Cost of studying in Switzerland

As interest in Switzerland as a higher education destination for International students grows, there are queries about the affordability of living in the country. 

Switzerland boasts of 12 public universities, out of which 10 are cantonal and 2 are institutes of technology funded federally. In addition, there are several private universities offering graduate and postgraduate programs in disciplines including applied sciences, business, music and hospitality.

Tuition Fees At Public Universities

Since public universities are funded by the government, fees is on the lower side with small premiums for foreign students. This is why a large number of international students are attracted to the country and make up 21% of the total student population.

Unlike undergraduate courses which are taught in one of the official languages of German, French or Italian, Master’s courses are taught in English. Cost of education differs between disciplines. Average annual tuition for international students can fall between £650 and £1,000, while for students of medicine it can go upto £1600 a year.

Tuition Fees At Other Types Of Institutes

Private universities are much costlier than public ones, with annual tuition fees ranging from £1500 to £16000. Since Switzerland is renowned for opportunities in research, its Postgraduate and PhD programs tend to be more popular, and fees for PhDs are nominal at about £200 a year.

Most Affordable Universities In Switzerland

For Indian students looking to study abroad, affordability is the biggest concern. Everyone wants to make an informed choice and be free of debt. This list compiles the most affordable universities in Switzerland:

Tuition Fees At Top Ranked Universities

Most of swiss universities rank in the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings 2018, and here are some of the best universities in switzerland:

Scholarships In Switzerland

While public universities are mostly affordable, scholarship programs are also available for international students. Most scholarships are reserved for postgraduate and research students.

For queries regarding eligibility, students should check with the Swiss Embassy office located in their city. The different kinds of scholarships students can consider are:

• Research and art scholarships to students who already have a Master’s or PhD and to foreign artists who have a Bachelor’s degree.
• University of Geneva’s Science department offers a grant amounting to £10,000 to those wishing to pursue a Master’s.
• Some universities allow interest free loans of up to £11,000 per year to students. University of Zurich has solidarity funds in place those pursuing bachelor’s.

Insurance and Healthcare requirements in Switzerland:

When Studying in Switzerland, it is compulsory for international students studying in Universities in Switzerland to have a healthcare coverage or health insurance. Everyone who resides in Switzerland in general is asked by law to have a compulsory health insurance for himself or herself.
The compulsory Swiss health insurance is government healthcare plan for the citizen, and everyone applying for the same is insured regardless of the state of health one possess. The health insurance premium amount in Switzerland can go up to as high as 600 CHF per month depending on the individual insured.
There is an option to apply for the exemption in compulsory Swiss Healthcare plan. If you hold an international health coverage equivalent to the same amount as Swiss healthcare plan, you can apply. Moreover, you can choose a private provider to cover your healthcare requirements. Make sure with the authorities of the canton you are residing in for the exemption options.

Switzerland has one of the world’s highest qualities of life, so it is only logical that the cost of living in the country are also high. Students planning to study abroad need to consider tuition, housing, transportation, food, supplies and leisure activities in their budget.

Cost of living depends on the city you live in, with the most expensive being Zurich and Geneva and the most affordable being Basel. Monthly budget in these cities falls between £1,000 to £1,500.

Study in Switzerland for FREE

A dedicate government towards education is what makes the Swiss Education the excellent opportunity it is. Moreover, there are some public and private fully funded scholarships make it possible for you to Study in Switzerland for free. The scholarships not only waive the tuition fee, but also helps with other expenses. Find out how you can Study in Switzerland for free: Study in Switzerland for FREE

Accommodation

After tuition, it is accommodation that you will spend a huge chunk of your money on. The most popular choices among foreign students in Switzerland are:

• Residence halls within campus given at subsidized rates to foreign students cost between £400 to £800 a month.
• Renting or sharing an apartment can cost anywhere between £600 to £800 a month for a one bedroom apartment.
• To experience local culture and cuisine, some students opt for staying with a host family. Such arrangements are usually cheap at about £200 to £400.

Food Costs

Monthly supermarket bills can amount to about £200. A trick is to shop after 5pm, when most supermarkets sell perishable items at a 25-50% discount. Restaurant meals can cost around £20, while university canteens are inexpensive at £7 per meal.

Transportation

Switzerland’s efficient public transport is a boon for those on a tight budget, with monthly student passes costing only £50. Bicycle routes are also scattered throughout the country, and bicycles are fairly easy to rent. In major cities, only one ticket or pass is needed for access to any kind of transport, be it buses, trains or trams.

Extra Cost And Savings

Students might have to spend about £300 on health insurance and medical exams, but these are usually one time expenses at the beginning of every term. Books and supplies can be found at discounted prices in shops within or near campus, and usually cost up to £100. All in all, the yearly cost of living in Switzerland can be rounded of to £20,000.