Study in Luzern, Switzerland

About Luzern

Lucerne (Luzern in German) is the main city of Central Switzerland, on the shore of Lake Lucerne with the Alps in view. It lies in the German-speaking part of the country, the largest language community in Switzerland; in daily life people speak Swiss German, a group of Alemannic dialects, while teaching and writing use standard German.

The city is compact and well connected by rail, which makes it a practical base for students who want a smaller city than Zurich or Geneva. Two public institutions, a university and a university of applied sciences, give it a sizeable student population alongside private hospitality schools.

Studying in Lucerne

Our directory lists four universities and higher-education schools in Lucerne. Examples:

• The Universität Luzern (University of Lucerne) has existed as a modern university only since 2000 and describes itself as Switzerland's youngest university, with around 4,100 students. Its six faculties cover theology, humanities and social sciences, law, economics and management, health sciences and medicine, and behavioural sciences and psychology. Its building is next to the main station and the KKL concert hall. Most programmes are taught in German; the Master's in Health Sciences is taught entirely in English.
• The Hochschule Luzern (Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, HSLU), founded in 1997, is one of seven publicly funded universities of applied sciences in Switzerland and is overseen by six Central Swiss cantons. Universities of applied sciences offer practice-oriented degrees; some fields, such as music, film, art and design, are taught only at this type of institution in Switzerland.
• BHMS Business & Hotel Management School offers fast-track degrees in business, hospitality and culinary arts, with internships guaranteed during studies and dual degrees with Robert Gordon University. Since August 2025 it also has a campus in Zurich.

All Swiss universities require a good knowledge of the language of instruction, so German is needed for most public programmes. Most universities offer free language courses to enrolled international students.

Cost of living for students

Switzerland is not a cheap country to live in. The national portal study in switzerland+ gives a sample student budget of CHF 1,850 per month, including CHF 90 for health insurance, and notes that costs vary by region. Tuition at Swiss public universities ranges from CHF 500 to CHF 4,000 per semester.

For housing, the University of Lucerne points to the Student Mentor Foundation Lucerne, which offers 280 units in studios and shared flats in the city, from CHF 480 per month including utilities, internet and furniture.

Local buses and trains use the Passepartout fare network. A monthly pass for zone 10 (the city area) costs CHF 61 with the Junioren-Abo, available up to the 25th birthday, and CHF 83 for adults (second class). Students may work up to 15 hours per week during term and full time in the semester breaks; students from outside the EU/EFTA may start only six months after their studies begin.

Getting around and daily life

The city centre is walkable, and the Verkehrsbetriebe Luzern (VBL) carry around 50 million passengers a year on their bus and trolleybus network. Lucerne station is a rail hub for Central Switzerland, with frequent connections to the rest of the country.

Students from outside the EU/EFTA need a visa from the Swiss embassy or consulate before arrival; it takes at least eight weeks, and it is not possible to study on a tourist visa. EU/EFTA citizens must register with the cantonal authority within 14 days of arrival for longer stays.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Lucerne?

The two public institutions are the Universität Luzern, a university with six faculties, and the Hochschule Luzern (HSLU), a university of applied sciences. Private schools such as BHMS teach business and hospitality.

Can I study in English in Lucerne?

Partly. Most programmes at the Universität Luzern are taught in German, but its Master's in Health Sciences is taught entirely in English. Private hospitality schools teach international programmes.

How much does student housing cost in Lucerne?

Rooms from the Student Mentor Foundation Lucerne start at CHF 480 per month, including utilities, internet and furniture. The national student budget from study in switzerland+ is about CHF 1,850 per month in total.

Do I need a visa to study in Lucerne?

Students from outside the EU/EFTA need a student visa before entering Switzerland, which takes at least eight weeks. EU/EFTA citizens register with the canton within 14 days of arrival.