Switzerland is home to ETH Zurich (Top 10 globally) and EPFL — both with tuition as low as CHF 730/semester. Discover universities, scholarships, student visa, and student life in Switzerland.
| University | QS Rank | Location | Tuition/Semester | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETH Zurich | #7 | Zurich | CHF 730 | German / English (Masters) |
| EPFL | #16 | Lausanne (Vaud) | CHF 730 | French / English (MSc) |
| University of Zurich | #86 | Zurich | CHF 720 | German |
| University of Geneva | #113 | Geneva | CHF 500 | French |
| University of Basel | Top 200 | Basel | CHF 850 | German |
| University of Bern | Top 200 | Bern | CHF 700 | German |
The Swiss Government offers the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship (ESKAS) for postgraduate students and researchers from eligible countries. Key details:
Processing time: 4–8 weeks. Apply at least 3 months before your program starts.
ETH Zurich charges CHF 730/semester for all students regardless of nationality. That's approximately $800 USD per semester, making it one of the best-value top-10 universities in the world. However, living costs in Zurich are very high — budget CHF 1,500–2,000/month for accommodation, food, and essentials.
Yes. Students with a valid Swiss residence permit (student permit) can work up to 15 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during semester breaks. This applies after the first 6 months of residence. Wages are good — even part-time work at CHF 20-25/hour can cover some living expenses.
After graduating from a Swiss university, you can apply for a 6-month job seeking extension permit. During this time, you must actively look for a job. If you find employment, your employer can then apply for a regular work permit (B permit) on your behalf. ETH Zurich and EPFL graduates are highly valued by Swiss employers.