Tuition Fees & Scholarships in Switzerland

Although Switzerland is known for its high cost of living, tuition fees in the country are relatively reasonable, especially when considering public Swiss universities. The tuition fees at higher education institutions in Switzerland vary based on factors such as your citizenship, the specific university, the academic level, and the field of study. Notably, medical degrees, executive Master's programs, and MBA programs tend to have higher costs, and the same applies to private institutions. For detailed and accurate information on fees, it is advisable to directly contact the university of your choice.

For publicly funded universities, the tuition fees for a Bachelor's program can range from 5,000 CHF to 24,000 CHF per semester. Here are some examples of average tuition fees at Swiss universities:

  • University of Geneva: 500 CHF per semester for both Swiss and non-Swiss students.
  • University of Lausanne: 800 CHF per semester for both Swiss and non-Swiss students.
  • University of Neuchâtel: 515 CHF per semester for Swiss students and 790 CHF for international students.
  • ETH Zurich: CHF 1,298 per year for both Swiss and non-Swiss students.
  • University of Basel: 850 CHF per semester for both Swiss and non-Swiss students.
  • University of Bern: 750 CHF per semester for Swiss students and 950 CHF for non-Swiss students.
  • University of St. Gallen: CHF 1,229 per semester for Swiss students and 3,126 CHF for non-Swiss students.

Scholarship Opportunities in Switzerland

For international students, scholarship opportunities are often a crucial consideration. You can explore available scholarships in Switzerland through our scholarship guide, and if you're a prospective Master's student, consider applying for our Master's in Europe Scholarship, designed to help you financially during your studies.

Switzerland offers various scholarships through bilateral agreements between governments or from private Swiss institutions. Some popular scholarships in Switzerland include:

  • The Swiss Excellence Scholarship for Foreign Students.
  • The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) from ETH Zurich.
  • The University of Lausanne Masters Grant.
  • The EPFL Excellence Fellowship.
  • The Graduate Institute of Geneva Scholarships.
  • The IMD MBA Scholarship.
  • The University of Geneva Excellence Fellowship.

The Expenses of Education and Living in Switzerland

Swiss universities benefit significantly from government subsidies, resulting in comparatively lower tuition fees compared to other countries. However, it's crucial to note that tuition fees at private universities may be higher than those at public institutions. Despite this, Switzerland stands as one of Europe's most expensive countries, particularly in major cities like Geneva or Zurich. Therefore, prudent financial planning is essential to manage the high cost of living in Switzerland.

Switzerland Cost of Living: Comprehensive Overview

Let's get straight to the point – living in Switzerland is undeniably expensive. However, as is the case anywhere, your living expenses in Switzerland hinge on your personal lifestyle and the specific city or canton you call home. Here's a breakdown of key expenditures, including accommodation, food, transport, and more.

Accommodation
Securing affordable housing poses a challenge in Switzerland. Swiss students typically reside in shared flats, rented apartments or studios, or live with their parents if commutable. Halls of residence rooms are limited, with international students often benefiting from subsidized housing. Living on campus has advantages such as proximity to college facilities, but early application is crucial due to limited availability.

  •  Studio Apartment: CHF 900 to 2000 per month
  • Shared Flat: CHF 500 to 900 per month

Websites like Erasmusu.com, WG Zimmer, and Housing for Students aid international students in finding shared flats. Other resources include ch.ch, Ron Orp, Woko, Josephine’s Guesthouse, SWOWI Foundation, and EPFL’s housing database.

Food
Eating out in Swiss restaurants can strain a student budget. Prices vary based on restaurant quality. Budget-friendly options include Vapiano for Italian fare and ethnic restaurants offering meals for CHF 10 to 20. Supermarket restaurants like Migros and Coop provide more economical choices.

  • Eating Out: CHF 15-40 per meal
  • Groceries (per week): CHF 75-100

Major supermarkets, including Migros, COOP, Spar, Lidl, and Aldi, offer various products. Meat and local cheese are relatively expensive. Weekly food costs may include CHF 12-14 for half a kilogram of meat and up to CHF 8 for a dozen eggs.

Going Out
Drinking and entertainment expenses in Switzerland require careful budgeting. Beer prices hover around 8 CHF, wines range from 10-25 CHF per bottle, and club entrance fees can be as high as CHF 50. Cocktail prices in downtown clubs are around CHF 17, while a neighborhood pub's beer is approximately CHF 7. A cappuccino in the expat area costs about CHF 5.24.

  • Drinks: CHF 5-25 per drink

While Switzerland's cost of living is undoubtedly high, prudent financial planning can help students make the most of their experience in this scenic and vibrant country.

Public Transportation
Getting around can be costly, but many cities offer monthly travel cards valid for trains, trams, and buses. A second-class ticket for the local network typically costs around CHF 50, while extended zones may require a more expensive travel card, such as CHF 85 for 1-2 zones in Zurich. Single tickets are priced at approximately CHF 2.20 each. The SBB app is a valuable tool for navigating public transport, covering trains, buses, trams, ships, and cable cars. For longer distances, consider using the ride-sharing platform BlaBlaCar, providing cost-effective shared rides. Taxis or Uber are also options, with a 10-minute Uber ride costing around CHF 20. Average monthly transportation cost: ~CHF 100.

Health Insurance
Understanding the intricacies of Switzerland's health insurance system may not be necessary, but it's crucial to note that coverage is mandatory for residents staying over three months, including students. Basic insurance, mandated by law, offers uniform benefits across insurers, but monthly premiums vary by model and age. You have the flexibility to choose your insurance provider, with some companies offering tailored packages for non-EU students (available to EU students as well).

For EU Country Residents:
Those with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or private insurance from an EU country may be exempt from compulsory Swiss health insurance, excluding students with additional income.

For Non-EU Country Residents:
If you lack a European Health Insurance Card, Swiss insurance is mandatory. Options include:

  1. Academic Care (Groupe Mutuel):
      - Under 26: CHF 90/month (CHF 500 annual deductible)
      - Over 26: CHF 125/month (CHF 500 annual deductible)
  2. Swisscare (Studentplan):
      - Up to 31: CHF 65/month (CHF 1000 annual deductible)
      - Over 32: CHF 85/month (CHF 1000 annual deductible)
  3. Student Care (SWICA):
      - Under 25: CHF 91.70/month (CHF 500 annual deductible)
      - Over 25: Slightly higher premiums

Additional Costs
Tenants usually face a rent deposit ranging from one to three months' rent (CHF 800 to 2,500). One-off university fees for registration, admission, and tuition are also part of initial enrollment. The overall cost of studying and living in Switzerland for international students varies based on recreational choices, but a prudent estimate is to budget between CHF 1600 to 2000 monthly (~USD 1589 to 1986 or ~EUR 1400 to 1758). The recommended yearly living cost ranges from CHF 18,000 to CHF 28,000. EU/EEA students can work up to 15 hours per week during term time, while others can work after six months of study commencement.

Cost of Attendance

The cost of studying in Switzerland is quite nominal when compared to popular study abroad destinations such as the US and the UK. The overall cost of studying can be divided into two categories – Tuition Fees and Cost of Living.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee depends upon the program you choose to pursue. The programs related to areas such as engineering, management and medicine are generally more expensive. Here’s a quick look at the tuition fee for public universities: 

Degree Type  Average Tuition Fee per Semester
Bachelors  700-3,500 CHF 
Masters  700-2,000 CHF 

Cost of Living

The average cost of living in Switzerland is 2,250 CHF/month. The costs vary on different factors, one being the type of area you choose for universities. Here is an estimate based on the top three student-friendly areas in Switzerland.

Factor  Average Cost per month
Fees 900 CHF 
Travel 100 CHF 
Accommodation 1,000 CHF 
Food 500 CHF 
Healthcare  400 CHF 

The expenses related to living and studying in Switzerland

Swiss universities benefit from substantial government subsidies, resulting in relatively lower tuition fees compared to many other countries. However, it's important to note that tuition fees for private universities are generally higher than those of public institutions. Tuition fees at Swiss public universities can range up to 6000 EUR, while management courses at private universities may incur fees of around 16000 EUR.

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