Countries
Costs, visa process, work rights, scholarships and university options for studying in Switzerland.
Switzerland has twelve cantonal universities and two federal institutes of technology (ETH Zurich and EPFL). Teaching language depends on the region: German in Zurich, Basel, Bern and St. Gallen, French in Geneva, Lausanne and Fribourg, Italian and English in Lugano. Many master's programmes, especially at ETH Zurich, EPFL and in business and the sciences, are taught fully in English, while bachelor's programmes are mostly in a national language.
Tuition is low by international standards but rising for foreign students. Since autumn 2025 ETH Zurich and EPFL charge CHF 2,190 per semester to students who move to Switzerland to study, three times the CHF 730 paid by others. The University of Bern introduced an extra CHF 1,700 for non-Swiss students from autumn 2026, USI plans CHF 5,000 per semester from 2027/28 and HSG charges CHF 3,557.50 for foreign master's students, while UZH, Basel, Geneva and Lausanne remain between about CHF 500 and 880 per semester.
Students from outside the EU/EFTA need a national visa (D) and a residence permit. The cantonal migration office must approve before the consulate issues the visa; the Istanbul consulate quotes at least 8-12 weeks and no visa fee for students. Applicants must prove sufficient funds under cantonal rules, with university and cantonal figures ranging from roughly CHF 18,000 to 25,000 per year. Work is permitted only in exceptional cases, up to 15 hours a week and not before six months; graduates may apply for a six-month permit to look for work.
Switzerland suits applicants with strong grades, ability to document funding, and who can plan early, since master's deadlines for foreign applicants fall between November and April for the following autumn. Living costs are among the highest in Europe, and rules vary by canton and university, so applicants should confirm details with the university and the responsible migration authority.
ETH has no residences; WOKO cooperative serves ETH/UZH students; shared rooms CHF 800-1,000 in Zurich. Other cities not verified.
When planning the total budget, separate one-off and monthly items. Budget planning guide
Third-country students need a national visa D (studies) and then a cantonal residence permit. The responsible cantonal migration office approves first; the consulate issues the visa only after authorisation. Applicants must be in person at the consulate and tested in the study language per the Istanbul sheet.
Nationality-specific notes: turkish: Apply only at Consulate General of Switzerland in Istanbul; in person; electronic documents not accepted; 2 Swiss scholarships for Turkish graduates via Turkish Ministry of Education (Oct/Nov).;
Third-country students may work at most 15 hours per week outside holidays, beginning no sooner than six months after the course starts; the cantonal authority approves (Art. 38 ASEO), the employer files the application and the university must confirm the work fits the studies. After graduating from a Swiss higher education institution, third-country nationals have six months from the end of the course to look for a job matching their qualifications.
After graduation: Six-month residence permit to look for work after graduation, with funds, accommodation and diploma; later work only in shortage sectors with high academic/economic interest.
Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS), SERI
ETH Zurich
EPFL
University of Lausanne
Swiss Confederation via Turkish Ministry of Education
Zurich
Lausanne
Geneva
Basel
Bern
Lugano
St. Gallen
ETH Zurich
Zurich · Public
Study fees (tuition plus semester fees) from autumn 2025: Group 1 CHF 730 per semester (Swiss/Liechtenstein citizens, those resident in Switzerland when obtaining their entrance qualification, certain others); Group 2 CHF 2,190 per semester (threefold) for all others, which includes most international students.
EPFL (Ecole polytechnique federale de Lausanne)
Lausanne · Public
Tuition CHF 730 per semester, tripled to CHF 2,190 from autumn 2025 for foreign nationals who move to Switzerland to study; total invoice CHF 2,240 (incl. AGEPoly 25, sports 16, social fund 9). Index-adjusted every four years from 2029.
University of Zurich (UZH)
Zurich · Public
Tuition CHF 720 per semester; foreign-student surcharge CHF 500 per semester (bachelor) or CHF 100 (master, PhD); mandatory semester contributions CHF 59. Master total about CHF 879 per semester. Application fee CHF 150 for foreign qualifications.
University of Basel
Basel · Public
About CHF 850 per semester, same for local and international students (programme pages via search summary; subject to change).
University of Bern
Bern · Public
From fall 2026: CHF 850 per semester plus CHF 1,700 additional per semester for non-Swiss students without Swiss residence when obtaining the bachelor entrance qualification (previously CHF 200 extra, kept for those enrolled earlier); semester fee CHF 34. Total CHF 2,584 per semester.
University of Geneva (UNIGE)
Geneva · Public
CHF 500 per semester (CHF 65 fixed plus CHF 435 administrative), no nationality difference stated.
University of Lausanne (UNIL)
Lausanne · Public
CHF 580 per semester (course, exam and semester fee) for bachelor, master and EFLE; CHF 200 administrative fee for foreign bachelor applicants.
Universita della Svizzera italiana (USI)
Lugano · Public
Semester fee CHF 4,000 currently; CHF 5,000 per semester for students enrolling from 2027/28 (bachelor and master), not for Swiss or those resident in Switzerland at diploma. Some programmes (e.g. Philosophy) list CHF 2,000. Pages returned 403 to fetcher; from search summary.
University of St. Gallen (HSG)
St. Gallen · Public
From 1 Aug 2026: master's level CHF 3,557.50 per semester for foreign students (previously 3,329); Swiss students CHF 1,524.50. Application and processing fee CHF 250 (fees page) / CHF 268 on programme admission pages.
Bern University of Applied Sciences
Bern · Public
Most common figure reported on the Swiss national programme portal for this institution's English-available programmes (period/category as stated by the institution): 750, BildungsausländerInnen 950. Figures differ by programme and student category; confirm on the programme page.
Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training
Zollikofen · Public
Most common figure reported on the Swiss national programme portal for this institution's English-available programmes (period/category as stated by the institution): CHF 5'500 bei Regelstudienzeit (6 Semester). Figures differ by programme and student category; confirm on the programme page.
University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons
Chur · Public
Most common figure reported on the Swiss national programme portal for this institution's English-available programmes (period/category as stated by the institution): ab 960.00 je Semester. Figures differ by programme and student category; confirm on the programme page.
University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
Brugg-Windisch · Public
Most common figure reported on the Swiss national programme portal for this institution's English-available programmes (period/category as stated by the institution): 750; Studierende aus EU/EFTA-Staaten: 1000; Studierende aus Nicht-EU/EFTA-Staaten: mind. 5000. Figures differ by programme and student category; confirm on the programme page.
University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
Manno · Public
Most common figure reported on the Swiss national programme portal for this institution's English-available programmes (period/category as stated by the institution): CHF 1'000.--/semestre (svizzeri e residenti); CHF 2'000.--/semestre (stranieri). Figures differ by programme and student category; confirm on the programme page.
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland
Delémont · Public
University of Teacher Education of the cantons of Bern, Jura and Neuchâtel
Biel/Bienne · Public
Vaud University of Teacher Education
Lausanne · Public
Most common figure reported on the Swiss national programme portal for this institution's English-available programmes (period/category as stated by the institution): CHF 633.- /semestre. Figures differ by programme and student category; confirm on the programme page.
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
Lucerne · Public
Most common figure reported on the Swiss national programme portal for this institution's English-available programmes (period/category as stated by the institution): 800. Figures differ by programme and student category; confirm on the programme page.
University of Teacher Education in Special Needs
Zurich · Public
Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences Switzerland
Zurich · Private
OST - Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences
St. Gallen · Public
Most common figure reported on the Swiss national programme portal for this institution's English-available programmes (period/category as stated by the institution): inländische Studierende: CHF 1000.- je Semester, ausländische Studierende: CHF 1500.- je Semester. Figures differ by programme and student category; confirm on the programme page.
University of Teacher Education Bern
Bern · Public
University of Teacher Education of the Grisons
Chur · Public
University of Teacher Education Lucerne
Lucerne · Public
University of Teacher Education Schaffhausen
Schaffhausen · Public
University of Teacher Education Schwyz
Goldau (Arth) · Public
St.Gallen University of Teacher Education
St. Gallen · Public
Thurgau University of Teacher Education
Kreuzlingen · Public
Valais University of Teacher Education
Public
University of Teacher Education Zug
Zug · Public
University of Teacher Education Zurich
Zurich · Public
Pädagogisches Hochschulinstitut NMS Bern
University of Fribourg
Fribourg · Public
Most common figure reported on the Swiss national programme portal for this institution's English-available programmes (period/category as stated by the institution): CHF 295.00. Figures differ by programme and student category; confirm on the programme page.
University of Lucerne
Lucerne · Public
University of Neuchâtel
Neuchâtel · Public
Most common figure reported on the Swiss national programme portal for this institution's English-available programmes (period/category as stated by the institution): CHF 1030.- pour les résidents suisses; autrement CHF 1580.-. Figures differ by programme and student category; confirm on the programme page.
Zurich University of the Arts
Zurich · Public
Most common figure reported on the Swiss national programme portal for this institution's English-available programmes (period/category as stated by the institution): 720 / 1220. Figures differ by programme and student category; confirm on the programme page.
Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Winterthur · Public
Most common figure reported on the Swiss national programme portal for this institution's English-available programmes (period/category as stated by the institution): 720.- pro Semester. Figures differ by programme and student category; confirm on the programme page.
Information on this page is compiled from official sources and was verified on the date shown. Fees, dates and visa rules change often; check official sources before applying. Empty fields have not been verified yet; ask our advisor for the current information.
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