Swiss universities: what to choose and how to access them

Swiss universities regularly rank high in international surveys and attract a large number of foreign students. In this explainer we look at which universities there are, how can students access them and where do foreign students fit in.

In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University rankings in 2020, Switzerland had more top-200 universities per capita than any other country.

Each year around 258,000 students enrol at a Swiss higher education institution. Currently, 44% of people in Switzerland aged 25–64 have a tertiary level qualification, obtained at a traditional university or from higher vocational education.

The admission criteria are relatively straightforward: an upper-secondary diploma equivalent to the Swiss baccalaureate, proficiency in the language of instruction and students visas where those apply. Each university has its own admission process. Low study fees also play a role in attracting students from abroad.

The ongoing political stalemate surrounding Switzerland's negotiations with the European Union has hampered academic collaborations with universities abroad. The Swiss government aims to become once again an associate member of both Erasmus Plus and Horizon Europe, two students exchange networks but the discussions are still underway.
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