Renowned for its natural bounties, ski resorts, and unique landscape, Europe is a paradise for tourists and a popular destination among international students to pursue their higher studies. Home to world class universities, Switzerland is among the best destinations in Europe where international students can study and ensure a thriving career for themselves. A country of eight million residents, Switzerland is a landlocked country at the confluence of Western, Southern, and Central Europe.
With four official languages namely German, French, Italian, and Romansh, Switzerland is a potpourri of diverse cultures and a true melting pot of European heritage. Home to the world’s best universities and educational institutes, Switzerland offers a perfect opportunity for international students from India to learn in the learning environment. For quality higher education, Indian students can look forward to studying in Switzerland and proceeding towards a prospective future.
Popular for its alpine lakes, high altitude mountain peaks, chocolates, and cuckoo clocks, Switzerland is famous for its abundant natural beauty. The rich heritage of the country can be traced back to 450 BCE. Owing to the influence of France, Italy, and Germany, this scenic nation is a diverse nation and boasts of rich international flavour. Additionally, Switzerland is renowned for many top Swiss universities that are among the top 100 ranked universities in the world. Among them, ETH Zurich, EPFL, the University of Zurich, and the University of Geneva are the best places for students to study and indulge in research.
ETH Zurich is considered the best educational institute in Switzerland which is known for its clear focus on technology. This university was founded in 1855 and is famous for its cutting-edge research. There is a wide range of courses in different areas of science and technology, which offer students to enrol in the course of their choice. There are more than 19,000 students enrolled here with nearly 40% international students.
The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is another famous place to study in Switzerland that was incorporated in 1853. Like ETH, EPFL also specialises in technology and attracts a large number of students from all over the world to study there. The majority of courses in EPFL are offered in French. However, there are many Masters and Doctorate programs offered in English.
The University of Zurich is the largest institution of higher education in Switzerland. It is home to 25,000 students which is a major chunk of any university in Switzerland. You can choose from a wide range of courses including science, law, philosophy, theology, and medicine. Many of their Master’s degree programs are offered in English.
Founded in 1559, the University of Geneva is the third oldest university in Switzerland, which also has the third largest percentage of students in the country. With around 16,000 students, the University of Geneva is home to almost 40% of the international students. It is one of the famous educational institutes in Switzerland among Indian students.
Also, according to the norms, international students in Switzerland can work up to 15 hours a week during the semester. Additionally, they can work full-time during holidays. It allows the international students to bear their daily expenses and offer professional experience in the country. However, there is an additional condition which is that non-EU/EFTA students can only begin working 6 months after the start of their studies. The institutions and government offer scholarships and bursaries to the Indian international students in Switzerland, which help them during their studies.
Switzerland is famous for its pristine beauty and unique landscape. Also, it is home to the best universities in the world that offer quality education to Indian and other international students. The friendly environment for Indian students in Switzerland makes their lives comfortable during their studies. Here is the list of best cities in Switzerland to study for Indian students:
These cities of Switzerland are among the popular tourist places owing to which they are well-connected to the rest of the world by regular flights from and are widely known for safety and diversity.
Diploma Courses
CHF 4,500 to CHF 9,000* annually
Post Graduate Diploma Degree
CHF 10,500 to CHF 15,000* annually
Undergraduate Bachelor Degree
CHF 10,500 to CHF 48,000* annually
Postgraduate Master’s Degree
CHF 3,000 to CHF 13,000* annually
MBA Degree
CHF 15,000 to CHF 45,000* annually
Doctoral Degree
CHF 1,500 to CHF 5,000* annually
‘*’ – This does not include high value courses such as veterinary and medical studies. Please visit institution websites directly to see costs for these courses.
The annual fees in Switzerland depend on the types of qualifications and institutes. However, the fees in the public universities and institutes is lesser as compared to the cost of education in private institutions. The fees range from CHF 10,500 and CHF 48,000 a year (indicative). In Switzerland, the courses of humanities, arts, and education courses are cheaper while subjects including medicines and engineering are comparatively more expensive. Also, the study of postgraduate level is typically lesser. For doctoral courses, the fees are almost negligible and students also get stipends during their doctoral studies that makes the living easy in the country for the international students. The average cost of an MBA in Switzerland ranges between CHF 15,000 to CHF 45,000 (indicative). In the government institutes, the cost of study is comparatively less than other countries.
In Switzerland, the study cost is heavily subsidised by the government due to which it is way less than other European nations. The cost of medicine and engineering courses are comparatively expensive than humanities, arts, and other education courses that are cheaper as well as affordable for the majority of the international students. The tuition fee for postgraduate studies is lesser than the graduate courses, which also varies with the programme types. However, doctoral courses are almost of negligible cost. MBA courses are less costly in Switzerland than other countries. Additionally, the international students can apply for one of the many scholarships available for Indian students in Switzerland to reduce the financial burden.
S. No. | Study Program | Average fees |
1 | Diploma & Postgraduate Diploma Courses | ₹3,50,000 to ₹7,25,000 annually (approx.) |
2 | Undergraduate Bachelor’s degree | ₹8,50,000 to ₹40,50,000 annually (approx.) |
3 | Postgraduate Master’s Degree | ₹2,40,000 to ₹10,50,000 annually (approx.) |
4 | Doctoral Degree | ₹1,20,000 to ₹4,50,000 annually (approx.) (Also, attractive scholarships up to 100% available with living grants by government and institutions) |
5 | MBA Degree | ₹12,20,000 to ₹36,50,000 annually (approx.) |
The universities of Switzerland are heavily subsidised by the government, which means that tuition fees are slightly lower compared to other nations. However, the tuition fees of private universities will normally be higher than their public counterparts. Also, Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries to live in Europe with an extremely high cost of living especially in the major cities like Geneva or Zurich.
The average budget of 1,300 to 1,700 CHF per month is required to pay for accommodation, food, transportation, supplies, and leisure activities. Geneva and Zurich are the most expensive cities in the country and you might need a budget exceeding 1,700 CHF per month.
Here is how much you will spend, on average, in these Swiss cities:
The accommodation cost in Switzerland hovers around 600 to 700 CHF per month, which is quite above the international average of 300 CHF per month. The most common accommodation choices among international students in Switzerland are Student halls of residence which costs between 450 and 800 CHF per month. However, these types of places are limited. The next best suitable option for international students is renting or sharing an apartment that has an average price range between 700 and 1,200 CHF per month. It is one of the most popular accommodation options among students. The cost of living reduces by sharing the apartment with other students.
The international students in Switzerland choose to buy food from supermarkets and eat out only once in a while. You can expect to pay between 400 to 550 CHF a month for food. The perishable items become discounted by 5 PM in the supermarkets of Switzerland.
Another good option for fooding is the university dining hall, where you would only pay 8 – 10 CHF, or the snack bars or restaurants located in department stores.
The major chunk of the international students chooses to walk around. However, 10% use the bicycle and another 10% use public transport. A monthly pass for public transportation is around 55 CHF.
In major Swiss cities like Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, and Neuchâtel, any public transportation ticket is valid on trains, tramways, buses, and even ships.
In the universities of Switzerland, international students can avail full and partial funding opportunities. They offer such scholarships and funding to meritorious students. The scholarship programs may cover tuition fees, health insurance, housing allowance, monthly payment, and airfares depending on the type of scholarship.
The scholarship is available to international students with bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degrees from a recognized study board. The international fellows and research scholars can also avail of 100% funding to pursue research and development work in the country. Some of the popular scholarships awarded by the Switzerland government and institutes to international students in 2022 are:
Switzerland is a dream destination for not just nature lovers and peace seekers but also for international students who wish to study at one of the world’s best universities. This is a perfect country to pursue your higher education and gain quality education while studying in the renowned institutes of Europe and the world. If you are looking for the best educational consultant for your admission and study in Switzerland, then look no further than our website. We offer a wide range of quality services that can make your experience memorable and hassle-free.
To study at the top university in Switzerland, you need to gather a lot of documents and go through an arduous process, which we can make easy for you. Get in touch with our team of Study in Switzerland consultants in India. The Overseas Education Consultants in India for Switzerland at IOES will help you from the start to get your visa process done. We also help you to prepare for the admission process and English language proficiency test including IELTS, if required.
With us, you can get assistance as well as expert guidance in numerous fields including test preparation, university selection, course selection, Scholarship programs, visa requirements, and other fields. Our Study Abroad Consultants for Switzerland have years of experience and they can guide you throughout the process. Fill in the form for expert guidance on how to apply to study in Switzerland and other details. Contact us and proceed towards your dream of studying in Switzerland to embark on a journey of a lifetime that allows you to live in one of the best countries in the world and achieve success professionally as well as personally!
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