How to Apply for a Masters Degree in Switzerland

Even though universities in Switzerland are autonomous and set their own criteria for admissions, the main requirement for applying for a Masters degree is a successfully completed Bachelors programme in a relevant discipline.

It is important to note that you might have to fulfil certain language criteria depending on the teaching arrangements of your course. You will need to show proficiency in whatever language you will be studying in.

As a rule, you can expect qualifications from within the European Higher Education Area to be accepted by most Swiss universities. However, each university makes its own decisions as to whether a Bachelors degree obtained in a foreign country gives its holder access to Master's programmes.

More information on the recognition and certification of foreign qualifications can be obtained from the Swiss branch of ENIC-NARIC (the European Commission's National Academic Recognition Information Centres).

Even though deadlines vary, you should generally apply sometime during the previous spring term (between January and April) if you want to start in the autumn, and between the previous July and November if you want to start in the spring.

It is always a good idea to keep a regular check on university websites to keep yourself abreast with their individual application deadlines.

If you are planning to do a Masters in one of the four official languages; French, German, Italian and Romansh, you will need to ensure you have the necessary competency. FindAMasters.com has guides to academic tests for French, German and Italian language skills for you to look at.

However, a large number of Swiss Masters programmes are offered in English and, due to the country's multilingual nature, it’s common for people to speak more than one language. Your university might require you to show proficiency in the language if you decide to study a Masters taught in English. You can find out more about English language tests for postgraduates on our website.

More information on Masters in Switzerland

FindAMasters also has guides for funding, student visas and living in Switzerland as an international Masters student.

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