Study in Switzerland 2026: Student Guide

Students can choose from well-known institutions such as ETH Zurich, EPFL, the University of Geneva, the University of Zurich, the University of St. Gallen, and Schiller International University, American College of Switzerland. Other student cities include Zurich, Lausanne, Geneva, and St. Gallen, with Bern as the capital.

The academic year and campus experience will depend on the university and city, but a new international student should expect to study in one of Switzerland’s main languages: German, French, or English. In practice, the language used day to day can vary by region and by programme.

Housing is part of the first-term planning for most students, especially in larger student cities. It is sensible to arrange where you will live before arrival, since settling in early makes the first weeks easier while you learn how your university and city work.

Switzerland uses CHF, and the country’s price level was 116% of the US in 2023. For a student deciding whether to move, that makes everyday costs an important part of planning alongside the academic fit and the language of study.