Universities and Colleges in Switzerland - Courses, Fees, Scholarships, Admission Requirements & Grades

Switzerland higher education system attracts students from all over the globe. The country is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and is known for its top-ranked universities, low-cost education, multicultural campuses, etc. Students can explore Universities and Colleges in Switzerland to study undergraduate and graduate programs at low cost.The likes of ETH Zurich, EPFL & University of Zurich all rank among the top 100 universities in the world as part of Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World Rankings 2026.
There are three major intakes i.e., Spring, Summer, and Fall to apply for admission at popular universities in Switzerland. Applicants must have the required qualifications to study at Switzerland Universities. They must also meet the English language requirements as per the requirements at the best universities in Switzerland. High-quality education at low cost, global universities, and stunning natural beauty make Switzerland an ideal destination for international students to study abroad.

Also read: How is Switzerland as a Study Destination?

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Study in Switzerland Highlights 2025

There are over 25 top universities in Switzerland for international students. ETH Zurich is the top university in the country and ranks among the top 100 universities in the world. Switzerland University fees vary from INR 94k to INR 99 L as per the program for students. Applicants can apply for admission to colleges in Switzerland through the official website. The below table includes the highlights of Universities and Colleges in Switzerland:

Particular	Statistics
Total number of Universities in Switzerland	25+
1st Year tuition fees at Universities in Switzerland	INR 2 L-INR 1 Cr
Top three cities to study in Switzerland	Zurich and Lausanne
English language exams required	IELTS/ TOEFL
Additional test required	GRE

Check the list of Top 10 Universities in Switzerland 

Why Study in Switzerland?

Switzerland can be a viable option to pursue higher education from, for a number of reasons such as the presence of top-ranked universities, ability to make global connections, low-cost education and better career opportunities, among others. The country has a low crime rate, a robust public transport system, and friendly locals ensuring that students feel safe and welcome. Mentioned below are the top reasons to study in Switzerland for international students:

• World-Ranked University: Switzerland is the home to top universities in the world including ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, EPFL, etc.
• Low-Cost Education: Schools in Switzerland for international students offer low-cost programs in multiple specializations.

Better Career Opportunities as several top companies such as Nestle, Roche, Adecco, Intersport, etc. hire graduates and pay them very well too. Also Swiss degrees are recognized globally and it is among the safest countires in the world, which is a bonus. 

Also read: Top 10 Reasons to Study in Switzerland

Top Universities in Switzerland 2026

Switzerland is the home of some top colleges in the world. They offer high-quality education to students at an affordable cost. ETH Zurich is among the top 10 universities in the country and among the top 100 in the world by major ranking bodies. The below table includes the Switzerland University list for international students:

Top Universities in Switzerland	QS Ranking 2026	Shiksha Popularity Ranking
ETH Zurich	7	10
EPFL	22	34
University of Zurich	100	64
University of Geneva	155	95
University of Basel	158	115
University of Bern	184	107
University of Lausanne	212	135
USI - Università della Svizzera italiana	473	Unranked
University of Fribourg	642	430
Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)	801-850	556

Acceptance Rate

Given below are the acceptance rates for some popular Swiss institutions:

Top Universities in Switzerland Admissions	Acceptance Rate (approx.)
ETH Zurich	27%
EPFL Admission	20% to 30%
University of Zurich	19%
University of Basel	19% to 23%
University of Geneva	21%
University of Bern	19%
University of Lausanne	31%
USI - Università della Svizzera italiana	NA
Université de Fribourg	33%
Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)	67%

Best Business Universities in Switzerland

Listed below are some of the best institutes for business education:

Universities	QS Subject Ranking
Univeristy of St. Gallen (HSG)	48
ETH Zurich	65
IMD	127
EPFL	137
EHL Hospitality Business School	151-200
University of Lausanne	151-200
University of Zurich	201-250
University of Geneva	351-400

Best Engineering Universities in Switzerland 

Listed below are some of the best universities for Engineering studies:

University Name	QS Ranking
ETH Zurich	5
EPFL	10
University of Bern	451-500
University of Geneva	451-500

Top Courses in Switzerland 2025

International students can pursue quality undergraduate and graduate courses at Swiss Universities. These universities offer popular courses such as MBA, BBA, MS, etc. to students. MBA in Switzerland is among the most preferable courses among students and universities like IMD (International Institute for Management Development) and the University of St.Gallen are ranked among the top 100 MBA universities in the world by QS World University MBA Rankings in 2025. The below table includes the list of courses to study in Switzerland with the number of universities for students:

Top Courses in Switzerland	Count of Universities
MBA/PGDM	21
MSc	20
MS	11
BBA	11
BHM	8

Check the list of Top 10 Most Employable Courses for International Students in Switzerland

Admission Requirements in Switzerland

International students must meet the admission requirements to study in Switzerland. The requirements may vary depending on the type of universities in Switzerland for students. Getting into a regular university can be harder than the University of Applied Science in the country. In order to be able to study at a Swiss institution, international applicants need a general higher education entrance qualification equivalent to the Swiss education. However, each university has the right to decide its terms on its own. In some cases, colleges in Switzerland require an entrance test in case your school certificate is not enough. Mentioned below are the general entry requirements at popular universities in Switzerland:

Undergraduate Admission Requirements in Switzerland

• Complete high secondary education from a recognized institute
• Must meet the English language requirements
• Must provide a German language certificate
• Submit additional test scores for ACT/SAT (if applicable)

Graduate Admission Requirements in Switzerland

• Complete a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline
• Must meet the English language requirements
• Must provide a German language certificate
• Submit additional test scores for GMAT/GRE (if applicable)

Also read: Criteria you must know for studying in Switzerland

Entrance Exams Accepted by Universities in Switzerland

Check below the list of Universities in Switzerland entrance exams applicable for international students:

Entrance Exam Name	Count of Universities
GRE	4
GMAT	4

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English Language Exams Accepted by Universities in Switzerland

All non-native English language speakers must meet the language requirements to study in Switzerland. They have to submit valid test scores of either IELTS or other English language tests such as TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo. The below table includes the tests and the number of universities in Switzerland that accept them:

English Language Exam Name	Count of Universities
IELTS	28
TOEFL	23
Duolingo	7
PTE	6

Check the below video for IELTS 2025 for Indian Students: Registration, Exam Pattern 2025, Fees, Scoring System & Prep Tips

Cost of Studying in Switzerland 2025

Study in Switzerland costs vary by program type and living expenses of students. On average, the estimated first-year cost of studying in Switzerland varies between INR 94k and INR 99 L. The below table includes the range of Switzerland university fees with the number of universities:

1st Year Tuition Fee	Count of Universities
Max 10 Lakhs	12
Max 20 Lakhs	15
Max 30 Lakhs	21
Max 40 Lakhs	26
40 Lakhs +	9

Did you know, you can now study for next to no cost in Europe?

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Cost of Living in Switzerland 2025

Unfortunately, living in Switzerland is slightly expensive for international students. The Cost of living on average, is 407.5% higher than in India. The below table includes the average range for a year to live in the country:

Expense Category	Average Range (CHF)	Average Range (INR)
Tuition Fees, if applicable	400 - 3,800	INR 43 K - INR 4.1 L
Study Materials	50 - 100	INR 5.3 K - INR 10.7 K
Utilities	150 - 300	INR 16.1 K - INR 32.2 K
Health Insurance	200 - 400	INR 21.5 K - INR 43 K
Transportation	70 - 120	INR 7.5 K - INR 12.9 K
Food	300 - 500	INR 32.2 K - INR 53.8 K
Accommodation	800 - 1,500	INR 86.1 K - INR 1.61 L
Entertainment/Miscellaneous	100 - 200	INR 10.7 K - INR 21.5 K

Conversion rate: (CHF 1 =  INR 107.65)

The below table includes the Cost of Housing in Switzerland:

Type of Accommodation	Average Monthly Rent (CHF)	Average Monthly Rent (INR)
On-campus housing	600 - 1000	INR 64.5 K-INR 1.1 L
1 Bedroom Apartment (in the city centre)	1800 (may vary in different cities)	INR 1.93 L
1 Bedroom Apartment (outside the city centre)	1450	INR 1.56 L
3 Bedroom Apartment (in the city centre)	3176	INR 3.4 L
3 Bedroom Apartment (outside the city centre)	2500	INR 2.7 L

Conversion rate: (CHF 1 = INR 107.65)

Top Job Sectors & Economy in Switzerland

The economy of Switzerland has ranked first in the world among 133 countries around the world. The country holds the first position since 2015 on the Global Innovation Index. Some popular job sectors among Indian students who are studying in Switzerland are Engineering, IT, Pharmaceuticals, and paramedical fields. The average salary in Switzerland is CHF 79,000 (INR 78 Lakhs) yearly.

Mentioned below are the best paying jobs in Switzerland,  across some popular industries:

Job	Average Annual Salary (in CHF)	Average Annual Salary (in INR)
Pizza/Cook/Chef	47,500 CHF	INR 51.1 L
Social Worker	65,000 CHF	INR 70 L
Retail Store Manager	67.414 CHF	INR 72.5 L
Accountant	86,324 CHF	INR 92.9 L
Software Engineer	95,126 CHF	INR 1.02 Cr
Senior Researcher	116,350 CHF	INR 1.25 Cr
Legal Counsel	127,147 CHF	INR 1.36 Cr

Source: Payscale

Also read: Popular Jobs in Switzerland for Indians

Akash Gaur10-01-2025 18:03