4 Steps to University Admission

Are you about to register for admission in a Swiss university? This step-by-step guide will help you find the information you are looking for.

 

 

Step 1: Choose a university and a programme

Browse through the official database on www.studyprogrammes.ch. Choose the type of university, the language of instruction, the level and the field of study.

 

Step 2: Check the admission requirements

Switzerland does not have a centralised admission procedure. With this said each university is autonomous and sets its own admissions criteria. For specific information, you must therefore contact the admissions office of the university of your choice directly.

Here is some general information on admission to universities:

  • Admission to a bachelor programme: the main requirement is an upper secondary school-leaving certificate considered to be equivalent to the Swiss Matura/Maturité/Maturità. Go to Admission to universities to check whether your certificate is accepted. Please note that additional requirements must be met and that admission to undergraduate programmes in the field of medicine is extremely restricted.
  • Admission to a master’s programme: the main requirement is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a specific field of study.
  • Admission to a doctoral programme: the main requirement is a master’s degree from an accredited university in a relevant field of study.
  • Language requirements: good knowledge of the language of instruction is the prerequisite for successful studies indeed. Check Step 3 below or the university profiles for more information on the language of instruction of the different universities.

 

Step 3: Contact the university

The university of your choice will provide specific information on application deadlines, required documents, admission procedures and enrolment.

The Swiss universities are listed according to university type here.

 

Step 4: Apply for a visa

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has an information page regarding entry into Switzerland and residence, including visa requirements. Other than that it has a helpline attainable by phone, fax or e-mail (Switzerland Entry Residence)

For further information, check out: Entry, Visa & Residence Permits.

 

Front image © Samuel Zeller on Unsplash

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