Swiss universities set to pass 300.000 students by 2035
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By Isabella Jacobsen
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The number of students at Swiss universities is expected to grow by more than a fifth over the next decade, with international students being a contributing factor. Meanwhile, primary school student numbers are set to fall as birth rates decline.
Population growth and international students fuel the rise
The number of students at Swiss universities is expected to rise by 21 percent between 2026 and 2035, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Bundesamt für Statistik, or FSO). As a result, bachelor's and master's enrolment is expected to increase to about 305.000, up from approximately 252.000 in 2026.
The FSO names two main reasons: an estimated 6 percent growth in population and more international students – 19 percent at bachelor's level and 37 percent at master's level. International students are those who enter a Swiss university with a certificate or bachelor's diploma from another country.
With birthrates falling since 2022, demographic shifts are also impacting primary and secondary schools. Primary school pupil numbers are expected to peak in 2027/2028 and then fall by 8 percent between 2026 and 2035. Lower secondary pupil numbers should keep growing until around 2033 before declining from 2034, while upper secondary pupil numbers are expected to keep growing until at least 2035.
What to consider if you plan to study in Switzerland
More students does not automatically mean tougher competition, as each university sets its own admission rules and capacity. For example, EPFL moved to cap first-year bachelor’s admissions at 3.000 from 2025, a limit that applies only to applicants with qualifications from abroad, as students with a Swiss diploma must be admitted by law.
Those planning to study in Switzerland should check requirements and deadlines with their chosen institution early, particularly how it recognises qualifications from abroad, to secure their spot in the programme.
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Isabella Jacobsen is an assistant editor intern balancing her time between the IamExpat office and the lecture halls at the University of Amsterdam, where she is pursuing a Master’s in political journalism. Growing up moving between Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Dubai, Cyprus, Denmark, and the Netherlands shaped a lifelong curiosity about how stories are told across different cultures. Before settling in Amsterdam, she earned her bachelor’s in media and communication from Erasmus University Rotterdam, which included an exchange semester studying journalism and broadcasting at National Chengchi University in Taiwan. Driven by a constant desire to learn and take on new challenges, she is always looking for the next angle to explore. Read more