Study in Neuchâtel, Switzerland
About Neuchâtel
Neuchâtel is a small city on the northern shore of Lake Neuchâtel, in the French-speaking west of Switzerland (Romandie). After merging with Corcelles-Cormondrèche, Peseux and Valangin, the municipality has around 45,000 inhabitants, according to the City of Neuchâtel, and about a third of residents are foreign nationals. The city rises from 430 metres at the lakeshore to 1,174 metres at Chaumont.
Neuchâtel suits students who want a quiet university town where French is the everyday language. It is especially known for French as a foreign language, taught at its university.
Studying in Neuchâtel
The city's main institution is the public Université de Neuchâtel (UniNE). It grew out of the Académie de Neuchâtel, founded in 1838, and became a university by decree on 18 May 1909. In the 2025-26 academic year it has 4,549 students in four faculties: humanities, sciences, law and economics. Most teaching is in French, and the university also offers master's programmes in English. Tuition is CHF 790 per semester for foreign students whose parents live abroad, and CHF 515 for students who count as Swiss residents.
The university's Institut de langue et civilisation françaises (ILCF) teaches French to non-native speakers in three stages: a preparatory year (CEFR level A2 to B1), a certificate (B1 to B2) and a diploma (B2 to C1). Application deadlines are 15 August for the autumn semester and 15 January for the spring semester. The ILCF also runs summer courses and lunchtime courses for beginners. Completing an ILCF programme does not give automatic access to a bachelor's degree at UniNE.
Our directory lists one school in Neuchâtel, IHTTI School of Hotel Management. According to Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS), IHTTI's students and staff moved to the SHMS campuses in Leysin and Caux in July 2019, and IHTTI is now part of SHMS, so its programmes are no longer taught in Neuchâtel.
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 700 for accommodation and CHF 90 for health insurance, and notes that costs vary by region.
Public transport is a strong point. With the subsidies of the city and the canton, an annual two-zone Onde Verte pass for young people aged 6 to 24 costs CHF 230.85 for residents of the city, according to the City of Neuchâtel. In general, an annual Onde Verte pass costs the same as nine monthly passes.
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
All public transport in the canton, including trains, the Littorail lakeside tram, buses and funiculars, uses the Onde Verte fare network with a single ticket; the city is in zone 10. The centre is compact and lies between the lake and the hillside, so funiculars help with the climb.
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
Is Neuchâtel a good place to learn French?
Yes. French is the everyday language, and the Université de Neuchâtel's ILCF offers a preparatory year, a certificate and a diploma in French language and civilisation, from level A2 to C1, plus summer courses for beginners.
How much does the Université de Neuchâtel cost?
Tuition is CHF 790 per semester for foreign students whose parents live abroad and CHF 515 for students who count as Swiss residents. Living costs come on top: the national portal study in switzerland+ estimates about CHF 1,850 per month.
Can I study hospitality at IHTTI in Neuchâtel?
No longer. According to SHMS, IHTTI moved its students to the SHMS campuses in Leysin and Caux in 2019 and is now part of SHMS.
Do I need a visa to study in Neuchâtel?
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.