Applying to university in Switzerland: everything you need to know

Applying to Swiss universities is relatively simple. First, however, we need to define the different types of university.

In Switzerland, there are:

• Public universities (UNIs)
• Universities of applied sciences and arts (UASAs), also known as Fachhochschules
• Universities of teacher education (UTEs)
• Private universities

Each type of university has a different application procedure.

Public universities (UNIs)

The first thing to check before you apply to a public university is that you are studying the correct subjects to secure entry into the Swiss higher education UNI system. The easiest place to check that is here.

There are 12 different UNIs in Switzerland. The deadline to apply for a place on a bachelor’s degree course at any of these universities is 30 April of the year in which the student wants to start university.

The date when students can begin the application process depends on the university. For example, the University of St Gallen opens its application portal on 1 October, while the University of Zurich opens its portal later, on 1 January.

(NB: medicine degrees have a different set of rules, not discussed in this article. More information can be found here.)

There is no central application system: students apply directly through the university website. While they can apply to as many universities as they like, there may be a cost of up to 150 CHF (£131) per application.

There is no need to submit a reference letter or write an essay. The only documents students will need to upload are a CV (usually in the very simple format they ask for), passport, photo and an official school document showing which subjects they are studying and will graduate with (for example, IB predicted grades or a high school transcript). Students may have to sign and upload a declaration of consent, which can be downloaded from the university website.

Depending the language they have learned in, students may also have to demonstrate their language proficiency by uploading an accepted official certificate in the university’s language of instruction (French, German, Italian or, in a very few cases, English). However, many universities will accept this later in the application process – some as late as the first week before matriculation.

This whole process should take about 20 minutes, provided that students have all the documents ready.

Once all the documents have been uploaded, the application status will remain “in review” until the student’s final results are submitted. Then, as long as they achieve the requirements (which can be seen here), they’re in.

As is always the case, there are some exceptions to these rules. For example, an international student (without a Swiss C Permit or Swiss passport) applying to the University of St Gallen will need to take – and pass – an entrance exam.

Universities of applied sciences and arts (UASAs)

Before any of your students apply, make sure that they are studying the correct subjects to allow entry into the Swiss higher education UASA system. The easiest place to check this is here.

There are 10 different UASAs in Switzerland. The application deadline is dependent on the individual UASA. Many of these institutions offer bachelor’s degrees in English as well as in their native language.

The entry into bachelor’s programmes in these institutions is generally dependent on having a federally recognised high school diploma (the same requirement as the UNIs), in addition to having one year’s employment experience in an area related to the degree. However, some of the UASAs now state that this employment experience does not have to be completed before admission, and can be undertaken during one’s studies.

The application documentation requirements vary depending on the UASA, but they usually include documents such as a CV, motivation letter or personal statement and portfolio (if the degree is art-related). Students apply directly through the specific UASA website.

An exception to the general rules of academic entry requirements is Zurich University of the Arts. Here, students’ portfolio, audition, video or interviews (depending on which bachelor’s degree they are applying for) are more important than the subjects or results of their high school education. So students could be studying art as part of their IB diploma (not a subject accepted by the UNIs), but still be accepted to the Zurich University of the Arts if their portfolio is strong enough.

Universities of teacher education (UTEs)

The first thing to check before applying is that you are studying the correct subjects to allow entry into the Swiss higher education UTE system. The easiest place to check that is here.

There are 20 UTEs. The application deadline varies by UTE. Entry is dependent on a federally recognised high school diploma (the same requirement as the UNIs). Students apply directly through the specific UTE website.

Proof of language proficiency – in the language in which the course will be taught – is required, as is a CV, a photo and a copy of applicant’s passport.

Private universities

Examples of private universities are: English-taught business schools, such as SBS and EU Business School; American universities, such as Webster and Franklin; and hospitality universities, such as EHL, Glion and the Swiss Education Group. There are multiple application deadlines throughout the year – similar to an American rolling-admission application.

Students apply directly through a university’s website, and the requirements are dependent on the specific university. The academic requirements tend to be more flexible than UNIs, UASAs and UTEs, but the application process is usually more intense, requiring CVs, motivation letters or personal statement, interviews, aptitude tests and letters of recommendation.

Note: Information and costs were correct at the time of writing. However, as with all university application requirements and deadlines, the most accurate and up-to-date information is to be found on the individual university websites.