Study in Switzerland

Switzerland has always been a dream destination for many a tourist the world over. The picturesque locales of Switzerland are the favourite shooting spots for many Indian film directors, however in recent years, Switzerland has rapidly evolved as one of the world’s top education destinations. In comparison to other popular study destinations like UK, USA, Canada and Australia, Switzerland is a smaller country but the quality of education offered is very high.

Switzerland has a long established and outstanding reputation for excellence in Hospitality education and training. Many of the world’s successful hoteliers have been educated in this beautiful and safe country. Switzerland demonstrates greatness in its precision approach to detail. That is why so many Swiss corporations rank among the world’s finest research institutes. Switzerland is also home to some of the world’s leading laboratories. Majestic mountains, green woodlands, crystal clear lakes, roaming vineyards, breathtaking landscapes and enchanting cities - Switzerland has it all. Located in the heart of Europe, Switzerland has Paris, London, Amsterdam, Rome and Madrid at its doorstep, as all are within an hour’s flight. Switzerland offers not only the finest landscapes, but also the cultural heritage of a multilingual population, where people have learned from childhood to live peacefully with their countrymen and women, who often speak a language different from their own. In such a country and environment everybody can feel safe. These secure and friendly surroundings make it very easy to combine study with the discovery of people, culture and the beauty of the country. Many international companies have selected Switzerland for their headquarters because of the country's reputation for stability, safety and multicultural understanding.

Switzerland has a largely decentralised education system. Most decisions on the running of primary and secondary schools are taken at cantonal level. It is also the cantons which provide the bulk of the financing. Switzerland does not have a federal minister of education. Nevertheless, some organisational aspects of the education system apply across the country. These include the duration of the school year, and the number of years of compulsory schooling. In other areas the cantons, and even the communes, have traditionally enjoyed a large degree of autonomy. Each canton has its own head of education, all of whom together make up the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK in German). The EDK plays an important role in discussing and coordinating education policy, and in stressing certain key values.

There are 5 universities in the German-speaking part of Switzerland (Basel, Bern, Zurich, Lucerne, St Gallen), and 3 in the French-speaking part (Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel). Fribourg University is bilingual in German and French. Since 1996 there has been a university in Italian-speaking Ticino, with its main base in Lugano.

The Federal Institutes of Technology are in Zurich (ETHZ) and Lausanne (EPFL).

At the universities and institutes of technology, women made up 48% of the students overall in 2003-4, although the figure varied considerably between institutions.

The central government regulates the Institutes of Technology, while the traditional universities are regulated at the level of the relevant canton.

The system of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) was established in 1993 to specialise in higher level vocational training. They continue to grow in popularity as the range of subjects covered is expanded.

They provide a university-level education which includes practical job-experience. The 15 teacher training institutes are also UASs.

The UAS option is significantly more popular with men than with women, although as teacher training, health and social work have been added to the list of UAS subjects, the number of women has risen sharply. Overall in 2003-4 39% of UAS students were women. But in technology, construction and life sciences, women accounted for only 10% of UAS students.

Most of the UASs are regulated at federal level.