Studying in Switzerland
Switzerland is well-known not only for its banks, watches, and chocolate but also for its prestigious education system. Switzerland consists of 26 cantons, which are divided into three large groups - the German-speaking part (Bern, Zurich, Basel), the French-speaking (Geneva, Lausanne), and the Italian-speaking (canton of Ticino). There is no single Ministry of Education in the country; thus, the cantonal authorities decide all educational issues.
The education system in Switzerland is famous for its high standards, quality education, and a variety of programs. The fact that Switzerland is a multicultural and bilingual country adds to the peculiarity of its education system. Students learn multiple languages at any educational institution, which is a huge benefit.
Our company will assist you in selecting the right educational institution, taking into account all of your preferences and interests, as well as answering any of your questions and providing advice.
The choice of a school or university is highly personal. Please contact us, and we will gladly assist you!
Higher Education in Switzerland
1. Top State Universities
Zurich Federal Institute of Technology, ETHZ
Founded in 1855. The most prestigious university in Switzerland. Ranks 6th in the world ranking of the best universities.
Among the graduates and professors of the university, 21 are Nobel Prize winners, the most famous of which is Albert Einstein, who received a prize in physics in 1921.
Faculties:
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Architecture and construction sciences
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System-oriented natural sciences
The Master of Accountancy, Management, and Finance at the HEC Lausanne Faculty of Business and Economics ranks 1st in Western Europe.
The Master of Management ranks 28th in the ranking of the best universities in the world. (Financial Times)
Ranks 76th in the world and is the largest university in Switzerland. More than 26 thousand students currently studying.
Lausanne Federal Institute of Technology, EPFL
One of the most prestigious educational institutions in Europe. Ranks 18th in the world ranking of the best universities.
Faculties:
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Architecture, with construction and ecology
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Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry
Master of Strategy and International Management (SIM) ranks 1st in the world ranking of Masters in Management (Financial Times).
Master of Finance ranks 6th worldwide.
The oldest university in Switzerland. Founded in 1559 as a theological seminary by Jean Calvin. Faculties: law, medicine, natural sciences, economy, sociology, theology, psychology, languages, and several affiliated centers and institutes.
2. Top Private Universities
The Swiss hotel and restaurant business institutes are well-known all over the world. In such institutions, instruction is usually conducted in English. Depending on the study program and duration, students can graduate with a Swiss, American, or British credential that allows them to work in any place in the world.
The emphasis of education is, first and foremost, on the preparation of senior management for the world's greatest hotels. The benefit of studying at such institutes is that the program fee includes annual paid internships.
There are famous prestigious business schools in Switzerland where students can pursue undergraduate and graduate programs, including the MBA. Marketing, strategic management, finance, international commerce, macro, and microeconomics are all part of the curriculum in such schools.
Education in public and private universities is divided into 3 levels:
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Bachelor's degree: 3-4 years;
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Master or license program: 1-2 years;
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PHD: 2-3 years.
Admission requirements to public and private universities in Switzerland:
International students account for around 18% of all students enrolled in Swiss universities. The minimum admittance age is 18 years old. However, some occupations may be complex for a foreigner to enter, such as medical, dental, and veterinary faculties. This is due to the significant number of local students in Switzerland who desire to pursue the prominent medical profession. The German-speaking cantons have the strictest admission requirements: an international student can only attend the first year after studying for two years at a university in their home country and passing a specific exam for international students in Fribourg. This exam, which comprises five subjects, is held each year from September-October. Mathematics, world history, and a foreign language are required, along with two electives from biology, physics, chemistry, geography, and a second foreign language. In the French part of Switzerland, graduates of international schools can apply after passing the state examinations and having decent grades on the certificate.
Tor admission to private universities, there is no exam in Fribourg; instead, a language proficiency certificate to study in English (IELTS or TOEFL) is required.
Cost of education
The average cost of attending a private university in Switzerland is between CHF20,000 and CHF40,000, covering only tuition. Public universities are free of charge, with only about CHF500 in administration costs per semester.
Secondary education in Switzerland
Top Private Colleges
Schooling in Switzerland has three levels, two of which are mandatory:
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Primary school (Preparatory School)
The age of children ranges from 6 to 12 years (some schools accept children as young as 4 years old), the main focus is on the development of children and language learning. -
Secondary School (Secondary School)
For children aged 12 to 15, there are numerous programs to choose from: French, Anglo-American, Italian, German, and Swiss. -
Academic program
The compulsory schooling period lasts 9 years. Further, if students wish to attend a university, they must first complete 3-4 years of education in a gymnasium, colleges, or lyceums.
Types of academic programs
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Swiss system - Matura, teaching in Italian, French, or German;
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Italian system - Maturita, teaching in Italian;
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French system - Baccalaureat, teaching in French;
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German system - Abitur, teaching in German;
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Anglo-American system - A-level and GCSE, AP (Advanced placement), with training in English;
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International system - International Baccalaureate (IB), the certificate is recognized by all universities worldwide, taught in English.
In Switzerland, schools are classified as either public or private.
All public schools are co-educational, whereas private schools can be co-educational or separate for boys and girls. Foreign pupils who have lived in Switzerland for a long time (e.g., children of diplomats, employees of international organizations, or whose parents both work and live in Switzerland, i.e., have a residency permit) can attend public schools.
Private schools in Switzerland are a gated community with campuses, housing quarters, parking lots, sports centers, and playgrounds.
Secondary education in Switzerland includes comprehensive development of students; in addition to standard sets of subjects, children learn several languages and participate in a variety of sports; all schools have football, tennis, swimming, and field hockey; in the winter, children ski and ice skate; and in the summer, they sail on the lakes. Much emphasis is also placed on the children's artistic development; there are all kinds of classes for singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, sculpting, drawing, etc. Schools also arrange city tours around Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, and Italy.
Cost of education
The average cost of attending a private school in Switzerland is between CHF40,000 and CHF80,000, covering tuition, meals, accommodation, excursions, sports, insurance. Public schools are free.