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.
Do Swiss universities have tuition fees?
Switzerland’s universities are controlled and funded directly by the county (canton), or by the government. This is because university education is still treated as a natural extension of the school system and therefore should be state-funded.
In regard to tuition, costs are subsidised by the state but do not cover the total costs. The system of state supports leads to reduced costs, with some increased fees for students who are non-Swiss or on a visa.
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
- Tuition fees for all courses: 730 Swiss francs per semester
- Compulsory fees (Sports, Scholarship, Union): 74 Swiss francs per semester
- Voluntary fees: 20 Swiss francs per semester
Tuition fees for The Polytechnique School of Lausanne
- Tuition fees for all courses: 730 Swiss francs per semester
- Compulsory fees (Sports, Scholarship, Union): 50 Swiss francs per semester
- Voluntary fees: N/A
Tuition fees for the University of Bern
- Tuition fees for all courses: 750 Swiss francs per semester, 950 Swiss francs for non-Swiss residents
- Penalty for not achieving a degree in 12 semesters: 1.500 francs in the 13th semester, doubling every subsequent semester without achieving a degree
- Compulsory fees (Sports, Scholarship): 34 Swiss francs per semester
- Voluntary fees: 21 Swiss francs per semester
Tuition fees for the University of Basel
- Tuition fees for all courses: 850 Swiss francs per semester, 350 Swiss francs for doctoral students
- Compulsory fees (Sports, Scholarship, Union): 50 Swiss francs per semester
- Application fees: 100 Swiss francs
- Voluntary fees: N/A
Tuition fees for the University of Fribourg
- Tuition fees for all courses: 720 Swiss francs per semester, 870 Swiss francs for non-Swiss students
- Compulsory fees (Sports, Scholarship, Union): 115 Swiss francs per semester
- Voluntary fees: N/A
Tuition fees for the University of Geneva
- Tuition fees for all courses: 435 Swiss francs per semester
- Compulsory fees (Sports, Scholarship, Union): 65 Swiss francs per semester
- Voluntary fees: N/A
Tuition fees for the University of Lausanne
- Tuition fees for all courses: 580 Swiss francs per semester
- Compulsory fees (Sports, Scholarship, Union): N/A
- Voluntary fees: N/A
Tuition fees for the University of Neuchatel
- Tuition fees for all courses: 425 Swiss francs per semester, 700 Swiss francs per semester for non-Swiss students
- Compulsory fees (Sports, Scholarship, Union): 90 Swiss francs per semester
- Voluntary fees: N/A
Tuition fees for the University of St. Gallen
- Tuition fees for bachelor’s degrees: 1.229 Swiss francs per semester, 3.129 Swiss francs per semester for non-Swiss nationals
- Tuition fees for master’s degrees: 1.429 Swiss francs per semester, 3.329 Swiss francs per semester for non-Swiss nationals
- Tuition fees for Join Medical Masters: 949 Swiss francs per semester, 10.078 Swiss francs per semester for non-Swiss nationals
- Tuition fees for PHD students: 629 Swiss francs per semester, 1.079 Swiss francs per semester for non-Swiss nationals
- Compulsory fees (Sports, Scholarship, Union): 250 Swiss francs per semester
- Voluntary fees: N/A
Tuition fees for the University of Italian Switzerland
- Tuition fees for all courses: 2.000 Swiss francs per semester, 4.000 Swiss francs per semester for non-Swiss students
- Compulsory fees (Sports, Scholarship, Union): N/A
- Voluntary fees: N/A
Tuition fees for the University of Zurich
- Tuition fees for all courses: 720 Swiss francs per semester, plus a 100 to 500 Swiss franc surcharge for non-Swiss students
- Compulsory fees (Sports, Scholarship, Union): 59 Swiss francs per semester
- Voluntary fees: 26 Swiss francs 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 expats which can completely subside 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.
Average living costs in Switzerland for students
When you are living in Switzerland as a student, it is essential that you have the adequate funds to sustain yourself during university life. This extends to life outside university if you plan to stay in Switzerland during school holidays. On average, a student in Switzerland will spend 1.500 to 3.000 Swiss francs a month on living costs, rent and tuition.
Additional costs for Swiss universities
When you are looking to apply for university in Switzerland, it is essential that you take into account the further costs involved in coming to study and the additional steps that need to be taken to make sure you are studying in Switzerland legally. These are:
- Taking out health insurance
- Securing a visa for Switzerland or residence permit
- Finding a house or apartment in Switzerland
