Masters in Switzerland: Top Universities, Courses & Career
Switzerland is a student-friendly country that provides excellent education, research, and employment opportunities to international students. The country is famous for its rich culture and world-famous chocolates.
In this blog, we have discussed the advantages of pursuing Masters in Switzerland along with top universities, eligibility criteria, application process, visa process, and much more.
- Top 5 Benefits to Pursue Masters in Switzerland
- Top Universities in Switzerland
- Private Universities in Switzerland
- Study in Switzerland: Popular MS Courses
- Study Intakes in Switzerland
- Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Switzerland
- Documents Checklist
- Master's in Switzerland for Indian Students: General Steps for Application Process
- Application Process for Masters in Switzerland
- Jobs in Switzerland after Masters
- Student-Visa for Switzerland
- Post-Study Work Visa for Indian Students
- Cost of Living in Switzerland
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Top 5 Benefits to Pursue Masters in Switzerland
Switzerland is a country located in West-central Europe, bordered by Italy, France, Germany and Austria. It proves to be an alternative for Indian students to study abroad, as it offers several benefits to them in the cost effective way.
Most Indian students tend to endeavour to get admission to European universities due to the diverse advantages they offer. Sometimes, they might not succeed in seizing opportunities to pursue their education in countries like the UK, Germany, France, Ireland, etc., because of strict laws for immigrants, limited enrollment, high tuition fees, etc.
Let’s explore why one should go to study in Switzerland.
1. Qualitative and Affordable Education
MS in Switzerland for Indian students is affordable since Swiss public universities provide academic courses at tuition fees, e.g., 1,000-2,000 CHF (INR 93,510-1.87 Lakh) per year.
2. Diverse Culture
There are four official languages in Switzerland: Italian, French, German, and Romansh. This makes the country culturally and socially rich. Out of the total population, approximately 25% encompasses the community of international students.
3. Hub of Research and Innovation
The basic research and development programs are usually conducted by Swiss universities in cooperation with the top industries and government, which leads to the generation of innovative products and services. Switzerland has been proven to be one of the largest hub for research and development in the world.
4. Peaceful and Safe Environment
The Swiss government is stringent and disciplined in providing a peaceful and secure atmosphere for Indian students to pursue their studies in the country. Switzerland has performed better in the past in various aspects, such as the global peace index, world happiness index, world crime index, etc.
Top Universities in Switzerland
There are two types of MS in Switzerland: master’s degree and Master’s of Advanced Studies (MAS).
The duration of the master’s degree is 2 years, whereas the duration of the Master of Advanced Studies is 1 to 2 years, depending on the course, specialisation, and the university.
As mentioned earlier, the tuition fees for pursuing Masters in Switzerland range from 1,000-2,000 CHF or INR 93,510-1.87 Lakh per year in public universities.
Private universities charge around 17,000-90,000 CHF or INR 15-83 Lakh per year. The tuition fees can vary depending on the program, specialisation, and the university.
Below, we have listed the top universities in Switzerland for Indian 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) |
Study in Switzerland: Popular MS Courses
International students in Switzerland can find a variety of options in their course of interest. There are more than 200 masters courses available in various Swiss universities and universities of applied sciences.
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
In Switzerland, there are two types of study intakes: Fall intake and Spring intake.
- Fall intake marks the commencement of the academic year for study in Switzerland. For this intake, Swiss universities provide admission to the majority of educational courses to international students.
- In contrast, for the spring semester, international students get the opportunity to opt for short-term, part-time, and language courses along with some professional programs.
Below, we have tabulated the types of intakes, their duration, and their application cycle. The application deadlines can vary across all universities and courses.
| Intakes | Intake duration | Application Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | August/September-December | August-November |
| Spring | January/February-May | May-August |
Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Switzerland
Swiss universities require Indian students to complete the relevant bachelor’s degree in 3-4 years.
Academic Proficiency:
Specific subject-related knowledge and skills, depending on the program, are required.
Indian students must obtain a bachelors degree with a minimum grade of 65-75% or a CGPA of 6.5-7.5.
English Proficiency: Swiss universities offer their masters courses primarily in German, French, Italian, and English language. Indian students applying for masters courses must have the following English language proficiency in order to get admission to their desired English-taught program. Language proficiency may differ from university to university:
- TOEFL: A minimum score of 90-100
- IELTS: A minimum average of 5.5-7.0
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
Master’s in Switzerland for Indian Students: General Steps for Application Process
The preparation of the application process for MS in Switzerland should be started at least one year before the commencement of desired study intakes because it involves a lot of processes:
- Translation of all educational documents and transcripts into English (if the primary language of instruction was not English in a bachelor’s degree program).
- Appearing for language and other standardised tests.
- Obtaining academic and standardised test documents from authorities.
- Arrangement of all other documents listed in the ‘documents checklist’ section.
- Setting up and activating a user account on the university application portal.
- Filling out the application form, paying enrollment fees and uploading all necessary documents.
- Waiting for the university’s response via email or application dashboard.
Application Process for Masters in Switzerland
Indian students can apply for an MS in Switzerland on the university’s official websites. There is no centralised portal or application available for the enrollment process.
Jobs in Switzerland after Masters
After completing their MS in Switzerland, Indian students find various job opportunities in popular industries and recruiter firms like Meta, HSBC Bank, Capgemini, IBM, Biogen, Microsoft, etc. Since Swiss degrees are recognised worldwide, students can obtain employment around the world easily.
The average salary of international graduates in Switzerland ranges from 40,000-200,000 CHF or INR 37 Lakh-2 Crore per year, depending on the specialisation, industry, experience, employer, locality, etc.
| Top Industries | Recruiters | Average Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Banking & Finance | HSBC Deutsche Bank Citi Goldsman Sachs | 80,000-130,000 CHF (INR 74 Lakh-1 Crore) |
| Computer Science | Meta IBM Swisscom Novartis | 76,000-146,000 CHF (INR 70 Lakh-1 Crore) |
| Engineering & Technology | Capgemini EPAM System UBS CERN | 90,000-125,000 CHF (INR 84 Lakh-1.16 Crore) |
| Healthcare Sciences | Takeda Pharmaceuticals Novo Nordisk Biogen Acino | 40,000-200,000 CHF (INR 37 Lakh-1.87 Crore) |
| Hotel & Hospitality | McDonald’s Suisse SWISS Intercontinental Davos Sorell Hotels | 60,000-150,000 CHF (INR 56 Lakh-1.40 Crore) |
Student-Visa for Switzerland
A student visa or Visa D is required for Indian students who want to study in Switzerland. They are required to submit their application personally to the visa section of the Embassy of Switzerland, New Delhi, along with the required documents and visa fees.
However, before proceeding with the visa application, an appointment should be made prior to here.
Indian students can download the visa application from here.
Visa Fees: No Visa Fees
Required Documents
- Passport
- Acceptance letter from the university
- 4 passport size photographs
- Duly filled visa Application forms
- Cover Letter (personally signed and dated by a student to showcase motivation to pursue studies in Switzerland and future plans)
- Resume/CV
- Original + 2 sets of all previous academic certificates and transcripts without stamp
- Language proficiency certificate
- Proof of funds/financial support (either from sponsor or family member including last 6 months’ bank statements and ITR)
Post-Study Work Visa for Indian Students
After the completion of their studies in Switzerland, Indian students have to apply for an extension of their study visa, which grants them a stay in the country for an additional six months so that they can search and explore the job market.
They can make extension applications at the local Swiss Migration Office. However, they are needed to prove that:
- they have completed their education at an accredited Swiss university
- they have accommodation in the country to live
- they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay
Once after receiving the offer letter from the employer, they are eligible for a resident permit. The employer makes the application for the resident permit to grant stay through the channel of the competent cantonal authorities in Switzerland.
Required documents for Resident Permit
- Passport
- Employment contract
- CV
- Previous academic documents
- Passport size photograph
Validity of Residence Permit
The validity of the residence permit depends on the type of residence permit issued to an international graduate. They are of two types:
- L Permit
- B Permit
For Indian graduates, the validity of the L (short-term permit) and B permit (long-term permit) are 1 and 2 years, respectively.
- The basic difference between these two permits is that the validity of the L permit is fixed for the particular employer as per the job contract.
- In contrast, the B permit can be extended further beyond two years for the same employer.
Cost of Living in Switzerland
While preparing to pursue higher education in Switzerland, it is very important to consider the living expenses or cost of living in Switzerland because it includes components like the cost of accommodation, meals, transportation, personal leisures, emergency expenses, etc.
On average, an Indian student should make a budget to spend between 1,500-3,000 CHF or INR 1.40 Lakh-2.80 Lakh per month, apart from the annual tuition fees of the university.
Below, we have given the general breakdown of all the necessary expenses along with their estimated expenses.
| Expenses | Estimated Expenses |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 900-1,500 CHF (INR 84,000-1.40 Lakh) |
| Food | 500-900 CHF(INR 46,000-84,000) |
| Transportation | 80-150 CHF (INR 7,500-14,023) |
| Amusement/Leisure | 100-300 CHF (INR 9,000-28,000) |
| Utilities Bills (Electricity, Water, Phone bills, etc.) | 150-250 CHF (INR 14,000-23,000) |
| Total Expenses | 1730-3050 CHF (INR 1.62 Lakh-2.86 Lakh) |
Conclusion
To sum up, Switzerland is one of the growing study destinations in Europe for Indian students. With the presence of some world-class universities that provide affordable education, a peaceful environment, and a scope of employment, the country is constantly rising in various global ease of lifestyle index. It is also amongst the happiest countries in the world after Finland and Denmark. The local community’s welcoming nature is heartwarming to everyone who visits the country for any reason.
However, despite the availability of affordable education, the living expenses may seem high to most of the incoming students.
FAQs
Why are tuition fees in Swiss universities low?
Public universities in Switzerland are mainly supported by the government, so almost every master’s course is offered at a financially reasonable cost. However, the tuition fees in private universities are very high for the same type of academic programs.
What are the most popular subjects to study in Switzerland?
The most popular streams and their related subjects, which the majority of international students opt are:
- Business and Finance (Economics, MBA)
- Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry)
- Engineering and Technology (Architecture, Civil Engineering)
- Hospitality (Hotel Management)
- Medicine and Healthcare Sciences
Can I get PR in Switzerland?
Yes, after staying in Switzerland for about ten years, you can apply for PR, provided that you are economically stable and culturally integrated with the Swiss community.
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.
