Higher education institutions in Switzerland
Swiss universities have an enviable reputation around the world. Indeed, no less than seven are featured in the top 200 of QS World Rankings (2019). It is a country with a long tradition of higher education. Its first university was founded in 1460 at Basel. As a result of sustained academic progress over the centuries, Switzerland is now home to some of Europe’s most renowned higher educational systems.
There are twelve state-run universities in Switzerland. Of those, ten are cantonal, and two are federal institutes of technology. The differences between them are slight. Cantonal universities are operated and managed by individual cantons, and federal institutes of technology are run directly by the government of Switzerland. Canton is the traditional Swiss form of an administrative area. There are twenty-six such areas within Switzerland.
The differences, whilst small, do impact the structure of the institutions. The federal institutions are aligned in structure to American universities, thus making it easier for foreign students to transfer there.
As well as these twelve institutions, there are two other types of university; the eight Universities of Applied Sciences and the Arts (UASAs), which provide scientific and professional education, and the twenty Universities of Teacher Education (UTEs), which offer practice-oriented teaching education.
Doctorates can only be obtained at universities and federal institutes of technology.
Higher education opportunities in Switzerland
Overall, 16.9 per cent of higher education enrolment in Switzerland came from abroad – the tenth highest in the world in 2013. The country also enjoys a high rate of PhD students; indeed, Swiss nationals have the highest rate of citizens in the world to hold doctoral degrees, which exhibits the country’s academic excellence – which may be why it is a popular choice for foreign students.
Almost a quarter of foreign students come from Germany, with 16 per cent from France, 11 per cent from Italy, and 4 per cent from China.
The opportunities for foreign students are increasing all the time – in the 2000/2001 academic year, only 20 per cent of all students were international.
Those who wish to enrol at a Swiss university must earn a state-recognised Swiss matriculation certificate (Matura), or a qualification of equal value for a foreign student.
Language fluency is required and is determined by the language taught in the class – remember Switzerland has four official languages, including French, German, Italian and Romansh.
Higher education expenses in Switzerland
Public expenditure for research is mainly the result of personal initiatives on the part of the researchers. The Swiss Confederation is responsible for providing research funding through two federal agencies – the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Innosuisse (formerly the Commission for Innovation and Technology). The cantons are responsible for managing and co-funding cantonal universities and Universities of Applied Sciences.