How to Apply to Universities in Switzerland

Choose your university and program

Switzerland has very different institutions: ETH Zurich and EPFL are world-ranked federal technical institutes; cantonal universities (Zurich, Bern, Basel, Geneva) are broad research universities; Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen) focus on applied education.

ETH Zurich deadlines are in November/December — if you are targeting ETH, start researching in September.

Check admission requirements

Each Swiss university independently evaluates whether your foreign degree is equivalent to a Swiss Matura (for bachelor's) or a relevant bachelor's (for master's). ETH and EPFL conduct a formal Zulassungsprüfung (entrance evaluation) for some applicants.

Prepare and translate documents

Gather certified copies of all diplomas and transcripts. Translations into German, French, or English (depending on the institution) must be official. Some universities require a notarized translation.

Submit your application online

ETH Zurich uses the myStudies portal; EPFL has its own admissions system; cantonal universities have individual registration platforms. Upload all documents and pay any application fee.

ETH Zurich charges CHF 150 for the application — budget for this in advance.

Credential evaluation and possible entrance exam

The university evaluates your foreign credentials against Swiss standards. ETH Zurich may require an entrance exam (Eignungsprüfung) for applicants from certain countries or with certain degree types. This is typically held in March–April.

Receive admission decision

ETH Zurich and EPFL notify applicants in March–April. Cantonal universities typically notify in May–June. Conditional offers may require you to submit final transcripts or pass a language test.

Apply for a residence permit (non-EU/EFTA)

EU/EFTA citizens register with the cantonal migration office on arrival. Non-EU/EFTA students must apply for a student permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) from the cantonal migration authority before arriving. Request it from the canton where your university is located.

Apply for your permit as soon as you receive your acceptance letter — processing takes 4–8 weeks.

Enroll and set up in Switzerland

Complete formal enrollment, pay the semester fee, and arrange accommodation. Student housing is limited in Zurich and Geneva — apply to student housing associations (WOKO, CCHE) as early as possible.