Explore top colleges & Universities in Switzerland with CollegeHai

Explore Switzerland

CollegeHai Latest Updates and Notifications

Universities FeesAction

ETH Zurich

$90

Study in Switzerland Overview

Study in Switzerland: Indian students choose Switzerland as their educational hub because it delivers superior higher education together with breathtaking natural beauty alongside professional development opportunities. ETH Zurich and EPFL are among the internationally famous universities located in Switzerland which operates its education system through research-driven curriculum together with strict academic standards. Swiss universities maintain international top positions in university rankings while teaching business, hospitality, and engineering along with several other subjects.

Multilingual education experiences combined with practical knowledge delivery and continuous innovation enable Switzerland to draw global students toward its educational opportunities. International students find a supportive environment in this country because it welcomes students from multiple cultural backgrounds. The collaboration between Swiss universities and leading industries offers numerous internship and research possibilities to students.

The country provides academic students with a high standard of living along with top-quality healthcare services and reliable public transportation. The central European position of Switzerland enables simple travel throughout Europe which exposes students to diverse cultural experiences. The business-friendly environment in Switzerland produces strong financial growth which enables students to obtain post-study job opportunities inside the country, particularly in finance, pharmaceuticals, and technology sectors.

Whether you seek a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, studying in Switzerland can be a rewarding experience.

Why Study in Switzerland?

Switzerland offers several compelling reasons for Indian students to choose it as a study destination:

  • World-class education exists at Swiss universities since ETH Zurich and EPFL maintain rank as top international higher education institutions.
  • Students who learn in Switzerland benefit from four official national languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh) for linguistic development.
  • Strong Research & Innovation exists because Switzerland puts major funding into research development which provides students with state-of-the-art research opportunities and sophisticated laboratory spaces.
  • The high lifestyle in Switzerland stands as one of the world's most secure countries because it provides superior healthcare services in addition to clean transportation systems and no pollution in its environment.
  • The strong Swiss economy allows international students to pursue work opportunities in three main sectors such as finance, hospitality, pharmaceuticals and technology.
  • Students who study in Switzerland benefit from easy accessibility to other European nations because of its central European location which boosts their work opportunities as well as cultural development.
  • Universities maintain worldwide corporate partnerships with Nestlé and Roche and UBS to deliver intern programs and job placement opportunities.

Eligibility to Study in Switzerland for Indian Students

Switzerland is a top destination for Indian students due to its world-class education and career opportunities. However, meeting the eligibility criteria is crucial for admission. Requirements vary based on the level of study, with bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs having specific academic and language prerequisites. Additionally, students must submit essential documents like SOPs, LORs, and proof of funds. Below is a detailed table outlining the eligibility criteria for Indian students applying to Swiss universities.

Program

Eligibility Criteria

Bachelor’s

- Completion of Class 12 (CBSE, ICSE, or state board).

- Some universities require entrance exams.

- IELTS: 6.0+ or TOEFL: 80+.

Master’s

- Recognized bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

- Some courses require GMAT/GRE scores.

- IELTS: 6.5+ or TOEFL: 90+.

PhD

- Relevant master’s degree with research experience.

- Well-defined research proposal.

- Some universities require proof of research funding.

Additional Requirements

- Statement of Purpose (SOP).

- Letters of Recommendation (LORs).

- Work experience (for MBA or specialized programs).

Fee Structure to Study in Switzerland

The cost of studying in Switzerland varies based on the university and program:

Program Type

Tuition Fees (CHF per year)

Tuition Fees (INR equivalent)

Bachelor's (Public University)

400 – 3,700

₹38,400 – ₹3,55,000

Master's (Public University)

400 – 3,700

₹38,400 – ₹3,55,000

PhD (Public University)

100 – 900

₹9,600 – ₹86,400

Bachelor's (Private University)

9,500 – 32,200

₹9,12,000 – ₹30,91,000

Master's (Private University)

9,500 – 32,200

₹9,12,000 – ₹30,91,000

Note: Tuition fees are lower in public universities but may vary based on the course.

Additional Costs

Apart from tuition fees, there are some other expenses as well for students. These expenses will change based on the student’s specific requirements. Have a look:

  • Students have to pay around CHF 250/month (₹24,000).
  • Students may have to purchase some additional study material that will cost them CHF 100/month (₹9,600).
  • For using public transport to commute to college, students have to spend CHF 70-150/month (₹6,700 – ₹14,400).

Living Cost in Switzerland

Living in Switzerland is expensive, but costs vary by city. Here's a breakdown:

Expense

Average Monthly Cost (CHF)

INR Equivalent

Accommodation (Off-Campus)

700 – 1,200

₹67,200 – ₹1,15,200

Accommodation (On-Campus)

450 – 800

₹43,200 – ₹76,800

Food & Groceries

900

₹86,400

Utilities

224

₹21,500

Transport

80

₹7,680

Entertainment

76

₹7,300

Miscellaneous

158

₹15,200

Total Monthly Cost (Off-Campus)

2,536

₹2,43,500

How to Apply to Study in Switzerland

Step 1: First, choose your desired program and look for universities that match your academic field.

Step 2: Make sure to examine both the entrance requirements and all essential documentation conditions together with language proficiency tests.

Step 3: Students must organize their essential documents including SOP and LORs and transcripts together with the passport.

Step 4: Candidates should submit their admission form by using the university website's online application system.

Step 5: Students must complete payment of application fees between CHF 50 and 150 which equals ₹4,800 to ₹14,400.

Step 6: Students waiting for admission acceptance will finally get their official admission letter.

Step 7: Seek a Student Visa through submitting your application for a Swiss National Visa Type D at the Swiss Embassy.

Step 8: Find on-campus or private housing.

Step 9: The arrival in Switzerland requires immediate enrollment in university activities following your arrival.

Required Documents

Studying in Switzerland is an exciting and a great learning experience for students. But you need several documents ready before starting the admission process. Here is a list mentioning all the documents required:

  • Academic Transcripts
  • Passport
  • English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
  • Financial Proof
  • Visa Application Form

Top 10 Universities in Switzerland

Switzerland contains globally prestigious institutions that offer excellent academics with modern research facilities alongside a welcoming environment for students from around the world. Swiss universities maintain their position as leading global academic institutions that deliver superior education in science as well as technology together with business and humanities programs.

ETH Zurich together with EPFL maintain the highest positions in university rankings owing to their impressive achievements in engineering and technology. The universities at Zurich along with Geneva and Basel maintain worldwide recognition through their accomplished research initiatives together with their broad educational program range. Students from around the world select the University of St. Gallen together with USI Lugano because these institutions focus on business and social science programs.

Students who aim for academic and professional achievement will find the perfect learning environment at Swiss universities because they have state-of-the-art facilities and world-class faculty who emphasize innovation. 

 

The top 10 Swiss universities based on QS World University Rankings 2025 appear in the following list:

University

QS Global Ranking 2025

ETH Zurich

7

EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

14

University of Zurich

70

University of Geneva

95

University of Bern

120

University of Lausanne

155

University of Basel

130

University of St. Gallen

420

Università della Svizzera italiana (USI Lugano)

405

Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)

781

 

10 Popular Courses in Switzerland

International students choose Switzerland as their study destination because of its outstanding academic standards and outstanding research potential together with internationally distinguished universities. Switzerland provides exceptional education in business along with hospitality studies and engineering and financial programs that offer innovative career-driven curriculums. ETH Zurich together with EPFL and the University of St. Gallen maintain prestigious positions which deliver fantastic education through diverse academic programs. The educational institutions EHL and Glion maintain their status as globally regarded hospitality schools. Artificial intelligence along with environmental sciences are becoming increasingly popular scientific fields in Switzerland. 

 

This table presents information about top 10 Swiss university courses showing tuition prices and students can find them at identified best disciplines:

Course Name

Approximate Annual Fees (USD)

Approximate Annual Fees (INR)

Notable Universities

Business Management

$1,000 – $34,300

₹82,000 – ₹28,00,000

University of St. Gallen, University of Zurich, IMD Business School

Hotel & Hospitality Management

$20,000 – $35,000

₹16,40,000 – ₹28,70,000

Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches International School of Hotel Management

Finance & Banking

$1,000 – $34,300

₹82,000 – ₹28,00,000

University of Zurich, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne

Engineering

$1,460 – $1,600

₹1,20,000 – ₹1,31,000

ETH Zurich, EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

Computer Science

$1,460 – $1,600

₹1,20,000 – ₹1,31,000

ETH Zurich, EPFL, University of Basel

International Law

$1,000 – $34,300

₹82,000 – ₹28,00,000

University of Geneva, University of Zurich, University of Lausanne

Life Sciences

$1,460 – $1,600

₹1,20,000 – ₹1,31,000

University of Basel, ETH Zurich, University of Geneva

Environmental Sciences

$1,460 – $1,600

₹1,20,000 – ₹1,31,000

ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, EPFL

Artificial Intelligence

$1,460 – $1,600

₹1,20,000 – ₹1,31,000

ETH Zurich, EPFL, University of Lausanne

Tourism Management

$20,000 – $35,000

₹16,40,000 – ₹28,70,000

Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches International School of Hotel Management

Scholarships for Indian Students

Scholarship

Coverage

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

Tuition + Living

ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarships

Tuition Waiver

EPFL Fellowships

CHF 10,000

University of Geneva Excellence Masters

CHF 15,000

Explore Stream for Switzerland