Studying in Switzerland was considered prestigious even in the last century – advanced teaching methods, comfortable living conditions for students, and excellent learning outcomes attracted a huge number of people who wanted to get a legendary Swiss education.
Meanwhile, today, studying at a Swiss university is becoming available not only to the children of oligarchs and celebrities – in 2021, but ordinary graduates of CIS schools will also get a chance for free education in Switzerland, subject to several conditions.
Features of the Swiss higher education system
Swiss universities accept young people with a complete secondary education (from 18 years old) or a bachelor’s degree (for a master’s degree), or a master’s degree (for postgraduate studies). Higher schools in the country are divided into:
Universities with a traditional research
The profile provides education according to the classical university principle;
Universities of applied sciences and arts
Have 200-degree programs in design, theater, music, etc.;
Universities of Pedagogy
Here they offer studies in highly specialized areas of pedagogy (preschool education, secondary education, higher education, etc.)
Education is conducte in the languages of the Swiss cantons – German, French, and Italian, and a large number of programs are taugh in English. Higher education is provide based on the principles of the Bologna system – a bachelor’s degree lasts 3 years (180 credits are require to obtain a degree), and a master’s program involves a two-year course of science (90-120 credits). The terms of study in doctoral studies, as well as the number of require credit points for studies, are set by the rules of a particular university. The academic year runs from October to July.
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Higher education institutions in Switzerland are distinguish by autonomy – for example, in the German cantons, universities require foreign applicants to study at a domestic university for two years before entering a Swiss university, while in Italian and French-speaking regions they are content with having a school certificate and passing entrance exams. The universities of Lausanne and Zurich are know for their serious level of teaching the exact sciences, law, and banking, and educational experts recommend studying philology or economics in Geneva and St. Gallen. Natural sciences and humanities are also widely represented by study areas in Swiss universities and are popular with foreign applicants.
How to enter a Swiss university as a foreigner
Upon admission to Switzerland, school graduates from the CIS countries take a unified exam for foreigners. The venue is Fribourg but each university sets its own admission rules. That is why we recommend that you carefully study the university website of the selected educational institution to plan the admission process and correctly complete the package of documents.
The algorithm for enrolling a foreign applicant to study at a Swiss university looks like this:
1. Choosing a future profession
Choosing a future profession and the corresponding direction in Swiss universities.
2. Studying information
Studying information about the deadlines for submission, the number, and the type of documents for enrollment. You need a passport and a certificate of graduation from a secondary school with a list of points. With translation into the required language), and certificates of English proficiency (a mandatory requirement in most higher schools in Switzerland). And German ( French, Italian) languages. The corresponding exams are taken in specialized language schools – for example, knowledge of German is confirmed by a DSH certificate or a document issued by the Goethe Institute, Italian is assessed by a CELI certificate, etc.
3. You will also need an international
You will also need an international insurance policy, payment of the registration fee, preparation of an autobiography, and a motivation letter.
4. After passing the unified exam in Switzerland,
After passing the unified exam in Switzerland, the certificate with the points obtained is sent to the admissions office for foreigners in Friborg.
5. Payment of tuition fees
Payment of tuition fees in the absence of a scholarship is also require to provide a certificate from the bank. On the availability of at least 17 thousand euros in the account. Which are necessary for living in the country for a year. If the student’s study is sponsore by a private foundation or a commercial company, then an appropriate guarantee document is provide.
After confirmation of payment, a foreigner is consider enrolle in the selected university in Switzerland.
Tuition fees: how to cover expenses
Depending on the location of the chosen state university, the cost of education for foreigners ranges from 1.2-2.5 thousand euros per year. This amount is much lower than the price indicators in British or American universities. But for future foreign students who are unable to pay for a science course in Switzerland. There are numerous scholarship programs, grants from companies, and private charitable foundations.
An application for a scholarship is submitte a year before the start of studies, usually. Its size covers all expenses – both tuition fees and normal living conditions in the country. It is also wiser to start searching and applying to commercial foundations and research and production companies in advance. A financial guarantee gives you a chance to study in Switzerland for free.
Switzerland: Diploma Benefits
The combination of traditional teaching methods with advanced technologies and a high level of development. The material and technical base of Swiss universities has become. The cornerstone of the prestige of Swiss higher education. Graduates of local universities have solid knowledge and practical skills, and speak 2-3 foreign languages, not counting their native. Therefore they are in constant demand in the labor market. Such a statement about the high level of Swiss universities is easily verified by the biographies of famous scientists and doctors. And political and public figures of world importance who studied here.
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