Tuition Fees in Switzerland for Indian and Pakistani Students
Swiss public universities charge low fees by semester (half a year), in Swiss francs (CHF). Some charge foreign students more. Each university sets its own fee.
Example fee: EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne), one semester
Example: bachelor's or master's at EPFL
Example: the semester bill at EPFL for a student who pays the foreign-student fee (three times the Swiss student fee), in Swiss francs (CHF). Tuition is CHF 2,190; with other fees, the bill is CHF 2,240.
How tuition works in Switzerland
You pay tuition each semester. Two semesters make one academic year.
Who pays the higher fee
ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich) and EPFL charge foreign students who move to Switzerland CHF 2,190 tuition a semester, three times the Swiss student fee. With other fees, the EPFL bill is CHF 2,240.
Each canton (a Swiss state) has a university that sets its own fee. Foreign students pay from CHF 500 a semester (University of Geneva) to CHF 850 + CHF 1,700 (University of Bern).
Check your own university's fee page before you apply. Fees are set by each university and can change.
Living costs are the big cost
Fees at the big universities
Fees for foreign students at the public universities that students from India and Pakistan often choose.
| University Type | Range | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| ETH Zurich | CHF 2,190 tuition a semester | Foreign-student fee (three times the Swiss student fee), plus other fees each semester. |
| EPFL | CHF 2,240 bill a semester | CHF 2,190 tuition plus other fees. |
| University of Zurich (UZH) | CHF 720 plus CHF 100 (master's) or CHF 500 (bachelor's) a semester, plus CHF 59 | CHF 720 plus a surcharge of CHF 100 (master's) or CHF 500 (bachelor's), plus CHF 59 compulsory contributions. |
| University of Geneva (UNIGE) | CHF 500 a semester | Same for all students. |
| University of Bern (UniBe) | CHF 850 + CHF 1,700 a semester, plus CHF 34 | CHF 850 plus CHF 1,700 for new non-Swiss students from autumn 2026, plus CHF 34. |
| University of Basel (UniBas) | CHF 850 a semester | Same for all students. |
- ETH Zurich and EPFL.
- Foreign students pay three times the Swiss student fee.
- For example Zurich, Geneva, Bern and Basel.
- Fees from CHF 500 a semester in Geneva to CHF 850 + CHF 1,700 a semester in Bern for foreign students.
Fees by degree level
Most universities charge the same per semester for bachelor's and master's. Some charge foreign bachelor's students more.
Range
Foreign students: CHF 500 a semester in Geneva to CHF 850 + CHF 1,700 a semester in Bern
Duration
Usually 3 years (6 semesters)
typical
Key Considerations
- University of Zurich adds CHF 500 a semester for foreign bachelor's students.
- ETH Zurich bachelor's, India and Pakistan: a university place in the same subject at home and the reduced entrance exam; otherwise the comprehensive entrance exam.
Does the subject change the fee?
At public universities, tuition is the same for most subjects. Some subjects add costs for materials or trips.
| Field of Study | Low-End | High-End | Special Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most subjects at ETH Zurich | CHF 4,528 a year | CHF 4,528 a year | ETH Zurich on the foreign-student fee: CHF 2,190 a semester, plus other fees. |
| Architecture at ETH Zurich (extra) | CHF 4,800 a year | CHF 4,800 a year | Extra costs for architecture students: about CHF 4,800 a year for excursions, model making and similar costs, on top of tuition. |
- Application fee: CHF 150 at ETH Zurich (per programme), EPFL and the University of Zurich (UZH) if your degree is from outside Switzerland; CHF 100 at the University of Basel.
- Study materials: ETH Zurich plans CHF 1,000 a year.
- Excursions: ETH Zurich plans CHF 500 a year.
Other fees each semester
Small fees come on top of tuition.
- Semester contributionsCHF 34 to CHF 59 a semester
University of Bern CHF 34; University of Zurich CHF 59 (sports, library, scholarship fund).
- Application feeCHF 100 to CHF 150
Paid once when you apply. Not refunded.
- Higher fee for foreign studentsCHF 100 to CHF 1,700 a semester extra
University of Zurich adds CHF 100 (master's) or CHF 500 (bachelor's). University of Bern adds CHF 1,700 for new non-Swiss students from autumn 2026.
Health insurance is extra
Pro Tips for Managing Additional Fees
- University of Zurich: you can get semester fees back if you withdraw by 15 October (autumn) or 15 March (spring) each year, minus CHF 50.
- EPFL: you can ask the student union to refund its CHF 25.
- Application fees are not refunded.
When and how you pay
You pay a bill at the start of each semester.
Payment Methods
Bank payment
Pay the bill from a bank account. A Swiss account makes it easier.
Application fee by card
ETH Zurich takes the application fee by Visa, Mastercard or PostFinance card only.
1One bill each semester
- EPFL sends an electronic bill each semester; you must pay it to stay enrolled.
- University of Bern sends bills by post, or as an e-bill to a Swiss bank.
Pay on time
Quick facts
The key numbers for 2026-27, in Swiss francs (CHF) per semester for foreign students.
- 1ETH Zurich: CHF 2,190 tuition a semester.
- 2EPFL: CHF 2,190 tuition plus other fees, so the bill is CHF 2,240 a semester.
- 3University of Zurich: CHF 720 plus CHF 500 (bachelor's) or CHF 100 (master's) a semester, plus CHF 59.
- 4University of Geneva: CHF 500 a semester.
- 5University of Bern: CHF 850 plus CHF 1,700 a semester for new non-Swiss students from autumn 2026, plus CHF 34.
- 6University of Basel: CHF 850 a semester.
ETH Zurich's plan for a student in Zurich is about CHF 22,100 a year in total for living costs.
EPFL will adjust tuition every 4 years to follow price changes, first in 2029.
ETH Zurich and EPFL do not let you pay tuition before you are enrolled (officially registered). You get a bill each semester.
Plan the whole cost
Related money guides
Plan your full budget with these guides.
Need help with your budget?
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