Studying in Switzerland is a surreal experience. Situated in the heart of Europe, the country is known for its high-quality education, superb research facilities, scenic getaways, and luxurious lifestyle. With all these put together, Switzerland seems like a dream come true for international students.
Switzerland is an upcoming education destination for Indian students. About 35,000 Indian students were enrolled in Swiss universities as of April 2024. With a growing interest in studying in Europe, overseas education consultants suggest that the number of Indian students would rise steadily too.
Presently, The UK, Ireland, Germany and France are many hubs for Indian students aspiring to study abroad. However with strict visa norms, caps on student enrollment, and stricter policies in popular destinations such as Canada, Australia, and other countries, the European countries stand as the natural gainers. Thus, an increasing interest of Indian students in studying in Switzerland. Let’s understand the academic requirements for Indian students to study in Switzerland:
Top reasons for students to prefer Switzerland for higher education:
- High quality of education: Swiss universities are often mentioned in the top 100 QS World Rankings and other academic lists for top institutions
- World-class research amenities: The federal government supports academic research through the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). Switzerland actively supports new-age research such as CERN and the European Union’s research programs
- Thriving economy: For students, this translates into plenty of job opportunities, internships and entrepreneurship options
Top programs to study in Switzerland:
— Hospitality management
- Business management
- STEM programs
- Banking
- Finance
Medium of instruction:
- English (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo tests are mandatory)
- Proficiency in French and German helps a lot as some programs may be taught in these languages only
Higher education intakes:
- Fall: September to February. Applications are entertained by the end of March
- Spring: February to June
Academic requirements:
Bachelor’s Program
- Upper secondary school education is a must. An Indian equivalent of this is class 12 level
- Students must have this from a recognized board and school
- For programs lasting 3 years, students have to complete a total of 180 ECTS credits
- Many universities impose a strict percentile (60%-65%) achievement in previous degrees
- TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo scores for English language proficiency
- Letter of Recommendation citing why a student must be considered for admission in a specific program
- Statement of Purpose illustrating the reasons and purpose for choosing education in Switzerland
Master’s Program
- A completed Bachelor’s level is a must to enroll in a Master’s program
- TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo scores to validate English language proficiency
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
Master of Advanced Studies
- GRE/GMAT scores are required
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
Popular universities:
Experienced overseas education consultants such as MSM Unify have updated lists of top universities, programs, and placements. They also have the latest information on visa policies, rules for students of different nationalities, academic requirements of each program and thus offer a well-researched understanding of studying in Switzerland. Here are the top Swiss universities featured in the latest edition of QS World Rankings 2024:
ETH Zurich: Ranked seventh in the world, it offers a wide array of programs. However, it is best known for its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs.
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL): Situated in Lausanne, Switzerland, this is raked at 36. It is known for its focus on Science and research and getting into EPFL is generally difficult.
University of Zurich: It grabbed the 91st rank in the QS Ranking 2024 list. It is the largest Swiss institute with over 28,000+ students. It was founded in the eighteenth century and boasts of legacy programs in Law and Medicine.
Also Read:
Which university is better for international students in Switzerland?
The Benefits of Studying in France for Indian Students: Career Prospects
