen Universal Hotel, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
ENGLAND
Marriott Hotels, UK Shared Service Centre, Luton, England
MUST Birmingham, Birmingham, England
P & O Cruises/Cunard Line/Ocean Village, Southampton, England
Radisson SAS Hotel, Liverpool, England
FRANCE
Four Seasons George V, Paris, France
GERMANY
Düsseldorf InterContinental Hotel, Düsseldorf, Germany
HONG KONG
Charlie Brown Café, Hong Kong
Eaton Hotel, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong
InterContinental Grand Stanford, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Island Shangri-La, Central, Hong Kong
Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers, Kowloon, Hong Kong
HUNGARY
Grand Circle Cruise Lines, Budapest, Hungary
New York Palace Hotel, Budapest, Hungary
JAPAN
Club Med in Okinawa, Okinawa, Japan
Hilton Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Hotel Avalorm Kino-kuni, Wakayama, Japan
Hotel Okura Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Hyatt Regency, Kyoto, Japan
InterContinental Tokyo Bay Hotel, Tokyo, Japan
Japan Airline, Tokyo, Japan
Mercure Hotel Sapporo, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Nikko Hotel, Osaka, Japan
Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Tokyo, Japan
Radisson Narita Hotel Tokyo, Tokyo-Narita, Chiba, Japan
Sapporo City Office, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Starbucks Coffee, Hiroshima, Japan
LEBANON
InterContinental Phoenicia, Beirut, Lebanon
MALAYSIA
Hotel Equatorial Corporate Office, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
MEXICO
Hotel Riu Cancun, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
MONACO
The Fairmont Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco
MOROCCO
Sahara Regency Hotel, Dakhla, Morocco
SAUDI ARABIA
Jeddah Hilton Hotel, Jeddeh, Saudi Arabia
SINGAPORE
Pan Pacific, Singapore, Singapore
SOUTH KOREA
Airpark Hotel, Seoul, South Korea
eBay, Seoul, South Korea
FedEx, Seoul, South Korea
General Motors, Seoul, South Korea
Grand InterContinental Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Haevichi Resort Hotel Jeju, Jeju, South Korea
HSBC Korea, Seoul, South Korea
HUNT International, Seoul, South Korea
Marriott Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Nestle Water, Seoul, South Korea
Novotel Hotel, Seoul, South Korea
Park Hyatt Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Ramada, Seoul, South Korea
Ramid Group, Seoul, South Korea
Ritz Carlton, Seoul, South Korea
Seoul Plaza Hotel, Seoul, South Korea
Shilla Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
STX Group, Seoul, South Korea
SPAIN
Ritz Carlton, Barcelona, Spain
TAIWAN
Grand Formosa Regent Taipei, a Four Seasons Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan
Grand Hyatt Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
Howard Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan
Noir Design, Taipei, Taiwan
Pacifix International Ent. Inc., Taipei, Taiwan
Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan
Sheraton Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
The Lalu Hotel, Nantau, Taiwan
Westin Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Desert Palm Resort and Spa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Four Seasons, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
Hilton Hotel, New York, New York, USA
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa, Destin, Florida, USA
Hilton, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Los Angeles, California, USA
La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, La Jolla, California, USA
Phoenix Park Hotel, Washington, DC, USA
Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa, Savannah, Georgia, USA
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