BMHS - FAQ's

1. Is FEE-HELP available at BMHS?

Students entering the Blue Mountains Hotel School are able to apply for immediate assistance for their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP loan scheme from the Federal Government. Students can borrow up to the amount of the tuition fee being charged by BMHS for each unit of study. A loan fee of 20% applies to FEE-HELP loans for undergraduate courses of study. Students repay their loan through the tax system once their income is above $36,185 per year.

2. Have you people that can come to my area (maybe my school), and discuss career options in Hospitality and Tourism?

We have BMHS Area Managers that are available to meet you at school or with your parent’s to discuss career options in Tourism and Hospitality. Send an email request for more information from this website and a BMHS Area Managers will call you directly to arrange a suitable time and place.

3. Do I need to have studied Tourism or Hospitality at school to come to BMHS?

No, but any study at school that is related to tertiary study or future careers is always worthwhile.

4. What subjects do you recommend that I take in Year 11 and 12 to maximise my BMHS studies and career opportunities?

We do not have prerequisite subjects for entry to BMHS courses. Select subjects that you think you will perform the best in! However, English, Mathematics, a Business related subject, and Hospitality/Tourism are all subjects that some BMHS students have studied. We also have students who have completed Drama, Art, Languages, Music, Chemistry, Physics and Biology and many other subjects at secondary school.

5. How many International students do you have at BMHS?

This varies each semester but approximately 65-70% of total students per year.

6. If I have completed Certificate II/III in Hospitality Operations or Tourism at school, do I receive any reward for this prior relevant study?

Yes, you are eligible for a reduction in the first year semester’s fees of $6215 in 2007. In 2008, students who have completed a Certificate II/III in Hospitality or Tourism studies will be eligible for a $3510 accommodation discount for Semesters 1 and 3, a total discount of $7020.

7. How long is the Diploma of Food & Beverage Management course?

One year of consists of 20 weeks study at Blue Mountains Hotel School in Leura and at least 800 hours of Industry Placement over a six month period.

8. What are “exit and entry points”?

Exit points are the point at which a student has completed a qualification at BMHS and may elect to “exit” (leave) for a short time before returning to continue their studies or leave permanently. Exit points occur after Diploma (1 year) or Associate Degree (2 years) or Degree (3 years). Entry points occur before the Diploma, Associate Degree or Degree years

9. Can I become a Chef through study at BMHS?

Yes! The Blue Mountains Hotel School is proud to offer in partnership with TAFE NSW, Western Sydney Institute (WSI) a Culinary Arts Extension Course (Certificate III Commercial Cookery) for students studying the Bachelor of Business Degree. The course is designed to offer training as a chef including ordering, food preparation, practical cooking and presentation skills.

10. What is your accommodation like on campus?

Twin room shared accommodation with private bathroom facilities.

11. Can I choose my own roommate?

Requests may be made to share with a particular student.

12. Are meals provided?

Meals are provided 7 days a week, 3 meals per day during the semester for all students in semester 1,3 and 5 when they are on campus.

13. Do you teach languages at BMHS?

We provide English as a second language classes at designated times. As we have students from over 30 countries on campus it is a great environment to learn languages from other students rather than in a classroom context. You may request to share with a particular student from a country of your choice that would assist your language development.

14. What do your courses cost?

WCourses vary in costs depending on Entry Point, Recognition of Prior Learning, living arrangements, and Scholarships. Please contact the Head of Recruitment or your Area Manager for detailed information relevant to your personal situation.

15. Do I have to pay all the fees up-front each semester?

No, early payment discounts apply and individual payment plans are available. Student loans from the National Australia Bank are available for loans up to $20,000 to assist with study costs and FEE-HELP can offset the tuition costs each semester.

16. Do you have specific scholarships for rural students?

We have several scholarships that are available for all students but no specific scholarships for rural students. I would encourage rural students to apply for a Competitive Scholarship and send supporting documentation that you feel would greatly assist your application.

The normal amount of time for Theory Group lectures is approximately 25 hours per week.

17. Do you have specific scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders?

Not at this stage but send an email request with your contact details so that a BMHS representative may advise you of any developments in this area.

18. Do you have scholarships for International students?

No, scholarships are for domestic students only.

19. Do I have to live-in?

All students must live-in the working hotel for Semester 1, 3 and 5 otherwise we would have no guests to make BMHS a working hotel. Students in Semester 6 have an option of continuing to live on-campus or live off-campus. Most students elect to stay on campus to maximise their study performance as all meals are provided.

20. What is a normal amount of time for Theory Group lectures per week?

Approximately 25 hours.

21. What is the normal amount of time for Practical Group practicals per week?

Approximately 35 hours.

22. How long are your semesters?

21 weeks in Semester 1 and 20 weeks in Semesters 3, 5 and 6.

23. How can you offer a University qualification and not be a University?

The Blue Mountains Hotel School is a Higher Education (HE) Provider, which means it is able to deliver its own qualifications. As a HE Provider, BMHS can offer from Diploma to Degree level, with its Bachelor of Business Degree quality endorsed by The University of Queensland.

24. How much money would I need to live each week at BMHS?

Depends on your lifestyle, habits and disposable income. Most students would have $50-$70 per week allocated for such activities in a week.

25. What social activities are available for students at BMHS and in the local community?

The Student Representative Council arranges weekly recreational activities which are conducted on campus. The Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s leading arts and cultural centres, renowned for its first class restaurants, hotels and cafes. There is also a sports centre, several golf courses, an off-campus gymnasium, many bushwalking groups, mountain-biking, horse riding and many other adventure sports.

26. Do you provide transport to Sydney at the end of the semesters?

Transport once students arrive at BMHS is their own responsibility. There are bus and rail services within one kilometre of the school at Leura which go to Sydney. Sydney is 1.5 hours by car and 2 hours by public transport.

27. Do you have postgraduate courses at BMHS?

We have transferred these courses to our Orion Hotel School sister school, the Australian International Hotel School, in Canberra where the Graduate Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a Graduate Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a Master of Hospitality and Tourism Management are now delivered.

28. Do you obtain the Industry Placements for students in Semester 2 and Semester 4?

BMHS Career Development & Industry Placement Department assists students in finding suitable placements that will help prepare them toward their future career goals. As part of their course, students are required to complete two separate 6 months semesters (of at least 800 hours each) of industry placement, either in Australia or overseas.

29. What types of careers do your graduates follow?

There are so many positions and career directions our graduates are qualified and experienced to pursue. Some of our graduates have accepted the following positions-

30. Has BMHS any International Affiliations?

BMHS is a member of Orion Hotel Schools. www.orionhotelschools.com This is a group of progressive Hotel Schools dedicated to providing world class programmes in Hospitality and Tourism Management from undergraduate to postgraduate degree level. All members share a similar Swiss philosophy of quality and have adopted a similar syllabus and teaching methodology. Students are able to transfer between schools at various stages of their study thus providing the opportunity to gain a truly international educational experience. BMHS has many Associate and Partner Schools as well as Affiliations and Memberships in Industry.

31. What support services do you have at BMHS?

Counselling on academic, career and personal matters is available through fully qualified and experienced counselors on campus.

32. How many intakes do you have each year?

For Undergraduate courses, the School offers two intakes, February and July. For the English Language Program, BMHS offers a further two mid-semester intakes in April and October.

33. Are there job opportunities to earn money throughout each semester while I am studying at BMHS?

Yes, as the Blue Mountains is one of the top 10 tourist attractions in Australia there are many hotels, restaurants, café’s and tourist attractions that currently employ BMHS students while they are studying. The balance between study and work must always be positive to maximise your career options.

34. Does BMHS have an English Language Preparation Program?

Yes, intakes in April and October for students who have yet to reach the minimal level of English for general entry to BMHS courses.

35. Why should I come to BMHS to study?

Internationally recognised qualifications, excellent career prospects, a very active alumni, quality training in both theory and practical aspects of Tourism and Hospitality Management, great location in the Blue Mountains and a “friends for life” community of dedicated students with similar visions to you. BMHS is the only Australian hotel school that awards a Swiss hotel school diploma jointly with its own awards.