Public · Zürich
ETH Zürich
Global top-10. The Swiss MIT. Best for engineering, computer science, mathematics, natural sciences. Highly selective.
CHF 730per semester40+EN master's
Destination guide · 2026 intake
ETH Zürich and EPFL sit in the global top 20. Public tuition is under CHF 1,500 per semester — yes, even at ETH. The catch isn't tuition. It's everything else.
1 CHF ≈ 1.05 EUR · figures vary by canton
ETH and EPFL admit roughly 8–12% of master's applicants. Most other Swiss public universities ask for a strong GPA (typically 75%+ from a recognized university) and competitive language scores. If your profile is borderline, we'll usually advise pairing Switzerland with safer bets in Germany or Spain — not as a backup, but as an actual realistic option.
Why Switzerland
If you can get in and afford it, the lifetime return on a Swiss degree is among the highest in Europe — measured in starting salaries, brand recognition, and global mobility.
ETH Zürich consistently ranks in the global top 10 across QS, THE and ARWU. EPFL sits just behind it. For a CV anywhere on earth, these names land instantly.
CHF 730/semester at ETH. CHF 870 at most other public universities. Roughly €1,500/year for a degree the global elite competes to enter. The tuition itself is not the financial barrier.
Swiss STEM graduates often start at CHF 90,000–120,000/year. Even at the high cost of living, that pays back tuition + living costs within a few months of working.
Google, Microsoft, IBM, Roche, Novartis, Nestlé, UBS all have major Swiss operations. Many students intern locally and get hired full-time before they graduate.
Universities we work with
Switzerland's small. Five well-chosen universities cover almost every serious subject. We help you pick the one that fits — not just the famous one.
Global top-10. The Swiss MIT. Best for engineering, computer science, mathematics, natural sciences. Highly selective.
ETH's French-speaking sister. World top-20 in engineering, AI, robotics, life sciences. French-speaking city but most master's taught in English.
Largest broad-discipline Swiss university. Strong in medicine, law, economics, social sciences. World top 100.
International relations and policy capital — UN, WHO, WTO all sit nearby. Strong in IR, law, economics, translation.
Oldest Swiss university. Life sciences powerhouse — sits between Roche and Novartis HQs. Excellent for biotech, pharma, neuroscience.
Italian-speaking Switzerland. Smaller, less selective, but quietly excellent in informatics, finance, and architecture. Good "tier-2 Swiss" choice.
What it really costs
Annual estimates for a non-EU master's student. Switzerland is genuinely expensive — but predictable. Plan once and you won't be surprised.
| Item | Zürich / Geneva | Basel / Lausanne / Lugano |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (public master's) | CHF 1,460 / yr | CHF 1,700 – 4,000 / yr |
| Rent (shared flat / student dorm) | CHF 750 – 1,200 / mo | CHF 600 – 950 / mo |
| Food & groceries | CHF 400 – 550 / mo | CHF 350 – 480 / mo |
| Transport (half-fare card) | CHF 70 / mo | CHF 60 / mo |
| Health insurance | CHF 130 – 280 / mo | CHF 110 – 240 / mo |
| Phone, internet, misc. | CHF 150 / mo | CHF 130 / mo |
| Total / year | CHF 22,000 – 30,000 | CHF 18,000 – 24,000 |
~€19,000–€31,000 per year. Higher than every other EU destination — but offset by Swiss earning potential during and after studies.
Scholarships
Switzerland's scholarship landscape is narrower than Germany's or Hungary's — but the few available are full-funding. Mostly research-master and PhD focused.
Federal scholarship for research master's, PhD and post-doc. Monthly stipend of CHF 1,920–3,500 + tuition + insurance. Selective, but real for strong applicants from India, Africa and most non-EU countries.
For top master's applicants at ETH Zürich. Covers tuition + ~CHF 11,000/semester for living. Awarded based on academic merit during the standard ETH master's application.
Similar to ETH's — for outstanding master's candidates. CHF 16,000/year + tuition waiver. Apply through your master's application.
PhD candidates almost always get fully funded as research/teaching assistants — typically CHF 50,000–65,000/year. PhD-route applicants effectively pay nothing.
Visa & arrival
Switzerland isn't in the EU but is in Schengen. Your student visa lets you travel all of Schengen freely. Process is methodical — file early.
After arrival, register at your cantonal migration office within 14 days for the residence permit (Permit B).
Switzerland FAQ
For ETH/EPFL master's: 75–80%+ from a recognized university, ideally backed by research experience or strong projects. For UZH/UniGE: 70%+ is workable. For USI Lugano and tier-2 programs: 65%+ is in range.
Not for English master's at ETH, EPFL, USI, and most STEM programs. For bachelor's or non-STEM master's in Zürich/Basel you'll need German (B2/C1). In Geneva/Lausanne, French. The local language always helps for part-time work and daily life.
If your family or savings can support CHF 22,000–30,000/year, yes. Part-time work (up to 15 hr/week) typically earns CHF 1,200–2,000/month which offsets a meaningful chunk of living costs. Most students rely on a mix.
Yes — 15 hours/week during term, full-time during holidays. Work permit kicks in 6 months after arrival. Most students do TA/RA roles or part-time in retail/hospitality earning CHF 25–35/hour.
6-month job-search residence permit after graduation. Once employed, you switch to a work permit (Permit B with employment). Permanent residence (Permit C) takes 10 years for non-EU citizens — long, but well-defined.
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