Study in Switzerland

Why Switzerland

Why Switzerland is home to two of the world's best technical universities

ETH Zurich is consistently ranked in the global top 10 alongside MIT and Stanford. EPFL in Lausanne ranks in the global top 20. Switzerland invests more in R&D as a percentage of GDP than almost any country, and its pharmaceutical, financial, and engineering sectors pay some of the highest graduate salaries in the world.

Switzerland is not in the EU but is economically and academically integrated with Europe. It operates its own immigration system, and Swiss-educated graduates are highly sought after globally — particularly in engineering, life sciences, finance, and technology.

Typical Switzerland Costs 2025

ETH Zurich Tuition	CHF 730/semester
EPFL Tuition	CHF 730/semester
Living costs, Zurich	CHF 2,500 to 3,500/month
Living costs, other cities	CHF 2,000 to 2,800/month

Get a Free Estimate

01

ETH Zurich — Global Top 10

ETH consistently ranks alongside MIT. An ETH or EPFL degree is among the most respected engineering and science credentials in the world.

02

Very Low University Fees

ETH and EPFL charge just CHF 730 per semester — one of the lowest fees for world top-10 universities anywhere. The cost is in living, not tuition.

03

Research Funding Abundance

Switzerland funds research at levels exceeding most countries. Funded PhD positions and research grants are widely available.

04

Highest Graduate Salaries

Swiss engineering, finance, and pharma graduates earn among the highest salaries in the world. Zurich, Geneva and Basel are all global centres.

05

Multilingual Environment

German, French, Italian and English are all working languages at Swiss universities. International students are a core part of the academic community.

06

Zero Consultancy Fee

GoAbroadly charges nothing for consultancy. We are funded by our university partners.

Visa Routes

Visa routes for
switzerland

Most Common

Swiss National Visa (D)

Required for studies over 90 days in Switzerland. Applied through the Swiss embassy in India. Each Swiss canton (state) also issues a cantonal permit after arrival.

Valid for your course duration
Apply through Swiss embassy in New Delhi or Mumbai
Cantonal permit issued after arrival in Switzerland
Must register with the cantonal authority within 14 days
B permit (annual) required for first year of study

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Post Study

Post-Study Work (Cantonal)

Switzerland does not have a federal post-study work permit. After graduation, you need employer sponsorship to remain. However, Zurich and Geneva are among the world's top cities for graduate hiring.

Employer-sponsored permit required after graduation
Fast processing for ETH and EPFL graduates in shortage roles
Short-term permit (L) possible while job hunting
Employers value ETH and EPFL degrees globally

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Career Route

B Permit (Annual Residence)

For graduates who secure employment in Switzerland. Switzerland operates a quota system for non-EU workers — ETH and EPFL graduates have significantly higher approval rates.

Annual renewable permit
Quota system applies — employer must apply early
Path to C permit (permanent) after 5 to 10 years
Bring family on B permit (dependent)
Preferential treatment for shortage occupations

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Step by Step

How the process
actually works

01

Admission to ETH or EPFL

Admission is highly competitive. ETH Master's programmes require a top bachelor's degree in a relevant field. GoAbroadly advises on profile strengthening and application strategy.

02

Apply and Wait for Admission

Apply directly through ETH Zurich's online portal or EPFL's application system. Admission decisions typically take 4 to 12 weeks after the closing date.

03

Swiss National Visa (D)

Once admitted, apply for your Swiss national visa (Type D) through the Swiss embassy. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks.

04

Register in Canton

Arrive in Switzerland and register with your local cantonal authority within 14 days. Your cantonal permit is issued here.

FAQs

Switzerland
questions answered

Still have questions? Book a free call. No sales pitch, just honest answers.

Ask Us Anything

How competitive is ETH Zurich for Indian students?+

Very competitive. ETH accepts around 10 to 15% of international Master's applicants. A strong bachelor's degree (75%+ from a recognised technical institution), relevant research or work experience, and a compelling statement of purpose are essential.

Is Switzerland in the EU?+

No. Switzerland is not in the EU or EEA. It has bilateral agreements with the EU but operates its own immigration system. This means the post-study work provisions are different — employer sponsorship is required after graduation.

How much does it really cost?+

ETH and EPFL tuition is extremely low (CHF 730/semester). The real cost is living — Zurich is one of the world's most expensive cities. Budget CHF 2,500 to 3,500 per month.

Can I get funded as a PhD student?+

Yes. PhD students at ETH and EPFL are almost always paid employees — not students. You receive a monthly salary (approximately CHF 4,000 to 5,000) in addition to your research funding. There are no tuition fees for PhD study.

What language is teaching in at ETH?+

ETH Zurich teaches Master's programmes in English and German depending on the department. Most international programmes are in English. EPFL in Lausanne teaches in English and French.

How long does the Swiss visa take?+

Swiss national visa (Type D) applications typically take 4 to 8 weeks. Apply as soon as you receive your admission letter.

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