Student housing in Switzerland

Switzerland prides itself on its universities, which offer a high quality of education and a good student life. If you're coming to study in Switzerland, you'll need somewhere to live. Although most Swiss students tend to live at home while they are in higher education, there are plenty of options when it comes to student accommodation for international students. Here's what you need to know about finding student housing in Switzerland. 

Types of student housing in Switzerland

Although most Swiss universities do have their own accommodation that they can offer to students, demand usually far exceeds supply. It is not uncommon for official university housing to be fully booked a year in advance of the new academic year. For this reason, not all students end up living in university halls of residence, and many seek accommodation on the private rental market instead, either independently or together in groups of students. 

Here is an overview of the types of student housing on offer in Switzerland. 

University housing

Many universities in Switzerland offer their own forms of student accommodation, sometimes called halls of residence. The level of involvement the university takes ranges from officially sanctioned private accommodation to housing fully controlled by the university.

Large student halls are the most common type of university accommodation. They normally have shared bathroom and kitchen facilities and a warm communal atmosphere. Increasingly, new buildings are being made with private facilities for each student as well. Utilities are usually included in the overall costs. 

Shared housing

Instead of rooming in university accommodation, many students band together after their first year to find shared private accommodation that they rent together. These arrangements tend to be a lot cheaper than renting dedicated student accommodation. You can sometimes also find rooms for rent in these shared houses, when one tenants moves out and the remaining housemates choose someone to take their room.

Private accommodation and student flats

If you would like your university experience to be more private, then you might be interested in private accommodation. There are a range of private companies that offer accommodation in Switzerland specifically designed for students. These usually take the form of self-contained apartments with communal areas for socialising. All utilities are usually taken care of and some apartments come fully furnished.

Where can I find student housing in Switzerland?

Before you can enroll in university, you'll need to find somewhere to live. Indeed, this might be a prerequisite for getting your visa. It is a good idea to start applying for accommodation as soon as you get a place at university. Here's an idea of where to start your search. 

University

Some universities will offer their students accommodation directly. This is more common in universities in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Most universities will give priority to postgraduates and international students. However, bear in mind that places are limited and demand is high, so to be in with the best chance of getting a room you should apply early - ideally as soon as you get your offer. 

Student housing cooperatives

The most common way to find accommodation in Switzerland is through a student housing cooperative. These are student-led organisations that offer housing services for students looking to find a room. This system is used to find places in shared accommodation, typically through subletting, although some cooperatives offer their own accommodation as well. Some of the most well-known housing cooperatives are:

• WOKO
• JUWO
• livingscience
• Student Village
• Stuwo
• WoVe
• Wfs

Private accommodation agencies

As well as student-led cooperatives, you can also find accommodation through private companies. These companies usually deal in high-end private student accommodation. Some of the most well-known private providers are:

• Spacest
• Casita
• Capucine
• UniAcco
• Nestpick

How much should I pay for student housing in Switzerland?

The amount you will end up paying for student housing in Switzerland can vary quite significantly depending on type, size, privacy and its proximity to your university.

Typically speaking, a room in shared accommodation in a Swiss city will cost between 400 and 800 CHF a month, with private housing being around 600 to 2.000 CHF a month.

Temporary accommodation while looking for student accommodation

If you have been unable to secure housing for the start of university, you could consider renting a short-term, furnished apartment. This gives you a good, flexible base to start from, enabling you to come to Switzerland and start looking for permanent accommodation once you have arrived. However, these apartments are generally more expensive.

Tips for international students

Finding a new place to live in Switzerland can seem daunting, so here are some top tips for international students:

• The start of the student year is a good time to ask your peers about housing; it’s likely they are in the same position as you and will want to work together to find shared accommodation.
• Make sure you thoroughly read through your rental contract before signing it.
• Make sure you know whether water, electricity or internet is included in your rent.
• Make sure to socialise in shared accommodation. It will make living there more pleasant and will make conflict easier to resolve.
• Always view where you are going to live before sending a deposit or signing a rental contract.

Where do Swiss students stay while at university in Switzerland?

Because only a quarter of the Swiss population goes to university, culturally, it is still treated as an extension of the school system. Therefore, most Swiss students will stay with their families while at university and will attend the nearest university to them.

Exceptions can be for specialisations and MBA programmes at a university that are far away or if they have moved from work back into education.