Why study in Switzerland?
Switzerland is a small, affluent country with picture postcard landscapes, dominated by the Alps- which cover 60 per cent of the land mass- and famed for its winter sports, medieval cities and 700 lakes. Switzerland has a multilingual population, and is organised on a federal model. Higher education institutions teach in German, French and Italian, and there are also programs conducted wholly in English.
The country is a major economic power, and home to many international and financial institutions, with a strong specialised manufacturing sector spanning watches to cheese, pharmaceuticals to chemicals. Switzerland has a high standard of living coupled with excellent medical services and low levels of crime and pollution. The influential Dada arts movement originated here, and Swiss cultural life still celebrates the country’s folk traditions, from wood carving and embroidery, to its many carnivals, with their parades, masks and harvest and wine festivals. These days, you are, however, more likely to take part in a film or jazz festival than come across yodelling , which tends to be limited to the north of the country. Zurich hosts one of the world’s largest techno festivals named Street Parade every year – no alphorns to be seen, in spite of it being the country’s official national instrument! Switzerland treasures the past but has its eyes fixed firmly on the future.
The Swiss educational system has consistently been ranked in the top 20 global education systems, and you will benefit from excellent tuition and cutting-edge resources when you opt to study in Switzerland. Switzerland signed up to the Bologna Process, so your degree will be recognised all across the world and any credits you earn can be transferred within the European Higher Education Area. Switzerland is not a member of the EU or EEA, but EU students are entitled to attend Swiss universities on the same basis as domestic applicants.
Choosing a university
Switzerland has three types of institutes of higher education: 14 public research universities, 9 universities of applied sciences and arts, and 20 universities of teacher education. Research universities are administered by each individual canton (district), while two federal institutes of technology – the outstanding ETH, Zurich and EPFL, Lausanne – are managed by the state, alongside a number of federal research institutes.
Universities of Applied Sciences and the Arts focus on scientific and professional education, offering programs in a wide range of subjects, including landscape architecture, music, health sciences, film, design, art and theatre. These institutions have strong links with industry, closely monitor the needs of the ever evolving job market, and take a practical approach to learning , combining theory with practice through project and team work.
Private universities in Switzerland excel in a number of areas, including business, hospitality and tourism and the arts. Tuition fees are significantly higher in the private sector. Private institutions may require aptitude tests and interviews when considering applications. Many private universities have rolling admissions and, given the lack of a centralised application system, you will need to check deadlines on individual university websites.
Popular university rankings
University | QS Ranking 2024 |
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich -ETHZ | 7 |
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne- EPFL | 36 |
University of Zurich | 91 |
University of Basel | 124 |
University of Bern | 126 |
University of Geneva | 128 |
University of Lausanne | 220 |
University of Lugano | 328 |
University of St Gallen | 436 |
University of Fribourg | 563 |
Zurich University of Applied Sciences | 1401-1500 |
Switzerland’s leading private business schools (The Economist,2024)
- International Institute for Management and Development (IMD)
- University of St Gallen
- EU Business School
- Geneva Business School
- University of Business and International Studies (UBIS)
- The Basel School of Business
- American Graduate School of Business
- Taylor Institute for Global Enterprise Management
- Swiss Business School (SBS)
- Lausanne Business School
Switzerland’s leading universities for hospitality and leisure management
The QS world rankings in this field reveal the preeminence of Swiss universities, which take seven of the top ten places, namely:
University | Global ranking QS 2024 |
EHL Hospitality Business School | 1 |
SHMS -Swiss Hotel Management School | 2 |
César Ritz Colleges | 3 |
Les Roches | 5 |
Hotel Institute Montreux | 6 |
Culinary Arts Academy | 7 |
Glion Institute of Higher Education | 8 |
Tuition fees at private tourist and hospitality universities vary according to whether you are taking an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, and range from 45,000-90,000 euros a year for a bachelor in hospitality, to 35,000-75,000 euros for a Master’s. For example, Les Roches has calculated that applicants will need approximately 200,000 euros to cover their academic expenses on the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management over the three year program, and another 50,000 euros to pay for their board and lodgings. Master’s degrees, being shorter, come in at around 48,000 euros for academic expenses and 9,000 for living expenses, with the one-year EMBA costing around 60,000 euros . These figures are broadly comparable across the board within the hospitality, tourism and leisure management university sector.
Choosing a course
The majority of courses taught in English are found at postgraduate level. However, in recent years, a number of courses have been introduced which teach whole programs or individual semesters in English – you need to check this on each university website.
Among the most popular courses in Switzerland you will find:
- Business
- Finance
- Data science
- IT
- Cybersecurity
- Tourism and hospitality
- International hospitality
- Management
- Engineering
- Healthcare
The following universities offer a choice of English-taught courses in Switzerland:
- EU Business School
- American University in Switzerland
- International University of Geneva
- BHMS
- Montreux Business University
- University of Geneva
- University of Bern
- University of Basel
- University of Fribourg
- University of St Gallen
Be aware that some courses are only partly taught in English and the university will require you to prove that your knowledge of German, Italian or French, depending on where you study, is at C1 level. For example, the University of Bern requires knowledge of German.
You will find a number of bachelor degree courses taught in English at Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts, namely: Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, HES-SO etc.
In addition many private business schools – SBS, SSBM,SSHE, Geneva Business School- teach a large number of business disciplines solely in English.
Check out courses taught in English on: https://www.studyprogrammes.ch
You can use the filter to choose level (bachelor or Master’s degree) and the language, field of study and location.
The application process
Since Switzerland does not have a centralised application system, you will need to apply individually to every university you are interested in joining. There is no upper limit to the number of applications you can put in, but remember that there is a fee of around 90 euros per application. You will need to upload a set of documents, including, but not limited to:
- A scanned copy of your passport
- 2-3 passport photographs
- A CV in table format for postgraduate programs
- Your secondary school certificate and transcripts (translated if these are not in German, French, Italian)Note that certain universities do not accept predicted grades.
- Course transcript
- Postgraduates will have to send in their bachelor degree and transcripts
- An essay
- Proof of financial means ($21,500 in 2024).
- A copy of your EHIC card
- References and recommendations
- Relevant language proficiency certificates
The application deadlines normally fall at the end of April, although some private universities may have rolling admission systems.
Both medicine and sports courses require an entrance exam but these are as yet not taught in English. However, if you do not submit IELTS, CELI or DELF certificate, to establish your proficiency in English, Italian or French respectively, you may need to do a language entry exam.
Tuition fees and costs
Tuition fees in Switzerland differ widely according to the type of institution of higher education which you attend. There is ongoing discussion about raising the fees for foreign students attending public universities from 2025 onwards, but firm figures and percentages have not yet been published.
Public universities are government – funded and bachelor’s and Master’s programmes for EU students are very reasonable, and range from 500-3,500 euros a term .In contrast, private universities may charge from 5,000 to upwards of 20,000 euros a year -and often a great deal more. You should consult each university website to get an accurate picture of its tuition fees. In addition, you will need to pay a minimal sum for registration and examination fees, possibly a semester fee, a fee to use the social facilities and sports clubs, and to join the students’ union.
The cost of living
You will need an average budget of 1300-1700 euros a month to cover the cost of accommodation, food, transport and leisure activities. The cost of living is very similar in Zurich and Geneva, and slightly lower in Bern and Basel. As is always the case, accommodation accounts for the largest percentage of your costs, and you would be well advised to apply for place in student halls of residence, if the university offers them, in spite of the fact that places are limited, or share an apartment with others.
In a similar vein, many students get around by bicycle, rather than buy monthly passes for public transport, which cost in the region of 55 euros a month.
If you decide to work part-time, you will automatically have to buy health insurance, since your EHIC card will no longer cover your medical expenses. If you decide not to work, you can apply for exemption from the mandatory health insurance (250-350 euros a month) within three months of arriving to study in Switzerland. Students with health conditions are advised to buy the health insurance, since the EHIC card only covers basic care.
You will need a residence permit and proof of accommodation is essential for applying for this document. Residence permits cost around 180 euros and are administer by the local canton. These permits are initially granted for one year but can then be renewed for the length of your course. Make sure you gather together the documents you need before applying, namely: a rental agreement, proof of finances, a valid passport and a photograph and proof of university enrollment. You should apply for the residence permit within 14 days of arriving in Switzerland.
Scholarships
The majority of scholarships are only available at postgraduate level, and include the University of Geneva Excellence Master fellowships, the University of Lausanne Masters Grant, ETH Zurich Excellence scholarships, EPFL Excellence Fellowships, University of Bern Master’s grant, and Swiss Government Excellence scholarships.
If you want to study in Switzerland at bachelor’s level, you can apply for the EPFL Excellence Fellowships, the excellence scholarships of the University of St Gallen and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation grants. Check individual university websites to see what financial aid is available. You may find that scholarships are limited to individuals from specific countries, those with disabilities or people who can establish that they are going through a financial crisis.
Other useful information
- Sunday is a true day of rest in Switzerland, and you not allowed to hang laundry outside, vacuum, mow the lawn or sing karaoke. Similarly, from 10pm to 6am every day, it is illegal to slam doors, flush toilets or wear high heels in your apartment.
- If you decide to get a pet, certain species can only be kept in pairs: goldfish, guinea pigs, parakeets and, unlikely though this is to happen, llamas.
- Switzerland does not have a strong tipping culture.
- Major cities require you to pay if you wish to use the WC, so make sure you have change on you, just in case. This is not always true of small towns.
Study in Switzerland -Overview
Studying in Switzerland is an investment in your future, opening doors to an international career. Prestigious universities such as ETH Zurich, the University of St. Gallen, and leading hospitality schools offer world-class educational programs tailored to the needs of the global job market. Whether you’re interested in business, engineering, IT, or hospitality, Switzerland has a program perfectly suited to your goals.
This exceptional country not only guarantees the highest standard of education but also offers safety, a high quality of life, and stunning landscapes. Earn a globally recognized degree, thrive in an international environment, and start your education in the heart of Europe.
Contact Elab today, and let’s start working together on your application to study in Switzerland.
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