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After You Arrive

Enrolling at Your Swiss University

Your last steps to become a student: send final papers, pay the semester bill, get your student card and the papers the migration office needs.

University Student Portal

Example: master's programme

Autumn semester 2027

How enrolment works

You are admitted first; then you enrol each semester.

  • Accept your place: Follow the steps in your university's system.
  • Send final papers: EPFL: by 30 September before your semester starts. ETH Zurich: as eApply asks.
  • Pay the semester bill: Each semester.
  • Get your enrolment confirmation: You need it for your residence permit.
  • Get your student card: For example, the University of Bern gives an electronic card called UNICARD.

Papers for enrolment

Each university lists what it needs.

For the university:

  • Final degree papers - Your final transcript and degree certificate.
  • Original school-leaving certificate (ETH Zurich bachelor's) - Send it by post when ETH Zurich's online application system (eApply) asks.

For the migration office:

  • Enrolment confirmation - The version your canton asks for.

Document Preparation Tips

  • Keep originals safe and bring copies.
  • Translations are needed for papers not in German, English, French or Italian.

Welcome events

Universities hold welcome events before the semester.

Examples

  • ETH Zurich: a welcome event called Check-in ETH is held on campus before the semester (in 2026 it was on 11 September).
  • EPFL: Welcome day before the semester.
  • EPFL: intensive French course from 4 weeks before the semester.

Student card

Student card

Your university gives you a student card after you enrol and pay.

Courses and credits

Plan your courses from your programme's study guide.

Credits

Swiss universities use ECTS credits (European study credits).

  • Workload: At ETH Zurich, 1 credit is about 30 hours of work.
  • Passing: You earn credits only when you pass the exam.

Where to get help

Your university's offices help with studies, permits and money.

International student office

Your first stop for permit and work questions.

  • Confirms your job will not delay your studies (needed for a work permit).
  • Explains your canton's permit rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enrolment tips

  • Send final papers before the deadline.
  • Pay the semester bill on time.
  • Keep your enrolment paper; you need it for your permit each year.
  • Bring your own laptop; ETH Zurich requires one for new degree students.

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