Study in Switzerland
For those looking to expand their cultural horizons, Switzerland could be the perfect choice as a study abroad destination. It has four national languages — Swiss German, French, Italian and Romansch — and is equally rich in cultural diversity.
• There are 12 general universities in Switzerland and a number of other universities of applied sciences and research universities. Swiss universities are generously supported by the government and fees for nationals are low. At many institutions, fees are the same for foreign students or there is only a small premium, reflecting the country’s desire to attract overseas students. Of those studying at university in Switzerland, 21% are international students.
• Switzerland has the highest ranked university in Continental Europe in the 2014–15 QS World University Rankings: ETH Zürich (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), which is ranked 12th. The country also has three other institutions in the QS top 100: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne at 17th, University of Zurich at 57th and University of Geneva at 85th.
• English-language courses are more common at Master’s level and most undergraduate programmes are taught in German, Italian or French. The number of courses available at an undergraduate level in English is slowly growing, however, particularly at universities of applied sciences.
Entry and visa regulations
UK citizens do not require a visa to study in Switzerland.
• Students must register with their local Residents’ Registration Office within 14 days of arrival. To register, students need proof of identity and address, along with evidence of sufficient funds and enrolment at university.
• Applicants wishing to study at a Swiss university should apply directly to the institution of their choice. Deadlines for entry vary between institutions, but as a general rule you’ll need to apply in the spring for courses beginning in the autumn.
Funding your study
• At most of the general universities, the annual tuition fee for international students is between £650 and £1,000, with some exceptions — the University of Italian Switzerland, for example, charges a much higher fee of about £2,600 per year.
• UK students are allowed to work up to 15 hours per week alongside their studies without acquiring a work permit.
• There are some scholarships available for foreign students – check with your local Swiss embassy in the first instance.
Some subsidised on-campus student accommodation is available in Switzerland, but it is also common for students to rent private rooms or flats.
• To start with, contact the housing office at your institution to find out what assistance and/or recommendations they can offer.
• Budget on paying around €545 per month for a room in a shared apartment.
The cost of living is high in Switzerland. In this year’s Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Zurich was named as the most expensive city in the world, with Geneva in third place.
Prices vary depending on location, but typical prices (GBP, March 2015) are:
• Apartment rent, 1 bedroom: £755 - £946 per month
• Meal, inexpensive restaurant: £13.47
• Meal at McDonalds: £8.76
• Domestic beer (0.5 litre draught): £4.04
• Imported beer (0.33 litre bottle): £3.54
• Cappuccino: £2.91
• Coke/Pepsi (0.33 litre bottle): £2.66
• Water (0.33 litre bottle): £2.24
• Loaf of bread: £1.68
• Cigarettes: £5.39
• One-way ticket local transport: £2.02
• Cinema ticket: £12.12
Health and safety
• Health insurance is compulsory for all students intending to stay in Switzerland for more than three months, but for EU students basic medical care is available using the European Health Insurance Card.
• Switzerland is considered a very safe country to live in and violent crime is rare. Although gun crimes are low, Switzerland has one of the highest per capita gun ownership rates in the world.
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