Study in Switzerland

Study in the heart of Europe. Home to some of the highest-ranked universities in the world, stunning alpine scenery, and unparalleled living standards. Public tuition is incredibly low, though living costs are premium.

Universities in Switzerland

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Review legal working hours and average student wages in this country.

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Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities globally, famously associated with Albert Einstein and leading the world in STEM.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 1,460
Acceptance Rate27%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

MSc in Computer Science
MasterComputer Science & IT🎓 IELTS 6.5+2 YearsCHF 1,460/yr
MSc in Physics
MasterEngineering🎓 IELTS 6.5+2 YearsCHF 1,460/yr

The sister institution to ETH Zurich, located in the French-speaking region, highly specialized in engineering and technology.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 1,460
Acceptance Rate20%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

MSc in Robotics
MasterEngineering🎓 IELTS 6.5+2 YearsCHF 1,460/yr

University of Zurich (UZH)

🏆 QS World Rank #91
Public

The largest university in Switzerland, offering the widest range of degree programs and strong research output in medicine and economics.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 1,440 - CHF 2,440
Acceptance Rate35%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

Master in Quantitative Finance
MasterBusiness & Finance🎓 IELTS 6.5+2 YearsCHF 2,440/yr

University of Geneva (UNIGE)

🏆 QS World Rank #128
Public

Located in the international hub of Geneva, incredibly strong in international relations, law, and diplomacy.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 1,000
Acceptance Rate30%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

Master in International Affairs
MasterHumanities & Social Sciences🎓 IELTS 6.5+2 YearsCHF 1,000/yr

University of Bern

🏆 QS World Rank #126
Public

Situated in the Swiss capital, offering a diverse array of studies and renowned for its space research programs.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 1,560 - CHF 1,960
Acceptance Rate40%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

MSc in Climate Sciences
MasterHealthcare & Life Sciences🎓 IELTS 6.5+2 YearsCHF 1,960/yr

University of Basel

🏆 QS World Rank #124
Public

The oldest university in Switzerland (founded 1460), deeply connected with the local pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 1,700
Acceptance Rate45%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

MSc in Drug Sciences
MasterHealthcare & Life Sciences🎓 IELTS 6.5+2 YearsCHF 1,700/yr

University of Lausanne (UNIL)

🏆 QS World Rank #206
Public

Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, sharing a massive campus with EPFL, strong in biology, criminology, and business.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 1,160
Acceptance Rate50%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

Master in Management
MasterBusiness & Finance🎓 IELTS 6.5+2 YearsCHF 1,160/yr

University of St. Gallen (HSG)

🏆 QS World Rank #436
Public

One of Europe’s leading business schools, famous for its rigorous economics, finance, and management degrees.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 6,258 - CHF 6,658
Acceptance Rate20%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

Master in Strategy and International Management
MasterBusiness & Finance🎓 IELTS 6.5+1.5 YearsCHF 6,658/yr
Public

The only Italian-speaking university in Switzerland, with a very international faculty and highly focused on architecture, communication, and IT.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 4,000 - CHF 8,000
Acceptance Rate55%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

Master in Software and Data Engineering
MasterComputer Science & IT🎓 IELTS 6.5+2 YearsCHF 8,000/yr

University of Fribourg

🏆 QS World Rank #571
Public

The only bilingual university in Switzerland (French and German), offering unique perspectives in humanities, theology, and law.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 1,610 - CHF 1,910
Acceptance Rate60%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

Master in European Business
MasterBusiness & Finance🎓 IELTS 6.5+2 YearsCHF 1,910/yr

Consistently ranked as the absolute best hospitality management school in the world.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 35,000 - CHF 42,000
Acceptance Rate30%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

Bachelor in International Hospitality Management
BachelorBusiness & Finance🎓 IELTS 6.5+4 YearsCHF 42,000/yr

An elite private hospitality management school located in Montreux overlooking Lake Geneva.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 35,000 - CHF 40,000
Acceptance Rate40%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

BBA in International Hospitality Business
BachelorBusiness & Finance🎓 IELTS 6.5+3.5 YearsCHF 38,000/yr

A premium hospitality school known for its massive global alumni network and hands-on practical training.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 32,000 - CHF 38,000
Acceptance Rate45%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

BBA in Global Hospitality Management
BachelorBusiness & Finance🎓 IELTS 6.5+3.5 YearsCHF 36,000/yr

An exclusive, world-leading business school in Lausanne focusing strictly on executive education and MBAs.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 97,500
Acceptance Rate25%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
MasterBusiness & Finance🎓 IELTS 6.5+1 YearsCHF 97,500/yr

An independent, highly prestigious postgraduate institution focusing on international relations and development studies.

Tuition Fee (Per Year)CHF 8,000
Acceptance Rate20%
Min. IELTS Required6.5 Band

Top Programs

Master in International and Development Studies
MasterHumanities & Social Sciences🎓 IELTS 6.5+2 YearsCHF 8,000/yr

Scholarships

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

Amount: Monthly stipend of CHF 1,920 (PhD/Research) to CHF 3,500 (Postdoc) + tuition exemption

Deadline: Usually September to December (varies by country)

Aimed at young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree or PhD and at foreign artists holding a bachelor’s degree.

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ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)

Amount: CHF 12,000 per semester + tuition fee waiver

Deadline: December 15

Highly competitive scholarship for outstanding students pursuing a Master's degree at ETH Zurich.

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EPFL Excellence Fellowships

Amount: CHF 10,000 per semester (up to 4 semesters)

Deadline: April 15

Fellowships offered by EPFL to students with outstanding academic records who are applying for a Master's program.

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Quality of Life & Environment

Get a feel for the daily environment and safety standards in Switzerland.

Climate & Weather

Varies by region. Check specific city details.

Safety & Peace Index

High

Working While Studying

Information on student work rights and average earnings in Switzerland.

Legal Working Hours

20-30 hours/week

Minimum Wage / Earnings

€10 - €15/hour

Post-Graduation & ROI

Explore career opportunities and earning potential after graduation in Switzerland.

Post-Study Work Visa

6 Months (Job Search Visa)

Average Starting Salary

€35,000 - €45,000/year

Visa & Immigration Rules

As an international student, you must adhere to the official embassy requirements below.

National Visa D (Study)

Official Document

Non-EU/EFTA students must apply for a Visa D. Requires proof of sufficient financial means (approx. CHF 21,000 per year) and a motivation letter outlining how the study benefits your future career.

View Official Source →