A dream study destination for many, Switzerland with its spellbinding beauty and remarkable landmarks have been attracting students from all across the globe to pursue higher education at its higher academic institutes. One of the most sought-after master's degrees, MBA, is one of the most popular courses in Switzerland that international students pursue.
Switzerland is famous for not only watches, chocolates and breathtaking landscapes but also as an ideal country to pursue an MBA abroad. The universities of Switzerland hold a decent rank in the global university ranking. According to Payscale, the average salary in Switzerland for MBA graduates is CH 126,000 (approximately 1.25 cr) per year. It increases with the time and experience.
Switzerland's robust economy, multicultural environment, and esteemed universities make it an ideal choice for MBA aspirants. However, it's important to note that the cost of living can be relatively high. This article provides comprehensive details about top MBA universities in Switzerland, program costs, duration and format, admission requirements, and other essential information to help you make an informed decision.
Related Read: Switzerland Study Visa Requirements
- MBA in Switzerland Highlights
- Top Universities for MBA in Switzerland
- Admission Requirements for MBA in Switzerland
- Cost of Studying MBA in Switzerland
MBA in Switzerland Highlights
Here are some quick information that you should know before pursuing for MBA in Switzerland.
| Programme Duration | Full-Time: 1 Year Part-Time: 2-3 Years |
| Top MBA Institutes | IMD, Lausanne, St. Gallen, United International Business Schools Geneva, International Business Academy of Switzerland (IBAS) Zurich, ETH Zurich |
| Average Cost of Studying | CHF 14,000 to CHF 115,000 per annum (INR 13,00,547.33 to INR 1,06,83,067.37) |
| Standardised Tests | GMAT/GRE/EA (Executive Assessment) |
| Top Specializations | Supply Chain, Finance, HR, Information Technology, International Business |
| Modes | Full-Time, Part-Time, Blended Learning, Online |
Top Universities for MBA in Switzerland
Switzerland has many higher academic institutes which feature among the top in the world for their MBA and business programmes. The list below displays the top MBA colleges in Switzerland along with their programme duration and tuition fees.
| Top 10 Universities for MBA in Switzerland | Programme and Duration | 1st year Tution Fees |
|---|---|---|
| IMD, Lausanne | MBA (1-Year) Full-Time | CHF 80,000 (INR 75.22 Lakhs) |
| St. Gallen | MBA (1-Year) Full-Time (2-Year) Part-Time |
CHF 75,000 (INR 69.71 Lakhs) |
| United International Business Schools, Geneva | MBA (1-Year) Full-Time (2 to 3 Years) Part- Time |
CHF 42,000 (INR 39.03 Lakhs) |
| International Business Academy of Switzerland (IBAS), Zurich | MBA (1-Year) Full-Time |
CHF 24,800 (INR 23.05 Lakhs) |
| ETH Zurich, Zurich | Executive MBA (1 Year, 5 months) Part-Time | CHF 110,000 (INR 1.02 Cr) |
| University of Zurich | Executive MBA (15 months) Part-Time | CHF 75,000 (INR 69.71 Lakhs) |
| University of Bern | MBA (3 Semesters) | CHF 950 Per Semester (INR 88,304.64) |
| Università della Svizzera italiana | Executive MBA (14 months) Part-Time | CHF 52,000 (INR 48.33 Lakhs) |
| University of Geneva | Executive MBA (1 Year, 10 months) Blended learning | CHF 42,500 (INR 39.50 Lakhs) |
| SBS Swiss Business School | Executive MBA (12 months) Part-Time, 12 modules | CHF 2,000 per module (INR 1.85 Lakhs) |
Source: Shiksha Study Abroad
Admission Requirements for MBA in Switzerland
Students looking forward to pursuing an MBA in Switzerland should hold a Bachelor’s degree or Diploma or an equivalent degree from a recognized university/institute in their country. They should also possess a work experience of a minimum 2-3 years if they wish to pursue a full-time MBA degree. In the case of an Executive MBA degree, candidates are expected to hold a minimum work experience of 10 years.
Although the document requirements for admission for every institute in Switzerland may differ, the following documents may be required by almost all the institutes for MBA admission:
- Academic transcripts (Bachelor’s or Diploma degree, certificates, achievements, etc.)
- Letter of Recommendation
- References
- GMAT/GRE/EA (Executive Assessment) scores
- English Language Proficiency - TOEFL, IELTS, BEC Higher, CAE, CPE
- Resume
- Completed application form
- Statement of Purpose/video
- Copies of valid passport
- Evidence of funds to cover the cost of education and living
- Application fee receipt
Cost of Studying MBA in Switzerland
One major thing that we cannot neglect while planning to study abroad is the cost of studying which will be involved. You need to make sure that your money goes into the right institute and course as it is an important investment which would pave the way for your future career. In Switzerland, how much tuition fee would you have to deposit for an MBA programme will depend upon many factors such as the institute’s location, the chosen institute, MBA programme type, etc.
Generally speaking, students wishing to study MBA in Switzerland may have to pay anywhere between CHF 20,000 to CHF 70,000 (INR 18,57,012.26 to INR 64,99,542.91) per year for a full-time MBA programme. The cost may go higher for some of the top-ranking B-schools.
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Although the cost of studying for Swiss locals may be low, international students pursuing a course in the country will have to pay a higher amount. However, the good part is that financial assistance such as scholarships and grants are provided for overseas students by some of the universities in the country. This will help students to ease the burden involved with studying in a foreign country and their focus can remain undisturbed.
For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.
To pursue an MBA in Switzerland, you need to achieve a good score in different standardized tests, depending on the requirements.
- GMAT or GRE is required to get admission in MBA programs in Switzerland.
- Duolingo, IELTS, PTE, and other language proficiency tests are needed to prove your English proficiency.
The cost of studying MBA in Switzerland, you need to pay anywhere between CHF 20,000 to CHF 70,000 (INR 18.57 Lakhs to INR 65 Lakhs) per year. This does not include living expenses of a student. They need to keep aside an average budget of 1 - 2 L per month or 12-14 Lacs a year merely just to survive in Switzerland.
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The quality of education in Swiss universities is highly reputed worldwide. Switzerland is among the world's 20 the wealthiest countries and is home to 15 Fortune 500 companies. This highlights Switzerland as a major European business hub. In short, Switzerland is an excellent study destination for aspiring MBA students.