University and boarding school in Switzerland: ETH and EPFL fees, living costs and school fees

ETH and EPFL tuition fees tripled in 2025

Some older guides give a tuition fee of about CHF 730 per semester for ETH Zürich and EPFL. For international students, this amount tripled in autumn 2025. Both schools now charge international students CHF 2,190 per semester. The rule is the same for bachelor's and master's.

That means CHF 4,380 a year in tuition fees. A year of living costs in Zürich is more than five times this amount, so living costs are what mainly set the budget.

Bachelor's in German, master's mostly in English

Switzerland has no central application system. Each university sets its own admission requirements. At ETH Zürich, the main language of the bachelor's programs is German. Most master's programs are in English. ETH asks that TOEFL, IELTS and C1 Advanced certificates be no older than two years.

For applicants with a foreign high school diploma, ETH decides whether an entrance exam is needed after seeing the full file. For autumn 2027 entry, registration for the January 2027 exam closed on 15 October 2026. The University of St. Gallen (HSG) selects international bachelor's applicants with an online aptitude test and a video interview.

Showing funds and yearly costs in Zürich

In the canton of Zürich, you show living funds of CHF 21,000 for twelve months for a student residence permit. This money is documented with a bank confirmation or a guarantor's declaration. If you will study in another canton, we suggest you check the amount with that canton's migration office.

According to ETH's estimate, rent, food, transport and insurance in Zürich come to about CHF 22,100 a year. Of this, CHF 11,300 is rent, and this figure is a 2024 average. Tuition fees are not included in this total.

A student who will stay longer than 90 days applies for a national D visa. To book an appointment, you contact the Consulate General in Istanbul. Schools advise making the application at least three months before classes start.

Working during and after your studies

Students from outside the EU can work six months after starting their studies, with the approval of the canton. The limit during term is 15 hours a week, and full-time work is allowed in the holidays. After graduating, a student can look for a job in Switzerland for six months from the end of their studies.

For studies that last several years, the residence permit is given for one year and renewed every year. According to HES-SO Genève in Geneva, the student must still be continuing their studies for the renewal.

Boarding school fees

Fees at boarding high schools are at a very different level from universities. At Collège du Léman near Geneva, the full-year boarding fee for 2026/27 is CHF 117,500. On top of this come CHF 500 for the application, CHF 4,800 for acceptance and a CHF 6,000 deposit. Exam fees are billed separately. At the same school's 2027 summer camp, a two-week boarding session is CHF 6,990. At Leysin American School's 2027 summer program, a three-week session is CHF 9,500.

Some schools do not state the academic year on their fee page. When you compare, we suggest you ask the school which year an amount belongs to. For details such as the school list, summer camps and visa steps, see our Switzerland page.