23 Best Universities In Switzerland For International Students 2024

If you are looking to study in Switzerland, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 23 universities and colleges in Switzerland, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 23 universities in Switzerland, ETH Zürich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne are the top-performing schools in Switzerland. This list covers both public and private institutions in Switzerland.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Switzerland. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Switzerland.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Switzerland?

Applying to the universities in Switzerland involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Switzerland to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Switzerland?

Tuition fees at Switzerland’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 1,000 CHF to 34,300 CHF , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 1,000 CHF to 46,000 CHF. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Switzerland!

As we cover the best universities in Switzerland for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Switzerland for International Students

A world-class institution, ETH Zurich was established by the Swiss Government in 1855 with the goal of producing more scientists and engineers in the country. Today, they are highly recognized for their research contributions and academic courses. ETH Zurich specializes in technology, science, math, and engineering programs.

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, more commonly known as École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), has a long history that can be traced back to 1853. However, since its inception, the institution has undergone several redevelopments and rebranding. EPFL was reestablished in 1969 and has used its official name since then. Over the years, it has become one of the prominent institutions in Switzerland, occupying high positions in several prestigious higher education world rankings. A truly remarkable institute that produces world-class talents.

As the largest university in Switzerland, the University of Zurich offers the widest range of degree programs among all institutions in the country. It has a strong reputation for quality education, particularly in the fields of biology and medicine. The university also has an international reputation for being among the best in research. Today, it continues to develop valuable partnerships with research centers around the globe.

Established in 1460 and known as the oldest university in Switzerland, the University of Basel plays a significant role in the country’s northwestern region. Throughout the years, the school has greatly impacted the local community with its contributions to research and advancements. As one of the reputable higher education schools in the country, numerous international students and faculty are enticed to be part of the university. Moreover, the university has positioned itself as one of the ideal universities for prospective students across the globe.

One of Switzerland’s top-tier institutions, the University of Bern, offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs. They are highly known for their comprehensive quality education and research. As they continue their legacy in providing education to everyone, they received many awards and achievements in the field.

University of Geneva (UNIGE) is one of the leading universities in Switzerland. The institution is, in fact, listed as one of the prominent universities across the globe. It offers more than 500 academic programs at all levels (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral). Undoubtedly, UNIGE only provides high standards of teaching and research. The university puts great importance on its education, and the quality of teaching and training is highly regarded as one of the best in the world.

The University of Lausanne has been in the education industry for more than 480 years. It was initially established to educate pastors and clerics. Over the years, it has expanded to provide exemplary interdisciplinary programs in various fields such as business, biology, medicine, law, geosciences, and political sciences. In addition, the university has an international reputation as one of the most renowned universities all over Europe and, as well, as one of the top universities globally.

The University of St. Gallen upholds a practice-oriented approach when training its students’ skills and abilities. The university is already known for its economics, management, and social sciences courses, which is why it is one of the leading educational institutions in the country. The University of St. Gallen ensures that students will not only conduct basic research but will also be able to apply it to society through actual experience.

The University of Italian Switzerland is the only Swiss university that offers Italian as the primary language. It provides curricula where practice and theory go together in order for students to develop their individualism and uniqueness. The university also has a good set of infrastructure and strong relations in the labor market, giving students an excellent opportunity to reflect on their research findings.

The University of Fribourg provides an excellent environment for students to research, study, and work. It is determined to promote a sense of responsibility among its students and staff, which is why it maintains a highly productive learning approach. The university has been actively cooperating with various Swiss and foreign institutes to strengthen its external relationships.

Since its establishment, the University of Neuchâtel has been delivering high-quality education in science, law, economics, and business. It is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories to heighten the research opportunities for the students. The university always seeks innovation and continues to offer a friendly learning atmosphere to all students.

University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland offers diverse courses for students who want to become professionals someday. It heavily emphasizes practical education, which is why it incorporates a hands-on and application-oriented program concept. Although considered young, the university has proven its competence and is already an appealing institution for industry partners and employers.

Bern University of Applied Sciences offers an interdisciplinary approach where students can gain adequate learning in a wide range of subjects through research and discussions. It also has a deep international orientation and coordinates with numerous institutions and commercial enterprises globally. The university greatly values strategic education and continually aims to provide excellent teaching in the country.

The Geneva Graduate Institute is one of the few institutes in Europe specializing in the field of international relations. It is strategically based in the city of Geneva, which is home to the highest number of international organizations in the world. The institute offers programs at the graduate level only and counts several Nobel laureates and foreign ministers among its faculty.

Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts is considered the largest educational institution in Central Switzerland. Throughout the years, it has built a great reputation when it comes to engineering, business, and social work courses, among others. As a place where research and education connect, the university continues to innovate its teaching approach and training facilities to welcome more students from different parts of the world.

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland (HES-SO) is one of Switzerland’s most prominent applied sciences universities. It provides interdisciplinary programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. 46 undergraduate and more than 25 master’s programs are offered at the university. HES-SO has joint agreements with other prestigious institutions in the country. At present, the university has at least 28 affiliated schools providing top-rated courses to its students.

Shortened for SUPSI, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland is one of many public institutions located in the small country of Switzerland. However, there is something special regarding this specific institution since SUPSI is one of only nine universities of applied sciences that are recognized by the Swiss Government. Supported financially by the backing of the government, this university offers a variety of courses in undergraduate and graduate coursework.

University of Lucerne is a young institution in Switzerland that was only established in 2000. It offers a wide range of comprehensive study programs at all levels. The quality of education is among the best in the country, and each program is explicitly designed and structured to the students’ needs. Additionally, the university is fully committed to providing high standards of teaching and research. It has partnered with several renowned universities and companies to strengthen and improve its education system and develop more diverse multidisciplinary studies.

Known casually as Gilon, the Gilon Institute of Higher Education is a private university with campuses both in Switzerland and England. To accommodate students from a wide variety of nations, the language of instruction at this college is English, and due to this common practice, the student diversity of this campus has exceeded 90 nations. When it comes to its academic prestige, Gilon is famous for its courses in Hospitality and Leisure Management, which are for students who want to go into the professional hotel industry.

Being one of many international campuses of its American counterpart, the Webster University Geneva is the first international campus that was established by Webster University, which is an American university located in St. Louis, Missouri. Having a student body of nearly 500 applicants from nearly 100 different countries, this college in Switzerland offers a variety of academic programs in-class and also through virtual courses. If you are interested in this college in Switzerland, make sure to check out other international campuses that have been established by Webster University.

Known as the ZFH, the Zürcher Fachhochschule is an institution that is made up of four different colleges, which cover the following academic areas: applied sciences, arts, teacher education, and business administration. Due to the four different universities under its name, the ZFH covers a wide range of academic programs while hosting many of its students. In total, the undergraduate programs that you can choose from are nearly 40 in number, and for graduate programs, over 20 master’s programs are offered at ZFH to prospective applicants.

Having a short name as Kalaidos UAS, the Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences Switzerland is one of the top institutions that have been accredited as one of nine Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences. Even though it receives no funding from the government, this institution has been accredited by the federal government to teach academic programs in higher education. Established as a private university, Kalaidos UAS offers a broad range of courses in fields related to Applied Psychology, Business, Law, Health, Financial Management, and Music.

Founded in 1999, the FHO University of Applied Sciences is a newly-founded institution that is comprised of four colleges with locations in St. Gallen, Buchs, Rapperswil, and Chur. Approved by the federal government, this institution has implemented nearly 20 academic programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. By preparing all its colleges by getting proper accreditation for all of its courses, the FHO is paving the way for future generations to come.