Switzerland offers one of the most advanced education in the world which makes students from different parts of the world flock there annually. This post exposes the universities in Switzerland for international students to help you find the best university for you.
Switzerland is a mountainous Central European country, home to numerous lakes, villages, and the high peaks of the Alps. Its cities contain medieval quarters, with landmarks like the capital Bern’s Zytglogge clock tower and Lucerne’s wooden chapel bridge.
The country is also known for its ski resorts and hiking trails. Banking and finance are key industries, and Swiss watches and chocolate are world-renowned.
Switzerland has 12 universities scattered all over the state. Among these Universities are the ones for International Students. Ranked as one of the top ten business schools in the country, the International University in Geneva is one of the best universities in Switzerland for international students.
The school’s emphasis on theoretical and practical study means you’ll be more than ready for a career in international business.
Universities in Switzerland attract students from all over the world. Because of this, of the 270,475 students that went to university in the 2020/2021 academic year, 25.7% were foreign. However, in total, about a third of undergraduate and around half of the postgraduate students in Swiss universities are now from abroad.
Bachelor programs are usually taught in the national language of the region. As such, depending on the canton in which the university is located, courses may be taught in German, French, or Italian.
Some universities also offer bilingual courses, while others also offer English-language programs; for instance, at ETH Zurich, some degree courses are in German for the first year and then in English later on. Master’s programs, however, are often taught in English.
At universities in Switzerland, the academic year consists of two semesters, each of which lasts for 14 weeks.
Without wasting time, let’s answer some relevant questions related to universities in Switzerland.
How much does it Cost to Study in Switzerland for International Students?
International students who come to Switzerland on an exchange program don’t pay any tuition fees. Average tuition fees at Swiss public universities: Bachelor’s and Master’s programs: 400 – 3,700 EUR/year. Ph.D. degrees: 100 – 900 EUR/year
Requirements for International Students to Study in Switzerland
Admission to a bachelor’s program: the main requirement is an upper secondary school-leaving certificate considered to be equivalent to the Swiss Matura/Maturité/Maturità.
Admission to a master’s program: the main requirement is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a specific field of study.
Admission to a doctoral program: the main requirement is a master’s degree from an accredited university in a relevant field of study.
Universities in Switzerland for International Students
Below are the universities in Switzerland for International Students;
1. ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich):
This is the first on our list of universities in Switzerland for International Students. ETH Zurich is ranked as one of the top universities in the world. It offers degree programs in the fields of construction sciences, engineering sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, system-oriented natural sciences, and management and social sciences.
ETH Zurich is also one of Switzerland’s oldest universities. They offer merit scholarships and even a scholarship calculator with which a student can see what kind of scholarship they would be eligible for.
Number of International Students: 7,247
Percentage of International Students: 40%
Tuition fee: CHF 1,298 for both Swiss and non-Swiss students (per year).
2. University of Zurich
This is the next on our list of universities in Switzerland for International Students. UZH is one of the best universities in Switzerland for international students with around foreign 5,000 students around the world.
Throughout their 7 faculties, most courses are offered in German and they have delivered excellent results in the fields of biology and medicine, neuroscience, and economics. Zurich is the business hub of Switzerland which has turned this city into a cosmopolitan metropolis.
Number of International Students: 4,829
Percentage of International Students: 21%
3. University of Bern
The University of Bern is a public institution, and it was established back in 1843. You can pick and choose your field from Theology to Veterinary. The University of Bern, along with the University of Zurich, is the first in Switzerland to offer a continuing study in gender-specific medicine.
Tuition fee: CHF 750 for Swiss students, CHF 950 for non-Swiss students (per semester)
4. University of Basel
The University of Basel is the oldest in Switzerland, as it was founded around 550 years ago. While offering a wide range of academic disciplines, the university is also regularly placed among the top 100 universities in the world. This university has an extensive curriculum and it includes several teaching and research areas such as life sciences and other disciplines.
Tuition fee: CHF 850 for both Swiss and non-Swiss students (per semester)
5. University of Neuchâtel
The University of Neuchâtel is located in the town it shares its name with. The university is made up of four faculties, and it was created back in 1838 under the name Academy of Neuchatel.
Their four faculties include the Faculty of Law, The Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Science, and the Faculty of Economics and Business. Besides education, the university offers cultural activities, a sports center, a library, etc.
Tuition fee: CHF 950 for Swiss students, CHF 1540 for non-Swiss students (per year); semester fee for Swiss students: CHF 515, for foreign students: CHF 790.
6. University of Lausanne
Apart from being a higher education institution made up of seven faculties, the University of Lausanne is also a well-known research institute. Their main campus is located along the shore of Lake Geneva.
In addition to the great view, they provide world-class education and research in three main subjects: Life Sciences and Medicine, Human and Social Sciences, and Environmental Sciences.
Tuition fee: CHF 580 for both Swiss and non-Swiss students (per semester)
7. University of Geneva
The University of Geneva was founded in 1559. To this day, it is a high-rated spot for researchers. This university encourages interdisciplinarity both in teaching and research, which is what has made it earn its global recognition.
In this Swiss university, you can pursue law, political science, economics, etc. Some disciplines include Environmental Sciences, Genetics, and Human Rights, among many others. The University of Geneva offers low-cost but high quality.
Tuition fee: 500 CHF for both Swiss and non-Swiss students (per semester)
8. Geneva Business School
Geneva Business School is a Swiss business school that offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs at reasonable prices. They have campuses in Geneva, Barcelona, and Madrid, making it possible for students to study outside of Switzerland and still get a professionally accredited Swiss degree.
They promise innovative ways of studying and integrating students into the job market. Plus, they are one of the best business schools in Switzerland.
Tuition fee: CHF 12,450 for undergraduate, CHF 10,250 for graduate, and CHF 12,950 for MBA
With this, we have come to the end of the list of best universities in Switzerland. Let’s move forward to answer some questions regarding this article.
Universities in Switzerland for International Students – FAQs
Is Switzerland Expensive to Live in?
Yes, the cost of living in Switzerland is among the highest in the world, with the cities of Zurich and Geneva consistently found to be the most expensive on the planet.
Although the cost of living varies considerably due to each individual’s personal preferences and situation, according to our estimations a single person would need a net salary of 3,500 CHF to live comfortably in most Swiss cities while a family of four would typically require a net salary of at least 9,000 CHF per month.
How many Universities in Switzerland are open to International Students?
There are 7 universities in Switzerland that are open to International Students they are listed below
- University of Zurich
- University of Geneva
- University of Bern
- University of Basel
- University of Lausanne
- University of St. Gallen
- Geneva Business School
Which Universities are the Cheapest in Switzerland for International Students?
Below is the list of the cheapest Universities in Switzerland for International Students with their tuition fees;
- ETH Zurich(Tuition Fees for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs– 730 CHF (USD 790) Per Semester
- The University of Zurich(Tuition Fees for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs– From 820 CHF (USD 890) Per Semester
- University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland( Tuition Fees for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs– From 5,000 CHF (USD 5,420) Per Semester
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne(Tuition Fees for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs– 780 CHF (USD 850) Per Semester)
- University of Bern (Tuition Fees for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs– 950 CHF (USD 1,050) Per Semester)
- University of Lausanne( Tuition Fees for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs – From 580 CHF (USD 630) Per Semester)
- The University of Geneva ( Tuition Fees for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs – 500 CHF (USD 540) Per Semester