Cost of higher education in Switzerland / Switzerland tuition fees
Unlike other countries in Europe, there is not a standard tuition fee scheme in Switzerland. For international students, the annual fee at general universities are between EUR 650 and EUR 1,000, although there are some exceptions. For example, the University of Italian Switzerland (Università della Svizzera italiana, USI) charges around EUR 2,600. International students are encouraged to check with the institution they wish to study at. Generally, Switzerland is considered on the lower-scale of fee-paying university countries.
Quality of higher education in Switzerland
In terms of categories by which universities are measured – teaching, research, knowledge and international outlook, institutions in Switzerland are ranked consistently high in their performance.
The highest-ranking – the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, ETH Zürich) – is focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The institution has produced more than 20 Nobel laureate prize winners, and former students include Albert Einstein.
Working in higher education in Switzerland
Switzerland offers highly-paid positions within academia. Being from Switzerland is not normally a pre-requisite for the position. Scholars, and those particularly from French, German and Italian-speaking backgrounds work right across the higher education system. The number of international professors can be very high – for example over half the teaching staff at the University of Zurich are international.
Depending on whether the institution is within a German or French speaking canton, there can be different titles to positions within the hierarchical order. The lowest rung on the career ladder is generally the research assistant or reader, which in German would be Hilfassistent/in or in French maître-assistant.
In French-speaking cantons, a PhD is required for all positions above maître-assistant. In German-speaking cantons, it is common for PhD candidates to work as research assistants or lecturer.
Looking towards future career development, lack of funding can be an obstacle to career advancement – not uncommon within the academic world. Age can also be a barrier if you have not obtained self-contained university teaching (habilitation, doctorate) by the age of 35.
Salaries are considered highly attractive – research assistants have a starting salary of EUR 40,410, reaching EUR 46,724 by the third year. Post doctorates can expect to start on EUR 51,396 a year reaching EUR 56,700 by the third year.