Studying abroad is one of the best decisions an international student can make to boost their career and global experience. Top Universities in Switzerland 2026 are known worldwide for high quality education, strong research, and excellent living standards. In this blog we will cover the Top Universities in Switzerland with details on tuition fees, scholarship opportunities, international student support, and why these universities stand out globally. Switzerland is one of the best study abroad destinations in Europe with affordable public education, strong industry connections, and unique scholarship options for international students. Many Swiss universities offer partial or full scholarships, and international students participate in high quality programs across disciplines from science to business and arts. This guide is created to help you choose the best Top Universities in Switzerland for your studies in 2026, giving you clear information you need to plan your study abroad journey.
In Switzerland you will find some of the best universities in the world for engineering, business, humanities, medicine and research. Top Universities in Switzerland often charge low tuition fees compared to other Western European countries and provide scholarships based on merit and need to support international students. This blog lists at least 15 universities, approximate tuition fees in euros, and key scholarship details for each institution. This includes Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships and university-specific fellowship programs that help students cover tuition and living expenses. Whether you want to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree, Top Universities in Switzerland are worth considering for your academic and professional future.
University Tuition Table
| Sr No | University | Country | Approx. Annual Tuition (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ETH Zurich | Switzerland | 1,200 – 3,200 |
| 2 | École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) | Switzerland | 1,200 – 3,000 |
| 3 | University of Zurich | Switzerland | 1,000 – 2,600 |
| 4 | University of Geneva | Switzerland | 900 – 1,800 |
| 5 | University of Lausanne | Switzerland | 900 – 1,800 |
| 6 | University of Basel | Switzerland | 1,500 – 2,000 |
| 7 | University of Bern | Switzerland | 1,200 – 2,000 |
| 8 | University of St. Gallen | Switzerland | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| 9 | University of Neuchâtel | Switzerland | 900 – 1,400 |
| 10 | University of Fribourg | Switzerland | 1,300 – 1,800 |
| 11 | Università della Svizzera italiana | Switzerland | 1,000 – 2,000 |
| 12 | University of Lucerne | Switzerland | 1,600 – 2,500 |
| 13 | Geneva Graduate Institute | Switzerland | 1,500 – 3,000 |
| 14 | IMD Business School | Switzerland | 30,000 – 50,000 |
| 15 | Zurich University of Applied Sciences | Switzerland | 1,000 – 2,500 |
1. ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and one of the best Top Universities. It is known for strong engineering, science, mathematics and technology programs and is ranked among the top universities globally. International students can apply for the ETH Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) that covers full tuition and living costs for high achievers. Tuition for international students starts around €1,200 per year but may vary for some programs. Many students benefit from other scholarships and research assistant opportunities as well.
2. École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
EPFL is a leading technical university in Lausanne and is one of the most popular Universities in Switzerland for engineering and technology. It hosts a large international student community and offers the EPFL Excellence Fellowships that provide financial support for a limited number of outstanding international master’s students, including tuition waivers and living stipends. EPFL is well known in Europe for innovation and global research partnerships.
3. University of Zurich
The University of Zurich is the largest university in Switzerland and is one of the top choices among the Top Universities in Switzerland for programs in arts, sciences, medicine and business. It offers merit based and need based scholarships for international students such as University Excellence Scholarships and Opportunity Scholarships. Annual tuition fees are relatively affordable compared to other top universities.
4. University of Geneva
One of the oldest and most internationally connected Top Universities. the University of Geneva provides numerous scholarships including Excellence Master Fellowships for international students. The university has strong programs in political science, international relations and natural sciences, with partnerships with global organizations.
5. University of Lausanne
The University of Lausanne is located by Lake Geneva and is known for research and teaching in social sciences, business and life sciences. As one of the Top Universities in Switzerland, it provides UNIL Master’s Grants that help cover tuition and living expenses for eligible international students.
6. University of Basel
The University of Basel is one of the oldest universities in Switzerland and is recognized among the top academic institutions. It offers scholarships and research funding support for international students, especially those pursuing advanced research degrees.
7. University of Bern
The University of Bern is a key academic institution in Switzerland and offers various scholarships including support from foundations for students from developing countries. The university has diverse programs and a strong research focus, making it a good choice among the Top Universities in Switzerland.
8. University of St. Gallen
Known for its business and management programs, the University of St. Gallen offers Excellence Scholarships for its master’s programs. It is frequently ranked as one of the top business schools in Europe and is an excellent choice among the Top Universities in Switzerland.
9. University of Neuchâtel
The University of Neuchâtel is smaller but offers a welcoming international environment and affordable tuition, making it one of the attractive Top Universities in Switzerland. It participates in Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships and university based funding opportunities.
10. University of Fribourg
The University of Fribourg offers programs in both French and German and is a part of Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship host institutions. It is one of the cost effective Top Universities in Switzerland with additional funding options.
11. Università della Svizzera italiana
This university offers scholarships for first and second year master’s students and participates in national scholarship programs. It is a key part of the Top Universities in Switzerland for students seeking unique programs in Italian speaking Switzerland.
12. University of Lucerne
The University of Lucerne offers a range of programs in humanities, law and social sciences. Being one of the Top Universities in Switzerland, it welcomes international students and is included in Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship host list.
13. Geneva Graduate Institute
This institute focuses on international relations and development studies and offers scholarships for postgraduate students, particularly in global policy and humanitarian fields. It is often listed among the Top Universities in Switzerland for international relations and social sciences.
14. IMD Business School
IMD is one of the most prestigious business schools in the world and offers MBA scholarships for international students. It is included in the Top Universities in Switzerland for business and leadership programs.
15. Zurich University of Applied Sciences
This university offers practical, applied programs in engineering, business and health sciences. It provides scholarships and financial aid to international students making it one of the Top Universities in Switzerland for applied education.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the Top Universities in Switzerland for international students?
Top Universities in Switzerland include ETH Zurich, EPFL, University of Zurich, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, University of Basel, University of Bern, University of St. Gallen and many more. These universities offer high quality education, research opportunities and scholarships for international students.
Are there scholarships for international students at Top Universities in Switzerland?
Yes, many of the Top Universities in Switzerland offer scholarships such as ETH Excellence Scholarships, EPFL Excellence Fellowships, University of Geneva Fellowships and Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.
What is the average tuition fee at the Top Universities in Switzerland?
Tuition fees at Top Universities in Switzerland vary widely from affordable public university fees of roughly €900 to €3,000 per year to higher fees at specialized institutions like business schools.
Do Top Universities in Switzerland offer programs in English?
Yes, many Top Universities in Switzerland offer programs in English, especially at the master’s and PhD level. Institutions such as ETH Zurich and EPFL have a range of English taught programs.
Are living costs included in scholarships offered by Top Universities in Switzerland?
Some scholarships at Top Universities in Switzerland include living cost support while others only cover tuition. For example, Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships often include living expense support.
Can I study undergraduate programs in English at Top Universities in Switzerland?
Yes, some Top Universities in Switzerland offer undergraduate courses in English but availability is more limited than at graduate level.
