Switzerland has been consistently voted as one of the most innovative countries in the world and is a popular study destination for students from round the world! Here are a few general points to keep in mind if you’re planning to study in Switzerland!
- There are several types of universities in Switzerland: cantonal Universities and Federal Institutes of Technology (FIT)which are collectively known as UNIs, Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (UASAs) and Universities of Teacher Education (UTEs). There are even private universities and educational institutions. Which type of institution you choose depends on your requirements. You will mostly opt for the UNIs and UASAs. Most of the private universities in Switzerland are highly regarded and provide quality education in a number of fields. The UTEs offer practical training for people who want to teach at the school level. There’s plenty of courses that are taught in English, specially at the post graduate level.
- Switzerland has mostly adopted a three-cycle degree system established by the Bologna process where Bachelors programs take 3-4 years, Masters programs take 1-2 years and PhD takes 3-4 years. Admission requirements depend on the program/university you are applying to and I will list university-specific info later on for your benefit!
- Unlike many other European countries, education in Switzerland is not free for both domestic and foreign students. How much you pay depends on the institution/program. Public universities charge much lower fees than private ones. In short, private universities are expensive. However, there scholarships offered by both public and private universities, the government and external programs which can help with not just tuition, but with the super-high living costs as well!
- Academics in general in Swiss universities are demanding. Expect to study regularly and for long hours. More on this later.
- There a LOT of foreigners in Switzerland, so take advantage of that, make friends and build your network.
- Career-wise, if you’re not a EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, jobs are pretty hard to get. So, keep that in mind, specially if you’re looking to invest a ton of money on your education.
