Overview
Objectives
- Acquire fundamental knowledge of the history and culture of Geneva
- Understand and learn how to use tourism communication techniques
- Design and develop guided tours
- Develop relevant tools and understanding keys to lead a group and provide them with quality information
Audience
Language specialists or tour guides—particularly people who speak less commonly spoken or minority languages—who are seeking additional training and/or have a strong interest in cultural transmission; Tourism professionals: staff at tourist offices, hotels, and tour operators, heritage management professionals: museum staff, cultural centre employees, and association members; Anyone with an interest in culture, communication, and human relations
Learning outcomes
- Master the use of acquired knowledge and documentation
- Be able to create themed tours
- Transmit information to visitors with an educational focus
- Know how to structure the itinerary and the message of a guided tour
Programme
3 thematic modules:
- Module 1 | From Prehistoric Times to the Middle Ages
- Module 2 | From the Reformation to the Enlightenment
- Module 3 | From the Swiss Canton to International Geneva
The modules are organised over weekends and include:
- Days of lectures and on-site courses held in various locations in Geneva
- Half-days of museum visits and practising guiding skills
Diploma awarded
Issued by the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Geneva with the support of Geneva Tourism and the Geneva Guide Association, a certificate of completion is awarded to participants who have regularly and actively attended all modules, participated in online activities, passed the assessments for the three modules, and successfully completed the final project and guided tours.
Registration
Registration deadline
12 February 2026
Applications are processed by order of arrival
Fees:
- CHF 2,700.- with micro-credential
- CHF 2,500.- without micro-credential
Lunch, travel and accommodation expenses to and at the various course locations are at the participant’s cost.
Admission criteria
- C1 level in English is recommended for academic success
- Participants must have access to a computer, email, and internet
Persons admitted as candidates for the Certificate:
- To hold a Baccalaureate, Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Professionals in tourism or cultural mediation
The Steering Committee reserves the right to accept applications from people who do not meet the requirements upon examination of their application file and/or to propose an individual interview for a decision.
Number of participants
The number of participants will be limited in order to preserve the interactivity of the teaching (max. 20)
Application File
- CV
- Cover letter
- Copies of diplomas
Curriculum
Period
March 2026 - July 2026
Teaching hours
60 teaching hours
17 distance teaching hours
Microcertification
5 ECTS credits
Working in tourism today means welcoming visitors from all over the world and sharing knowledge in fields such as history, the arts, and international Geneva. It means introducing them to a place, a culture, a tradition. It also means introducing them to a changing city-canton facing urban, societal, and environmental challenges that extend beyond its borders.
Training as a tour guide involves taking this diversity into account, as well as offering new ways to discover Geneva.
The Discovering Geneva session proposed by the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Geneva with the support of the Geneva Tourism and Convention Foundation is designed for future tour guides in specific languages. It combines academic courses, online training, and practical on-site instruction. This innovative session, compatible with professional activities, will serve as a quality reference for tourism agencies, cultural communities, and conference organisers.
Training as a tour guide involves taking this diversity into account, as well as offering new ways to discover Geneva.
The Discovering Geneva session proposed by the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Geneva with the support of the Geneva Tourism and Convention Foundation is designed for future tour guides in specific languages. It combines academic courses, online training, and practical on-site instruction. This innovative session, compatible with professional activities, will serve as a quality reference for tourism agencies, cultural communities, and conference organisers.
Date(s)
7 March 2026
8 March 2026
14 March 2026
15 March 2026
Description
Course Objectives:
- Introduction to the course layout
- Understanding the development of Geneva
- Defining the framework to create a guided tour
Saturday 7 March 2026 | 9:00-17:00
Sunday 8 March 2026| 11:00-13:00
- Course Presentation
- Geneva’s Main Historical Landmarks
- Introduction to the Guided Tour
- Communication and Storytelling Skills
- Geneva’s Highlights: Analysis and Presentation of Geneva
Saturday 14 March 2026| 9:30-17:30
Sunday 15 March 2026 | 11:00-13:45
- Saint-Gervais, a very long history
- Major archaeological sites in Geneva
- Saint-Peter’s Cathedral: Art and Architecture
- Geneva in the Cultural Mediation in Museums: Maison Tavel, Art and History MuseumMiddle Ages
Date(s)
28 March 2026
29 March 2026
25 April 2026
26 April 2026
Description
Course Objectives:
- Understand the religious and political upheavals in Geneva
- Explain the city's influence in Europe and the rest of the world
Saturday 28 March 2026 | 9:00-16:45
Sunday 29 March 2026 | 10:00-12:00
- The Reformation in Geneva: Religious Life and International Outreach (16th - 17th centuries)
- Bringing the Reformation to Life
- The House of Savoy and Geneva
- Geneva’s Watchmaking History
Saturday 25 April 2026 | 9:00-18:00
Sunday 26 April 2026 | 10:00-12:00
- Geneva: Power and Enlightment in the 18th Century
- An Introduction to Rousseau’s Life and Work
- The History of Geneva’s Countryside and its Vineyards
- Carouge: a Town of the Enlightenment
Date(s)
9 May 2026
10 May 2026
30 May 2026
31 May 2026
7 June 2026
Description
Course Objectives:
Understanding the political and urban development of Geneva in the 19th century, the birth of International Geneva, designing a guided tour
Saturday 9 May 2026 | 9:00-16:45
Sunday 10 May 2026 | 10:00-12:00
- Geneva from Swiss Canton to International Hub
- Geneva’s 19th Century Architecture
- The Birth of the Red Cross and the International Red Cross Movement
- Training Course – How to Guide on a Coach
Saturday 30 May 2026 | 9:00-16:45
Sunday 31 May 2026 | 10:00-12:00
- Techniques of Oral Transmission and Tour Guide Practice
Sunday 7 June 2026 | 09:00-18:00
- Group Management, Coach Excursion Leadership and Cultural Mediation
Planning
10 June - 13 June 2026
- Online Quiz (final exam)
27 - 28 June and 4 - 5 July 2026
Practical Examinations:
• Performing a Guided Tour of Geneva
• Present a Thematic Guided Tour on the Topic of the Written Essay
Description
- Final Exam online
- Practical Exam: Performing a Guided Tour of Geneva
- Oral Exam: A Thematic Guided Tour on the Topic of the Written Essay
Pedagogical method
- The session is structured around a historical theme and offers an interdisciplinary approach, enriched by various topics and training sessions in museums and iconic locations in Geneva
- Practising in-situ guiding methods allows each participant to develop their approach to the guiding profession by perfecting their observation, group facilitation, and communication skills
- During these guided tours, participants can share the experience of their colleagues, work on their practice, and benefit from the input of trainers
- Resources are made available on the programme's electronic platform
Assessment
Each thematic module is subject to a knowledge test.
Active participation in person and remotely is required. The session ends with a knowledge test, the completion of a personal end-of-studies project, and two assessed visits.
Active participation in person and remotely is required. The session ends with a knowledge test, the completion of a personal end-of-studies project, and two assessed visits.
Intervenant-es
Professors, researchers, professionals in the fields of cultural heritage, tourism, and museums
Partnerships / Collaboration
Geneva Tourism
Director(s)
Prof. Irène HERRMANN, Faculty of Humanities, University of Geneva
Coordinator(s)
Anna HAMILTON, University of Geneva
Scientific committee
- Anna HAMILTON, University of Geneva, Association des Guides de Genève
- Debra KINSON, member of the committee of the Association des Guides de Genève
- Lei ZHAO, Market Manager, Fondation Genève Tourisme & Congrès
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
