Universities in Switzerland
You will regularly see many Swiss universities in the world’s top 100 ranked universities - most notably ETH Zurich, EPFL, the University of Zurich and the University of Geneva.
ETH Zurich, with a clear focus on technology, is often considered the best university in Switzerland. Originally founded in 1855, it is renowned for its cutting-edge research and its wide selection of courses in different areas of science and technology. There are more than 19,000 students enrolled here, with nearly 40% international students.
The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) was incorporated in 1853 and, like ETH, specialises in technology. The majority of courses are offered in French, but there are many Masters and Doctorate programmes offered in English.
With some 25,000 students, the University of Zurich is the largest institution of higher education in the country. You can choose from a selection of courses including science, law, philosophy, theology, medicine. Many of their Master’s degree programmes are offered in English.
Founded in 1559, the University of Geneva is the third oldest university in Switzerland, and also the third largest, with around 16,000 students. 40% of the student body are international.
The cost of living and studying in Switzerland
Swiss universities are heavily subsidised by the government. That essentially means that tuition fees are slightly lower when compared to other nations. Still, let's keep in mind that the tuition fees associated with private universities will normally be higher than their public counterparts. However, Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, with extremely high cost of living; especially when looking at major cities like Geneva or Zurich. So be sure to budget your finances properly.
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It can feel like there is a lot to organise and research when you apply to study in Switzerland. There isn’t a universal process or central system, so your journey will vary depending on your citizenship, programme, and university of choice. To help you work through this process in bite-sized steps, we’ve put together this guide on applications and visas.
If you haven’t quite decided which programmes to apply to yet, head to our guide ‘Study in Switzerland: preparing to apply’.
In Switzerland, students apply for degree programmes directly through each university. You can apply to as many universities as you like, but remember there’s often an application fee of around 100 CHF (90 EUR), and these can add up!
Most Swiss universities have their own online portal and registration process. You’ll share your email address with them, so use an appropriate address even if it means making a new email account! As you will receive emails from your university in the early stages of your account registration, make sure you check your ‘junk’ inbox; you don’t want to miss important emails about your application in future.
Universities may ask you to submit different documents depending on their process and your programme, so research thoroughly before you apply. You’ll generally be asked for the following documents:
If you’re an EU national, a national from the EFTA (Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland), or from the UK, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, or Singapore, you don’t need a visa to study in Switzerland. Instead, all you need is a valid passport or national ID card ready for your journey.
You’ll still need to apply for a residence permit within 14 days of arriving in Switzerland though. See our section on residence permits below.
All other international students
All other students from non-EU and EFTA countries must have a national ‘D’ visa to enter Switzerland. You’ll need to apply for this at your local Swiss embassy or consulate and pay a fee of 150-250 CHF (135-225 EUR). You will have prepared some of the documents you need for your visa in the application step above. In addition to these, you’ll need to get together and submit the following documents:
cover sheet for your visa application, listing the documents you have included in your submission
Study in Switzerland Consultantletter of acceptance from your university
proof of having paid your first tuition fee instalment
proof of language proficiency, if appropriate
a personal statement of motivation
a written pledge to exit Switzerland
proof of sufficient finances to cover the costs of studying and living in Switzerland
official translations of all documents that are not in German, English, French, or Italian
official translations of all documents that are not in German, English, French, or Italian
Most Swiss universities require international students to pay their first tuition fee instalment to confirm their acceptance of their place on a programme. You’ll be able to submit a bank statement or confirmation of purchase email from your university as evidence of this. If, like the University of Zurich, your university doesn’t ask for the first instalment to be paid until you enrol in person, they will provide you with a sheet to print off stating this as evidence when you submit your documents instead.
Your personal statement of motivation is a formal letter declaring the reasons you want to study in Switzerland and your future plans after finishing your degree. Your reasons might include the ambition to study a master’s programme afterwards, or the plan to follow a career path that needs a bachelor’s qualification. Your university’s international office will be able to advise you on this if you’re not sure what to write.
Your written pledge to exit Switzerland is a formal letter with your full name and home address. The letter states the programme to which you’ve been admitted, your start and end date, and the confirmation that you will leave Switzerland once your programme is completed. Your university will be able to provide you with a template for this letter.
The minimum ‘sufficient finances’ is set at 21,000 CHF (19,000 EUR) at the start of your studies. You’ll need proof of this money at the start of your later years of study when you renew your residence permit, so plan ahead for this. Proof of this can take two forms:
confirmation from a Swiss-domiciled bank (a foreign bank with a branch in Switzerland, or a Swiss bank with a branch in your home country) that you hold 21,000 CHF in an account with them.
a Guarantee Declaration from a person living in Switzerland, pledging to cover your costs of up to 21,000 CHF. Your university’s local Migration Office will be able to provide you with this form.
Unfortunately, letters of support from guardians or relatives will not be accepted. Nor will bank statements from international banks that do not have branches in Switzerland.
Once you’re ready to submit your documents, use the Swiss Immigration Office website to find out your next steps depending on your home country. These steps might include booking an appointment at a local embassy or continuing with an online application. This is a lot to arrange, so well done for making it this far!
proof of accommodation, in the form of a rental agreement or statement from a landlord you’re lodging with