Switzerland is an outstanding location for living, studying, and working. Its aesthetic variety, beautiful landscape, and innovative environment offer first-class surroundings for both personal well-being and career advancement. Why study in Switzerland? The Swiss higher education system is known as extremely rigorous and demanding. After all, the Swiss invented some cool things that have genuinely made our life easier or more entertaining: the vegetable peeler, the bobsleigh, or the cellophane are just a few examples. Most Swiss universities are publicly funded, making international study relatively affordable. The Swiss government, and some universities, also offer scholarships to international students. In Switzerland, everybody is active and performs some sports, from running and cycling to yachting and free fall. People here always find time for leisure and health and this mentality will hook you too. The main sectors include microtechnology, high-tech, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, banking and insurance, tourism and international organizations. The service sector employs the largest number of people. The country has a flexible job market, and the unemployment rate is low.

Switzerland is one of the most ambitious countries in the world and widely recognized internationally as a center of excellence in education, research, and innovation. Switzerland has 12 doctoral/research universities out of which 10 are cantonal universities and two federal institutes of technology, eight universities of applied sciences and arts (including one private, state-recognized institution). And more than 20 universities of teacher education and several other state-funded university institutions. Switzerland has some of the most reputable universities in the world, and their top two institutions, i.e., EPFL and ETH Zurich, are constantly ranked within the top universities, a remarkable return for a country which has a population of 8.3 million, which is smaller than that of London. Students are consistently satisfied with the high-quality facilities throughout the country’s schools and are usually pleased with the level of teaching on their courses.

To find out whether a Swiss university grants scholarships to international students, candidates are advised to consult the respective university website. The Swiss Government awards Excellence Scholarships and Grants to foreign scholars and artists holding a recognized university degree. Loans are amounts of borrowed money that needs to be paid back with interest (interest rates are usually low for students). Grants are awards that do not require repayment. However, grants often have stipulations such as maintaining a certain grade point average to keep the money. Scholarship deadlines vary amongst institutions. In some universities, you can ask for an interest-free loan of up to 11,000 EUR per year, which includes up to 40 % of fees and sustenance costs. In Zurich, you can also opt for the solidarity fund for international students – open for Bachelor students who have finished their first semester. For foreign students from a large number of countries, the Swiss government offers scholarships through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS). The only way to know the current updated details is through research. Scholarship criterion also differs significantly from college to college, so again thorough research helps. We can’t emphasize this enough — research, research, and research away. You need to make the right choice and to put your best foot forward with it.

Tuition fees in Switzerland are some of the cheapest fees in the whole of Europe. A lot of the public universities charge around €1,000 per academic year, it doesn’t get much cheaper than that! Living costs all over Switzerland are expensive, and managing your monthly expenses without making any compromise could be a tough challenge in Switzerland. Depending on the university location, finding accommodation can be difficult. Students are therefore advised to search for accommodation in good time before their arrival. A percent of the international students in Switzerland live in student halls of residence; the rest choose other housing options. Most students prefer to buy their food from the supermarkets plus eat out only once in a while. A monthly pass on the public transportation is approximately 40 – 50 EUR. In major Swiss cities like Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchâtel, any public transportation ticket is valid on trains, tramways, buses and even ships. If you are decided to study in Switzerland, you should also check Swiss student visa requirements based on your place of origin.

Swiss universities have decision-making autonomy on student admission. Best Swiss colleges and universities will want that both undergraduate and graduate students applying for acceptance take one or more standardized admission examinations. A student has to prepare for several exams to be merely eligible for getting into the college and course he/she aspires for. Each university takes its admission decisions independently but by international agreements and with a legally binding outcome regarding the recognition of educational qualifications.

• SAT: It is an undergraduate exam, which is needed for admissions to most Switzerland colleges and universities. You need to read about SAT registration, SAT dates
• TOEFL: It is an undergraduate and graduate exam required by almost all students who wish to study abroad.
• TOEIC : Test of English for International Communication is an English language test, which is designed to judge the everyday English skills of people who want to work in an international environment
• MCAT: The Medical College Admission Test is the medical school admissions process test for more than 80 years to assess the preparedness of students for the rigorous medical programs. The MCAT exam tests prospective students on the skills and knowledge medical educators and physicians have identified as crucial prerequisites for success in medical school and the practice of medicine.
• GRE: It is a graduate exam, which is needed for admissions to most non-business programmes in the Switzerland.
• GMAT: It is a graduate management exam, which is required for admissions to almost all top business schools In Switzerland.