Have you ever dreamt of studying in a mesmerising foreign destination with amazing natural beauty, the land of the Alps, beautiful landscapes and towns, and living a high quality of life? If your answer is ‘yes’, then you must have imagined studying in Switzerland. Studying abroad is presumably one of the most complex decisions for Indian students. Thus, every study abroad aspirant put their utmost effort into finding the best country that would suit their budget and career goals, and for that matter, you can study in Switzerland, a place that is second to none.
Why study in Switzerland? The country has earned the top 10 safest place in the world due to its strict gun laws and low crime rates. As an international student studying abroad, you will explore the country's peaceful environment and feel a safe state of mind, while exploring its amazingly beautiful places. Switzerland not only offers top-quality education, world-class infrastructure, and global exposure, but also offers a unique blend of cultural diversity, student support, and safety. It is also the most sought-after destination for international students seeking quality education at affordable costs.
Bern is the capital of Switzerland. Approximately 76,257 international students are currently studying in Switzerland, and nearly 60% of the Swiss population speaks English. It means not much language barrier for you. Also, many top higher education institutions in Switzerland offer a wide range of English-taught programmes catering to international students. The currency of Switzerland is the Swiss franc (CHF), which is currently 108.40 INR. The average cost of studying in Switzerland, especially a UG programme, is CHF 1,500 – CHF 4,500, a PG programme is CHF 2,500 – CHF 6,500, and a PhD programme is CHF 500 – CHF 3,000 per year. If you want to build a career with great precision and perfection, Switzerland is the destination for you!
Capital
Bern
Currency
Swiss franc
Int. Students
76,257
Salaries Range
CHF 81,456
Happiest Country
9th
Capital Income
USD 7,689
Exams Required
IELTS
Average Tuition Fees
CHF 1,500 - 6,500 P/Y
No. one University
ETH Zurich
If you want to study in Switzerland, you need to know which intake is best for you. Universities in Switzerland open for admission in 2 intakes per year. One is the Fall intake, which starts in September/October, and the other is the Spring intake, which begins in February. The Fall intake is a more popular and competitive option to study in Switzerland for Indian students, offering a wider range of UG and PG programs.
The Swiss education system is organised into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Upon completing compulsory schooling, students typically choose their academic path, such as bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programmes. The UG degree in Switzerland typically takes 3 years, the PG degree takes 2 years, and a doctoral-level (PhD) degree takes 3 to 5 years to complete.
A full-time UG or bachelor's course in any top institution in Switzerland takes 3 years to complete. If you have a secondary or high school diploma and scored well in or , you can apply. A UG degree programme sometimes involves a combination of lectures, seminars and practical-based learning.
A full-time PG degree of a master's level programme generally requires 1.5 to 2 years in Switzerland. If you have completed a UG degree with a 1st class, you can apply for a master’s programme of your choice. Some Universities in Switzerland also offer MAS, i.e. Master of Advanced Studies, a degree that also takes 1 to 2 years, including coursework, independent learning, and a course thesis.
A PhD degree program in Switzerland normally takes 3 to 5 years to complete. You need a 1st-class master’s degree with or without a thesis that shows a substantial original contribution to the domain.
To study in Switzerland, you must meet the academic prerequisites for pursuing a bachelor's or master's course. Though the eligibility criteria to study in Switzerland for Indian students vary depending on the course and the University one chooses. It is, therefore, essential to check the academic requirements before you choose a course or institution. Here are the basic academic requirements:
Broadly speaking, you get to see a higher cost of living in Switzerland than in the United Kingdom or Australia. Whenever you are moving to a country, you should calculate the cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other expenses along with your tuition fees. Also, the average cost of living depends on the city you live in, the course you pursue and the university you choose. The tuition fees for Bachelor’s and master’s programmes range between CHF 1,500 - 6,500, while living expenses go up to CHF 1,700 to 2,500 per month, including food, transportation and accommodation. Let’s see the expenses at a glance.
| Type of Expense | Avg. Yearly Cost (EURO) |
|---|---|
| Room in shared apartment | 1,200.00 |
| Studio apartment | 1,500.00 |
| House with 3 or 4 bedrooms | 3,500.00 |
| Students’ residence | 1,200.00 |
| Homestay meals included | 400.00 |
| Total | 7,800.00 |
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: International researchers get this esteemed scholarship offered by the government of Switzerland. It is typically for doctoral-level students, covers tuition fees, a portion of the monthly stipend, health insurance, travel costs, and accommodation allowance. The amount is offered in CHF 1,920/month.
ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme: This scholarship is offered to international PG students having an excellent academic background and leadership potential. The amount of scholarship can go up to CHF 12,000 per year, including a tuition fee waiver.
EPFL Excellence Fellowships: It is a limited fellowship programme offered to international students pursuing master’s courses in Switzerland. The amount for this fellowship can go up to CHF 10,000, including accommodation support.
The country offers various types of visas, including the post-study visa in Switzerland, depending on the purpose as well as duration of your stay. The most common types of visas are Schengen visas, which are applicable for short stays of up to 90 days, and a national visa for longer stays. The Schengen visas are for visiting family, business and tourism, and national visas are for students and family reunification.
To obtain a student visa in Switzerland, you need a valid passport, proof of funds, travel arrangements, travel insurance, proof of accommodation, and other important documents mentioned here. Specific requirements for a visa application can vary based on the type of visa you need and your circumstances.
Check out some other popular destinations to pursue an Study Abroad experience, each with its own unique qualities.
The career prospects after studying in Switzerland are excellent. In-demand industries are always looking out for skilled professionals in diverse sectors. Some of the key areas are information technology, healthcare, hospitality, media, nursing, finance and engineering, to name some. High salaries, quality of life, and stable economy make Switzerland one of the attractive countries for job seekers around the world.
As an international student, you are permitted to work part-time up to 15 hours per week during your studies in Switzerland, or full-time during University break in various sectors, such as hospitality, retail, and customer service.
Upon completing the studies, Indian and international students can get a full-time work opportunity in Switzerland. Sectors, like technology, finance, hospitality, healthcare and engineering, have more jobs than others in the country.
Switzerland is considerably an expensive for studying and living for Indians than Australia or the UK. You can complete your UG or a PG programme between CHF 1,500 - 6,500 per year.
You need a valid passport, student visa, academic transcripts, English language proficiency, a personal statement, a LOR, proof of funds, and proof of accommodation for admission to study in Switzerland.
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich is considered the number one University in Switzerland, known for bespoke education, training and research.
Yes, English-taught programmes are available in many Swiss universities, especially at the master’s and doctoral levels for international students.
A non-European student can work up to 15 hours during term time and full-time during academic or university breaks in Switzerland.
