Criteria you must know for studying in Switzerland
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Criteria you must know for studying in Switzerland

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Priya
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Aug 31, 2024 22:39 IST

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.

Criteria you must know for studying in Switzerland

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.

Read:

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.

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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

EU Business School

University of St.Gallen

University of Geneva

University of Neuchâtel

University of Fribourg

Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne

University of Fribourg

University of Basel

University of Fribourg

Glion Institute of Higher Education

University of Lucerne

University of Lausanne

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

ETH Zurich 

7

EPFL

26

University of Zurich

=109

University of Basel

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?

A:

Check below the ETH Zurich requirements for international students:

  • Higher secondry certificate for bachelor's degree
  • Bachelor's degree for graduate admission
  • GPA (no minimum requirements)
  • English language proficiency scores
  • Additional test score of any GMAT/GRE (if required)
  • Letters of reference
  • Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement
  • Resume or CV

Q:   What are the IMI Switzerland top courses?

A:

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:   How to apply for IMI Switzerland admissions?

A:

To apply for IMI Switzerland admissions, international students need to fill the application form first and provide the personal detail. Students also need to submit the required documents as mentioned in the form. To complete the admission application, students need to follow below application process:

·      Complete online application form

·      Connect with our admission team

·      Provide the provisional letter of acceptance issued

·      Payment of registration fee

·      Submit your first instalment of your course fees

Also read: Criteria you must know for studying in Switzerland

Q:   What are IMI Switzerland requirements for international students?

A:

The IMI Switzerland requirements for international students are listed below:

·      Academic transcript

·      Passport copy

·      A English Language Proficiency test score of IELTS

·      A motivation letter

·      CV/ Resume

Q:   Does IMI Switzerland offer any undergraduate course?

A:

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?

A:

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:   Who are some of the IMI Switzerland notable alumni?

A:

IMI Switzerland has produced several distinguished alumni in the past years. This list includes the names of highly successful and leading professionals in the diverse fields of hospitality, such as:

AlumniProfession
Charmaine ShehActress
Signe Baldere-Sildedze

Member-Management Board at Olainfarm AS &

Director & Owner at SIA Louvre

Gusti Kanjeng Ratu BendaraInternet Personality

Q:   How many campuses does IMI Switzerland have?

A:

IMI has one small campus situated along the shores of Lake Luzern with spectacular scenes of the Alps, and the Rigi and Pilatus Mountains in Kastanienbaum. The campus features administrative offices, classrooms, eating joints, recreational spaces, and student accommodation units. IMI Library holds a collection of digital and printed resources of information, which can be used by students and faculty for learning, teaching, and research purposes. Featuring all the modern techniques and information resources, the institution aims at inspiring future students to engage in exciting fieldwork and meaningful research.

This campus also features a dining hall and lobby. Its training restaurant, known as the Swiss Room, serves fresh, healthy, and tasty food to students. The institution has a high-tech gymnasium that features fitness equipment and exercise spaces. IMI provides an on-campus housing facility to both boys and girls. Each room is fully furnished with a cupboard, refrigerator, kettle, modern study facilities, and 24-hour Internet connectivity. The institution also provides several off-campus housing options at a close distance from the site. A frequent bus service connects the campus to the vibrant city and the neighboring areas.

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Study Abroad Expert

Priya Garg is a seasoned content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-date. H... Read Full Bio

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Comments

(204)

I grew up in Switzerland with my family, due to some issues in the apprenticeship I went after two years out of four. So then I went to study in India in an international school doing the IGCSE syllabus in the 11th to try something new, but IGCSE was not the best option for me as I realized after ti

...more

Reply to Sevin Joy Thadathil

S

Santosh Nayak

11 months ago

I am employee of Nepal SBI Bank Ltd since 10 years. I want to apply for MBA in Switzerland. I have 62.57% in Bachelor and 51.40% in master degree. I have passed MBS in 2019 A.D. I have IELTS score of overall 6.00. Can I apply for the master degree in Switzerland?

Reply to Santosh Nayak

Hello Dear Sir/Mam My graduation marks is 5.18 CGPA and Ielts score is 6.5 overall and have experience in customer support in 3 different firms . I want to pursue for HRM or Diploma in business management or any leadership skills. May I know that this graduation score is under eligibility or averag

...more

Reply to Prabhjeet Singh

s

sindhu videsh

a year ago

how much gap accepted in switzerland?

Reply to sindhu videsh

R

Rahul Singha

a year ago

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

R

Rahul Singha

a year ago

Hello Sindhu. Gaps are treated on a case-to-case basis. If you have been employed in a similar field of study during your gap year(s) and you have proof of the same. I am sure your preferred university would be happy to consider your application. Given that your university accepts gap years.

S

Shreya Rathi

a year ago

i have completed my bhms from muhs and wish to do the masters in switzerland are there any universities for the same

Reply to Shreya Rathi

R

Rahul Singha

a year ago

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