Did you know? Among 8.57 million people that live in Switzerland, 2.1 million are foreigners! Home to the headquarters of the United Nations, the land of multilingualism, and a high standard of living, Switzerland is an optimal choice for a study abroad destination. With a world-class education system and high salary and employment rates, Switzerland is the place to be if you are eyeing Europe to upscale your career. There are endless reasons to choose Switzerland for your study abroad plans, but choosing the best university among the countless good ones will make all the difference in your professional and personal life. Here are the top universities in Switzerland that have great potential to broaden your horizon!
Highly-Ranked Universities In Switzerland
| Rank | University Name |
| #1 | ETH Zurich |
| #2 | École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) |
| #3 | University of Zurich |
| #4 | University of Bern |
| #5 | University of Geneva (UNIGE) |
| #6 | University of Basel |
| #7 | University of St. Gallen |
| #8 | USI Università Della Svizzera Italiana |
- ETH Zurich
Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average Tuition Fees: 1229 CHF per year
If you believe you were born for greater things, ETH Zurich is the place to be. This is the very university Albert Einstein and 20 Nobel Prize Laureates graduated from.
Being the best of the best in the country for technical and scientific studies, ETH Zurich has held a consistent reputation for imparting courses that offer state-of-the-art facilities to leaders of the future. Owing to this, it ranks in the top 3 universities in Europe and is in the top 15 to 20 globally. The tuition fee of 1460 CHF per year makes ETH Zurich the coveted blend of opportunity and affordability.
Programmes Offered:
- Computer Science Bachelor
- Architecture Bachelor
- Civil Engineering Bachelor
- Geomatics Master
- Biotechnology Master
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Acceptance Rate: 20%
Average Tuition Fees: 1274 CHF per year
The next top university in Switzerland is without a doubt École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). With faculty and students from 112 different nations. The cosmopolitan environment of EPFL provides the right environment for great minds in the making with its world-class resources, teaching techniques and extensive alumni network. The very fact that this university is built on the banks of the Geneva Lake and uses hydropower for all its electricity needs is proof of how innovative the small world at EPFL is. Additionally, the attractive tuition fee rate of 1266 CHF per year also makes EPFL accessible to students with lower budgets.
Programmes Offered:
- Mathematics Bachelor
- Chemistry Bachelor
- Physics Bachelor
- Architecture Master
- Environmental Sciences and Engineering Master
- The University of Zurich
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average Tuition Fees: 1440 CHF per year
What makes the University of Zurich a top university in Switzerland is its location and campus size. It is not only located in Zurich, the largest city in the country but is also the largest university in the country. It offers seven different streams including – theology, law, business, economics and informatics, medicine, arts and social sciences, science, and veterinary medicine. As a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) it is a part of the network of 21 universities in Europe to be recognised as one of the best globally for research. Although most undergraduate courses are taught in Swiss Standard German, all master’s programmes are taught in English.
Programmes Offered:
- Doctorate of Theology
- Bachelor of Law
- Masters in Business, Economics and Informatics
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- The University of Bern
Acceptance Rate: 20%
Average Tuition Fees: 2010 CHF per year
Apart from being based in the Swiss capital of Bern, the University of Bern is the heart of the Länggasse area, known as the academic part of the city. This is the prestigious university where Albert Einstein formerly taught theoretical physics and the Russian philosopher Anna Tamarkin gave lectures. The rich alumni network of this university along with its international teaching faculty makes it the hub of academic excellence. Because of the location of the university and its international environment, there’s no chance of feeling like a foreigner. With admission to this university, anyone can stand a chance at broadening their outlook in the professional as well as social spheres.
Programmes Offered:
- Master’s in Central Asian Studies
- Bachelor’s in English
- Bachelor’s in Social Science
- Master’s in Humanities
- Master’s in Engineering & Technology
- University of Geneva
Acceptance Rate: 21%
Average Tuition Fees: 900 CHF per year
The University of Geneva (UNIGE) is a melting point of multilingualism and innovation. It ranks in the top 100 universities in the world and is also in the top among the League of European Research Universities. The university is situated close to 30 internationally recognised organizations like the UN, WHO, WTO and more. 62% of UNIGE’s students are women, making it a safe environment for any female students flying abroad for the first time for their education. It also offers a mind-blowing number of 613 courses to students from all over the world. No matter what piques your interest, from political science to physics, UNIGE promises you the best quality in an n number of fields.
Programmes Offered:
- Bachelor’s of Biology
- Masters of Advanced Studies
- Master of Science
- Bachelor’s of Astrophysics
- Master’s of Biochemistry
- The University of Basel
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average Tuition Fees: 1700 CHF per year
What makes the University of Basel one of the top universities in Switzerland are its origins dating back to 1460. It’s the oldest university in Switzerland and is among the oldest ones in the world. With attractive undergraduate courses, master’s and PHD programmes offered at as low as 150 CHF per semester, having your name tied to the University of Basel is nothing short of a prestige. The university closely works with domestic and international partners to make a ground-breaking contribution to the advancement of society and sciences.
Programmes Offered:
- Bachelor of Actuarial Science
- Bachelor’s of Animal Biology
- Master’s of Anthropology
- Master’s of Biology
- Master’s of Biomedical Engineering
- University of St. Gallen
Acceptance Rate: 26%
Average Tuition Fees: 2454 CHF per year
The University of St. Gallen offers bachelor’s, masters and majors in all types of streams ranging from Computer Science to International Affairs. It has triple accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, giving it an edge over other universities across Europe. With an engaged community of students in clubs and student forums, an extensive alumni network, and practically designed study structures, this university is one of the top universities to be found in Switzerland. If a business flows in your veins, the state-of-art facilities, international student pool and experienced faculty members at the University of St. Gallen can help you tap into your acumen.
Programmes Offered:
- MIM
- MA Banking and Finance
- MA Marketing Management
- MA Strategy and International Management
- BBA
- USI Università Della Svizzera Italiana
Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average Tuition Fees: 8000 CHF per year
USI Università Della Svizzera Italiana boasts itself for the welcoming and dynamic environment it offers to students all over the world. With students from over 100 nationalities and international faculty, you will get highly sought-after international exposure. Less than 5,000 students from the diverse world of USI. It ranks 15th in the THE World’s Best Small Universities 2022. This young and agile university offers its students a quality experience in enhancing their practical application by engaging in direct dialogue with their professors and batchmates from different walks of life.
Programmes Offered:
- Architecture Bachelor
- Artificial Intelligence Master
- Medicine Bachelor
- Data Processing Master
- Biochemistry Doctorate
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I study English in Switzerland?
- Yes, Switzerland has four official languages: Romansh, German, French and Italian. However, English is also a widely spoken language and you will find many universities offering courses in English. Throughout the course, instruction will be in English.
- Can I work while studying in Switzerland?
- You can directly start working if you are an EEA/EU/EFTA citizen while studying in Switzerland. However, as an international student, you will have to wait for 8 months for your course’s completion before you can apply for jobs.
- What type of visa do I need to study in Switzerland?
- You need a D-type study visa issued by the Swiss Embassy to pursue your studies in Switzerland.
- Is it expensive to study in Switzerland?
- It depends on the type of lifestyle you choose and the location of your university and stays. You can take up a job after 6 months of your course completion and save up by not spending a lot on recreational activities.
Thank you for reading our blog on Top Universities in Switzerland. Find out more information about top universities all across the globe in the blogs below:
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I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further