Universities in Switzerland

Swiss higher education is divided into two types of institutions: cantonal universities and federal institutes of technology — ETH Zurich and EPFL. Cantonal universities are funded by the cantons and charge fees that vary by region and citizenship. At the University of Bern, from the autumn semester of 2026, Swiss students pay CHF 850 per semester, while international students pay an additional CHF 1,700, totalling CHF 2,550. ETH Zurich charges CHF 730 for local students and CHF 2,190 for international students; EPFL follows a similar scheme. The University of St. Gallen, specialising in business and economics, sets higher rates: from the autumn semester of 2026, tuition for international undergraduate students is now CHF 3,343.50 per semester. At the University of Geneva and the University of Lausanne, fees are the same for all categories — CHF 435 and CHF 500 respectively, making them among the most affordable options for international students in Switzerland.

The strengths of Swiss universities are concentrated in engineering, computer science, natural sciences, and finance. ETH Zurich and EPFL consistently rank in global league tables, and their research laboratories work closely with industrial consortia. Admission requires a secondary school certificate or diploma with a transcript, a language certificate — IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL 90–100 for English-taught programmes, a B2 level of German or French for programmes in the national languages — and proof of financial capacity. Students can work during their studies and, after graduation, stay in the country for up to six months to look for work.

In our catalogue, you can explore the Swiss universities most popular among applicants — those which offer programmes for international students.