Studying in Switzerland

What a year costs

Tuition at public universities is low but no longer uniform. Two examples:

• ETH Zurich, from autumn semester 2025: CHF 2,190 per semester for most international students, three times the standard CHF 730. Students already enrolled before autumn 2025 keep the old fee until they finish their current degree. You cannot move to the lower fee group during your studies, not even between bachelor's and master's.
• University of Zurich: for students with foreign entrance qualifications, CHF 1,220 per semester at bachelor's level (CHF 720 plus a CHF 500 surcharge) and CHF 820 at master's and doctoral level (CHF 720 plus CHF 100), plus CHF 59 in compulsory semester contributions. The application fee is CHF 100.

Other cantonal universities set their own fees. Private hospitality and business schools charge far more: check each one.

Living costs. ETH's published estimate for international students is CHF 25,200 a year in total for most departments, with architecture students at CHF 28,500, and higher for those paying the threefold fee (up to CHF 31,400 in architecture). Within that, ETH puts average rent in the canton of Zurich at CHF 11,300 a year and meals at CHF 7,200 a year. Health insurance is compulsory; ETH gives an average of CHF 1,320 a year for non-EU students.

The visa

You need a national (D) visa to enter, then a residence permit for study from the cantonal migration office where your university is. The canton decides, not a federal authority, and requirements vary.

Fees. For Zurich, the University of Zurich lists CHF 50-100 at the Swiss embassy or consulate, CHF 95 to the Migration Office, and CHF 162 for registration on arrival. ETH gives slightly different figures for the permit itself (about CHF 144 for non-EU students plus about CHF 40 for registration), which reflects how fees differ by office and permit stage. Budget roughly CHF 300-400 in total and check your canton's fee table.

The money is set by the canton.

• Zurich: the cantonal Migration Office treats CHF 21,000 for twelve months as sufficient. The University of Zurich states it can be shown through a Swiss bank account in your name or a guarantee declaration from a Swiss resident.
• Geneva: the cantonal office asks for CHF 20,000 for a year of study, or a regular income of at least CHF 2,500 a month, shown by bank statements or a sponsor's financial support form.

For other cantons, such as Vaud (EPFL, Lausanne), Basel, Bern or St. Gallen, check the cantonal migration office or your university's international office. Do not assume the Zurich figure applies.

Other documents. Non-EU applicants in Geneva must also provide a CV, a motivation letter, a detailed study plan, a criminal record extract and a written commitment to leave Switzerland after your studies. Many cantons ask for similar documents.

Timing. The University of Zurich tells students to contact the Swiss representation at least three months before they plan to enter, and notes that the visa is generally valid from only two to three weeks before the semester starts, however early you applied. Never enter on a tourist visa: it cannot be converted into a residence permit once you are in Switzerland. After arrival, you register within 14 days and have your biometrics taken.

Working while you study

Non-EU students may work up to 15 hours a week during term, but only from six months after the start of the course. You cannot work at all in your first six months. In holidays, full-time work is allowed.

The employer must submit an application, and your university must confirm that the work will not delay your studies. You cannot simply sign a contract and start.

Fifteen hours at Swiss wages helps, but it will not cover Zurich rent. The canton has already assessed you as self-funding.

After you graduate

Graduates of a Swiss higher education institution get six months from the end of their course to look for a job that matches their qualifications.

During that period you can be admitted to work if the job is of overriding scientific or economic interest, which lets the employer skip the usual requirement to prefer Swiss and EU/EFTA candidates. Non-EU work permits in Switzerland are also subject to annual quotas.

This is a short window with a high bar. Start applying in your final semester. The Zurich Migration Office states that you must again show sufficient funds for the job-search permit.

Language

Switzerland has four national languages, and universities teach in the language of their region: German in Zurich, Basel, Bern and St. Gallen, French in Geneva and Lausanne, Italian in Lugano. Most bachelor's programmes are taught in the local language; English-taught provision is concentrated at master's level, especially at ETH, EPFL and the business schools. Language requirements are set per programme.

Everyday life, part-time work and graduate hiring outside international firms and research run in the local language. Swiss German differs strongly from standard German in speech, which surprises many newcomers in Zurich.

When to apply

Deadlines are early and differ by university:

• ETH Zurich master's, holders of international bachelor's degrees: 1-30 November 2026, deadline 30 November 2026, 11:59 CET, for entry in autumn 2027.
• University of Zurich, bachelor's and master's with foreign qualifications: normally 1 January to 30 April for the autumn semester, but applicants who need a visa must apply between 1 January and 28 February.

Then the visa takes months. For an autumn 2027 start, you should have your offer by late spring 2027 and your visa application in the system at least three months before arrival.

What to watch out for

The canton sets the rules. Proof of funds, fees, documents and processing times differ between Zurich, Geneva, Vaud and the rest. Use the cantonal migration office's own page for the canton where your university is, not a national summary.

ETH's higher fee is locked in for your whole programme. The threefold fee applies to international students enrolling from autumn 2025 who do not meet the residence or work permit criteria, and you cannot switch into the lower group later, even when moving from bachelor's to master's.

No work in the first six months. Budget to live entirely on savings for at least your first semester.

You commit to leaving. Some cantons, including Geneva, ask non-EU students to sign a commitment to leave after their studies. The six-month job-search period exists, but the permit is for study, not settlement.

Housing in Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne is very tight. Student housing is limited and allocated early. Deposits are commonly several months' rent. Do not pay money for a room you have not verified, and do not book flights before you have an address, because you need it to register.

Where these numbers come from

Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Every figure above carries the date we checked it. Check the official source before you rely on it. We did not verify proof-of-funds figures for cantons other than Zurich and Geneva, and the national visa fee is given as a range because it depends on where you apply.