A country with four official languages and a federal constitution
The Confederation is responsible both for advanced vocational training and for the universities of applied sciences. Additionally, it has authority over the two Federal Institutes of Technology and controls and endorses research through the Swiss National Science Foundation (FNS).
Each of the 10 university cantons has the responsibility for its cantonal university. Cantonal universities receive financial support from the Confederation and from those cantons, which do not have their own university. Furthermore, as in Germany, Austria and most northern European countries, you can find ‘Fachhochschulen’ or Universities of Applied Sciences, which provide more technical education, often including work experience.
Swiss universities are highly international and regularly recruit students and academics from other countries. There is, however, a limit of 25% on the overall number of foreign students that Swiss universities can recruit.
Around 44% of teaching and administration staff are also from abroad, making Swiss universities some of the most international on the planet.
The 12 research-led Swiss Universities are:
As in the United
Every Swiss university makes its own decisions which qualifications to recognise. As a general prerequisite to enter a bachelor program in Switzerland, you must have completed your A-Levels. At some
Switzerland does not have a UCAS System like
The Centre of Accreditation and Quality Assurance of the Swiss Universities (OAQ) guarantees and promotes quality in teaching and research in Switzerland's universities. Although the OAQ is a member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, the ENQA operates
Swiss universities are generally respected as being amongst the world’s best.
Private universities and colleges are not usually accredited by OAQ. As most of these offer education in business, accreditation is often through international organisations such as
Tuition fees for public universities and colleges in Switzerland vary from institution to institution. Charges can be from £1000 up to £6000 per year. Private institutions charge much higher fees, up to £25,000 in some cases although sometimes accommodation is included at residential institutions such as hotel management schools. Also keep in mind public and private universities will charge some admissions fees, which are around £200.
In most areas of Switzerland, the cost of living is cheaper than London, although some items, such as food, are on average more expensive than elsewhere in Europe. However, that hardly makes Switzerland a cheap destination. The Swiss government estimates monthly expenses for students to be somewhere between 1,500 CHF and 2,500 CHF (£1,000-£1,700).
Living expenses depend very much on the individual student. These figures should
| Rent incl. heating | 690 CHF |
| Additional expenses (telephone, internet, Billag [TV and radio license fees]) | 140 CHF |
| Meals | 450 CHF |
| Health insurance, insurance | 100 CHF |
| Travel | 95 CHF |
| Clothing, laundry, personal items | 100 CHF |
| Leisure, spending money | 150 CHF |
| AHV / IV | 40 CHF |
| Study materials | 120 CHF |
| Total | 2,000 CHF (£1390) |
(Source: Student financial aid office: http://www.uzh.ch/studies/studentlife/finances_en.html)
You do not need a visa if you are an EU/EEA citizen. However, you need to register with the local authorities (Einwohnerkontrolle, Residents' Registration Office) within 14 days of entering Switzerland.
Yes, you can - if you have an EU/EEA passport and have registered with your local authorities.
You need to register with the local authorities (Einwohnerkontrolle, Residents' Registration Office) within 14 days of entering Switzerland.
The following documents are required:
It is unusual for Swiss universities to be able to provide you with their own housing. In Zurich, for example, none of the universities has their own accommodation for students.
The Housing Office of University / ETH Zurich issues an overview of useful
Many universities also warn that scammers operate in the rental market so pay careful attention when negotiating with rental agents. This is a problem in many countries but it is not often that universities feel the need to mention it on their own pages.
Switzerland has a compulsory health insurance system that guarantees access to a range of quality medical care services and appropriate medical treatment to all people living in Switzerland. Every person living in Switzerland for more than three months, including international students, must have basic health insurance coverage.
Students from an EU state who are legally insured in their home country can apply for exemption from this obligation by using the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC for up to one year for British nationals) or a provisional certificate issued by the health insurance company in your home country.
“ The university has great facilities and a modern outlook on learning ”
A Star Future provides information and guidance to British students looking to pursue their undergraduate studies abroad.
Through our presentations in schools and our websites we aim to ensure that British-educated students are well informed about their choices.
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