Studying in Zurich
With 400,000 inhabitants only, Zurich is not only Switzerland's most densely populated city, but also its economic and financial hub. Moving to Zurich for your studies can thus be an exciting experience at all levels.
Despite being one of the world's most expensive cities, Zurich offers a safe environment and an unparalleled quality of life in a lush green. With no less than 30% of the inhabitants of foreign origin, Zurich is a cosmopolitan city where you will easily be able to adapt. Zurich is also a very attractive destination for international students thanks to its quality higher education system and its renowned research programmes. Two of its universities are among the top 100 in the world according to the QS Top Universities Ranking 2018.
Main universities in Zurich
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH)
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, generally known as ETH, is a world-famous institution, which, according to its president, encourages students to put their ability to think ahead of knowledge itself. Founded in 1854, ETH (also known as ETHZ or EPFZ) comes up 10th in the QS top universities ranking 2018, proving to be a state-of-the-art technical and scientific institution. It is also known to be one of the world's leading institutions in the fields of Earth and Marine Science since 2014.
ETH has produced 21 Nobel prize winners in medicine, chemistry and physics, including Albert Einstein. It also has international partnerships with prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, Polytechnique, etc. It is also worth noting that over 21,000 students are studying at the university today, of which 35% comes from abroad, and nearly one-third are female.
ETH is divided into two campuses, one located in Zurich's historic area and the other at the other end of the city. Students can access the campuses via shuttle buses.
Find more information on ETH's website.
International students wishing to apply to ETH may submit an application before the registration deadlines for each semester. You may also be required to take part in an entrance examination. Since the primary medium of instruction is German, proof of German language proficiency (Goethe, TestDaF, DSH-3, etc.) is required. Some degree programmes taught in English are available at the graduate level.
University of Zurich (UZH)
Founded in 1833, the University of Zurich (UZH) is the most prominent Swiss university with 26,500 students enrolled in Fall Semester 2018, within which 19% come from abroad. While most programmes at the ETH specialise in the scientific area, UZH offers a well-balanced range of courses and disciplines from humanities to sciences, although it stands out especially for its dentistry and anatomy programmes. In 2018, UZH ranked 73rd in the QS top universities rankings.
To enrol as a full-time degree student at UZH, fluency in German, proven by language proficiency examinations such as Goethe Certificate, TestDaF, DSH, is required, unless you are applying to a master's degree programme entirely taught in English. International students may also join the university through exchange programmes, through which UZH receives students from universities across the European Union and beyond.
Find more information on UZH's website.
Entry requirements for universities in Zurich
Despite not being a member of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland has very close relations with its European neighbours through numerous bilateral agreements. As a result, students with EU citizenship, who hold an offer from a higher education institution, may study in Zurich without securing a student visa in advance. A resident permit, however, will be issued upon arrival in Zurich. For non-EU international students, a student visa must be obtained at a Swiss embassy or consulate prior to arrival in Switzerland. Besides, all international students are required to subscribe to a health insurance during their studies in Switzerland.
Tuition fees in Zurich's universities
Depending on the university, international students may pay more tuition fees than local students. For example, at the University of Zurich, international students at bachelor level are charged 500 CHF in addition to the base tuition fees of 720 CHF per semester (2019 rates) for Swiss students. However, at ETH, all students are charged 580 CHF per semester (Fall Semester 2019 rates). Tuition fees may also vary across the level of studies.
Need-based and merit scholarships may also be available depending on the institution. Please check directly with your university for more information.
Student jobs and internships in Zurich
As a general rule, international students are allowed to work in Zurich, but only after at least six months have passed since the beginning of their studies or training. A maximum of 15 hours per week is allowed during the semester, and 42 hours per week during holiday periods, as long as you obtain a work permit. Your employer will have to send a duly filled application form to the cantonal office. A work permit is issued whereby all documents provided (university admission letter and resident permit) are in order.
To gain professional experiences, you may wish to take up an internship during your studies in Zurich. Although some organisations offer unpaid internships, those who pay their interns usually offer reasonable remuneration in comparison to many other European countries. Depending on the industry and company, interns could be paid roughly from 1,000 CHF to 5,000 CHF per month.
Finding a job in Switzerland after your studies
Your chances of finding a job in Switzerland after your studies hugely depend on your citizenship. For students with EU citizenship, thanks to the bilateral agreement on the freedom of movement, there is no limitation as to how long you may stay in Switzerland after completion of your studies to find a job. The process of obtaining a work permit B for an EU citizen is also much more straightforward.
If you are a non-EU student, the good news is that an amendment to the Foreign Nationals Act now allows you to stay in Switzerland for six months to hunt for a job after your studies. With a bit of luck in your student job or internship, a Swiss employer may wish to sponsor your work permit as a non-EU citizen, which is subject to quotas and government authorities' approval.
