Most Swiss universities require international students to pay their first tuition fee instalment to confirm their acceptance of their place on a programme. You’ll be able to submit a bank statement or confirmation of purchase email from your university as evidence of this. If, like the University of Zurich, your university doesn’t ask for the first instalment to be paid until you enrol in person, they will provide you with a sheet to print off stating this as evidence when you submit your documents instead.
Your personal statement of motivation is a formal letter declaring the reasons you want to study in Switzerland and your future plans after finishing your degree. Your reasons might include the ambition to study a master’s programme afterwards, or the plan to follow a career path that needs a bachelor’s qualification. Your university’s international office will be able to advise you on this if you’re not sure what to write.
Your written pledge to exit Switzerland is a formal letter with your full name and home address. The letter states the programme to which you’ve been admitted, your start and end date, and the confirmation that you will leave Switzerland once your programme is completed. Your university will be able to provide you with a template for this letter.
The minimum ‘sufficient finances’ is set at 21,000 CHF (19,000 EUR) at the start of your studies. You’ll need proof of this money at the start of your later years of study when you renew your residence permit, so plan ahead for this. Proof of this can take two forms:
confirmation from a Swiss-domiciled bank (a foreign bank with a branch in Switzerland, or a Swiss bank with a branch in your home country) that you hold 21,000 CHF in an account with them.
a Guarantee Declaration from a person living in Switzerland, pledging to cover your costs of up to 21,000 CHF. Your university’s local Migration Office will be able to provide you with this form.
Unfortunately, letters of support from guardians or relatives will not be accepted. Nor will bank statements from international banks that do not have branches in Switzerland.
Once you’re ready to submit your documents, use the Swiss Immigration Office website to find out your next steps depending on your home country. These steps might include booking an appointment at a local embassy or continuing with an online application. This is a lot to arrange, so well done for making it this far!
proof of accommodation, in the form of a rental agreement or statement from a landlord you’re lodging with
proof of sufficient finances to cover the costs of studying and living in Switzerland
When you first apply for a residence permit, it will usually last for one year. When you renew it at the start of your second year, you’ll generally be allowed to extend it for the rest of the duration of your programme.
Switzerland is one of the most beautiful and scenic countries on Earth. It's also a great place to be a student. While there are many universities to choose from in Switzerland, we’ll help you narrow the options with our top 8 picks for the best universities in Switzerland for international students.
ashley williams headshot in snowy mountains over a lake
A person wearing a red puffer jacket standing on a summit staring at The Matterhorn mountain in the alps
Switzerland, a landlocked country in the heart of Europe, is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. It has always been at the forefront of innovation, commerce, and science. As such, it is no surprise that it has also produced some excellent universities. Switzerland offers international students an excellent education at some great institutions.
It has stunning natural scenery, incredible cities, and rich history. The country has so much to offer that it can be hard to decide where exactly you should go. You need to consider many things when choosing a university in Switzerland, but this article will help you find the best universities in Switzerland for international students.
SWITZERLAND IS A GREAT PLACE TO STUDY ABROAD BECAUSE:
Switzerland has a long history of producing some of the best minds in science, engineering, and business.
The country is also home to some of the world's most prestigious universities and colleges, with many offering courses taught in English.
Study in Switzerland ConsultantSwitzerland's higher education system is highly ranked globally, as are its universities and colleges, and international students have a wide range of programs to choose from taught in English.
Best for STEM: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich)
ETH Zurich is one of the most prestigious universities in Switzerland and one of its oldest. It was founded in 1855 by Swiss Federal Councilor Jacob Burckhardt and has since become known as “the cradle of innovation” because it has produced some of the greatest minds in science and technology.
The university is in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, with a population of about 400,000. Consequently, ETH has a relatively smaller student body size of approximately 10,000 students. The primary language of teaching at ETH Zurich is German; however, most master's programs and doctoral studies are also offered in English.
In particular, ETH Zurich can count 21 Nobel laureates, 2 Fields Medalists, 3 Pritzker Prize winners, and 1 Turing Award winner (the Nobel equivalent for computing) among its alumni – including Albert Einstein himself! As such, you can expect to be taught by exceptional professors with plenty of real-world experience to offer students interested in pursuing their passions at a high level.
This university also boasts an international reputation: with over 10% of international students attending exchange programs or graduate studies every year (many from Asia), it's safe to say that if you're looking for a stimulating cultural experience while also learning valuable new skills, then this might just be your ideal choice!
Best for researchers & entrepreneurs: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL)
Best for researchers & entrepreneurs: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL)
Times Higher Education Ranking: 40
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) is a public research university in Lausanne, Switzerland. The second largest university in Switzerland after ETH Zurich, EPFL has 18 faculties and schools. It's also one of the most diverse universities in Europe, with students reportedly coming from over 125 different countries and more than 50% of their professors coming from other countries around the world.
Their campus is next to Lake Geneva, which provides students with access to many exciting musical opportunities, including concerts at nearby venues such as the Victoria Hall or L'Auditorium Stravinsky, all-year round.
In addition to its numerous academic offerings, EPFL has over 20 sports teams that regularly compete nationally against other Swiss universities throughout each academic year.
The University of Zurich (UZH) is an internationally recognized university located in the city of Zurich. It offers a wide variety of courses and programs that can be completed by both local and international students. The university has over 28,000 students from all over the world studying there, including more than 2,000 foreign exchange students who come every year to study at UZH.
The top subject categories at this university include Anatomy & Dentistry, Medicine, Physiology & Pharmacy, and Psychology & Neuroscience. Some of these courses are taught in English to international students who wish to study at this institution. However, most courses are taught in German or French (depending on the faculty).
The city life combined with great academic opportunities makes the University of Zurich ideal for international students who want to study abroad. Zurich offers many events and commercial opportunities for students, and its scenic surroundings allow for plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking or biking through the mountains or along Lake Zurich.
Best for friendly social culture: University of Bern
The University of Bern is the oldest in Switzerland, founded in 1460 as a school of theology. Today it offers over 100-degree programs and has 18,576 students from all over the world.