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Economics Schools and Programs in Switzerland

8 schools in Switzerland teach Economics.

Economics Studies in Switzerland

A tasty Swiss fondueA tasty Swiss fondue

Economics in Switzerland is taught mainly at the universities, in German, French, Italian or English depending on the region and the level of study. Degrees follow the Bologna structure used across Europe and are counted in ECTS credits.

How the degree is organised

Swiss higher education includes universities and universities of applied sciences and arts. According to the Study in Switzerland+ portal, the 12 universities have around 150,000 students and the 9 universities of applied sciences and arts around 95,000. Economics as an academic discipline (Volkswirtschaftslehre in German) is a university subject, often taught in the same faculty as business administration. The universities of applied sciences and arts offer practice-oriented business degrees.

A bachelor's degree takes three years of full-time study and 180 ECTS credits. A master's degree is worth 90 or 120 ECTS credits and takes one and a half to two years. A doctorate requires a master's degree.

Two examples show how this works in practice. At the University of Zurich (UZH), the bachelor's programme of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics consists, as a rule, of six semesters. Students take Economics as a major of 150 ECTS credits and add a minor of 30 ECTS credits. At the University of Bern, the Bachelor of Science in Economics has 180 ECTS credits and lasts six semesters. The Master of Science in Economics in Bern has 90 ECTS credits and lasts three semesters.

Languages of instruction

Swiss universities teach in English, German, French or Italian, or in a mix of a national language and English. Bachelor's degrees in economics are mostly taught in the language of the region:

  • the bachelor's degree in Bern is taught in German
  • the bachelor's degree in Economics at the University of Fribourg is taught in French or German
  • at the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano, the courses of the first three semesters are offered in both Italian and English
  • the Bachelor of Science in Economics and Data Science in Mobility at the Hochschule Luzern is offered only in German

English is more common at master's level. The Master of Science in Economics in Bern is taught in English, and the Master in Economics in Fribourg lists English, French and German as course languages. All Swiss universities require a good knowledge of the language of instruction.

Admission for international students

Switzerland does not have a centralised admission procedure. Each university sets its own criteria. For a bachelor's degree, the main requirement is an upper secondary school-leaving certificate that is considered equivalent to the Swiss Matura. The organisation swissuniversities publishes the requirements per country. UZH adds that students of economics need a basic understanding of mathematics and a command of English.

For a master's degree, the main requirement is a bachelor's degree in a specific field of study. Fribourg, for example, admits directly holders of a bachelor's degree in Economics from a Swiss university, or of a degree with at least 60 ECTS credits in the field, and assesses other applications individually.

Costs, visa and work

At public universities, students pay between CHF 500 and CHF 2,000 per semester in tuition fees, according to Study in Switzerland+. Some universities charge slightly higher fees for international students.

Students from outside the EU and EFTA must apply for a visa at the Swiss embassy or consulate in their country of residence before travelling. The portal states that issuing a visa takes at least eight weeks. Foreign students may work at most 15 hours per week during the semester; students from outside the EU and EFTA only after the first six months of study.

Where to study economics in Switzerland

Zurich. UZH offers Economics as a bachelor's major and minor. ETH Zurich has a four-semester Master of Science in Management, Technology, and Economics for graduates in engineering, mathematics, computer science or a natural science.

Bern, Basel and Fribourg. Bern and Fribourg both have bachelor's and master's degrees in economics. The University of Basel offers a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics, in which students can add a minor of at least 20 credit points.

Lugano and Lucerne. USI's Bachelor in Economics starts with a common part and then offers four specialisations: management, finance, political economy and quantitative methods. Franklin Switzerland, in nearby Sorengo, lists Economics and Finance among its majors. The Hochschule Luzern is the university of applied sciences and arts in this list.

Recognition and careers

Swiss degree programmes correspond to the European standard, and the ECTS system is designed so that study achievements are easily recognised in other countries.

According to UZH, the analytical and empirical skills of economics graduates are in demand in consulting firms, financial management, economic media, central banks and international organisations.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an economics degree take in Switzerland?

A bachelor's degree takes three years of full-time study (180 ECTS credits). A master's degree adds one and a half to two years (90 or 120 ECTS credits).

Can I study economics in English in Switzerland?

Mostly at master's level. The Master of Science in Economics at the University of Bern is taught in English, for example. Bachelor's degrees are usually taught in German, French or Italian, sometimes with courses in English.

How much are tuition fees for economics in Switzerland?

Public universities charge between CHF 500 and CHF 2,000 per semester, according to Study in Switzerland+. Some charge slightly more for international students.