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General information
Each university in Switzerland decides independently on admission to its degree programmes. There is no central body that recognises upper secondary school qualifications for all universities. Universities assess foreign qualifications themselves and decide on admission on a case-by-case basis. They often refer to the admission requirements published by swissuniversities.
Most information on admission requirements can be found on the website of the relevant higher education institution. An overview is also available on berufsberatung.ch.
Admission procedures and requirements vary depending on the type of higher education institution and the degree programme. Different requirements also apply to Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes.
Residence status generally does not affect admission. People can apply for and undertake a higher education programme regardless of their residence permit, provided they meet the relevant admission requirements and can finance their studies.
Required prior education
Admission to a Bachelor’s degree programme generally requires a Swiss Matura or an equivalent foreign qualification, depending on the university and degree programme. Whether a foreign qualification is recognised as equivalent depends, among other things, on the country of origin and the education system. Qualifications from countries outside Europe do not always meet the requirements for direct admission.
A higher education qualification already obtained, such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from the country of origin, may open up alternative admission options depending on the degree programme. The relevant higher education institution determines whether the foreign qualification is recognised. Information on foreign higher education qualifications and institutions can be found, among other places, in the Anabin database.
Enrolment deadlines
You can enrol in a degree programme in either the spring or autumn semester. However, for many degree programmes, you can only start your studies in the autumn semester.
Each higher education institution has its own enrolment deadlines. The current deadlines are listed on the website of the respective institution. As a rule, applications must be submitted several months before the start of studies.
Admission procedures
Admission procedures vary depending on the higher education institution and degree programme. Applications are usually submitted online.
In general, the admission procedure works as follows:
- Application and submission of documents: Complete the online application form on the university’s website before the application deadline and submit all the required documents. Universities will contact you if any documents are missing. If certain documents are not available, you may need to provide a written explanation.
- Payment of the application fee: Pay the application fee upon receipt of the invoice. If the payment deadline is too short, you can ask the university for an extension.
- Review of the application: The university will review your documents and decide whether you meet the admission requirements.
There are generally three possible outcomes:
- Direct admission: You are admitted and can begin your studies. You may be required to submit your original diploma at a later date or present it when you start your studies.
- Conditional admission: You are admitted subject to additional requirements. These may include, for example, a language test, the ECUS supplementary examination or additional modules. It is advisable to discuss the conditions with your social worker. If you need more time to fulfil the conditions, you can ask the admissions office whether your admission can be deferred to the following semester or academic year.
- No admission: You have not been admitted to your chosen degree programme. In this case, it may be worth asking the university about the reasons for the decision and possible alternatives.
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Admissions to universities
Bachelor’s degree
Admission to a Bachelor’s degree programme at a university or ETH generally requires a recognised Swiss Matura or an equivalent foreign qualification.
If a foreign school-leaving qualification is not recognised as equivalent, additional requirements may apply depending on your country of origin and the higher education institution. These may include, for example, proof of admission to a corresponding degree programme in your country of origin, the ECUS supplementary examination, or a previously completed Bachelor’s degree.
Sufficient knowledge of the language of instruction is also a prerequisite. Depending on the higher education institution and degree programme, language requirements are often at B2 or C1 level. You should check the exact requirements on the website of the relevant higher education institution. Here you will find further information on the various language requirements.
swissuniversities provides an overview of admission requirements by country of origin. berufsberatung.ch also provides a range of information.
Master’s degree
To be admitted to a Master’s degree programme, you generally need a Bachelor’s degree from a higher education institution recognised in Switzerland. Depending on the programme, additional requirements may apply. In some cases, a letter of motivation is also required, explaining your academic background and your motivation for applying for the Master’s programme.
Language requirements vary depending on the degree programme. Some Master’s programmes are taught entirely or partly in English. Even if there are no formal language requirements, it is important to have a sufficient knowledge of the language of instruction.
If a foreign Bachelor’s degree is recognised, the university may require additional subject-specific modules if certain knowledge or courses are a prerequisite for the Master’s programme. These are sometimes referred to as catch-up modules and must be completed before or during the Master’s programme. The scope and conditions vary depending on the university and degree programme. If more than 60 ECTS credits of catch-up modules are required, admission to the Master’s programme is usually not possible.
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Admission to universities of applied sciences
There are various routes to admission to a university of applied sciences (FH). The specific requirements depend on your previous educational background and the degree programme.
As a rule, one of the following qualifications is required:
- Vocational Maturity Certificate: A Vocational Maturity Certificate is based on a Federal VET Diploma (EFZ) and generally allows admission to a Swiss university of applied sciences without an entrance examination in a field of study related to the completed apprenticeship.
- Swiss Matura: A Swiss Matura can provide access to a university of applied sciences. As a rule, at least one year of relevant work experience is also required, often in the form of an internship.
- Specialised Matura: A specialised Matura in a field relevant to the degree programme may provide access to a university of applied sciences.
- Higher vocational education: Depending on the degree programme, qualifications from a higher vocational school (HF) or a higher vocational examination may also provide access.
Studying without a Matura / Other entry routes
Depending on the university of applied sciences and degree programme, other admission routes may be available, including admission procedures for people with several years of professional experience. In the case of foreign vocational qualifications, universities of applied sciences may assess previous education and professional experience on a case-by-case basis, for example through a “sur dossier” admission procedure. Requirements vary depending on the university of applied sciences, faculty and degree programme.
In addition to the required educational background, sufficient language skills are necessary.
Depending on the degree programme, relevant professional experience may also be required. Further information on work experience can be found on the Swissuniversities website.
In certain cases, candidates may be required to take the ECUS supplementary examination.
The exact admission requirements can be found on the website of the relevant university of applied sciences and the chosen degree programme.
As admission decisions are made independently by each university of applied sciences and, in some cases, by individual degree programmes, rejection by one university of applied sciences does not automatically mean that admission to another is impossible. Applying to another university of applied sciences may therefore be an option.
A list of accredited universities of applied sciences in Switzerland can be found here.
Berufsberatung.ch also provides information on admission to universities of applied sciences.
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Admission to universities of teacher education and recognition of teaching diplomas
Admission to universities of teacher education (PH) generally requires a Swiss Matura, a Vocational Maturity Certificate or a Specialised Matura, possibly combined with additional qualifications, or another recognised qualification. The exact requirements vary depending on the degree programme and university of teacher education. If your previous education does not meet the standard admission requirements, other options may be available, depending on the university, such as an entrance examination or an admission procedure.
Universities of teacher education generally require a C2 language certificate for teacher education programmes. At some institutions, it is possible to begin the programme with a C1 language certificate and submit the C2 certificate later during the programme.
Recognition of foreign teaching diplomas
People who have completed teacher training abroad may, under certain conditions, apply for recognition of their teaching diploma. The The Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education EDK is generally responsible for recognising foreign teaching diplomas.
Depending on the training and the country in which the diploma was obtained, additional requirements or compensatory measures may apply. Another option may be to obtain a Swiss teaching diploma at a university of teacher education. People with professional experience or foreign qualifications may also have access to special pathways for career changers, depending on the university of teacher education.
The ANGEL project at the Lucerne University of Teacher Education (PH Luzern) provides information on the various degree programmes at universities of teacher education, the recognition of foreign teaching diplomas and opportunities for career changers:
berufsberatung.ch also provides information on admission to universities of teacher education.
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Documents required for admission
In Switzerland, each higher education institution decides which documents it requires for admission. As a rule, you must provide evidence of your previous educational qualifications in the form of diplomas and certificates.
To be admitted to a Bachelor’s degree programme, applicants generally need to submit a school-leaving certificate or proof of an equivalent qualification. Admission to a Master’s degree programme normally requires a Bachelor’s degree. If you hold a foreign Bachelor’s degree, it may also be helpful to submit a list of the modules you have completed, with brief descriptions of their content. This makes it easier for the admissions office to assess your previous education.
As applications to universities are usually submitted online, the required documents can generally be submitted digitally. If an original document is not written in German, French, Italian or English, a certified translation will usually be required. The specific university determines the requirements that the translation must meet.
If a university requires you to apply by post, you should not send original documents such as diplomas. Instead, submit certified copies if requested by the university.
In many cases, the original documents must be submitted at a later stage after admission has been granted or presented when you start your studies.
If documents are missing
If original diplomas or other important documents have been lost or cannot be obtained, some universities allow a statutory declaration to be submitted as a substitute. If you can credibly explain that the necessary documents proving your prior education cannot be obtained, many universities will allow admission on the basis of a statutory declaration. You should therefore enquire at an early stage with the relevant admissions office as to whether this option is available.
Other possible documents
In addition to diplomas and certificates, universities may require further documents. These include, for example:
- Passport photo
- Letter of motivation
- Curriculum vitae
- Official grading scale or grade conversion table from your previous higher education institution
- Application for placement in the Master’s programme
- Descriptions of the modules attended, particularly when applying for a Master’s programme
- Copy of passport or identity card
- Copy of your residence permit
You can find out which of these documents you need to submit by contacting the relevant university directly.
Depending on the university, certified copies or certified translations may be required. You should therefore check with the relevant university to find out what the requirements are. The following sections explain these two terms.
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What is a certified copy?
A certified copy confirms that the copy matches the original. A certified copy can only be made from the original document and bears a stamp and a signature.
Certification merely confirms that the copy matches the original document presented. It does not confirm the authenticity or the content of the original document.
A certified copy can, for example, be produced at a notary’s office. Depending on the canton, local authorities or other government bodies may also issue certifications. In some cases, universities also offer certification of diplomas for their admissions procedures.
Which authorities carry out certification and the costs involved vary depending on the canton and the relevant authority. It is therefore advisable to enquire in advance with the authority to which the documents must be submitted.
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What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is required when official or legal documents need to be submitted in another language. To this end, the translator adds their signature and a declaration confirming the accuracy and completeness of the translation, which is then certified by a notary. The notary does not check the content of the translation, but confirms the authenticity of the translator’s signature. Certified translations are usually produced by professional translators. Guidance on finding suitable professional translators is listed below.
For documents that are not written in a Swiss national language (German, French, Italian) or English, a translation will generally be required. Which translations are accepted and who is authorised to produce them depends on the requirements of the respective higher education institution. You should therefore check with the institution’s admissions office about the applicable requirements before having the translation done, and inform the professional translator of the specific requirements. Most higher education institutions require a certified copy of the certified translation to be submitted. In some cases, the original translation may also be required.
The cost of a translation can vary depending on the language, the length of the document and the translation service used. It is advisable to obtain a quote before the translation is carried out. The databases of the Swiss Association of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters (ASTTI) and the Association of Swiss Court Interpreters and Translators ‘juslingua.ch’ can help you find suitable translation professionals in Switzerland.
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Recognition of modules from previous studies
Whether modules from a previous degree programme are recognised is decided by the relevant higher education institution. To enable the institution to assess your academic achievements, your documents should describe the content and scope of the modules. Ideally, you should provide the relevant original documents as well as a certified translation. Check with the higher education institution to find out which documents you need to submit for recognition.
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Alternative entry requirements
If a foreign school-leaving qualification does not meet the requirements for direct admission, some universities offer alternative routes to admission.
Admission via support programmes for refugees
Many universities offer special support programmes for refugees. These programmes can make it easier to start a degree course and, depending on the university, may provide alternative routes to admission. There are usually two options:
- Exams as part of the support programme: Specific examinations are taken as part of the support programme. Depending on the results, admission to a degree programme may then be granted.
- Attending courses and earning ECTS credits: During the support programme, you can attend regular courses as a guest student and, in some cases, take examinations. If you earn the required ECTS credits within a specified timeframe, admission to the degree programme may be granted. The exact regulations vary depending on the university and degree programme. You should therefore check the applicable requirements directly with the relevant higher education institution.
An overview of the support programmes can be found here.
Admission without a school-leaving certificate
At some universities, it is possible, under certain conditions, to be admitted to a Bachelor’s degree programme without a recognised school-leaving certificate.
The requirements and admission procedures vary depending on the university, faculty and degree programme.
For degree programmes in medicine and pharmacy, alternative admission routes without a Matura are usually not possible.
As a rule, this type of admission is only possible from a certain age, often from around 30, and with several years of professional experience in the relevant field. In addition, the university may assess your subject-specific knowledge and suitability for the degree programme.
Unlike with other admission procedures, it may generally not be possible to switch to a different degree programme at a later stage.
There are usually two types of admission procedure:
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Admission by application (“Sur dossier”): Applicants submit a comprehensive application dossier. The university assesses their educational and professional background, existing skills and motivation for studying. This procedure is offered, for example, by the University of Fribourg, the University of Lausanne and Università della Svizzera italiana.
- Admission via an entrance examination: In this procedure, the knowledge required for the degree programme is assessed through an examination. This route is available, for example, at ETH Zurich, EPFL, the University of Zurich and the University of Lausanne.
If you do not hold a recognised Matura, it is worth contacting your chosen higher education institution directly to ask about possible alternative admission routes.
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ECUS supplementary examination and the Swiss Matura examination
ECUS supplementary examination
The ECUS (Examen Complémentaire des Hautes Écoles Suisses) is a supplementary examination for people with foreign qualifications whose previous education does not directly qualify them for admission to a higher education programme. The relevant higher education institution decides whether an ECUS examination is required, and which subjects must be taken.
Registration for the ECUS is carried out through the higher education institution at which you wish to study. The institution first checks whether the other admission requirements are met and then registers candidates for the examination. It is not possible to register directly with the ECUS Commission.
The examination covers the language of instruction as well as other subjects. These include mathematics, English, history and an elective subject from biology, chemistry, physics or geography. The subjects examined depend on the requirements of the relevant university.
There are two options:
- Comprehensive examination: the language of instruction plus four additional examination subjects.
- Partial examination: examination in individual subjects.
The examinations take place once a year. The comprehensive examination for German-speaking universities costs CHF 1,060. The French-language version costs CHF 1,050.
The ECUS is academically demanding and requires extensive preparation. There are no publicly funded preparation courses. Private providers in Zurich, Lausanne and Geneva offer preparation courses, but these are very expensive.
Swiss Matura examination
Another option is the Swiss Matura examination. It enables people who have not attended a Gymnasium to obtain a Swiss Matura certificate. Candidates can prepare for the examination through self-study or with the support of a private Matura preparation school. The examinations are organised by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
It is important to note that a Matura thesis must also be submitted as part of the registration process. Two examination sessions take place each year in each of Switzerland’s three language regions. The examination fee is CHF 570.
Passing the Swiss Matura examination qualifies candidates for admission to Swiss higher education institutions, subject to the applicable admission rules.
You can find the latest information on registration, examination dates and fees on the SBFI website.
Both examinations are demanding and require substantial preparation.
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Preparation and support at the start of your studies
A successful start to your studies requires careful planning. The following points should be clarified in consultation with your social worker or case management team.
Time management: To begin with, it is important to ensure that the various deadlines and requirements are coordinated. These include, in particular:
- obtaining the necessary language certificates,
- where applicable, proof of the necessary work experience for universities of applied sciences,
- the application deadlines for university funding schemes and standard degree programmes, and
- the deadlines for applying for cantonal scholarships.
Planning well in advance helps avoid delays in starting your studies.
Funding: Securing funding plays an important role in reducing financial pressure while studying and supporting academic success. You should therefore clarify how your living and study costs can be covered before starting your studies. Depending on your personal situation, options may include scholarships, social assistance, integration allowances or contributions from foundations. Further information on funding can be found here.
Language preparation: Adequate language skills are an important prerequisite for successful study. Where possible, language learning should take place as part of a university support programme or a regular language course at a university. University language courses can not only provide the language skills required for your studies but also give you an early insight into university life and opportunities to interact with other students.
Recognition of previously acquired academic credits: If you have already started or completed a degree programme in your home country, credits for work already completed may, under certain circumstances, be recognised. You should clarify the possibility of credit recognition with the university as early as possible, ideally before starting your studies. The university decides which academic achievements can be recognised and what evidence is required.
Accommodation and travel arrangements: If the university is located outside your canton of residence, you should clarify at an early stage how travel costs will be covered and whether the daily commute is reasonable. It may not always be possible to change cantons while studying.
Social integration and support at the university: Even if you are admitted directly to a degree programme and do not attend a preparatory support programme, it may be a good idea to contact the support services for refugees at your chosen university at an early stage.
These services may provide support such as:
- Mentoring
- Academic guidance
- Learning support
- Language courses
- Opportunities to interact and network with other students
You can find an overview of support services for refugees at universities here. If a university does not offer specific support programmes for refugees, it may be worth contacting student councils or other student organisations.
Support for starting your studies: Many universities offer initiatives designed to ease the transition into university life and support academic success, particularly during the early stages. These may include induction events, tutoring, mentoring programmes, study workshops and counselling services. Swissuniversities provides an overview of various support services available at Swiss universities. Further information can be found under “Massnahmen für Studierende in der Studieneingangsphase”.
