Best Universities in Switzerland for Indian Students
There are some of the best universities in Switzerland, which are considered to be among the world’s top-class institutes in terms of providing quality and affordable education.
Every year, thousands of Indian students visit Switzerland to pursue higher education courses like Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD, which help them fulfil their dreams.
In this blog, we have encapsulated every detail related to these universities, including their rankings, tuition fees, top study programs, application processes, and much more.
- Best Universities in Switzerland: Top Reasons to Study
- Top Universities in Switzerland
- Private Universities in Switzerland
- Popular Courses in Best Universities of Switzerland
- Study Intakes in Switzerland
- Eligibility Criteria for Swiss Universities
- Documents Checklist
- Steps for Proceeding with Application Process
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Best Universities in Switzerland: Top Reasons to Study
Switzerland is known as home to the world’s best chocos, beautiful natural scenery, diverse and peaceful culture, etc., which attract lakhs of people around the world every year.
The trend in recent years has shifted a little bit as the country is now gradually becoming the hub of education and research along with maintaining its identity as a famous travel destination.
Every year, thousands of Indian students opt for Switzerland to pursue higher education because of the affordability of study programs, the rapidly growing economy that is boosting the labour market, the presence of world-renowned employers, and opportunities to learn various foreign languages in one place.
Let’s have a look at some of the top reasons to study in Switzerland:
Affordable Study
The average tuition fee for higher degree programs for any level lies in the range of 1,000-2,000 CHF (INR 93,510-1.87 Lakh) per year in public universities. Public universities in Switzerland get constant financial support from the government, which is the primary reason for low tuition fees.
However, private universities in Switzerland charge around 3,000 CHF-80,000 CHF or INR 16 Lakh-56 Crore depending on the specialisation and course, etc., providing the best educational experience to students.
Focus on Research and Innovation
Swiss universities often focus on a problem-solving approach to deliver the course curriculum to students, which involves a higher level of brainstorming and forming innovative ideas to present solutions.
Switzerland is also home to the world’s best research institutes and labs, like CERN, which provides continuous assistance to universities in developing their academic modules.
Exposure to Multiculturalism
There are four official languages in Switzerland: English, Romansh, German, French, and Italian. International students get exposure to people drawn from different countries and cultures, which helps shape their perspectives.
Top Universities in Switzerland
To pursue study in Switzerland, international students are expected to have excellent and incredible subject knowledge and skills relevant to their chosen subject field.
The duration of a bachelor’s course is 3-4 years and 1-2 years for a master’s course in Switzerland, depending on the course, specialisation, and university. The length of a PhD course is generally around 4-6 years.
Below, we have listed some of the best universities in Switzerland for international students, including their QS World University Rankings and annual tuition fees.
| University | QS World Rankings (2025) | Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| ETH Zurich | 7 | 1,470 CHF |
| EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne | 26 | 1,266 CHF |
| University of Zurich | 109 | 1,470 CHF |
| University of Basel | 131 | 1,500 CHF |
| University of Geneva | 155 | 1,000 CHF |
| University of Bern | 161 | 1,800 CHF |
| University of Lausanne | 224 | 1,297 CHF |
| USI - Università della Svizzera italiana | 405 | 8,000 CHF |
Private Universities in Switzerland
Below, we have tabulated the private universities in Switzerland with their annual tuition fees
| University | Annual Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Swiss Hotel Management School | 35,000-60,000 CHF (INR 32-56 Lakh) |
| IMD Business School | 115,000 CHF (INR 1 Crore) |
| Webster University | 40,000-75,000 CHF (INR 40-75 Lakh) |
| Swiss School of Business & Management | 13,000-18,000 CHF (INR 12-18 Lakh) |
| International Business Academy of Switzerland | 20,000-70,000 CHF (INR 18-65 Lakh) |
Popular Courses in Best Universities of Switzerland
There are almost 1,000 courses available in the universities of Switzerland, which international students pursue to earn various degree certifications. However, there are some popular programs that the majority of them seek due to their career significance in terms of education and research.
We have enlisted popular fields of study below for a general overview of the academic excellence that Swiss universities impart to Indian students.
- Banking & Finance
- Computer Science
- Cultural Studies
- Engineering & Technology
- Hotel & Hospitality Management
- Humanities
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Science
Also read – How to Find the Perfect Study Abroad Program
Study Intakes in Switzerland
Switzerland has two types of study intake: fall and spring.
- The beginning of the academic year in Switzerland marks the fall intake, which most international students opt for because almost every university offers all its educational programs during this intake.
- In contrast, the Spring intake is a secondary intake in which only short-term and language courses, along with some selected academic programs, are available.
| Intakes | Intake duration | Application Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | August/September-December | August-November |
| Spring | January/February-May | May-August |
Eligibility Criteria for Swiss Universities
For Bachelor’s Degree Courses
The entry requirements for bachelors in Switzerland differ according to university and courses.
Indian students having higher secondary education certificates from any board of education (XI and XII standards) are eligible to study in Switzerland.
Below, we have listed the general eligibility criteria for Indian students to get admission into bachelor’s courses at the best universities in Switzerland for international students, particularly Indians.
Academic Proficiency:
- Indian students must have completed their higher secondary education from any government-recognized board of education (state and central boards like CBSE).
- Students must have completed their higher secondary education with at least five subjects.
English Proficiency: Indian students applying for Bachelor’s courses are required to have the following English language proficiency:
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum score of 100-120
- IELTS: A minimum average score of 5.5-7.0
For Master’s Degree Courses
The entry requirements in universities in Switzerland for masters differ by institutes and courses.
Indian students with 3-4 years of bachelor’s degrees from any government-accredited university can be admitted to MS courses.
Below, we have listed the general eligibility criteria for Indian students to get admission into master’s courses at top universities in Switzerland.
Academic Proficiency:
- Indian students must have a minimum GPA of 65-75% or a CGPA of 6.5-7.5.
- Specific subject-related knowledge and skills, depending on the program, are required.
English Proficiency: Indian students applying for master’s courses must have the following English language proficiency.
Language proficiency may differ from university to university.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum score of 90-100
- IELTS: A minimum average of 5.5-7.0
For PhD Courses
- Indian students must have a master’s degree in the relevant field of study.
- They must have a clear research proposal describing the goals, methodology, and intended scope of their PhD project.
Also read – Masters Abroad Top Courses Universities
Documents Checklist
The following documents must be submitted while proceeding with the application process for Masters in Switzerland for Indian students.
The specific requirements for a particular course or institute can differ.
- All Previous Academic Transcripts and documents
- Details of previous course modules and content
- 1 passport-sized photo
- Score certificates for language proficiency tests like TOEFL/IELTS/Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
- Score certificates for standardised tests like GMAT/GRE, etc. (if required)
- 2-3 Letters of Recommendation
- 1-2 Statement of Purpose
- CV/Resume
- Passport
- Work Experience certificate to showcase the managerial skills (if applicable)
- Non-refundable application fee (depends on university)
- Health Insurance
Steps for Proceeding with Application Process
Below, we have discussed some important and general steps that can be useful for Indian students who want to study in Switzerland.
It must be noted that preparation should be commenced at least one year before the beginning of study intakes.
Since it involves a lot of processes, Indian students may require ample time to complete the enrollment process. The application process to study in Switzerland can be made only on university websites.
- Visit the university websites and check all the necessary details related to the course, curriculum, tuition fees, career scope, etc.
- Prepare and arrange the required documents mentioned above. This process takes a lot of time, so it should be initiated as early as possible.
- Stay connected with the official university website, and when the application portal opens, start applying for it.
- Depending on your interest and motivation, you can choose at least 6-7 universities.
- Make a personal profile on the application portal and upload the documents in the required form.
- Pay the required application fees and obtain its receipt by email.
- Complete the application process and wait for the university’s response.
Conclusion
Switzerland is considered the most favourable study destination for students because it offers a variety of affordable study programs. The teaching modules of Swiss universities are based on problem-solving and critical thinking, which encourages students to ask questions and collaborate on them.
Science, Engineering and Technology, Computer Science, Banking and finance, etc., are some of the most popular courses that Indian students mainly opt for.
Overall, studying in Switzerland provides several opportunities for Indian students to develop their perspectives and the skills required to solve real-world problems.
FAQs
Are Swiss universities taught academic courses in English?
Yes, most universities offer English-taught master’s courses. Some examples are Business and Finance, Computer Science, Physics, Law, etc.
Are public universities in Switzerland free for international students?
No, Swiss universities do not offer courses free of tuition. Since the government financially supports these universities, tuition fees are comparatively low in almost every program.
Which is better among public and private universities in Switzerland?
Public universities in Switzerland offer study programs at very affordable fees. They are supported by various government educational and research institutes, which offer diverse opportunities to International students in academic and employment settings.
Private universities in Switzerland offer study programs at expensive fees. Still, their class sizes are petite compared to public universities, which allows students to focus on lectures more efficiently and interact with professors more.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
