- Public universities in Switzerland charge CHF 1,000-2,000 (INR 1.2-2.3 Lakh) annually, making quality education accessible.
- After graduation in Switzerland, non-EU/EFTA students can apply for a six-month job-search permit, which allows part-time work up to fifteen hours per week.
- Monthly living costs average CHF 1,500-3,000 (INR 1.7-3.5 Lakh) in Switzerland, covering accommodation, food, and transport.
- 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
- Key Takeways
- FAQs
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
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 CHF 1,000-4,380 or INR 1.2-5.1 Lakh per year in public universities.
Private universities charge around 17,000-90,000 CHF or INR 19.7-1 Crore 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 University Rankings (2026) | Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| ETH Zurich | 7 | CHF 4,380 (INR 5.1 Lakh)* |
| EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne | 22 | CHF 4,380 (INR 5.1 Lakh)* |
| University of Zurich | 100 | CHF 1,550 (INR 1.8 Lakh) |
| University of Geneva | 155 | CHF 1,100 (INR 1.3 Lakh) |
| University of Basel | 158 | CHF 1,600 (INR 1.9 Lakh) |
| University of Bern | 184 | CHF 1,900 (INR 2.2 Lakh) |
| University of Lausanne | 212 | CHF 1,400 (INR 1.6 Lakh) |
| USI - Università della Svizzera italiana | 473 | CHF 8,200 (INR 9.5 Lakh) |
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 | CHF 35,000-60,000 (INR 40.6-69.5 Lakh) |
| IMD Business School | CHF 115,000 (INR 1.3 Crore) |
| Webster University | CHF 40,000-75,000 (INR 46.4-86.9 Lakh) |
| Swiss School of Business & Management | CHF 13,000-18,000 (INR 15.1-20.9 Lakh) |
| International Business Academy of Switzerland | CHF 20,000-70,000 (INR 23.2-81.1 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
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
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 CHF 40,000-200,000 or INR 46.4 Lakh-2.3 Crore per year.
| Top Industries | Recruiters | Average Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Banking & Finance | HSBC Deutsche Bank Citi Goldsman Sachs | CHF 80,000-130,000 (INR 92.7 Lakh-1.5 Crore) |
| Computer Science | Meta IBM Swisscom Novartis | CHF 76,000-146,000 (INR 88.1 Lakh-1.7 Crore) |
| Engineering & Technology | Capgemini EPAM System UBS CERN | CHF 90,000-125,000 (INR 1.0 Crore-1.4 Crore) |
| Healthcare Sciences | Takeda Pharmaceuticals Novo Nordisk Biogen Acino | CHF 40,000-200,000 (INR 46.4 Lakh-2.3 Crore) |
| Hotel & Hospitality | McDonald’s Suisse SWISS Intercontinental Davos Sorell Hotels | CHF 60,000-150,000 (INR 69.5 Lakh-1.7 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: Student visa application is generally free, but VFS service charge of INR 2,690 applies.
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 CHF 1,500-3,000 or INR 1.7-3.5 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 (Per Month) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | CHF 1,000-1,800 (INR 1.2-2.1 Lakh) |
| Food | CHF 600-1,000 (INR 69,540-1.2 Lakh) |
| Transportation | CHF 90-170 (INR 10,431-19,703) |
| Amusement/Leisure | CHF 120-350 (INR 13,908-40,565) |
| Utilities Bills (Electricity, Water, Phone bills, etc.) | CHF 180-280 (INR 20,862-32,452) |
| Total Expenses | CHF 1,990-3,600 (INR 2.3-4.2 Lakh) |
Key Takeways
Public universities in Switzerland offer world-class education at remarkably affordable tuition fees, with most charging CHF 1,000-2,000 (INR 1.2-2.3 Lakh) annually. ETH Zurich and EPFL, both ranked in the global top 25, now charge CHF 4,380 (INR 5.1 Lakh) per year for international students from Autumn 2025—still substantially lower than comparable institutions in the US, UK, or Australia.
Master’s graduates from Swiss universities command impressive salaries ranging from CHF 40,000 to CHF 200,000 (INR 46.4 Lakh-2.3 Crore) annually across sectors including banking, technology, engineering, and healthcare. International students receive a six-month residence permit extension after graduation to seek employment, during which they can work up to 15 hours weekly. Switzerland’s high cost of living, averaging CHF 1,500-3,000 (INR 1.7-3.5 Lakh) monthly, is offset by excellent scholarships including the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship offering CHF 1,920 monthly stipends.
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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.
Can I work in Switzerland after completing my master's degree?
International students can apply for a six-month residence permit extension after graduation to seek employment aligned with their qualifications.
What is the monthly cost of living for students in Switzerland?
Students should budget CHF 1,500-3,000 (INR 1.7-3.5 Lakh) monthly for accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses.
Are there scholarships available for Indian students pursuing masters in Switzerland?
Yes, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship provides CHF 1,920 monthly for postgraduate researchers, alongside university-specific funding opportunities.
Can international students work part-time whilst studying in Switzerland?
Students can work up to 15 hours weekly during term time and full-time during holidays, earning CHF 20-26 per hour on average.
Are there English-taught master's programmes in Switzerland?
Yes, numerous programmes across business, engineering, technology, and sciences are offered entirely in English at Swiss universities.
Can I switch from a student visa to a work visa in Switzerland?
Yes, upon receiving a job offer, employers sponsor residence permits (L or B permits) through cantonal authorities for qualified graduates.
Do Swiss degrees have global recognition for employment?
Yes, Swiss university degrees are internationally recognised, enabling graduates to secure employment worldwide across diverse industries.
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.
