Why Study in Switzerland

Switzerland needs no introduction. It’s one of the most popular study abroad locations for Indian students who want to go beyond America. The Swiss homeland, located in Central Europe, may appear to be an unusual place, but when it comes to studying here, there are plenty of advantages and prospects. For ages, people all around the world have admired the European nation, from its Alps to its chocolates, from its famous bank to its watches. Every year, a big number of students from all over the world migrate to this country to take advantage of the country’s high educational standards.

Quality Education

Swiss universities offer a diverse range of courses across disciplines, at various levels (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral), and at various higher education institutions to study in Switzerland. This country is home to some of the world’s best educational institutions. Whether one wishes to pursue a career in hotel or hospital administration, an MBA, or a master’s degree in science or the arts, Switzerland will provide the greatest institutions and internationally recognised courses.

It is not a country that believes that education should be a monotonous and boring experience that students must endure for a set number of years. In Switzerland, education is associated with new and distinct ways of thinking, which leads to advancements that benefit humanity.

The best part about studying in Switzerland is that there are great employment opportunities in Switzerland. As a country whose educational standards and system are not only well-known but also well-respected around the world, a student graduating from any course immediately finds himself or herself on the red carpet of professional life. When the norm is to battle to gain a footing in a field, this is a big benefit. There are a number of jobs in Switzerland for Indian students.

We have already talked about the Zurich stock market, but it does not stop there. It is home to many international organizations from around the world, including FIFA. The other internationally significant city in Switzerland is Geneva. Home to the most number of headquarters of NGO, including the prestigious WHO and WTO, World Health Organisation and World Trade Organisation respectively. This will take us to our next two points.

Studying in Switzerland is synonymous with variety. There are four official languages and 26 federal states. When you add in a big number of international students, the country truly becomes a global community. Switzerland is a place where people of many ethnicities and cultures may make friends from other countries and learn a lot from the exchange of cultural influences.

The Swiss way of life is a wonderful blend of the hardworking German way of life and the laid-back French way of life. The country deliberately promotes a culture in which all work is completed on time and without corruption, yet the quality and enjoyment of life are not jeopardised. The Swiss are adventure-loving people who may be found travelling and hiking around the country, making it a lively environment.

Switzerland is located in central Europe, and it is landlocked. Switzerland shares its borders with five countries of the EU: Austria, Liechtenstein, France, Italy, and Germany. Moreover, it is very well connected with all of these countries. You can hop on a train and take a trip to any of these countries. Switzerland literally puts rest of the Europe to your doorstep.

Last but not least, with all of the benefits listed above, Switzerland is without a doubt one of the happiest countries on the planet. Furthermore, Switzerland’s stance of neutrality makes it one of the safest countries in the world. In Switzerland, you will feel safe whether you are walking through the cities or hiking through the Alps. It is one of the most important factors for international students.

This is the best part about studying in Switzerland. As a country whose standard and system of imparting education is not only renowned but also well respected across the world, a student passing out of any course finds himself or herself walking on the red carpet of professional life, straightaway. This is a huge advantage when the general norm is to struggle and find a foothold in an industry.

As can be seen from the list above, Zurich and Geneva are home to some of the world’s best universities. Not only do they have some of Switzerland’s Best Universities, but they also have the world’s fourth-largest stock exchange, the Swiss Stock Exchange. The city’s primary attractions are Lake Zurich and Geneva. Lausanne and Bern are two more student cities worth mentioning, with Lausanne being a francophone culturally rich city and Bern being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Switzerland’s student cities offer the ideal blend of heritage and modernity. Apart from this there are a number of top universities to study in Switzerland for international students.

Scholarships for international students to study in Switzerland

If you are planning to study abroad in Switzerland and you are from India then you must know that there are a number of Switzerland scholarships program offered to international students who want to study in Switzerland. Following is a list of Switzerland scholarships that you can consider:

Government Scholarships
ETH Zurich Excellence Master’s Scholarships
University of Lausanne Master’s Grants for Foreign Students
EPFL Excellence Fellowships for Master’s students
Graduate Institute Geneva Scholarships
University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships
University of Zurich Scholarships for Ph.D. candidates
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Scholarships
IMD MBA Scholarships
These are some great Scholarships to study in Switzerland for Indian students.

Eligibility criteria for universities in Switzerland

University admissions process is not centralized in Switzerland. Students will need to apply to individual universities and follow their instructions to apply. Each university has its own specific criteria but largely speaking, entry criteria for universities in Switzerland is

Bachelor’s degree

1. Minimum 65% in Class 12 (best of 4 subjects)
2. IELTS score of 6 or more/TOEFL score of 90 or more

1. Recognised Bachelor’s degree from a relevant background
2. 60% or above at undergraduate level
3. 2-3 years of work experience preferred, but not compulsory
4. IELTS score of 6 or more/ TOEFL score of 90 or more

Aside from the above, universities and programs will have their own specific eligibility criteria. Check university website for these.

Benefits of Indian students

Switzerland offers ample permanent residency and employment opportunities. Switzerland offers partial and full funding opportunities to international students. Scholarships like Swiss Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students and ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarships offer 100% funding to deserving students.

Student visa in Switzerland

You will be required to apply for national D type visa at the Swiss embassy. This is a long stay visa that allows you multiple entry. You must start the visa application process at least 3 months in advance before you are set to leave for college. To apply for visa you will need to fill out a form and attach the following documents:

  • Scanned passport
  • Acceptance letter from university and fee receipt
  • Proof of language skills
  • Proof of enough funds to support yourself
  • Proof of your address
  • Four passport size photos
  • Health Insurance
  • Witten statement that you’ll leave the country on completing your studies

The embassy will let you know what other documents you need to provide.

Once you are in Switzerland, you will have 14 days to register at the local Residents’ Registration Office and apply for a residence permit.

Reasons to study in Switzerland

• A world-class education system
• There are tons of international students
• High salaries and low unemployment rates
• It’s safe
• High quality of life
• A healthy lifestyle
• The delicious food
• Swiss multilingualism
• Diversity and culture
• A large expat population
• The rest of Europe is just a few hours away!
• The incredible mountain vistas (duh)

Jobs after studying In Switzerland

While studying in Switzerland, international students can work for 15 hours a week during the term and for full time during holidays. Given the high costs of living, this option is useful for students to earn and pay their day to day expenses. Once students graduate, they need to find a job within six months and apply for a work permit. You will need to stay in touch with your university’s career office, leverage your network and scout for jobs in newspapers and websites to find a job. Knowledge of German language is helpful if you want to work in Switzerland.

If you want more information on studying and working in Switzerland, you can connect with our expert counsellors. Get your profile evaluated for free and have your personalized roadmap drawn to apply successfully to Swiss universities.

List of documents required

1.Passport
2. Academic Transcripts
3. Statement of Purpose (SOP)
4. Proof of English Test taken – IELTS/TOEFL/PTE
5. Work Experience Certificate
6. Letter of Recommendation
7. Curriculum vitae

1. Arrangement of Funds from Acceptable Resources, such as savings account, PPF, Fixed deposits, or Education Loan.
2. Bank Statements are to be provided
3. Confirmation of COE
4. Medical Examination to be Undergone
5. SOP to be Written for visa and Preparation to be taken for visa Interview
6. Online Visa form To be filled
7. fees to be filled and application Form to be Submitted.

Students can appear in any of the following tests.

1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
2. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
3. Person Test of English (PTE) Academic