Switzerland has twelve public universities offering a wide range of first-rate educational opportunities to national and international students. ETH Zurich and EPFL, the two federal institutes of technology, are world leaders in science and engineering education, and research.
The ten cantonal (state) universities not only provide comprehensive courses in diverse fields of study, but also conduct cutting-edge research. Scientists in Switzerland produce research of the highest quality worldwide, i.e. with the largest number of citations per publication. So, research-based master’s and Ph.D. degrees from a Swiss university offer a good starting point for an academic career.
Excellent programs providing applied education are offered by the eight universities of applied sciences and the fifteen universities of teacher education. Moreover, Switzerland is home to several outstanding special institutes in the areas of international affairs, public administration, finance, and hotel management. There is a vast choice of educational opportunities for international students with many programs, especially at the master’s degree and Ph.D. levels, taught in English.
Apart from that, Switzerland is an excellent location for living, studying, and working. It is located in the heart of Europe and its cultural variety, beautiful landscape, and innovative environment offer first-class surroundings both for your well-being and career advancement. Certainly, chocolate and mountains will be part of your experience, but you will quickly discover the country’s international setting offers numerous premium opportunities for studying and researching.
Switzerland has a largely decentralized education system. Most decisions on the running of primary and secondary schools are taken at cantonal level. It is also the cantons which provide the bulk of the financing.
Switzerland divides its education system into primary, secondary and tertiary levels. At every level there are educational possibilities open to foreigners.
The primary and first secondary levels are the stages of compulsory schooling, which lasts for nine years. The second secondary level is the post-compulsory stage. More than 50% of young people chose a practical vocational training, which lasts up to four years.
The tertiary stage covers universities and higher vocational training
University-level education follows the bachelor-master system. Like other countries, Switzerland wants to make it easier to move between universities, and in 1999 signed the so-called Bologna declaration. Reforms aimed at standardizing the structure of studies and of degrees should have been completed by 2010.
Switzerland Colleges accept either IELTS or TOEFL scores as a proof of English Proficiency. Diploma programs require an IELTS Overall band score of 5.0 Post Graduate Diploma programs require 5.5 bands Bachelors & Masters Programs require an Overall band score of 6.0
Tuition fees vary depending on the institution and the study programme: Average Fees Diploma Programs: CHF 18,500/- Bachelors & Post Graduate Diploma: CHF 20,500/- MBA: 24,000/-
Living expenses range between CHF 19,000- and 29,000 per year depending on the location of the university and personal demands.