Tuition fees in Switzerland

The 11 universities in Switzerland pride themselves on their quality of teaching and warm student atmosphere. If you are planning to study in Switzerland or have just graduated from the Swiss school system, it is important to know what tuition fees you might be paying for higher education, and whether your chosen university charges higher tuition fees for international students. 

Do Swiss universities have tuition fees?

Switzerland’s universities are controlled and funded directly by the cantons, or by the government. This is because university education is still treated as a natural extension of the school system and therefore is state-funded.

Tuition fees are subsidised by the state, but the funding does not cover the total costs. In general, Swiss universities do charge tuition fees to a greater or lesser extent.

Many also charge compulsory fees which support things like the students' union, libraries, scholarships, and sports.

Some also charge voluntary fees, which students can opt iin or out of paying a semester at a time. Depending on the university, your voluntary fees may go towards funding scholarships, give you access to additional services on campus, or join the students' union or student associations. 

Tuition fees in Switzerland for international students

While all universities in Switzerland charge tuition fees, there are some major differences between what individual students pay. Not only do the fees vary from university to university, but they also may be higher for international students, as Swiss universities are allowed to set their own fees. 

The following Swiss universities charge higher fees or a surcharge for international students: 

• ETH Zurich
• The Polytechnique School of Lausanne
• University of Bern
• University of Fribourg
• University of Neuchâtel 
• University of St. Gallen
• University of Italian Switzerland
• University of Zurich

The following universities in Switzerland charge the same tuition fees for both international students and Swiss students: 

• University of Basel
• University of Geneva
• University of Lausanne

Tuition fees in Swiss universities

Below you will find the total cost per semester for each university in Switzerland. Bear in mind that the majority of universities have a two-semester year, meaning that a full bachelor's degree will range from six to 10 semesters.

Tuition fees for ETH Zurich (2026)

• Tuition fees for all courses: 730 CHF per semester (for Swiss, EU and certain non-EU students) or 2.190 CHF per semester (for all other foreign students)
• Compulsory fees (sports, scholarship, union): 74 CHF per semester
• Voluntary fees: 20 CHF per semester

Tuition fees for The Polytechnique School of Lausanne (2026)

• Tuition fees for all courses: 730 CHF per semester (for Swiss, EU and certain non-EU students) or 2.190 CHF per semester (for all other foreign students)
• Compulsory fees (sports, scholarship, union): 50 CHF per semester

Tuition fees for the University of Bern (2026)

• Tuition fees for all courses: 750 CHF per semester; 950 CHF for non-Swiss residents
• Penalty for not achieving a degree in 12 semesters: 1.500 CHF in the 13th semester, doubling every subsequent semester without achieving a degree
• Compulsory fees (sports, scholarship, union): 34 CHF per semester
• Voluntary fees: 25 CHF per semester

Tuition fees for the University of Basel (2026)

• Tuition fees for all courses: 850 CHF per semester, 350 CHF for doctoral students
• Compulsory fees (sports, scholarship, union): 50 CHF per semester
• Application fees: 100 CHF

Tuition fees for the University of Fribourg (2026)

• Tuition fees for all courses: 720 CHF per semester; 870 CHF for non-Swiss students
• Compulsory fees (sports, scholarship, union): 115 CHF per semester

Tuition fees for the University of Geneva (2026)

• Tuition fees for all courses: 435 CHF per semester
• Compulsory fees (sports, scholarship, union): 65 CHF per semester

Tuition fees for the University of Lausanne (2026)

• Tuition fees for all courses: 580 CHF per semester

Tuition fees for the University of Neuchâtel (2026)

• Tuition fees for all courses: 425 CHF per semester; 700 CHF per semester for non-Swiss students
• Compulsory fees (sports, scholarship, union): 90 CHF per semester

Tuition fees for the University of St. Gallen (2026)

• Tuition fees for bachelor’s degrees: 1.310,50 CHF per semester; 3.343,50 CHF for non-Swiss nationals
• Tuition fees for master’s degrees: 1.524,50 CHF per semester; 3.557,50 CHF for non-Swiss nationals
• Tuition fees for Join Medical Masters: 960,50 CHF per semester; 10.089,50 CHF for non-Swiss nationals
• Tuition fees for PHD students: 668,50 CHF per semester; 1.150,50 CHF for non-Swiss nationals
• Compulsory fees (sports, scholarship, union): 268 CHF per semester

Tuition fees for the University of Italian Switzerland (2026)

• Tuition fees for all courses: 2.000 CHF per semester; 4.000 CHF for non-Swiss students

Tuition fees for the University of Zurich (2026)

• Tuition fees for Bachelor's courses: 720 CHF per semester; 1.220 CHF for non-Swiss students
• Tuition fees for Master's courses: 720 CHF per semester; 820 CHF for non-Swiss students
• Tuition fees for PhD students: 150 CHF per semester; 250 CHF for non-Swiss students
• Compulsory fees (sports, scholarship, union): 59 CHF per semester
• Voluntary fees: 26 CHF per semester

How can I reduce my tuition fees in Switzerland?

Although the costs of going to university are low in Switzerland, there are still ways to reduce the costs further. Many universities offer scholarship programmes for international students which can completely cover the cost of the course you have selected.

These programmes are awarded by merit and personal circumstances and are used to support students who come from challenging backgrounds or those who excel in their subject. Some scholarships also cover the costs of student housing and any other costs involved such as food and private insurance.