Why Study in Switzerland?
Quality education is at the heart of Switzerland’s long term strategy to ensure political and social stability, economic growth and wealth standards as well as innovation. While some countries engage in outright warfare to acquire resources and maintain their power base, Switzerland considers research and knowledge as its biggest tool to counter scarcity and accomplish true power. Naturally, Swiss institutions are at the forefront of carrying out the set agenda to foster innovation, research and business astuteness. Consequently, Swiss institutions are largely publicly funded with investment in education and research among the highest in the OECD countries. As a result, Switzerland is one of the countries with a very high number of registered patents and also an illustrious per capita rate of Noble Prizes won. A place symbolic of Switzerland’s true power on our globe is CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research where scientists and engineers delve into the fundamental laws and structure of our universe. Due to these and more reasons, more and more students are opting to study abroad in Switzerland.
Top Universities in Switzerland
There are a total of eight universities in Switzerland that consistently feature in the QS World University Rankings amongst the top 200. Switzerland has created a truly international model of education with immense diversity in language, cultures and backgrounds merging as a true global hub for learning and acquiring expertise. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology exemplifies this with nearly 15000 people coming from 120 different nationalities. University of Geneva, University of Zurich and University of Basel are some other Switzerland universities amongst the popular international destinations. As established, Switzerland offers a broad subject pool to choose from including Economics, Engineering, Computer Sciences, Banking and Finance, International Business and Affairs as well as Physical Sciences.
Emerging Sectors in Switzerland
Switzerland has consistently been considered the best economy in the world on the basis of its GDP per capita, human development index, debt per capita and debt as a percentage of its GDP. A talent pool that is extremely efficient and well trained coupled with optimum practices that foster innovation helps Switzerland place itself as one of the best and most sophisticated business sectors. The key economic sectors of Switzerland are mechanical and electrical engineering, pharmaceuticals, Banking, Finance and Insurance, Shipping and Logistics as well as Tourism. These sectors comprise of almost 70% of Switzerland’s GDP. The growth champions in Switzerland ignite from Communications, Electronics and High Tech firms, IT, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare, Engineering and Logistics and Transport. The scope for future opportunities lie in risk and volatility management, research and development, management diversity, internet based services and open innovation processes.
Skill Shortages
Although Switzerland has a highly efficient and productive workforce currently, demographic insights indicate an ageing population ultimately forecasting severe skill shortage in the country by 2030. The main areas of concern are agriculture, healthcare, education, policing and transport. However, it is highly competitive to gain longer term opportunities in Switzerland given how well trained and productive the local talent pool is. International students are nevertheless allowed a 6-month stay back option to seek employment within the outlined timeframe, which cannot be extended unless employment is secured.
Average Incomes
- Salaries for graduates in Switzerland are amongst the highest in the world. Forbes listed Switzerland as having the highest average expectation of salaries amongst students. The average undergraduate salary stands at $ 7062 per month totalling to $ 84,744 per annum. However, purchasing power has to be taken into account as otherwise the figures may serve as an illusionary prospect. The cost of living in Switzerland is extremely high coupled with the low unemployment rate. Switzerland is a highly talent centric labour market with knowledge intensive job profiles making it very competitive to attain employment.
Education Cost for Studying in Switzerland
If you are thinking of studying in Switzerland, you will be interested knowing the cost of higher education in Switzerland. Take a look.
- Tuition Fee (EUR €)
- Depending on the institution, a foreign national can pay anywhere from EUR 750 to EUR 3000 per semester.
- Private institutions charge up to EUR 20,000.
- Minimum Cost of Living (EUR €)
- Average – EUR 10,000 to EUR 19,000
Scholarships to Study in Switzerland
- Autumn Semester: September to December
- Spring Semester: February to June
- Students considering Switzerland are recommended to begin the application procedure 8-12 months prior to the intake. Scholarship deadlines vary amongst institutions. In order to capitalise on the available Switzerland scholarships, we advise you to walk into Sahasra Overseas Global Education Offices as early as possible. We will provide you complete information on the Switzerland scholarship process.
Admission Process for Study in Switzerland
To be assured of obtaining the best quality advice about the opportunities available for studying in Switzerland, students should register with Sahasra Overseas. After registration all students will be carefully guided through a number of key stages, maximising their chances of getting admission in the institutions of their choice. This is how we, at Sahasra Overseas, work on the Switzerland admissions process.
- Registration
- You register with Sahasra Overseas and be assured of obtaining the best quality advice.
- Profiling
- We make an assessment of academic qualifications, work experience, financial status, career goals as well as life interests and aspirations.
- Standardised Tests
- We evaluate the requirement of any standardised tests you may need to take or review results that has been already obtained.
- University/Course Selectio
- Together, we shortlist potential countries, universities and courses that match your profile.
- Document Editing
- We edit essays, Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation and Resume, which have been written by you.
- Application Review and Submission
- The completed application forms are reviewed before they are submitted to your final choice of universities.
- Interview Preparation
- We assist in preparation (including mock sessions) for the interviews that you may have with the chosen universities.
- Visa Counselling
- We assist in preparation (including mock sessions) for the interviews that you may have with the High Commissions or Embassies, as well as the collation and review of relevant documentation for submission of the visa application.
- Pre-Departure Information
- We deliver comprehensive information about the country of choice to ensure that you are completely prepared for life at an overseas university.Contact us to know more about the Switzerland admissions process.
Student Visa for Switzerland from India
Here is a list of documents required for Switzerland:
- Attested copies of X, XII & Graduate Degree (if applicable), Mark Sheets including Backlogs (Re-sits)
- Evidence of English Language proficiency e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
- Standardised Tests e.g. GMAT, GRE (where necessary for the programme)
- Two academic references
- Two references from employers (where applicable)
- Passport sized photographs
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Resume/CV
- Draft for application fees, if applicable
- Portfolio (for Art, Design & Architecture Courses)
- Other Certificates & Achievements of Extracurricular Activities
- Note:
- The documents required for Switzerland for individual universities and individual courses may vary.
Exams for Studying in Switzerland
Students have to pass one or more additional tests before they can be considered by most universities for admission. These range from the standardised graduate and college admission tests such as GRE, GMAT and SAT to English Language tests, such as TOEFL and IELTS. Sahasra Overseas offers high quality Test Prep programmes throughout India. Through its high-tech, state of the art teaching centres strategically located throughout the country it offers students preparatory training on the full range of admissions tests that universities need. Contact Sahasra Overseas today for detailed information relating to the tests that may be needed for admission in Switzerland.