Criteria you must know for studying in Switzerland
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Switzerland is located in the middle of Europe and is globally known for its amazing education and higher educational institutions are designed around a decentralized education system. Are you looking to study in Switzerland and are worried about the admission criteria? Then go through this complete article and know more about the country and the process to get into the universities.
Students from all over the world come to study here because of its multicultural, multilingual, top business organisations, and multinational companies. Many students dreamed of studying abroad and Switzerland has been a recent addition to the list. With its beautiful landscape, good infrastructure, and amiable culture, Switzerland is scored over many other education destinations. Before you take steps towards studying in Switzerland, you must know a few facts about education there to make an informed decision.
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Reasons to Study in Switzerland
Bachelor's and master's programs offered by top public universities in Switzerland are at almost no cost to students. The average fee at the HSG for foreign students amounts to 5560 Swiss Francs per year. The reason for this is that the government supports education. In addition to a recognised Bachelor's degree, students must have a good grade average and a language certificate depending on the master's program.
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Students applying to any of the Swiss universities or colleges will be evaluated by them, with a thorough scan being carried out to validate if their last qualification qualifies them to enrol for the first-cycle degree. Therefore, those who hold an upper secondary certificate, have a school leaving certificate and also are considered fit to pursue higher education in their own countries will be considered for further education in Switzerland. There might also be times when students may need to pursue some extra courses in order to study the main course.
Also Check: Apply to Universities in Switzerland
Eligibility Criteria to Study in Switzerland
Now, look at the criteria you must know for studying in Switzerland:
Admission to a Bachelor’s Program
A valid Swiss maturity certificate or an equivalent foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificate qualifying for university entrance is required for access to Swiss universities. Students have to complete the basic education of 10+2 from a recognised board.
Admission to a Master’s Program
A completed Bachelor's level program is required for access to a Master's program. Graduates of Bachelor's programs have access to certain Master's programs, as listed in the database available at uni-programme.ch. For PG, course candidates require the score of GRE/ GMAT exams.
Language Requirements
The universities require a good knowledge of the language of instruction. Students must submit their scores for English language proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL. At the Master's level especially, the universities offer an increasing number of study programs in English. For students who do not hold fully recognized certificates qualifying for university entrance, the admission requirements also include a university entrance examination.
Given below is a table featuring the top Swiss higher education institutes and their teaching langauges.
| English | German | French |
|---|---|---|
| University of St.Gallen |
||
| University of Neuchâtel |
University of Fribourg |
Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne |
| University of Fribourg |
University of Fribourg |
|
| Glion Institute of Higher Education |
University of Lucerne |
|
| University of Geneva |
University of Zurich |
University of Neuchâtel |
Top Universities to Study in Switzerland 2025
The best universities to study in Switzerland for 2024-25 are given below.
| Top 10 Universities in Switzerland |
|
|---|---|
| Universities |
QS World University Ranking 2025 |
| 7 |
|
| 26 |
|
| =109 |
|
| 131 |
|
| University of Geneva |
=155 |
| University of Bern |
161 |
| University of Lausanne |
=224 |
| USI - Universita della Svizzera italiana |
=405 |
| Universite de Fribourg |
=539 |
| Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) |
781-790 |
Popular Courses at Top Swiss Universities 2024-25
The table given below enlists the top Swiss colleges and the courses they are popular for.
| Courses at the Top Universities in Switzerland | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Management | Global MBA | Medicine |
| EHL Hospitality Business School, Lausanne | IMD, Lausanne | University of Zurich, Zurich |
| SHMS - Swiss Hotel Management School | St. Gallen, St. Gallen | ETH Zurich, Zurich |
| Les Roches Global Hospitality Management Education, Crans-Montana | United International Business Schools | University of Bern, Bern |
| Glion Institute of Higher Education, Glion-sur-Montreux | International Business Academy of Switzerland | University of Basel, Basel |
| Cesar Ritz Colleges Switzerland, Le Bouveret | University of Geneva, Geneva | |
| Hotel Institute Montreux, Montreux | University of Lausanne, Lausanne | |
| Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland, Le Bouveret | USI - Universita della Svizzera italiana, Lugano | |
| HTMi Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland, Sorenberg | ||
| International Management Institute Switzerland, Horw | ||
|
EHG - Ecole Hôtelière Geneve (Geneva Hotel Management School), Geneva
|
||
In Switzerland, not every university degree from India is accepted. You need to get your degree evaluated for this. Generally, WES-accredited institution (A or five-star) schools are accepted.
This was all about the eligibility requirements for studying in Switzerland. If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.
FAQs
Q. What do I need to study in Switzerland?
A. A filled and signed application form. A valid passport and passport-size photographs. High school diploma or previous academic transcripts and diplomas, if applicable. Language proficiency certificates in English, Italian, French, or German.
Q. How many scores do I require to study in Switzerland?
A. Minimum 65% in Class 12 (best of 4 subjects) IELTS score of 6 or more/TOEFL score of 90 or more.
Q. What language do I need to learn to study in Switzerland?
A. The vast majority of international students apply for either English, French, or German-taught degrees. Accepted evidence of proficiency for each language is German: DSH, TestDaF, OSD, telc, and others. French: DELF or DALF.
Q. Is it hard to get into Switzerland University?
A. Swiss admission requirements are relatively straightforward, but there can be many extra documents, such as a course transcript and personal essay, to submit as well.
Q. Can I go to Switzerland without IELTS?
A. Almost all institutions in Switzerland offer IELTS waivers for selected bachelor's and master's degree programs, provided they meet academic entry requirements. However, some universities in Switzerland allow students to Study in Switzerland without IELTS.
Q. What are the educational requirements to study in Switzerland?
A. Switzerland offers a high-quality education system and is a popular destination for international students. The specific educational requirements for studying in Switzerland can vary depending on the level of education you're pursuing and the university you choose. Below are some general requirements to study in Switzerland.
- High School Diploma or Equivalent: Most Swiss universities require a high school diploma or its equivalent from a recognized institution.
- Language Proficiency: Proficiency in German, French, or Italian is usually required, depending on the language of instruction at the university you choose. Language exams like TOEFL, IELTS, or DELF/DALF (for French) are often accepted.
- Application Documents: This typically includes transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Here are some specific requirements for different levels of study in Switzerland:
- Undergraduate Studies:
- Foundation Year: If your academic qualifications don't meet the direct entry requirements, you may be required to complete a foundation year.
- Direct Entry: For direct entry, you'll need to meet the specific requirements set by the university.
- Graduate Studies:
- Master's Programs: Typically require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
- Doctoral Programs: Usually require a master's degree and research experience.
Additional Requirements for Specific Universities:
- Entrance Exams: Some universities, especially for competitive programs like medicine or engineering, may require entrance exams.
- Interviews: Interviews can be part of the admission process for certain programs.
It's essential to check the specific requirements of the universities you're interested in. Their websites will provide detailed information on admission criteria, application deadlines, and necessary documents.
Q: What are the ETH Zurich requirements for international students?
Q: What is Switzerland universities acceptance rate for international students?
There are many top ranked universities in Switzerland that offer the best education to students. We have mentioned below Switzerland universities acceptance rate for international students:
| Switzerland Universities | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich | 27% |
| University of Zurich | 19% |
| University of Geneva | 21% |
| University of Fribourg | 8% |
Q: What are the IMI Switzerland top courses?
IMI Switzerland is a precise institute which offers undergraduate, graduate and Diploma courses across various disciplines of hospitality. Some of the top courses include:
- Msc in International Hospitality and Events
- Graduate Diploma in International Culinary Arts
- Graduate Diploma in Hotel & Events Management
- Bachelors of Arts with Honours Degree - Hospitality
- Swiss Advanced Diploma - Hotel Management
Q: Does IMI Switzerland offer any undergraduate course?
Yes, IMI Switzerland does offer one foundation course and three undergraduate courses across disciplines of Hospitality, Management, Business and Culinary Arts, namely;
1) Foundation Certificate in Hotel & Tourism Management
- Duration: Six Months
- Allows students a direct entry onto any IMI BA (Hons) degree programme
2) Bachelor of Arts with Honours Degree - Hospitality
- Duration: 3 years
- BA (Hons) Degree Awarded
3) Bachelor of Arts with Honours Degree - Business
- Duration: 3 years
- BA (Hons) Degree Awarded
4) Bachelor of Arts with Honours Degree - Culinary Arts
- Duration: 3 years
- BA (Hons) Degree Awarded
Q: Which programs at IMI Switzerland require work experience?
IMI Switzerland is an institute which is known for its programs across discplines of Hospitality, Management, Marketing and Business. The requirements to pursue a course in this institute are not very demanding but a few postgraduate courses do require work experience. These courses are:
1) Swiss Advanced Diploma - Hotel Management:
Requires high school Diploma or similar professional qualification and/or experience.
2) Graduate Diploma in Hotel & Events Management:
Requires bachelor's award in any discipline or a minimum three years of work experience.
3) Graduate Diploma in International Culinary Arts:
Requires bachelor's award in any discipline or a minimum three years of work experience.
Q: Is EU Business School accredited in Geneva, Switzerland?
Established in 1973, EU Business School is a private business school that was formerly known as the European University. The institute is accredited with some renowned bodies, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, CEEMAN International Quality Accreditation, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Q: What is IMI Switzerland Fees for international students?
The IMI Switzerland offers quality education at affordable tuition fees. The IMI International Management Institute Switzerland fees is around INR 12 L to INR 25 L as per the program. We have mentioned the IMI Switzerland fees for international students below:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
PG Diploma (2 courses) | INR 20.9 L |
BHM (1 course) | INR 22.8 L |
MIM (1 course) | INR 24.6 L |
BBA (2 courses) | INR 22.4 L - 22.8 L |
UG Diploma (1 course) | INR 12.3 L |
Q: How is applying to EPFL different from applying to other universities in Switzerland?
Applying to other Swiss universities is not the same as applying to EPFL. There are various reasons why this is the case:
Eligibility: EPFL has varied requirements for eligibility depending on the program. For example, consecutive Master's programs require a minimum average grade of 4.5 for the whole Bachelor's degree.
Application procedure: For various programs, EPFL offers distinct application procedures. Applicants who possess a Bachelor's degree in the same field of study from a Swiss university, for instance, are required to complete the entire online application process.
International diversity: With a current ranking of 12th in the world for international professors and 16th for foreign students, EPFL is well-known for its great international diversity.
Fees for instruction: Both Swiss and foreign students at EPFL pay comparatively little in tuition.
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You can check out popular universities in Switzerland, here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/switzerland You can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad experts for assistance with university admissions: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply
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Hello Shreya. You can check out popular universities in Switzerland, here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/switzerland You can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad experts for assistance with university admissions: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply
Check below the ETH Zurich requirements for international students: