Our Guides to Masters Study in Switzerland – 2025

Home to the European headquarters of the United Nations (UN), Masters study in Switzerland is a popular choice for anyone looking to make a difference in the world! Switzerland is known for research and innovation and welcomes postgraduate students from all around the world. A Masters in Switzerland will give you the opportunity to study in one of the world’s most multicultural and outward-facing educational hubs.

• Competitive research sector – The first of many reasons to study in Switzerland is the highly competitive research sector. If you’re a student at any of the three different types of universities in Switzerland, you will find professors who are actively involved in research. Switzerland also has the highest number of registered patents in all European countries and the highest number of Nobel Prize winners per capita. The focus on research at the Masters level also prepares students for a PhD after, if you so choose.
• Tradition of excellence – Whether it be cheese, chocolate or education, the Swiss are known for a long-standing tradition of excellence. It is no shock that it is home to some of the best universities in the world like the ETH Zurich and the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, both of which are in the top 50 of the Times Higher Education global university rankings. Swiss Masters, with a focus on taught modules and research-related tasks, produce graduates who are skilled, creative and innovative.
• Multilingual experience – There are four national languages in Switzerland: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Even though more and more courses are being offered in English, you’re encouraged to learn a bit of the national languages as it’s a handy skill for your life outside the classroom!
• Career opportunities – Your association with Switzerland does not have to end with your studies. You can choose from post-study work opportunities at one of the hundreds of multinational companies (like Nestle and Swatch) that have their offices in Switzerland.

If you decide to pursue a Masters degree in Switzerland, you will be a part of one of the most outward-looking higher education and research hubs in the world. With access to resources and experts from some of Europe’s best universities, you must be ready to make the most out of every day.

This guide gives you an overview on how your Masters course in Switzerland is going to look to help prepare you for the road ahead.

Where can you study a Masters in Switzerland

Swiss universities are known worldwide for their quality of education with many of them featuring in the top 200 in major world rankings. These are the top five universities for studying a Masters in Switzerland.

The academic year in Switzerland runs from September to June, with individual semesters from September to December and from February to June. A Swiss Masters usually includes between three and four semesters of study (valued at 90 and 120 ECTS credits). This means you will be enrolled between one and a half to two years. Periods of study might vary at Universities of Teacher Education (UTEs) because of the practical training that is integrated into the course.

You will spend most of your time as a Masters student in Switzerland acquiring advanced knowledge in your field through the completion of taught modules and related assessment tasks. Emphasis will be placed on your ability to study independently, to comprehend relevant academic research and to present your ideas to tutors and peers.

Most Swiss Masters degrees conclude with an independently researched and written dissertation. This will require you to investigate a substantial topic in your field, under the supervision of an expert from within your university.

Since 2006, all Swiss universities have offered their courses in accordance with the Bologna system Bologna system. Switzerland is a full member of EU research and education programmes and researchers in Switzerland are very successful in attracting EU funding.

Switzerland has universities falling in all four language regions of the country: tuition languages are usually English, German, French or Italian. Some courses have classes in a blend of English and one of the four national languages.

It is important to note that courses, especially on a Masters level, are increasingly being taught in English.

However, it might be beneficial to consider the linguistic diversity a country like Switzerland provides. If you are interested in picking up the local language, most universities offer free national language courses for international students.

Be sure not to limit your Masters student life to the classroom. Jump into the culture while you’re there and learn new things. Have a peek into what your everyday life could look like in our living in Switzerland guide.