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 best universities in Switzerland for Indian students such as 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 over 30 top universities in Switzerland for international students. 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. 

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 good universities in Switzerland. They must also meet the English language requirements set by reputable 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?

Check the below video for Simple Ways to Overcome Cultural Shock:

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: Universities in Switzerland for international students offer low-cost programs in multiple specializations. 

• Better Career Opportunities- 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 countries in the world, which is a bonus.

Check the list of Top 10 Universities in Switzerland 

Top Courses in Switzerland for Indian Students 

International students can pursue quality undergraduate and graduate courses at Swiss Universities. These top universities in Switzerland 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 2026. 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	23
MSc	22
MS	11
BBA	11
BHM	8
MA	8
BA	7
PG Diploma	5
UG Diploma	3

Also read: Top 10 Reasons to Study in Switzerland

Top Universities in Switzerland 

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

Top Universities in Switzerland	QS Ranking 2026	Shiksha Popularity Ranking
ETH Zurich	7	1
EPFL	22	2
University of Zurich	100	3
University of Geneva	155	4
University of Basel	158	5
University of Bern	184	6
University of Lausanne	212	7
University of Fribourg	642	8
Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)	801-850	9
University of St. Gallen	-	10

Best Business Universities in Switzerland 

Listed below are some of the best business schools in Switzerland: 

Universities	QS Subject Ranking
University 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 in Switzerland: 

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

Admission Requirements in Switzerland for International Students 

International students must meet the admission requirements to study in Switzerland. The requirements may vary depending on the type of universities in Switzerland for Indian 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 uni 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 general entry requirements at universities in Switzerland for Indian students: 

Undergraduate Admission Requirements in Switzerland 

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

Masters degree in Switzerland Requirements

• Complete a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline for masters program in Switzerland
• Must meet the English language requirements 
• 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 entrance exams accepted by best universities in Switzerland for international students: 

Entrance Exam Name	Count of Universities
GRE	5
GMAT	4

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	30
TOEFL	27
Duolingo	7
PTE	9

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

Check the below video for GMAT vs GRE (Which is Best for Indian Students?):

Cost of Studying in Switzerland 

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

1st Year Tuition Fee	Count of Universities
Max 10 Lakhs	11
Max 20 Lakhs	16
Max 30 Lakhs	21
Max 40 Lakhs	26
40 Lakhs +	11

Living Expenses in Switzerland  

Unfortunately, cost of living in Switzerland is slightly expensive for international students. 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	CHF 400 - CHF 3,800	INR 47.9 K - INR 4.55 L
Study Materials	CHF 50 - CHF 100	INR 5.9 K - INR 11.9 K
Utilities	CHF 150 - CHF 300	INR 17.9 K - INR 35.9 K
Health Insurance	CHF 200 - CHF 400	INR 23.9 K - INR 47.9 K
Transportation	CHF 70 - CHF 120	INR 8.3 K - INR 14.3 K
Food	CHF 300 - CHF 500	INR 35.9 K - INR 59.8 K
Accommodation	CHF 800 - CHF 1,500	INR 95.8 K - INR 1.79 L
Entertainment/Miscellaneous	CHF 100 - CHF 200	INR 11.9 K - INR 23.9 K

Conversion rate: (CHF 1 = INR 119.76) 

The below table includes the Cost of Housing in Switzerland: 

Type of Accommodation	Average Monthly Rent (CHF)	Average Monthly Rent (INR)
On-campus housing	CHF 600 – CHF 1000	INR 71.8 K-INR 1.19 L
1 Bedroom Apartment (in the city centre)	CHF 1800 (may vary in different cities)	INR 2.15 L
1 Bedroom Apartment (outside the city centre)	CHF 1450	INR 1.73 L
3 Bedroom Apartment (in the city centre)	CHF 3176	INR 3.80 L
3 Bedroom Apartment (outside the city centre)	CHF 2500	INR 2.99 L

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

Check out the video below to know more:

Scholarships in Switzerland 

Many universities in Switzerland offer several scholarships to Indian students. Some scholarships are given by the university itself, meanwhile, some are given by external funding agencies. Here we have given some of the most popular scholarships in Switzerland given by universities.  

Name of Scholarship	Scholarship Level	Scholarship Amount
SHL Inspire Scholarship - Papa Tschopp Scholarship	UG level	CHF 12,000 (INR 14.37 L)
SHL Inspire Scholarship - Hermann Bieder Scholarship	UG level	CHF 18,000 (INR 21.55 L)
SHL Inspire Scholarship - Ami Chessex Scholarship	UG level	CHF 9,000 (INR 10.77 L)
K.C. Mahindra Scholarships For Post-Graduate Studies Abroad	PG level	Up to INR 1,000,000

Job Opportunities after Study 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 famous 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 94.60 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 56.88 L
Social Worker	65,000 CHF	INR 77.84 L
Retail Store Manager	67,414 CHF	INR 80.73 L
Accountant	86,324 CHF	INR 1.03 Cr
Software Engineer	95,126 CHF	INR 1.13 Cr
Senior Researcher	116,350 CHF	INR 1.39 Cr
Legal Counsel	127,147 CHF	INR 1.52 Cr

Source: Payscale 

Also read: Popular Jobs in Switzerland for Indians

Kanishka Gambhir02-13-2026 15:05