Studying in Switzerland for Saudis is an exceptional academic choice that combines the highest levels of education in the world, a distinguished international environment, and stunning nature. Switzerland stands out as an elite study destination at the heart of Europe, as it comprises the best universities in Switzerland, which are consistently classified among the world’s best 20-30 universities.
Switzerland enjoys an unparalleled academic reputation in the fields of engineering, technology, science, and business, with a strong focus on scientific research, innovation, and excellence.
Studying in Switzerland offers a multicultural and multilingual environment, where German, French, Italian, and Romansh are used as official languages. The most important universities in Switzerland are distinguished by a relatively small size, high selectivity, and an excellent teacher-to-student ratio.
Although the tuition fees at the Swiss universities are relatively reasonable, the living costs in Switzerland are among the highest in the world, which makes the total cost of study very high. Switzerland offers an exceptional quality of life with high safety, charming nature, and an advanced system in everything.
The Future Way website provides comprehensive information and specialized support for Saudi students wishing to explore the elite education opportunities in this unique European country, which is considered a global center for academic excellence and innovation.
Why study in Switzerland?
Studying in Switzerland offers exceptional advantages that make it an elite study destination for Saudi students seeking the highest levels of global education.
The best education quality in Europe
Switzerland is considered home to some of the best universities in the world, as the best universities in Switzerland such as ETH Zurich and EPFL are classified among the world’s best 20 universities. Swiss education is distinguished by exceptional quality, high selectivity, and a strong focus on advanced scientific research.
The Swiss educational system combines German precision, French elegance, and American innovation, with venerable academic traditions and research facilities at the latest global level. Studying in Switzerland provides Saudi students with the opportunity to learn from an elite of global professors and researchers, with access to advanced laboratories and generous research funding.
Switzerland invests intensively in research and development, and it occupies advanced positions in the global innovation indices. The ratio between faculty members and students is excellent, which allows individual attention and precise academic supervision. The certificates from the most important universities in Switzerland are recognized globally as the highest standards of academic excellence, and they open wide doors to professional opportunities at the finest institutions and companies globally.
The international environment
Studying in Switzerland is distinguished by a highly international environment, where international students and professors form a large percentage at the best universities in Switzerland. At ETH Zurich, for example, more than 40% of the students and 60% of the faculty members are from outside Switzerland. This cultural and linguistic diversity enriches the academic experience and enhances the global perspective.
Switzerland itself is a multicultural and multilingual country, located at the heart of Europe and combining German, French, and Italian influences. This strategic location facilitates travel to the major European capitals.
Switzerland is also the headquarters of many international organizations such as the United Nations, the International Red Cross, and the World Trade Organization, in addition to the headquarters of leading global companies.
Saudi students benefit from this international environment through a wide network of professional contacts and training opportunities at international organizations and multinational companies.
The experience in Switzerland prepares students to work in diverse and complex global environments.
The best universities in Switzerland
Switzerland comprises a group of elite universities that enjoy exceptional global rankings and an unparalleled academic reputation.
ETH Zurich the Federal Institute
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) is considered the best university in Switzerland and one of the world’s best 10 universities, as it is consistently classified as the best university in continental Europe.
It was founded in 1855 and comprises about 23,000 students, including more than 40% international students. It specializes in engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, and architecture, and it is a global center for research and innovation.
Studying in Switzerland at ETH Zurich offers an exceptional academic experience at the highest global level. The institute has produced 21 Nobel Prize winners, including Albert Einstein. ETH is famous for its excellence in physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
It offers advanced master’s and doctorate programs in English in various technical specializations, with very strict admission standards. The campus in Zurich, the Swiss financial and technical city, is equipped with the latest research facilities.
Admission to ETH is very competitive, and graduating from it is a great academic achievement that opens wide doors in the professional career.
University of Zurich
The University of Zurich is the largest university in Switzerland and one of the best universities in Switzerland, as it is classified among the world’s best 100 universities. It was founded in 1833 and comprises about 26,000 students. It is distinguished by the diversity of its academic programs, which include medicine, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, economics, and law.
Studying in Switzerland at the University of Zurich offers a strong research environment with a balanced focus between science and the humanities. The university is famous for its excellence in medicine, life sciences, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology.
It offers some master’s programs in English, but most programs are taught in German. Five of the university’s graduates have won the Nobel Prize. The university’s location in Zurich, the city consistently classified as among the world’s best cities in terms of quality of life, enhances the academic experience.
Zurich is a global financial and technical center, with a strong economy and excellent job opportunities for graduates, despite the very high living costs.
EPFL Lausanne
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) represents the counterpart of ETH in the French region of Switzerland, and it is classified among the world’s best 20-30 universities. It was founded in 1969 and is located on the shores of Lake Geneva, and it comprises about 11,000 students including 60% international students. It specializes in engineering, science, technology, and architecture.
Studying in Switzerland at EPFL offers a dynamic and innovative research environment with a strong focus on technical entrepreneurship. The institute is famous for its excellence in electrical engineering, computer science, robotics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and brain science.
It offers master’s and doctorate programs in English, with a modern and stunning campus on the shores of the lake. EPFL is an active center for technical entrepreneurship, with business incubators, accelerators, and strong partnerships with industry. Lausanne is a beautiful medium-sized city on Lake Geneva, with a high quality of life and living costs slightly lower than Zurich, but still very high.
The distinguished specializations
Studying in Switzerland is distinguished by some specializations in which the universities of Switzerland enjoy an exceptional global reputation and absolute leadership.
Engineering and technology
Switzerland is considered a global leader in engineering education and technical research, with ETH Zurich and EPFL among the best technical institutes in the world.
The best universities in Switzerland offer advanced engineering programs in all specializations, from mechanical and electrical engineering to robotics, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.
Studying in Switzerland in the engineering field is distinguished by the focus on precision, innovation, and practical application. Saudi students benefit from research facilities at the latest global level, and from partnerships with technically leading Swiss and global companies such as ABB, Schindler, and Logitech.
Switzerland is known for the precision of its industry and the quality of its products, from the famous Swiss watches to medical tools and industrial machinery. The engineering graduates from the most important universities in Switzerland are in demand globally and enjoy salaries among the highest in the world, especially in Switzerland itself where wages are exceptional.
Business and management
Switzerland offers a distinguished education in business administration, with globally leading business schools such as IMD Business School in Lausanne, the University of St. Gallen, and the Business School at the University of Zurich. These institutions are classified among the best business schools in the world, especially in MBA programs and executive education.
Studying in Switzerland in the business field is distinguished by the focus on international management, finance, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Switzerland is a global financial center with a strong banking industry and many multinational companies.
Saudi students benefit from the highly international environment, the strong industrial partnerships, and the global network of graduates. The Swiss business programs are relatively expensive, where the MBA fees at IMD may reach 100,000 Swiss francs or more, but they are considered a valuable investment in terms of the professional return.
The graduates of the Swiss business schools enjoy excellent job opportunities at global companies and financial institutions.
The natural sciences
The best universities in Switzerland are distinguished by exceptional excellence in the natural sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. ETH Zurich, EPFL, the University of Zurich, and the University of Geneva are among the world’s best universities in these fields.
Switzerland is home to many globally leading laboratories and research institutes, such as CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) in Geneva.
Studying in Switzerland in the natural sciences provides an opportunity to work in a research environment at the highest global level, with the possibility of participating in leading scientific projects. Switzerland invests intensively in basic scientific research, and it hosts many important scientific discoveries and innovations.
The science graduates from the most important universities in Switzerland pursue distinguished academic and research careers at the finest universities and research institutes around the world. The doctorate programs in the natural sciences in Switzerland are usually fully funded with a good salary, which makes them an excellent opportunity for distinguished researchers.
Admission requirements
The admission requirements for studying in Switzerland are characterized by strictness and high selectivity, with exceptional academic standards.
The high academic standards
The best universities in Switzerland require excellent academic GPAs and strong qualifications for admission. For the master’s programs at ETH Zurich and EPFL, a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.7-3.8 out of 4.0 in a specialization directly related to the desired program is required. The competition for admission is very intense, as only a small percentage of applicants are accepted.
Studying in Switzerland assesses applicants based on multiple criteria including the academic GPA, the quality of the previous institution, the extent of the academic background’s match with the targeted program, recommendation letters, the motivation letter, and the research or practical experience.
Some programs require the GRE test with high scores. The strict academic standards ensure that the accepted students are completely qualified for success in the demanding academic environment. Saudi students are advised to submit a very strong and integrated academic file, with a focus on academic and research excellence.
The required languages
The language requirements for studying in Switzerland depend on the language of instruction in the program and the geographic location. Most master’s and doctorate programs at ETH Zurich and EPFL are taught in English, with requirements of IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100 as a minimum.
Some programs at the bachelor’s level and at the other universities may be taught in German, French, or Italian, depending on the region.
In the German region (Zurich, Basel, and Bern), German is used as the main language. In the French region (Geneva and Lausanne), French is used. In the Italian region (Ticino), Italian is used.
For the programs taught in these languages, proof of proficiency in the relevant language at an advanced level is required. Despite the availability of English programs at the most important universities in Switzerland, learning the local language is useful for daily life and social integration.
The Swiss are generally multilingual, and most of them speak English fluently, especially in the major cities.
The tuition fees
The tuition fees in Switzerland are considered relatively reasonable compared with the exceptional quality of education, but the total cost remains high due to the living costs.
Reasonable fees for the quality
The annual tuition fees at the best public universities in Switzerland range between 1,000 and 2,000 Swiss francs (about 1,000-2,100 euros) only, which are the same fees for Swiss and international students.
For example, the fees at ETH Zurich are about 1,460 francs per year, and at EPFL about 1,266 francs per year. These fees are very low by international standards, especially when looking at the exceptional global ranking of these institutions.
This policy reflects the Swiss philosophy that considers higher education a public investment. The Swiss government supports the universities generously, which keeps the fees low. Compared with the fees at other elite universities such as MIT or Imperial College London, which may reach 50,000 dollars or more per year, studying in Switzerland offers exceptional value in terms of tuition fees.
However, the real challenge lies in the very high living costs, which makes the total cost of studying in Switzerland among the highest globally.
The limited scholarships
The scholarship opportunities for international students at the master’s level in Switzerland are relatively limited. The Swiss government offers a limited number of government scholarships for distinguished students from some countries, including very limited scholarships for Saudi students. Some of the most important universities in Switzerland offer limited scholarships for outstanding international students.
The doctorate programs in studying in Switzerland are usually fully funded, where doctorate students are treated as research employees with a monthly salary ranging between 3,500 and 5,000 Swiss francs (about 3,700-5,300 euros), which is a good salary that reasonably covers the living costs.
This makes the doctorate in Switzerland an excellent opportunity for distinguished researchers. Saudi students can also benefit from the Saudi scholarship program for studying at the accredited best universities in Switzerland, which provides comprehensive funding.
Without a scholarship or sponsorship, the total cost of the master’s in Switzerland (living + fees) may be about 25,000-35,000 euros per year, which is a large amount.
Living costs
The living costs in Switzerland are among the highest in the world, and they are the greatest challenge of studying in Switzerland for international students.
Among the most expensive countries in the world
Switzerland is consistently classified as the most expensive or the second most expensive country in the world in terms of living costs. The prices in Switzerland are very high in all fields, from housing to food to transport to entertainment. This is partly due to the strength of the Swiss franc and the very high wages in Switzerland, which raise the costs of services and products.
For Saudi students, this means that the monthly budget for living in studying in Switzerland will be much higher than most countries in the world. Although the tuition fees are low, the living costs constitute the largest part of the total budget. Good financial planning is extremely necessary.
However, in exchange for these high costs, Switzerland offers an exceptional quality of life, very high safety, a clean and organized environment, excellent services, and stunning nature. Also, the job opportunities after graduation are excellent with salaries among the highest globally, which may compensate for the investment.
The monthly budget
The monthly budget for a student in Switzerland is estimated between 1,500 and 2,500 Swiss francs (about 1,600-2,650 euros), depending on the city and the lifestyle. In Zurich and Geneva, the most expensive cities, the budget may reach 2,200-2,500 francs. In smaller cities such as Lausanne or Fribourg, it may decrease to 1,500-1,800 francs.
This budget includes: housing (600-1,200 francs for a room in student housing or a shared apartment), food (400-600 francs if the student cooks, much higher if they eat out), transport (70-100 francs with a student discount), the mandatory health insurance (80-100 francs per month for students), books and study materials (50-80 francs), and personal expenses (200-400 francs).
Housing is the largest item, and the competition for student housing is strong. The total annual cost of living ranges between 18,000 and 30,000 francs (19,000-32,000 euros), which makes studying in Switzerland a large financial investment.
The languages
The languages represent a unique aspect in the experience of studying in Switzerland, as the official languages in the country are multiple.
German, French, and Italian
Switzerland is an officially multilingual country, with four national languages: German (spoken by about 63% of the population in the northern and eastern region), French (about 23% in the western region), Italian (about 8% in the southern region), and Romansh (less than 1% in some Alpine regions). The language of instruction at the best universities in Switzerland differs according to the geographic location.
In Zurich, Basel, and Bern, German is used (Swiss German in daily life, and standard German in education). In Geneva, Lausanne, and Neuchâtel, French is used. In Lugano, Italian is used.
This linguistic diversity enriches the cultural experience but may constitute a challenge for international students. Learning the local language is useful for integration, daily life, and job opportunities. The Swiss are generally multilingual and speak two or more languages, and English is widespread in the cities and the academic and professional environments.
The English programs
The most important universities in Switzerland offer an increasing number of programs in English, especially at the master’s and doctorate level in the technical and scientific specializations. ETH Zurich and EPFL offer most of the master’s programs in English, which facilitates studying in Switzerland for Saudi students without the need to learn German or French in advance.
However, learning the local language remains very useful, especially for daily life outside the campus. The government departments, banks, and local services often operate in the local language.
Also, mastering German or French significantly improves the job opportunities in Switzerland after graduation. Most successful international students learn the local language during their study period.
The universities offer free or low-cost language courses for international students. The linguistic diversity in Switzerland is a unique advantage, as students can learn multiple European languages in one country.
The visa
Traveling to study in Switzerland for Saudi students requires obtaining a residence permit through clear but somewhat lengthy procedures.
Saudi students must apply for a student visa (a residence permit for educational purposes) from the Swiss embassy in Riyadh or Jeddah.
The procedures require first obtaining admission from one of the best universities in Switzerland, then submitting the permit application.
The required documents include a valid passport, the admission letter, financial proof showing the ability to bear the study and living costs (about 21,000 francs per year as a minimum), proof of housing, health insurance, a motivation letter, and a CV.
The application processing usually takes 8-12 weeks, so it is advised to apply very early after obtaining admission. The visa fees are about 100-150 francs. After arrival in Switzerland, one must register at the local residence office within 14 days to obtain the actual residence card.
Students are allowed to work up to 15 hours per week during the study and full-time during the holidays. Although the wages in Switzerland are very high (20-30 francs/hour), the student work opportunities are limited and the competition is strong.
Job opportunities
Switzerland provides excellent job opportunities for university graduates, with salaries among the highest in the world, but the labor market is competitive.
After graduation, Saudi students can apply for a six-month extension of their residence permit to look for work. If they find a job, they can obtain a work permit. The salaries in Switzerland are among the highest globally, where the salary of a newly graduated engineer from ETH or EPFL starts from 80,000-100,000 francs per year, which is an excellent salary even by Swiss standards.
The graduates of the most important universities in Switzerland are in demand in the Swiss and global labor market. Switzerland is home to leading global companies in pharmaceuticals (Novartis, Roche), food (Nestlé), finance (UBS, Credit Suisse), and technology.
However, mastering the local language (German or French) is very important for most jobs. The competition is strong, and the Swiss system prefers citizens and European residents first.
Nevertheless, the high technical skills and the certificates from the elite Swiss universities open wide doors. Many Swiss graduates work at leading global companies around the world.
Frequently asked questions
How much does studying in Switzerland cost?
The tuition fees are 1,000-2,000 francs per year, but living is 1,500-2,500 francs per month. The total annual cost is 20,000-32,000 francs (21,000-34,000 euros).
What is the best Swiss university?
ETH Zurich is the best, classified among the world’s best 10. EPFL is also excellent.
How much is the living cost?
1,500-2,500 francs per month. Switzerland is among the most expensive countries in the world.
Must one learn German?
Not for the English programs, but it is useful for daily life and work.
Are there scholarships?
Limited for the master’s, but the doctorate is usually fully funded.
Conclusion
Studying in Switzerland for Saudis represents an exceptional opportunity to obtain the best education in the world. The Future Way website provides comprehensive support for students in their academic journey to Switzerland, the country of excellence, quality, and natural beauty.
