Top 10 Universities in Switzerland for Indian Students

Top 10 Universities in Switzerland: A Guide for International Students to find best Universities in Switzerland

Switzerland a very popular tourist destination is a country in Europe and It's renowned for stunning Alpine landscapes, vibrant cities and diverse attractions that attract global tourists. It’s both a Top Tourist destination and International Study destination.

Switzerland is having total 23 Universities. And 12 are publicly funded universities while 11 are universities of applied sciences.

According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, 3 Swiss universities from that list are in the top 100 globally.

List of 3 Swiss universities that are in the Top 100 QS World University Rankings:

ETH Zurich / Swiss Federal Institute of Technology – Rank 7^th
Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne / EPFL – Rank 26^th
University of Zurich – Rank 109^th

The country's excellent institutions, state-of-the-art research centers and world ranking universities make it a good spot for international students from India to get abroad education.

This guide from Scoutabroad aims to give you info about the best University to attend in Switzerland.
Here’s an in-depth look at the top 10 universities in Switzerland, covering their history, courses, campuses and unique features.

List of Top 10 Universities in Switzerland

ETH Zurich / Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
University of Zurich
Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne / EPFL
University of Geneva
University of Basel
University of Bern
University of Lausanne / UNIL
University of St. Gallen / HSG
University of Fribourg
University of Neuchâtel

1. ETH Zurich / Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich

Campus Details: Located in the heart of Zurich. This university is known for its research labs, libraries and cultural facilities.
History: Founded to promote industrial education in Switzerland.
Unique Features: 20 Nobel laureates from university including Albert Einstein
Scholarships: Offers Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Program (ESOP) for international students.
Year of Establishment: 1855
Courses & Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Architecture and Life Sciences.
Technological Edge: Known as one of the most high-tech universities globally, this university is ranked 7^th in the world by QS World University Rankings 2025
Nearby Major City: Switzerland’s largest city Zurich
Total Students: Over 22,000.

2. University of Zurich

Campus Details: A mix of historic and modern buildings spread across Zurich.
History: It is Switzerland's largest university.
Unique Features: Known for research in medicine and natural sciences.
Year of Establishment: 1833
Courses & Programs: IT, Economics, Life Sciences, Medicine, Arts and Social Sciences.
Biggest Building: The main library is one of the largest in Switzerland.
Technological Edge: Incorporates state of the art facilities for medical and scientific research.
Scholarships: Provides merit-based scholarships for international students.
Nearby Major City: Zurich.
Total Students: Around 26,000.

3. Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)

Campus Details: Located beside Lake Geneva. Campus is powered entirely by renewable energy sources.
History: Began as a small technical school
Courses & Programs: Engineering, Natural Sciences, Architecture, Life Sciences and Computer Science.
Year of Establishment: 1853
Unique Features: Focus on sustainable technology and innovation.
Biggest Building: The Rolex Learning Center is a futuristic architectural masterpiece and library.
Technological Edge: Renowned for robotics and nanotechnology research.
Scholarships: Offers EPFL Excellence Fellowships for international students.
Nearby Major City: Lausanne.
Total Students: About 11,000.

4. University of Geneva

Campus Details: Scattered across Geneva, the campus of the university includes historic landmarks and modern research centers.
History: Founded by John Calvin as a theological seminary
Courses & Programs: Law, International Relations, Social Sciences, Humanities and Sciences.
Year of Establishment: 1559
Unique Features: Strong ties with international organizations like the United Nations.
Scholarships: Provides Excellence Master Fellowships for exceptional students.
Nearby Major City: Geneva city which is a hub of diplomacy and international relations.
Total Students: Over 19,000.

5. University of Basel

Campus Details: Combines historic charm with state-of-the-art laboratories and libraries.
History: Switzerland’s oldest university, with a rich legacy in research and education.
Courses & Programs: Life Sciences, Medicine, Humanities, Theology and Law.
Biggest Building: Biozentrum, a research hub for molecular biology and biophysics.
Year of Establishment: 1460
Scholarships: Offers postgraduate and doctoral research scholarships.
Nearby Major City: Basel city which is pharmaceutical hub.
Total Students: Around 13,000.

6. University of Bern

Campus Details: Spread throughout Bern with beautiful views of the Alps.
History: Founded to serve the Canton of Bern
Courses & Programs: Medicine, Law, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences and Theology.
Year of Establishment: 1834
Scholarships: Offers financial aid and merit-based scholarships.
Nearby Major City: Bern the capital city of Switzerland.
Total Students: Approximately 18,000.

7. University of Lausanne (UNIL)

Campus Details: Located on the shores of Lake Geneva
History: Began as a theological academy and now a multidisciplinary institution.
Courses & Programs: Business, Law, Social Sciences, Humanities and Sports Science.
Scholarships: Offers UNIL Master’s Grants for international students.
Year of Establishment: 1537
Nearby Major City: Lausanne.
Total Students: About 15,000.

8. University of St. Gallen (HSG)

History: Initially focused on trade and economics and now in business education.
Courses & Programs: Business Administration, Economics, International Affairs and Law.
Unique Features: Ranked as one of the top business schools in Europe.
Biggest Building: The Library Building
Year of Establishment: 1898
Scholarships: Offers the Starr International Foundation Grant.
Nearby Major City: St. Gallen.
Total Students: Around 9,000.

9. University of Fribourg

Campus Details: Located in a bilingual city and offering programs in both French and German Language.
History: Promotes cultural and linguistic diversity.
Courses & Programs: Theology, Law, Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences.
Unique Features: Only Swiss university offering fully bilingual programs.
Scholarships: Provides merit-based scholarships for international students.
Year of Establishment: 1889
Nearby Major City: Fribourg.
Total Students: About 10,000.

10. University of Neuchatel

Campus Details: Nestled near Lake Neuchatel
Courses & Programs: Humanities, Law, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences.
Year of Establishment: 1838
Scholarships: Offers scholarships for postgraduate and doctoral studies.
Nearby Major City: Neuchâtel.
Total Students: Around 4,000.

List of all the 23 Universities in Switzerland

This list covers all accredited universities in Switzerland as of 2025, suitable for Indian students seeking diverse academic opportunities.

Switzerland has 23 accredited universities
Comprising 12 publicly funded universities (10 cantonal universities and 2 federal institutes of technology) and 11 universities of applied sciences (10 public and 1 private).

Below is the comprehensive list based on accredited higher education institutions under the Federal Higher Education Act:

12 Publicly Funded Universities

University of Basel - Basel
University of Bern - Bern
University of Fribourg - Fribourg
University of Geneva - Geneva
University of Lausanne - Lausanne
University of Lucerne - Lucerne
University of Neuchatel - Neuchâtel
University of St. Gallen - St. Gallen
University of Zurich - Zurich
University of Italian Switzerland - Lugano
ETH Zurich / Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich - Zurich
Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne / EPFL - Lausanne

11 Universities of Applied Sciences

Bern University of Applied Sciences - Bern
FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland - Windisch
University of Applied Sciences Arc - Neuchatel
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland - Delemont
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts - Lucerne
University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland OST - St. Gallen
University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland SUPSI - Manno
Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW - Winterthur
Zurich University of the Arts - Zurich
Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences – Zurich
Les Roches Global Hospitality Education – Crans Montana

Notes for Indian Students:

Top Ranked Universities: ETH Zurich (QS rank 7) and EPFL (QS rank 26) are globally renowned for STEM programs.

Language: Most programs are in English, German, French and Italian

Admission: Indian students need a recognized 10+2 / 12^thgrade certificate for bachelor’s programs and relevant bachelor’s degree for master’s programs. Language proficiency IELTS / TOEFL for English Language and B2 level in German / French / Italian.

Fees and Costs: Public university tuition fees range from CHF 800–4000 per year, but living expenses are higher and range from CHF 1500–2500 monthly.

Visa: Indian students require a student visa, which involves submitting academic documents, proof of funds and university acceptance letter.

Conclusion

Swiss universities give Indian students top-notch education in STEM subjects. Universities in Switzerland provide cutting-edge research opportunities and international exposure for all Students. University Tuition fees for international students range from CHF 800 - 4000 per year while Living expenses are around CHF 1500 - 2500 per month. Students need to plan their finances and apply for Scholarships like the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. University specific grants can make budgeting easier for International Students. With English-taught programs widely available for both bachelor's degree and master's Degree levels, Switzerland is an attractive destination for Indian students aiming for abroad education.

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