Switzerland
Research universities and applied study across a multilingual system.
Study overview
Switzerland has research universities, universities of applied sciences and teacher-education institutions. Programme language and foreign-qualification requirements differ across the multilingual system. Low tuition at one provider does not describe the full cost of Swiss study.
Public-Sector Guide / Year
Two-semester annualisation of the national portal's CHF 500-4,000 semester guide, not a ceiling. Institution and fee category matter; private and continuing-education programmes differ.
Portal Example / Month
National portal’s illustrative student budget, before tuition. Actual rent, insurance and initial deposits can raise the total.
Typical degree length: Bachelor’s usually 3 years; consecutive master’s usually 1.5–2 years.
Fields: Engineering; life sciences; finance; hospitality; international studies; design.
Study and admission
Qualifications and admission
Institution type, school qualification and teaching language determine the Swiss study route.
Choosing a recognised institution
Switzerland has research universities, universities of applied sciences and arts, and universities of teacher education. Institutional accreditation under the Higher Education Act protects the use of these designations and their derived forms. The swissuniversities list is a useful starting point, but the Swiss Accreditation Council makes accreditation decisions. A private school’s location in Switzerland or an international business-school label does not, by itself, establish its Swiss status. Check the awarding institution and the specific qualification; professional licensing and admission to further study involve additional decisions beyond institutional accreditation.
Degrees and academic workload
A standard Swiss bachelor’s degree carries 180 ECTS credits and normally takes three years of full-time study. A consecutive master’s commonly requires 90 or 120 credits over one and a half or two years. One full academic year represents 60 credits, with each credit corresponding to approximately 25–30 hours of total work, including independent study. Professional and specialist routes can differ. Compare the qualification title and admission purpose carefully: a continuing-education award is not automatically interchangeable with a consecutive academic master’s when applying for further study.
Assessing a foreign qualification
There is no single centralised application for admission to all Swiss universities. Each institution evaluates applicants under its own rules. Bachelor’s entry depends on an upper-secondary certificate comparable to the Swiss school-leaving qualification, sometimes with specified subjects, minimum grades, prior university admission or an additional examination. The swissuniversities country tables provide a useful overview, but the university’s decision is decisive. Master’s admission considers a relevant recognised first degree and its academic content. A general eligibility statement should therefore be checked against the precise programme and the intended entry year.
Languages and selection requirements
Teaching language is a practical admission requirement, not a detail to resolve after arrival. German, French and Italian remain important at bachelor’s level, while English is common in selected master’s programmes. ETH Zurich, for example, teaches its bachelor’s programmes principally in German and publishes specific language-certificate rules. Some applicants must also complete its reduced or comprehensive entrance examination. Other institutions may require the ECUS supplementary examination or their own selection. Medical admission is particularly restricted. Book a language or entrance test only after confirming the university’s accepted evidence and applicable route.
Official references
Costs and daily study
Moderate tuition at some institutions still requires careful provision for Swiss living costs.
Building the full budget
Tuition depends on the institution, student category and programme. ETH Zurich currently distinguishes CHF 730 and CHF 2,190 per semester, with the higher category applying where the published exemption criteria are not met; nationality alone does not settle every case. The national study portal’s illustrative living budget totals CHF 1,850 monthly before tuition, but actual housing and insurance can change it considerably. Add travel, residence formalities, deposits and initial purchases. A semester fee is not an annual fee, and an advertised scholarship should not be counted before a written award is secured.
Finding housing and arranging insurance
Student residences have limited capacity, and relatively few institutions accommodate students directly on campus. Shared flats and private rentals are common alternatives. Start through the university’s housing advice and recognised local providers; compare the total rent, deposit, utilities, transport and contract period. An admission offer does not reserve a room. Health-insurance arrangements also require attention before the move: eligibility for a student product or an exemption depends on personal circumstances and the competent authority. Obtain written confirmation of coverage rather than assuming an overseas policy will automatically meet Swiss requirements.
Learning and assessment
Swiss programmes expect active participation, independent reading and the ability to explain and defend an argument. Seminars, presentations, laboratory work and group projects can complement lectures and examinations. Research universities connect teaching with disciplinary research, while applied-sciences programmes emphasise practical problems and projects; teacher education includes professional practice. Read module descriptions and assessment regulations at the start of each semester. Credit load measures total work, so a timetable with few classroom hours may still involve extensive preparation. Clarify deadlines, citation expectations and permitted collaboration before submitting assessed work.
Residence and paid work
Admission and immigration permission are separate decisions. Foreign nationals staying longer than three months generally need a residence permit, and visa requirements depend on nationality and circumstances. Follow the Swiss representation and the relevant canton’s current instructions before travel. The national study portal describes limited student employment, normally up to 15 hours weekly during term, with notification or permission requirements; non-EU/EFTA students generally face an initial six-month waiting period. Confirm exceptions and employer obligations with the competent authority. Part-time earnings should not be treated as guaranteed funding, and graduation does not automatically confer unrestricted work rights.
Entrance and language assessments
ETH entrance examination
Applies to: Bachelor’s applicants assigned an examination route by ETH.
Reduced and comprehensive examinations address different qualification profiles. The country-specific admission conditions determine which route, if any, is required. Language evidence and the examination timetable are separate requirements.
ECUS supplementary examination
Applies to: Applicants whose university and school-qualification combination requires ECUS.
An additional academic entrance assessment used in specified admission routes. It is not a test required of every international applicant; obtain the university’s admission assessment before preparing or registering.
https://www.swissuniversities.ch/en/topics/studying/admission-to-universities/countries-1
Teaching-language evidence
Applies to: Programmes requiring proof of German, French, Italian or English.
Accepted certificates, minimum scores, validity and exemptions are institution-specific. ETH publishes German certificate requirements for bachelor’s entry; English-language qualifications do not substitute for German on a German-taught route.
https://ethz.ch/de/studium/bachelor/bewerbung/auslaendische-reifezeugnisse/sprachanforderungen.html
Scholarships and funding routes
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Support: Published 2027/28 terms provide CHF 2,450 monthly for one person, with specified additional benefits; tuition and semester fees are not covered.
Eligibility: Eligible-country applicants meeting the relevant research or arts requirements; research applicants need an appropriate Swiss academic supervisor.
Application: Country-specific awards and deadlines apply. Applications use SERI’s GO ESKAS portal; no email or paper submissions.
Conditions: Not a general bachelor’s or taught-master’s scholarship. No family allowance; fieldwork, conference costs and some fees remain the scholar’s responsibility.
ETH Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Programme
Support: Tuition waiver and CHF 12,000 per semester under current terms; ETH has published CHF 13,500 per semester from autumn 2027.
Eligibility: Outstanding bachelor’s results, normally top 10%; applicants already holding a master’s or enrolled in an ETH master’s are excluded.
Application: Apply through eApply in the first master’s application window with the required thesis pre-proposal and references.
Conditions: Competitive awards cover the regular three- or four-semester master’s programme. Each intake has its own application window and award allocation.
EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships
Support: CHF 10,000 per semester under published terms, with a student-room reservation for eligible external candidates.
Eligibility: Academic merit guides selection. Prior master’s graduates and students already enrolled in an EPFL master’s are ineligible.
Application: For 2027, external candidates apply in the first master’s window; internal candidates follow the relevant EPFL procedure.
Conditions: Tuition, rent and other expenses remain payable by the student. Renewal requires the published credit and grade thresholds; a room reservation is not free accommodation.
University of Geneva Science Excellence Master Fellowships
Support: CHF 10,000–15,000 per year under the published scheme, renewable for the normal degree duration subject to successful progress.
Eligibility: Excellent bachelor’s students who meet admission requirements for a participating science master’s; selection is competitive.
Application: Begin the university enrolment procedure and submit the separate online fellowship file with the requested academic documents and references.
Conditions: The fellowship is for new entrants; students already enrolled on the science master’s cannot newly apply. Application dates are set in the call for the relevant entry cohort.
Selected university profiles
Selected directory of accredited institutions. The Swiss Accreditation Council makes accreditation decisions; professional recognition and programme admission require separate checks.
swissuniversities accredited Swiss higher education institutions
ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich combines scientific and engineering education with research across departments ranging from architecture and computer science to environmental systems and health sciences. Its Zurich teaching sites include the central campus and Hönggerberg. Bachelor’s teaching is principally in German, while many master’s programmes use English. Research projects and a substantial thesis form part of postgraduate study. Applicants should read the subject-specific academic requirement profile as well as the general admission conditions.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computer science; Architecture; Natural sciences; Environmental sciences
- Address
- Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
- Website
- https://ethz.ch/
EPFL
EPFL offers polytechnic education in basic sciences, engineering and architecture, with its main campus near Lausanne and additional research locations elsewhere in Switzerland. Bachelor’s study establishes scientific foundations; master’s programmes allow more specialised and interdisciplinary work. Discovery Learning Laboratories support practical experiments and projects. The institution’s research groups work across quantitative, technological and design subjects. Applicants should check the teaching language and admission route for their particular qualification rather than treating all EPFL programmes alike.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Architecture; Computer science; Mathematics; Life sciences
- Address
- EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; postal deliveries require the relevant unit and station
- Website
- https://www.epfl.ch/
University of Zurich
The University of Zurich is a comprehensive institution with faculties covering theology, law, business and economics, medicine, veterinary medicine, arts and social sciences, and science. Its academic breadth supports combinations and research connections across disciplines. The joint UZH–ETH Language Center provides language-learning opportunities, while university services support mobility and student activities. Degree applicants should distinguish the university’s central admission process from faculty rules governing modules, examinations and subject-specific progression.
- Subjects
- Medicine; Law; Economics; Humanities; Natural sciences
- Address
- Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Website
- https://www.uzh.ch/en.html
University of Basel
Founded in 1460, the University of Basel combines a broad curriculum with a substantial life-sciences and medical research base in the Basel region. Humanities, social sciences, law and economics sit alongside natural-science disciplines. Its research environment connects questions in health and technology with legal, cultural and societal perspectives. The institution provides bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral study; applicants should use the relevant faculty’s curriculum to identify prerequisites, language expectations and the precise balance of compulsory and optional study.
- Subjects
- Life sciences; Medicine; Humanities; Law; Economics
- Address
- Petersplatz 1, Postfach, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
- Website
- https://www.unibas.ch/en.html
University of Bern
The University of Bern offers a comprehensive range of disciplines in Switzerland’s capital. Research and teaching include climate science, space, medicine and sustainable development alongside humanities and social sciences. Many bachelor’s courses use German, whereas selected master’s programmes in areas such as climate science, economics and biomedical engineering are offered in English. International applicants should check the programme language carefully and distinguish degree admission from exchange arrangements, which operate through separate mobility procedures.
- Subjects
- Climate science; Medicine; Space science; Humanities; Economics
- Address
- Hochschulstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Website
- https://www.unibe.ch/index_eng.html
University of Geneva
The University of Geneva brings together nine faculties and interdisciplinary centres in a city with numerous international organisations. Its teaching spans science, medicine, humanities, social sciences, economics and management, law, theology, psychology and education, and translation and interpreting. Cross-disciplinary provision includes international studies and environmental questions. Programme structure and language vary by subject and level. Students interested in a professional field should check its admission and recognition requirements separately from the university’s general enrolment rules.
- Subjects
- International relations; Translation; Law; Science; Medicine
- Address
- Rue du Général-Dufour 24, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Website
- https://www.unige.ch/en/
University of Lausanne
The University of Lausanne is a publicly funded research university whose principal campus lies beside Lake Geneva. Its subjects include business, economics, life sciences, medicine, earth and environmental sciences, humanities and social sciences. French is important across its degree provision, while selected master’s programmes are taught in English. Research extends to fields such as genomics, environmental law and forensic science. Applicants should confirm the location and language of their specific programme before planning accommodation and daily travel.
- Subjects
- Business; Life sciences; Environmental studies; Humanities; Social sciences
- Address
- Dorigny campus, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Website
- https://www.unil.ch/
University of Fribourg
The University of Fribourg operates in a bilingual French- and German-speaking academic environment, with buildings integrated into the city. Many subjects can be studied in either language or through a bilingual combination; some international programmes use English. Its academic range includes law, economics, humanities, natural sciences and theology. Bilingual study annotations have defined credit requirements, so students should confirm the rules for their degree rather than assuming that simply taking one second-language module is sufficient.
- Subjects
- Law; Economics; Humanities; Science; Theology
- Address
- Avenue de l’Europe 20, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
- Website
- https://www.unifr.ch/
University of St.Gallen
The University of St.Gallen combines business and economics with law, international affairs, computer science and related disciplines. Its Contextual Studies component places specialised subjects alongside social, cultural and historical perspectives. Teaching and research are organised through schools and institutes with links to professional practice. Applicants should examine the assessment-year structure, language of study and selection rules for their applicant category. A programme’s business focus does not remove the wider academic and contextual requirements within its curriculum.
- Subjects
- Business; Economics; Law; International affairs; Computer science
- Address
- Dufourstrasse 50, 9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland
- Website
- https://www.unisg.ch/en/
Università della Svizzera italiana
Università della Svizzera italiana operates across Lugano, Mendrisio and Bellinzona in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Its faculties and institutes cover architecture, communication and culture, economics, informatics, biomedical sciences and theology. Italian and English are used in its programmes, with the balance depending on subject and level. The Academy of Architecture is based in Mendrisio, while other activities occupy different sites. Students should therefore identify their teaching campus before comparing housing and commuting options.
- Subjects
- Architecture; Communication; Economics; Informatics; Biomedical sciences
- Address
- Via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Website
- https://www.usi.ch/en
Further institutions
| Institution | Location and type | Official website | Book page |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Lucerne | Lucerne / Public university | https://www.unilu.ch/en/ | 201 |
| University of Neuchâtel | Neuchâtel / Public university | https://www.unine.ch/ | 201 |
| Bern University of Applied Sciences | Bern / Biel / Burgdorf / Public university of applied sciences | https://www.bfh.ch/en/ | 201 |
| University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland | Windisch / Basel / Muttenz / Olten / Public university of applied sciences | https://www.fhnw.ch/en | 201 |
| HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland | Delémont / multiple western Swiss campuses / Public university of applied sciences | https://www.hes-so.ch/en/ | 201 |
| Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences | Zurich / Private university of applied sciences | https://www.kalaidos-fh.ch/de-CH | 201 |
| Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts | Lucerne / Horw / Rotkreuz / Public university of applied sciences | https://www.hslu.ch/en/ | 201 |
| OST Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences | St.Gallen / Rapperswil / Buchs / Public university of applied sciences | https://www.ost.ch/en/ | 201 |
| University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland | Manno / Lugano / Mendrisio / Locarno / Public university of applied sciences | https://www.supsi.ch/en | 201 |
| University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons | Chur / Public university of applied sciences | https://www.fhgr.ch/en/ | 201 |
| Zurich University of the Arts | Zurich / Public university of the arts | https://www.zhdk.ch/en/zurich-university-of-the-arts-1 | 201 |
| Zurich University of Applied Sciences | Winterthur / Zurich / Wädenswil / Public university of applied sciences | https://www.zhaw.ch/en/university | 201 |
| Bern University of Teacher Education | Bern / Public university of teacher education | https://www.phbern.ch/ | 201 |
| Lucerne University of Teacher Education | Lucerne / Public university of teacher education | https://www.phlu.ch/ | 201 |
| Zurich University of Teacher Education | Zurich / Public university of teacher education | https://phzh.ch/en/ | 201 |
| St.Gallen University of Teacher Education | St.Gallen / Gossau / Rorschach / Public university of teacher education | https://www.phsg.ch/de | 201 |
| Schwyz University of Teacher Education | Goldau / Public university of teacher education | https://www.phsz.ch/ | 201 |
| Zug University of Teacher Education | Zug / Public university of teacher education | https://www.zg.ch/behoerden/direktion-fur-bildung-und-kultur/phzg/ | 201 |
| Vaud University of Teacher Education | Lausanne / Public university of teacher education | https://www.hepl.ch/accueil.html | 201 |
| Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training | Zollikofen / Lausanne / Lugano / Federal university of teacher education | https://www.sfuvet.swiss/ | 201 |