TRThere is no central application system in Switzerland, and each university sets its own admission requirements. At ETH Zurich, a student who earned the right to enter abroad has paid CHF 2,190 per semester in tuition since autumn 2025. A non-EU student can work while studying only after six months and for up to 15 hours a week.
Photo: Henrique Ferreira, Unsplash
There is no central application system in Switzerland, and each university sets its own admission requirements. ETH Zurich decides whether an applicant with a foreign high school diploma needs an exam after seeing the full file. The University of St. Gallen (HSG) selects international bachelor's applicants with an online aptitude test and a video interview.
At ETH Zurich, the main language of bachelor's programs is German, and some courses are taught in English or French. Most master's programs are in English. ETH asks that TOEFL, IELTS and C1 Advanced certificates are not older than two years.
A full-time bachelor's takes three years. A master's takes one and a half to two years and requires 90 to 120 ECTS. The autumn semester runs from September to December, and the spring semester from February to May.
ETH Zurich has charged foreign students CHF 2,190 per semester since autumn 2025. ETH estimates that rent, food, transport and insurance in Zurich come to about CHF 22,100 a year. The yearly rent average in this table is CHF 11,300 and is 2024 data.
A student from outside the EU can work six months after starting studies and with cantonal approval. During term time the limit is 15 hours a week, and during holidays full-time work is allowed. A graduate can look for a job in Switzerland for six months after the end of studies.
The universities are the country's top three schools according to the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Examples from current fees for international students, as published on the schools' own pages.
ETH Zürich (Student Services, estimated cost for international students) estimate, Zurich, no date in the document; the rent line is the 2024 Canton of Zurich average
In the Canton of Zurich, living funds of CHF 21,000 for twelve months are shown for a student residence permit. This amount is documented with a bank confirmation or a guarantor's declaration.
A month-by-month plan for 2027 entry. Official date Our suggestion
Make a school list. Collège du Léman 2026/27 boarding fee is CHF 117,500 a year
Apply to schools. The application fee is CHF 500 at Collège du Léman and Leysin American School
Meet the school and follow the acceptance decision
The place reservation deposit (CHF 10,000) at Leysin American School is paid in this time
The school sends documents to the cantonal migration office, and the family requests an appointment for the long-stay D visa from the Consulate General in Istanbul
Payment date for the annual fee at Leysin American School (the page says 1 April without giving a year)
Receive the visa result, and plan arrival at school and settling in
Choose a camp. Collège du Léman accepts ages 8 to 18 and Institut Montana ages 8 to 15
Registration and payment. At Collège du Léman a two-week boarding session is CHF 6,990
Book a Schengen visa appointment at VFS Global Istanbul or Ankara
Make the visa application. The Consulate General says processing can take up to 15 days
Confirm flights and airport reception with the school
Start of the first session at Collège du Léman and Leysin American School
Last day of the third session at Collège du Léman
Make a university list and check diploma requirements in the swissuniversities country list
Prepare for a language certificate. At ETH the main language of the bachelor's is German, and a German certificate may be asked
ETH entrance exam (autumn 2027). Registration closed on 15 October 2026, so a new application cannot make this exam
HSG February round: online aptitude test (16 February) and video interview (18 February)
After acceptance, prepare the CHF 21,000 bank confirmation (Canton of Zurich)
Apply for the national D visa. The appointment is through the Consulate General in Istanbul
Autumn semester starts (September to December)
Take the IELTS, TOEFL or C1 Advanced exam. ETH asks that the certificate is not older than two years
Prepare a motivation letter, CV and reference letters
ETH Zurich master's application period. The final time is 11:59 pm CET on 30 November
Follow the acceptance results and choose a school
Apply for the national D visa with the CHF 21,000 bank confirmation
The autumn semester starts
At ETH Zurich, tuition is CHF 730 per semester for Swiss citizens and for those who earned the right to enter while living in Switzerland. Other students pay CHF 2,190 per semester from the autumn 2025 semester. The ETH Board announced the increase, and parliament changed the ETH Act accordingly.
In Switzerland, you apply for a bachelor's directly to the university, and a high school diploma recognized as equivalent to the Swiss Matura is required. A full-time bachelor's takes three years and a master's one and a half to two years.
Students from outside the EU and EFTA can work with approval from the cantonal authorities and six months after starting studies. They can work up to 15 hours a week during term time and full-time during holidays. The employer must first request a work permit.
Last checked: October 2026. Rules and amounts can change. We check the current situation together before you apply.
A full-time bachelor's takes three years. There is no central application system. You apply directly to the university, and a high school diploma accepted as equivalent to the Swiss Matura is required.
A full-time master's takes one and a half to two years and requires 90 to 120 ECTS. You apply directly to the university, and a bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a related field is required.
Tuition fees vary by institution and are between CHF 500 and 4,000 per semester. Some institutions charge foreign students more: at ETH Zurich, foreign students have paid three times the fee of domestic students since autumn 2025.
Students from outside the EU and EFTA apply for the visa at the Swiss diplomatic or consular representation in their country of residence.
Students from outside the EU and EFTA can start working with approval from the cantonal authorities and six months after studies begin. They can work up to 15 hours a week during term time and full-time between terms.
Non-EU and non-EFTA students who graduate from a higher education institution in Switzerland can look for a job for six months after the end of studies.
The autumn semester runs from September to December, and the spring semester from February to May.
Yes. ETH tells you whether an exam is needed after reviewing the full file from eApply. The shortened exam has 4 subjects and the comprehensive exam has 8. For autumn 2027, registration for the January 2027 exam closed on 15 October 2026.
In the Canton of Zurich, a student shows CHF 21,000 for twelve months. This money is documented with a bank confirmation or a guarantor's declaration. According to ZHAW, the bank giving the confirmation must be recognized by FINMA.
A student who will stay longer than 90 days applies for the national D visa, and you contact the Consulate General in Istanbul for an appointment. The permit depends on the approval of the migration office of the canton you will go to. Schools recommend applying at least three months before entry.
For stays of up to 90 days, you get a Schengen visa. Those living in Türkiye apply at the VFS Global office in Istanbul or Ankara. Because of heavy demand, the Consulate General recommends booking the appointment up to 6 months before departure. Processing can take up to 15 days.
For studies lasting several years, the permit is given for one year and renewed each year. To renew, the student must still be in education. In Geneva, this program must include at least 20 hours of classes a week.
18 subjects, 5 schools. Programmes were checked on the schools’ own websites. Tap a subject to see what you study, what graduates do and the options in other countries.
Loading the calendar.
Let's build the school list, budget and timeline around the student together.