Secondary School of Economics (Wirtschaftsgymnasium)
Secondary Music and Art school (Musisches Gymnasium)
Secondary School of Sports (Sportgymnasium)
Like Zurich’s langgymnasium, these schools will require students pass an entrance exam. Like the exam at the end of primary school, this exam has a reputation for being extremely tough with material that is not often taught in school. If I child gets into one of these schools, they should be prepared to work hard as the schools have high academic standards in order to remain enrolled.
At the end of the schooling there will be a finishing exam, the matura, that all students are required to pass to graduate. The exam will vary by canton, but on average students can expect to be tested on the following:
basic subjects (math, various sciences, history, geography, arts)
Switzerland is known for some of the best international schools in Europe. Although most of the schools have reputations for strict discipline, they are also known for their extremely high educational standards.
Schools in Switzerland for International Students
Whether you prefer a British school, American school, or even a Japanese education, the schools in Switzerland cover a large variety of languages and curricula for international students. German schools are the easiest to come by as are French schools, since French and German are two of the official languages of the country. You will find the greatest option for these schools in the French and German cantons. Religious schools are also possible such as Christian or Catholic schools.
Most international schools promote a bilingual program, but some even have trilingual ones. If language learning is of particular importance to your child, this is worth looking into. Teaching methods from across the globe can also be found if you plan on only staying in Switzerland for a short while.
International School Requirements and Admission
Switzerland has nearly 50 international schools spread throughout the country for you to choose from. Requirements vary and you can expect most to have waiting lists. While it is possible to enroll your student mid-year, it is more common to start at the beginning of the school year.
General requirements for international schools:
International school tuition fees average around 30,000–40,000 CHF (30,300—40,400 USD) per year. Fees may vary depending on the school and your child’s age.
Some of Switzerland’s Top International Schools
TASIS The American School in Switzerland
Best Universities for International Students in Switzerland
The most international university in Switzerland is Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI). Its student body is over 60% international with over 100 countries represented. Bachelor’s degrees are typically taught in the dominating language of the canton, although it is possible to find some bilingual programs. Masters programs are largely taught in English.
Some of the Best Universities for International Students in Switzerland
Study in Switzerland ConsultantBecause Switzerland has so many official languages, language schools are rife in the small country. Whether you want to learn French, German, Italian, or English, you are sure to find the right course for you no matter where you live. It is best to first become proficient in the dominant language of your canton as this will be the easiest way to acclimate to the local culture. Most business interactions in Switzerland are in English, but you may find that coworkers will want to speak in the canton’s primary language. Learning a few key words and phrases in the language of a neighboring canton will go a long way as well.
Language School Fees
Language school fees vary, but generally average around a couple hundred Swiss francs.
Gary Buswell Written by Gary BuswellShare
Find out all you need to know about the Switzerland student visa, including who needs one and what the requirements are.
You may need a Switzerland student visa if you want to enroll in further or higher education in Switzerland. This guide explains the key aspects of this visa including information on what to do if you need one. Read up on everything you need to know about:
Study grants and scholarships in Switzerland
Study grants and scholarships in Switzerland
Appeals and complaints about student visas in Switzerland
Many overseas students are attracted to studying in Switzerland, with university courses available in four different languages. Around 26% of university students in Switzerland were foreign in 2020–2021.
University students in Switzerland
However, standards are high and getting into a Swiss university or higher education institution isn’t easy. You will need an offer for a recognized course. Additionally, you may need a Swiss student visa if you are coming from outside the EU.
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) in Switzerland oversees all visas and immigration to the country, although much of the administration is done by the local cantonal migration offices.
Read more about higher education in our Guide to Swiss universities
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Who needs a student visa in Switzerland?
Residents from the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) do not need a visa to take up studies in Switzerland. You will only need to prove that you have been accepted onto a course with a registered institution. If you are staying in Switzerland for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a Swiss residence permit from your local canton.
Additionally, you can check the list of the most affordable universities if you are looking to study overseas on a limited budget.
Transferring foreign qualifications in Switzerland
If you come to Switzerland to study, you’ll need to have your existing overseas qualifications recognized as well as any official documents translated into one of the national languages. This also applies to EU/EFTA students that don’t require a visa.
Swiss universities and federal institutes of technology are responsible for their own high school diploma recognition regarding admissions. You can find information out about individual country requirements on the Swiss Universities website.
For postgraduate studies, vocational training and work-based diplomas, the recognition process depends on your profession or field. You can find full details through the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
Learn more about studying abroad as an expat
You can also find out general information about recognition and translation of foreign academic and professional qualifications in Switzerland on the ENIC-NARIC website.
Working while studying in Switzerland
You can work up to 15 hours per week during term time as a foreign student in Switzerland. During holidays, you can work full-time. However, you will have to inform your cantonal immigration office about your work.
Students from outside the EU/EFTA can only take up employment in Switzerland after living there for six months. Additionally, your employer will need to get a work permit for you.
If you already hold a Master’s degree from a foreign university and you’re in Switzerland working for your Swiss university or institute, you don’t have to wait six months but can start work straight away.
You can find out more in our guides to Swiss work visas, finding a job in Switzerland, and Swiss CV and job application techniques.
Family members joining on a Switzerland student visa
Although EU/EFTA students can bring spouses/registered partners and dependent children with them to Switzerland, those from outside the EU/EFTA on a student visa cannot bring any family.
Family reunites, Switzerland student visa
This is because the Switzerland student visa only entitles you to a temporary B residence permit. If you are granted the right to stay after your studies and obtain a C settlement permit, certain family members can join you.
Cantonal migration offices can grant discretionary Swiss family visas in certain instances. Contact your local office for information. Standard exceptions are for those holding Confederation grants, doctoral students, visiting professors, post-docs, and other academics.
Our Guide to Swiss family visas explains all you need to know
After your study finishes and your Switzerland student visa expires
Study in Switzerland ConsultantAfter you’ve completed your studies in Switzerland you can extend your temporary residency permit allowing you to stay for a further six months to look for a full-time, permanent job. During this job search period, you can work for up to 15 hours a week. This permit cannot be extended after six months.
To apply, you’ll need to go to your cantonal migration office and provide:
A certificate or other proof that you have finished your course
Evidence that you can support yourself financially during this time
If you find a job in Switzerland, your employer must submit an application to the cantonal authority where you’ll be working. While foreign graduates from Swiss university-level educational institutions are treated the same as Swiss graduates in terms of entering the job market – that is, the job does not have to be offered to Swiss or EU candidates first – the employer will still have to prove that the job (or you) is of particular economic or scientific importance before you will be issued with a Swiss work permit.
If you want to continue your studies as a postgraduate at a Swiss university, you can apply to extend your residence permit but you must already have an offer of a place. The maximum extension period is two years.
Appeals and complaints about student visas in Switzerland
Appeals and complaints about student visas in Switzerland
You can appeal any decisions to refuse you a student visa within 30 days of the refusal. Contact the Swiss embassy or consulate in your home country and explain why you are unhappy with the decision.
If you are still not satisfied, you can contact the SEM, the Swiss authorities who deal with Swiss visas and permits. You will need to pay an advance on costs of CHF 200.
If SEM rejects your appeal, your final avenue is the Federal Administrative Court. You should file your appeal within 30 days. Send your appeal along with any supporting evidence to:
Step 1: Choose a university and a programme
Browse through the official database on www.studyprogrammes.ch. Choose the type of university, the language of instruction, the level and the field of study.
Step 2: Check the admission requirements
Switzerland does not have a centralised admission procedure. With this said each university is autonomous and sets its own admissions criteria. For specific information, you must therefore contact the admissions office of the university of your choice directly.
Here is some general information on admission to universities:
Admission to a bachelor programme: the main requirement is an upper secondary school-leaving certificate considered to be equivalent to the Swiss Matura/Maturité/Maturità. Go to Admission to universities to check whether your certificate is accepted. Please note that additional requirements must be met and that admission to undergraduate programmes in the field of medicine is extremely restricted.