Study in Switzerland

Study in Switzerland: Being home to over 7000 lakes and one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, Switzerland also has a top-ranked education system. Over the years, Switzerland’s education system has continued to secure a place among the top 10 or top 20 education systems in the world. 

The alpine mountain ranges and the crystal-clear lakes in Switzerland are a major attraction for visitors around the world. However, there is more to this cheese and chocolate-loving nation. In that case, Switzerland being one of the top countries with the best education systems in the world makes it a great study-abroad destination among international students. Switzerland is located in the Schengen zone and has been a neutral state since 1505 which resulted in the growth in the economy of the country.

Study in Switzerland 2024: Highlights

Why Study in Switzerland?

Surrounded by other popular nations like Liechtenstein, France, Germany and Austria, Switzerland is one of the safest countries to live in the world. The country is also very rich in terms of its economy, cultural heritage and beautiful scenery. International students coming to study in Switzerland not only get leveraged with its world-class universities listed among the top 100 universities in the world and top-tier education system but also get to visit the popular Swiss landscapes such as its alpine mountains, Jura mountains, Central Plateau and crystal clear lakes. 

On the other hand, Switzerland is also the business hub of Europe so students get ample amount of opportunities for networking with business people after the completion of their studies. The Swiss government also invests heavily in bringing excellence in education, research and science. 

Education System in Switzerland

The education system in Switzerland continues to make a place in the list of top 10 education systems in the world. The Swiss education system is divided into 3 parts namely, compulsory education, upper secondary level and the tertiary level. Switzerland has a total of 26 cantons each of which is responsible for its educational matters including compulsory education. 

The compulsory public education is free and takes 11 years for completion - 8 years at primary school (including 2 years of first learning cycle) and 3 years of secondary school. These schools and daily work are organised by the local municipalities and the medium of teaching remains French, German, Italian or Romansh, depending upon the location of the school in Switzerland. 

The upper secondary level, handled jointly by the cantons and federations, follows compulsory education and allows students to choose an apprenticeship. During this, the students spend the majority of their time in industry training and the remaining time in their studies. On the completion of their upper secondary level and obtaining a “maturity certificate”, students become eligible for higher education which forms the tertiary level of education in Switzerland.

Top Courses in Switzerland

While Switzerland is the business hub of Europe, the top universities in Switzerland are majorly popular for providing the best business education. For this reason, a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) is the most popular course among students willing to study in Switzerland. However, there are more courses for which Switzerland universities are famous. The top courses in Switzerland include:

• Business Studies,

• Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT),

• Engineering,

• Law, and 

• Medicine. 

How to Study in Switzerland?

The process of starting your higher education in Switzerland is pretty simple. The step-by-step procedure for studying in Switzerland is given below. 

• Start by looking for a degree programme: Look for the possible prospects, return on investment (ROI) and estimated budget for the course. Your chosen program should be the one that you would want to pursue as a profession for a lifetime. 

• Shortlist universities/colleges in Switzerland: Look for the top universities in Switzerland for your chosen specialisation. 

• Check out Scholarships: You may find all the information regarding scholarships on your university’s website.

• Check your eligibility for the course: Before proceeding to apply, make sure to check your eligibility to study in Switzerland. Match your qualifications with the requirements of the course, be it the language, grades or work experience required as per your chosen course. 

• Fill out the online application form: Once you are through with the eligibility of your chosen course, fill out the application form online of your finalised university by uploading the scanned copies (in the desired format - JPEG/PDF) of the required documents and making an online payment of the application fee.  

• Look for acceptance from the university: After filling out the application, look for the university’s acceptance email in your registered email ID. 

• Apply for a Swiss Study Visa: On receiving the acceptance from your university, apply for a Switzerland student visa and start managing your finances. 

Admission Requirements to Study in Switzerland

Below are the admission requirements to study in Switzerland as an international student. You can also create a checklist from the list given below, to be followed during your application process in the future. You will be required to keep the following documents ready when applying to a Swiss university. 

• Two passport-size photographs. 

• An updated CV

• Academic Transcripts

• SOP

• Passport Copy

• Language proficiency certificate (or marks)

Cost of Studying in Switzerland  

The Switzerland university fees are quite affordable in comparison to other countries. The average range of tuition fees for pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Switzerland is INR 10 to 25 lakhs, while that for a master’s in Switzerland can go up to 30-35 lakhs. However, students must take into consideration some additional costs like the cost of taking a language exam, application costs and living fees. The language proficiency exam and application fees may make a combined amount of INR 50,000, making the average cost of studying in Switzerland for international (Indian) students somewhere around INR 15-20 lakhs.

Switzerland Student Visa

To study in Switzerland, you will be required to apply for a Swiss study visa as soon as you receive confirmation from the university regarding your admission. The following documents are required for the Swiss student visa and should be submitted in the same exact order as given below. The requirements for a Switzerland student visa are given below.

Some additionally required documents for a Swiss study visa are:  

• A valid Residence Certificate (RC)  

• A valid return visa - the return visa may be submitted once the authorisation is received.

Study in Switzerland FAQs

Q. Is IELTS required for Switzerland student visa?

A. Yes, an English language proficiency certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL is mandatory for a Swiss study visa application. However, IELTS is more common in universities in Switzerland.

Q. Did Einstein study in Switzerland?

A. Yes, Einstein wanted to study in Switzerland rather than in Munich. He studied at ETH Zurich from 1896 to 1900 and graduated with a degree in Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Q. Can I study in Switzerland in English?

A. There are 4 official languages in use in Switzerland and international students can choose to study in any 3 of them. However, there are certain programs taught solely in English, so international students must look for such courses thoroughly before applying. 

Q. How much does it cost to study in Switzerland?

A. The average cost of studying in Switzerland ranges from INR 15-20 lakhs. However, students must also accommodate the living expenses of Switzerland (which is around INR 1.8 lakhs, per month) to their overall budget.

Q. Can American and EU students study in Switzerland?

A. Yes, Switzerland accepts all international students to receive their higher education in the country. However, the rules are not the same for all students for the EU students no visa is required to move and study in Switzerland (due to the Schengen agreement); while American students will have to apply for Visa D - Studies to study in Switzerland.