Costs
Tuition
ETH Zurich: CHF 730/semester. EPFL: CHF 780/semester. Other public universities: CHF 1,000–2,200/semester. Private universities and hotel schools: CHF 20,000–50,000/year.
Living Costs
Zurich: CHF 1,800–2,500/month. Lausanne/Geneva: CHF 1,600–2,200/month. Bern, Basel: CHF 1,400–1,800/month. Student housing: CHF 500–800/month (limited availability).
Total Annual Cost
€24,000–35,000/year (ETH/EPFL with affordable housing). Private schools much higher.
Part-Time Work
15 hours/week during term (after 6 months for non-EU). Unlimited during breaks. Swiss wages are very high: CHF 20–30/hour for student jobs.
Post-Study & Immigration
Post-Study Work Visa
6-month job search visa after graduation. Must find qualifying employment to switch to work permit. B permit for employment, renewable annually.
Path to Permanent Residency
B permit (annual) → C permit (permanent) after 10 years (5 years for some nationalities). Swiss citizenship: 10+ years residence + integration + language. One of the longest paths in Europe.
Language Requirements
German, French, or Italian depending on region. ETH Zurich: most master's in English. EPFL: master's in English. Other universities vary. German: TestDaF/Goethe. French: DELF/DALF.
Visa Processing
6–8 weeks. Apply at Swiss embassy/consulate. Need: admission letter, financial guarantee (CHF 21,000/year minimum), health insurance (Swiss insurance required), accommodation proof.
Top Universities
| University | QS 2025 | Tuition (Int'l) | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETH Zurich | #7 | CHF 730/semester | Engineering, CS, Natural Sciences, Architecture |
| EPFL | #22 | CHF 780/semester | Engineering, CS, Life Sciences, Physics |
| University of Zurich | #80 | CHF 1,440/semester | Medicine, Law, Sciences, Economics |
| University of Basel | #113 | CHF 850/semester | Biomedical Sciences, Humanities, Law |
| EHL (Lausanne) | #1 Hospitality | CHF 40,000+/year | Hospitality Management, Luxury, Tourism |
Scholarships
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Award: CHF 1,920/month + tuition waiver
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Varies by country
Federal Commission for Scholarships. For postgraduate research and PhD.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Varies by country
Federal Commission for Scholarships. For postgraduate research and PhD.
ETH Excellence Scholarship (ESOP)
Award: CHF 12,000/semester + tuition waiver
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: December
For outstanding master's applicants. Highly competitive.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: December
For outstanding master's applicants. Highly competitive.
EPFL Excellence Fellowships
Award: CHF 16,000/semester + tuition waiver
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: January
For top master's applicants at EPFL.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: January
For top master's applicants at EPFL.
Uni Basel Excellence Scholarships
Award: CHF 30,000/year
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Varies
For master's and PhD at University of Basel.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Varies
For master's and PhD at University of Basel.
Cantonal scholarships
Award: Varies
Eligibility: Swiss residents · Deadline: Varies
Each canton has its own scholarship programme.
Eligibility: Swiss residents · Deadline: Varies
Each canton has its own scholarship programme.
2026 Policy Updates
What changed: ETH and EPFL tuition remains remarkably low (unchanged for years). Switzerland is not in the EU — separate visa system. Swiss immigration is selective but values highly skilled graduates. Bilateral agreements with EU mean Swiss degrees are fully recognised.
Best For
Top STEM students targeting ETH/EPFL (world-class at bargain tuition). Finance and banking professionals (Zurich/Geneva are global hubs). Hospitality and tourism students (EHL is #1 globally). Students who can handle high living costs. Those wanting Swiss salaries during part-time work.
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