University of Lausanne

Being home to over 7000 lakes and one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, Switzerland is also home to some of the top-ranked universities in the world. ETH Zurich of Switzerland, for example, stands in the 7th position in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Over the years, Switzerland’s education system has continued to secure a place among the top 10 or top 20 education systems in the world. The country is renowned for research, engineering and business programs which are often taught in English.

The alpine mountain ranges and the crystal-clear lakes in Switzerland are a major attraction for visitors around the world. However, there is more to this cheese and chocolate-loving nation. In that case, Switzerland, having one of the best education systems in the world, proves to be a great study-abroad destination among international students.

Switzerland is a rich country, located in the Schengen zone and has been a neutral state since 1505, which has resulted in the growth in the economy of the country. There are many English-taught courses available in the country in fields like technology, finance and hospitality. Students get to practice their knowledge and skills in a strong research facility and get to experience a high quality of life with chances of getting settled in this rich European country. The quality of education and skills developed while pursuing higher education is a class apart. This article presents details on studying in Switzerland for Indian students.

Study in Switzerland 2026: Highlights

Why Study in Switzerland?

Surrounded by other popular nations like Liechtenstein, France, Germany and Austria, Switzerland is one of the safest countries to live in the world. The country is also very rich in terms of its economy, cultural heritage and beautiful scenery. International students coming to study in Switzerland not only get leveraged with its world-class universities listed among the top 100 universities in the world and top-tier education system, but also get to visit the popular Swiss landscapes such as its alpine mountains, Jura mountains, Central Plateau and crystal clear lakes.

On the other hand, Switzerland is also the business hub of Europe, so students get an ample amount of opportunities for networking with business people after the completion of their studies. The Swiss government also invests heavily in bringing excellence in education, research and science.

Education System in Switzerland

The education system in Switzerland continues to hold a place in the list of the top 10 education systems in the world. The Swiss education system is divided into 3 parts, namely compulsory education, upper secondary level and the tertiary level. Switzerland has a total of 26 cantons, each of which is responsible for its educational matters, including compulsory education.

The compulsory public education is free and takes 11 years for completion - 8 years at primary school (including 2 years of first learning cycle) and 3 years of secondary school. These schools and daily work are organised by the local municipalities, and the medium of teaching remains French, German, Italian or Romansh, depending upon the location of the school in Switzerland.

The upper secondary level, handled jointly by the cantons and federations, follows compulsory education and allows students to choose an apprenticeship. During this, the students spend the majority of their time in industry training and the remaining time in their studies. On the completion of their upper secondary level and obtaining a “maturity certificate”, students become eligible for higher education, which forms the tertiary level of education in Switzerland.

Read: Criteria you must know for studying in Switzerland 2025

Top 10 Universities in Switzerland 2027

Check below the best universities in Switzerland, ranked as per the QS World University Rankings 2027.

Top Courses in Switzerland 2026

While Switzerland is the business hub of Europe, the top universities in Switzerland are majorly popular for providing the best business education. For this reason, a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) is the most popular course among students willing to study in Switzerland. However, there are more courses for which Switzerland universities are famous. The top courses in Switzerland include:

• Hospitality & Tourism Management

• Business Studies,

• Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT),

• Engineering,

• Law, and

• Medicine.

How to Study in Switzerland in 2026?

The process of starting your higher education in Switzerland is pretty simple. The step-by-step procedure for studying in Switzerland is given below.

• Start by looking for a degree programme: Look for the possible prospects, return on investment (ROI) and estimated budget for the course. Your chosen program should be the one that you would want to pursue as a profession for a lifetime.

• Shortlist universities/colleges in Switzerland: Look for the top universities in Switzerland for your chosen specialisation.

• Check out Scholarships: You may find all the information regarding scholarships on your university’s website.

• Check your eligibility for the course: Before proceeding to apply, make sure to check your eligibility to study in Switzerland. Match your qualifications with the requirements of the course, be it the language, grades or work experience required as per your chosen course.

• Fill out the online application form: Once you are through with the eligibility of your chosen course, fill out the application form online of your finalised university by uploading the scanned copies (in the desired format - JPEG/PDF) of the required documents and making an online payment of the application fee.

• Look for acceptance from the university: After filling out the application, look for the university’s acceptance email in your registered email ID.

• Apply for a Swiss Study Visa: On receiving the acceptance from your university, apply for a Switzerland student visa and start managing your finances.

Admission Requirements to Study in Switzerland

Below are the admission requirements to study in Switzerland as an international student. You can also create a checklist from the list given below, to be followed during your application process in the future. You will be required to keep the following documents ready when applying to a Swiss university.

• Two passport-size photographs.

• An updated CV

• Academic Transcripts

• SOP

• Passport Copy

• Language proficiency certificate (or marks)

Cost of Studying in Switzerland

The cost of education in Switzerland is quite affordable in comparison to other European countries. The average range of tuition fees for pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Switzerland is INR 10 to 25 lakhs, while that for a master’s in Switzerland can go up to 30-35 lakhs. However, students must take into consideration some additional costs like the cost of taking a language exam, application costs and living fees. The language proficiency exam and application fees may make a combined amount of INR 50,000, making the average cost of studying in Switzerland for international (Indian) students somewhere around INR 15-20 lakhs.

Switzerland Student Visa

To study in Switzerland, you will be required to apply for a Swiss study visa as soon as you receive confirmation from the university regarding your admission. The following documents are required for the Swiss student visa and should be submitted in the same exact order as given below. The requirements for a Switzerland student visa are given below.

Some additional required documents for a Swiss study visa are:

• A valid Residence Certificate (RC)

• A valid return visa - the return visa may be submitted once the authorisation is received.

Fully Funded Scholarships to Study in Switzerland 2026

For promoting the international exchange of top talents and research cooperation of Switzerland with as many as 180 countries, the Swiss Federation awards "Government Excellence Scholarships" to international students coming to do either their master's (or research) or arts subjects in Switzerland. The scholarship offers -

• a monthly stipend of CHF1,920 (approx. INR 2.2 L)
• complete exemption of tuition fees
• round trip airfare
• monthly accommodation/housing allowance of CHF 300 (approx. INR 34.8k) - paid once, at the beginning of availing of the scholarship by students
• health insurance
• 1-year's public transportation card for half-fare
• also includes various dinners, trips and sightseeing activities organised by the Federation for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship holders.

You may also check more information on fully-funded scholarships to study abroad here.

Student Life in Switzerland

Student life in Switzerland for Indians is highly rewarding but comes with distinct trade-offs. You will experience world-class education at prestigious institutions like ETH Zurich and EPFL, high living standards and a safe, multicultural environment. However, the cost of living is so high that it comes off as a punishment for students from abroad. As a non-EU student, you can work up to 15 hours per week during the semester. Wages are generous (typically CHF 22 to CHF 35 per hour), which can comfortably cover your day-to-day expenses, though you'll need savings or an education loan for tuition and initial relocation.

Not just that, the competition for getting into a Swiss university or for work after graduation is fierce and really competitive. And lastly, while many master's programs are taught in English - learning basic German, French or Italian is highly recommended for everyday socialising activities and for integrating into the local community

This was all about studying in Switzerland. If you seek assistance in studying in Switzerland, then, you can reach out for Shiksha's Counselling Services for free.

Study in Switzerland FAQs

Q. Is IELTS required for a Switzerland student visa?

A. Yes, an English language proficiency certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL is mandatory for a Swiss study visa application. However, IELTS is more common in universities in Switzerland.

Q. Can I study in Switzerland for free?

A. Tuition fee in Switzerland is not absolutely free. However, most public universities in Switzerland charge only minimal tuition fee from both - domestic and international students.

Q. Can I study in Switzerland without IELTS?

A. Yes it is possible to study in Switzerland without IELTS as many Swiss universities offer waivers or accept alternative proof of proficiency. If you don't have an IELTS score, you can typically use one of the following methods to satisfy language requirements for your university in Switzerland:

• Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate
• Alternative tests like TOEFL iBT (widely accepted), PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test (accepted by some, including the University of Zurich) and Cambridge English Qualifications.
• University Assessments
• Choosing Programs in Local Languages

Q. Did Einstein study in Switzerland?

A. Yes, Einstein wanted to study in Switzerland rather than in Munich. He studied at ETH Zurich from 1896 to 1900 and graduated with a degree in Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Q. Can I study in Switzerland in English?

A. There are 4 official languages in use in Switzerland, and international students can choose to study in any 3 of them. However, there are certain programs taught solely in English, so international students must look for such courses thoroughly before applying.

Q. How much does it cost to study in Switzerland?

A. The average cost of studying in Switzerland ranges from INR 15-20 lakhs. However, students must also accommodate the living expenses of Switzerland (which is around INR 1.8 lakhs per month) in their overall budget.

Q. What IELTS score is needed to study in Switzerland?

A. To study in Switzerland, an overall IELTS Academic score of 6.0 to 6.5 is required for bachelor's courses, while master's courses require 6.5 to 7.5 band scores.

Q. Is getting a Swiss student visa easy for Indian students?

A. Getting a Swiss student visa (long-stay Type D) for Indian students is generally considered achievable. The estimated success rate of getting a Swiss student visa for Indian students is 80-85%.