11 Affordable universities in Switzerland to Study Abroad in 2022 |Updated List

Universities in Switzerland: Switzerland has some of the best universities for study abroad programs in all of Europe.

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Then you are in luck, as the world study portal has put this great piece for every student who wants to study abroad in Switzerland.

So, if you are thinking of studying abroad in Switzerland, then you are making a good decision.

Discover the best universities in Switzerland for students looking to acquire a degree abroad or study in Switzerland for a short period of time. ☆ There are various reasons why you should study as an international student in Switzerland. Switzerland might not have tropical beaches, but it does offer old towns and gorgeous lakes.

You won’t be trekking through jungles, but you will be skiing across the Alps. The Swiss are recognized for eating the most chocolate in the world, as well as loving cheese, and inventing various useful items such as velcro, the Swiss Army Knife, and cellophane.

All of that innovation originated from Swiss universities, which are among the best in the world. Switzerland, which is bordered by Austria, France, Germany, and Italy, is an excellent starting point for the rest of your European adventure.

Choosing Switzerland As your Study Abroad Location

International students have a plethora of alternatives. Study abroad programs and colleges that welcome international students abound as more people appreciate the value of international travel.

Students can find a wide selection of degrees to suit their interests at Swiss institutions, ranging from international politics to hospitality, banking to the culinary arts.

While the expense of living and language requirements may provide some challenges, motivation and preparation will get you far. Are you ready to change the world of business while enjoying Swiss chocolate in the Alps?

Read on to learn more about international universities in Switzerland, where you may spend your weeks acquiring a world-class education and your weekends’ skiing and eating fondue by Lake Geneva.

In this article, you will find a list of some of the best universities in Switzerland that are the best fit for you. 

Also, you will see some reasons that make Switzerland a good study abroad location.

By the end of this article, you will find yourself falling in love with the idea of studying in one of Switzerland’s top universities.

If you are ready, then let’s get started.

Is Switzerland a good place to study abroad?

Switzerland is one of the best locations to study abroad in Europe. Many of their schools have received a lot of positive remarks for being great at imparting knowledge. 

Top universities in Switzerland have great teachers and offer a wide range of courses. 

Generally, the country has an excellent score of 8.9 out of 10 for giving students the best study abroad experience.

Students are more satisfied with the schools in Switzerland than in other schools in Europe.

As a result, students are confident the opportunity to study in Switzerland will play an important role in their future careers.

With so many alternatives, you’re likely to discover a program at a Swiss university for just about any type of study abroad experience. Can’t get enough of the next Winter Olympics? Spend the winter as an international student in Switzerland.

Do you want to change the world through foreign diplomacy? Geneva is known as the “Capital of Peace and Freedom.” Are you torn between studying Italian and German?

In Switzerland, you can speak both languages, as well as French and Romansch!

A fun tidbit that will set your mind at ease about potential language barriers: around one-quarter of the population is from outside of Switzerland.

When you combine that with four official languages and the growing popularity of English, you’ll discover that multiculturalism, along with bilingualism, is a vital aspect of everyday life.

Is studying in Switzerland free for international students?

The straightforward answer to this question is NO.

Unless you gain a fully paid scholarship to study in one of the top universities in Switzerland. 

But this should not scare you.

It is very common in most European countries for tuition fees to be higher for non-EU/EEA than those for EU/EEA students.

However, this is not the same in Switzerland. 

Tuition fees in most public universities are the same for all international students, regardless of their nationality.

The only exceptions to this pattern are the following schools;

  • Université de Fribourg
  • University of Lucerne
  • the University of Neuchâtel
  • University of St. Gallen
  • University of Lugano
  • University of Zurich

At these universities, you can encounter two situations:

  • Tuition fees are higher for non-EU/EEA citizens
  • Tuition fees are higher for all international students when compared to fees for national (Swiss) students

Besides these schools, you can learn in other cheaper schools since education in Switzerland is public-funded.

If you add the great learning experience that you will get from studying in one of the best universities in Switzerland, you will easily conclude that every expense is worth it.

What are the best universities in Switzerland for study abroad programs?

Switzerland study program

If you are an international student wishing to study abroad in Switzerland, here are some of the best universities in the country.

We’re countdown from No. 11;

#11. University of Neuchâtel:

Neuchâtel University (UniNE) is a French-speaking university based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. 

The university has four faculties (schools) and more than a dozen institutes, including arts and human sciences, natural sciences, law, and economics. 

The Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences, with 2,000 students, is the largest school of those that comprise the University of Neuchâtel.

#10. University of Fribourg:

This is one of the oldest universities in Switzerland dating as far back as 1580.

In this school, lectures are given using two of Switzerland’s national languages – French and German.

The faculties in this school include law, Theology, economics and social sciences, sciences, and humanities.

This is an ideal school for study abroad programs.

#9. University of St. Gallen:

Established in 1898, St. Gallen university is a research institute that is located in St Gallen, Switzerland. 

It specializes in business administration, economics, law, and international affairs

Although it is one of Switzerland’s smallest universities, the University of St Gallen has Switzerland’s largest faculty for business administration. 

With its over 9,000 students, it is ranked among the top business universities in the world.

#8. Università della Svizzera italiana (University of Italian Switzerland):

Sitting in the 8th position of the best universities in Switzerland is the University of Italian Switzerland. 

This school was established in 1995 and it has several faculties including Communication, Culture and Society, Economics, Informatics, Biomedical Sciences, and the Academy of Architecture.

It is suitable for all study abroad programs and international students can enroll in programs in this school.

Interestingly, this is also the only university in Switzerland where the official language is Italian, but many of its programs are in English.

Switzerland universities for international student
Switzerland universities for international student

#7. University of Lausanne

The University of Lausanne sits in the 7th position among the best universities in Switzerland.

It was founded in 1537 and it is the second oldest university in Switzerland.

In addition to that, this school is one of the oldest universities in the world to still be in continuous operation to this day.

The University of Lausanne has a wide curriculum including exchange programs with world-renowned universities.

This makes it one of the best universities in Switzerland for study abroad programs. 

While the majority of courses are offered in French, numerous master’s and doctorate programs are taught in English. While you’re at the University of Lausanne, you can also work on improving your French.

For advanced French speakers, the School of French as a Foreign Language offers courses aimed at strengthening the French language, literature, and cultural understanding.

Vacation courses (or Cours de vacancies) are offered during the summer and winter vacations to students of all levels whose first language is not French.

Finally, the Tandem Program assists students in finding conversation partners to practice French and other languages.

#6. University of Basel:

The University of Basel is Switzerland’s oldest university and also among the world’s oldest surviving universities.

It was founded in 1460 and is still counted among the best universities in Switzerland today.

The school offers several cross-disciplinary subjects and has many faculties. 

The faculties in the school cover theology, law, medicine, humanities, social sciences, science, psychology, as well as business and economics.

#5. University of Bern:

The University of Bern is the 5th best university in Switzerland for study abroad programs.

With about 18,576 students, it is also one of the largest universities in the country. 

Founded in 1834, this school is located in the Swiss capital city of Bern.

They have about eight faculties and offer a wide range of courses and programs.

So, this might just be the right school for your study abroad program.

But let’s keep going.

#4. University of Geneva:

The University of Geneva is one of the largest universities in Switzerland by the number of students.

It seems like the most loved school for international students as almost 40% of the students come from foreign countries.

The school dates as far back as 1559 and actively pursues teaching, research, and community service as its primary objectives.

Teaching in this school is done in French and the English language. 

The university is internationally recognized for its research and education, and its students profit significantly from the abundance of international organizations that call Geneva home.

The international significance of the city, as well as its multiculturalism, can be sensed on campus. Foreign students make up roughly one-third of the student body at the University of Geneva.

#3. University of Zurich:

Switzerland’s largest city is also home to the country’s largest university. Zurich University is situated in one of the world’s major financial capitals.

The University of Zurich, widely regarded as one of the greatest universities in Switzerland, the German-speaking world, and Europe in general, provides a wide range of academic programs for students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

The University of Zurich is the third among the best universities in Switzerland to Study Abroad.

It was founded in 1833 and is located in the city of Zürich.

Interestingly, the University of Zurich is the largest university in Switzerland, with about 28,000 enrolled students.

Among other universities in Switzerland, the University of Zurich offers the widest range of subjects and courses.

The faculties in the school include Philosophy, Human Medicine, Economic Sciences, Law, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Engineering, Computer Sciences and Robotics, Theology, and Veterinary Medicine.

#2. Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL):

The second best university in Switzerland is the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).

This school is also known as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne.

Besides topping in Switzerland, the EPFL also ranks among the top 20 universities in the world. 

The school was founded in 1853 and specializes in natural sciences and engineering.

Since EPFL is found in the French-speaking part of Germany, the school teaches both French and English. 

#1. ETH Zurich:

Topping our list of best universities in Switzerland is no other than ETH Zurich. 

This school is also known as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. 

Not only that ETH Zurich the best university in Switzerland, but it also belongs to the top 10 universities in the world and the top 5 universities in Europe.

The School was founded in 1854 by the Swiss Federal Government with the mission to educate engineers and scientists.

So, at ETH Zurich, the major focus is exclusively on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

This school teaches both German and English, so if you are an English-speaking international student, you are covered. 

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best universities in Switzerland for Studying Abroad Program

With several top-ranked universities, the Swiss higher education system offers students the opportunity to take their education and future careers further! Plus, as a promoter of global participation, Switzerland is also an ideal choice for international students to study abroad.

Well, technically, no, there aren’t any universities in Switzerland that are entirely free of cost. This is not only the case with international students, but there are also no free programs for nationals.

Overall, students are more satisfied with their academics in Switzerland than on average in Europe. Because universities in Switzerland are highly regarded around the world, students are confident the opportunity to study in Switzerland will play an important role in their future careers.

Switzerland might be an expensive country to live in, but tuition fees in Switzerland are quite reasonable, especially if you plan to study at a public Swiss university. The fees for higher education institutions in Switzerland depend on your citizen status, the university, the level of studies, and the discipline.

In terms of work permits after studying in Switzerland, students are allowed to remain in the country for six months after completion of the degree to look for jobs. The Switzerland Visa for a work permit is given to successful job applicants.

Conclusion 

Following the above, you will agree with me that Switzerland has some of the best universities for you.

Also, the fact that most of the schools are public-funded makes it one of the cheapest study abroad locations in all of Europe.

Now, you have enough information to choose one of the top universities in Switzerland and prepare yourself for a great future.

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