Universities in Switzerland

You will regularly see many Swiss universities in the world's top 100 ranked universities - most notably ETH Zurich, EPFL, the University of Zurich, and the University of Geneva.

ETH Zurich, with a clear focus on technology, is often considered the best university in Switzerland. Originally founded in 1855, it is renowned for its cutting-edge research and its wide selection of courses in different areas of science and technology. There are more than 19,000 students enrolled here, with nearly 40% international students.

The Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) was incorporated in 1853 and, like ETH, specializes in technology. The majority of courses are offered in French, but there are many master's and Doctorate programs offered in English.

With some 25,000 students, the University of Zurich is the largest institution of higher education in the country. You can choose from a selection of courses including science, law, philosophy, theology, and medicine. Many of their Master's degree programs are offered in English.

Founded in 1559, the University of Geneva is the third oldest university in Switzerland, and also the third largest, with around 16,000 students. 40% of the student body is international.

The cost of living and studying in Switzerland

Swiss universities are heavily subsidized by the government. That essentially means that tuition fees are slightly lower when compared to other nations. Still, let's keep in mind that the tuition fees associated with private universities will normally be higher than their public counterparts. However, Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, with an extremely high cost of living; especially when looking at major cities like Geneva or Zurich. So be sure to budget your finances properly.