Study and find schools in Switzerland

Studying in Switzerland

Switzerland combines a small territory with a dense, internationally oriented higher-education system. It has four national languages, German, French, Italian and Romansh, and universities in all four language regions, most of them in the German- and French-speaking parts. According to study in switzerland+, the official portal of swissuniversities, the country has three types of higher-education institution: 12 universities with around 150,000 students, 9 universities of applied sciences and arts with around 95,000 students, and 20 universities of teacher education with around 21,000 students. Two federally supported institutions complete the picture: the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and the Swiss Distance Learning University in Brig.

Students choose Switzerland for research-intensive universities, practice-oriented applied sciences, a long tradition of hospitality and hotel management schools, and the chance to study in one language while living with another. Geneva alone hosts the European headquarters of the United Nations and around 200 international organisations.

The education system

Higher education rests on three pillars. Universities focus on theory-based teaching and basic research, and some subjects, such as all humanities degrees, are taught only there. Universities of applied sciences and arts provide professional education and applied research, and are the only place to study fields such as landscape architecture, several health sciences, music, theatre, film, art and design. Universities of teacher education train teachers from pre-primary to upper secondary level. Alongside them, professional education and training colleges serve people who have completed vocational training. The system is known for its permeability: after a dual-track apprenticeship, which combines work in a company with vocational school, students can still move on to higher education.

Degrees follow the Bologna structure, with 60 ECTS credits per year of full-time study:

• bachelor's degree: 180 ECTS credits, three years
• master's degree: 90 or 120 ECTS credits, 1.5 to 2 years
• doctorate: requires a master's degree
• continuing education: Certificate (CAS), Diploma (DAS) and Master of Advanced Studies (MAS/MBA); an MAS does not give access to doctoral studies

The academic year has two semesters. At universities, the autumn semester runs from calendar week 38 to 51 and the spring semester from week 8 to 22, and most programmes start in September.

Accreditation: universities and private schools

The Swiss Accreditation Council, a joint body of the Confederation and the cantons, decides on institutional and programme accreditation under the Higher Education Act (HEdA). An institution must be accredited to use a protected name such as "university", "university of applied sciences" or "university of teacher education"; terms such as "business school" or "higher education institute" are not protected by federal law. Bachelor's, master's and doctoral titles issued by accredited institutions are legally protected. This matters in a country with many private hotel and business schools: check the Council's list of accredited institutions, and whether a programme leads to a Swiss degree or to a school's own or foreign award.

Admission and recognition

There is no centralised admission procedure: each university is autonomous and sets its own criteria. For a bachelor's programme the main requirement is a secondary school-leaving certificate considered equivalent to the Swiss Matura; swissuniversities publishes admission requirements by country. Medicine is subject to a numerus clausus at most universities and admission is extremely restricted, and universities of applied sciences usually set an aptitude test in fields such as the arts, social sciences and health. A master's programme requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a relevant field. The official database studyprogrammes.ch lists programmes by type of university, language and level.

All universities require good knowledge of the language of instruction, which can be German, French, Italian or English, or a mix. Programmes in English are mostly at master's and PhD level, and most universities offer free language courses to enrolled international students.

Student visa and residence

Students from outside the EU/EFTA must apply for a visa at the Swiss embassy or consulate in their country of residence before entering; it takes at least 8 weeks and costs 60 euros, and you cannot study on a tourist visa. According to study in switzerland+, the application includes at least:

• proof of sufficient funds and health insurance that includes accident cover
• confirmation of admission to a recognised or accredited institution
• a study plan, a motivation letter, a CV and information on your language skills
• proof of accommodation and a commitment to leave Switzerland at the end of your studies

EU/EFTA nationals do not need authorisation for stays of up to 90 days in six months; for longer stays they must register with the cantonal authority within 14 days of arrival. Check the current rules with the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) before you apply.

Costs and funding

Tuition at public universities is relatively low: practically all universities charge between CHF 500 and CHF 2,000 per semester, and some charge international students slightly more. Living costs are high. The portal's sample student budget is CHF 1,850 a month (CHF 22,200 a year), including CHF 700 for accommodation, plus tuition; it notes that costs vary by region. Few bachelor's and master's students hold a scholarship, and most finance their studies through part-time work. The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are aimed at graduates, postgraduates and artists, and exchange students under the Swiss-European Mobility Programme receive CHF 380 to 440 a month.

Where to study

• Zurich: the University of Zurich describes itself as the country's largest university, with seven faculties and students and staff from more than 120 countries; ETH Zurich, the university for science and technology, dates back to 1855.
• Lucerne: the city with the most schools in our directory. Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), founded in 1997, is one of seven publicly funded universities of applied sciences, and the city also has the Universität Luzern and private hospitality and culinary schools.
• Lake Geneva region (Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux): international institutions, French-language universities and many hospitality and business schools. EHL, founded in Lausanne in 1893 as the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, also has campuses in Passugg and Singapore.
• Lugano: the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) teaches in the Italian-speaking south, with campuses in Lugano, Mendrisio and Bellinzona and 4,750 students from over 100 countries.
• Fribourg, Bern and Basel: the University of Fribourg is known for its bilingualism (French and German), and Bern and Basel have comprehensive universities.

Culture and practical life

Health insurance is mandatory for everyone living in Switzerland. International students may be exempted in some cases, for example non-EU students with equivalent private insurance, for up to three years at a time; an exemption must be requested within three months of taking up residence. International students may work up to 15 hours a week during the semester and full time during breaks; students from outside the EU/EFTA can start only six months after the beginning of their studies, and work must always be reported to the authorities. Winters can be cold and snowy, but summer temperatures on the Swiss plateau can exceed 30 to 35°C.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to study in Switzerland?

Public universities charge about CHF 500 to 2,000 per semester. The official sample budget for living costs is CHF 1,850 a month, excluding tuition, and varies by region.

Can I study in Switzerland in English?

Yes, especially at master's and PhD level. Bachelor's programmes are more often taught in German, French or Italian, and all universities require good knowledge of the language of instruction.

Do I need a visa to study in Switzerland?

Students from outside the EU/EFTA need a visa from the Swiss embassy or consulate before travelling; processing takes at least 8 weeks. EU/EFTA students register with the canton within 14 days of arrival.

Can I work while studying in Switzerland?

Yes, up to 15 hours a week during the semester and full time during breaks. Non-EU/EFTA students can start working six months after the start of their studies.

How do I know if a Swiss school is accredited?

The Swiss Accreditation Council keeps a list of accredited institutions. Only accredited institutions may call themselves a university, university of applied sciences or university of teacher education.