Pakistan's LargestStudy Abroad Portal
Portal Icon
Featured Article

Study in Switzerland for Pakistani Students

Study in Switzerland visa consultant
October 27, 2023
25 min read
Education
Study in Switzerland for Pakistani Students

Switzerland is a country in Europe and is famous for its food, especially chocolates, mountains and clocks. Study in Switzerland for Pakistani students is the best decision to pursue an undergraduate and postgraduate degree just like study in Spain. IELTS is not required for a Swiss student visa but if the university requires an IELTS then the student must need to take an IELTS test. IELTS is required with a minimum score of 6. Universities in Switzerland have an affordable fee structure for Pakistani students. At a public university, the average tuition fee for master's and bachelor's studies is 400-3700 Euros per year and for Ph.D., the tuition fee is 100- 900 Euros per year. 

Scholarships in Switzerland for Pakistani students are granted by the government and universities. These scholarships could be a partially or fully funded scholarships to support international students. Some more details are mentioned below regarding the study in Switzerland

Study in Switzerland for Pakistani Students

Teaching Language

English, German, French

Top Universities in Switzerland

  1. University of Geneva
  2.  Zurich University
  3. University of Fribourg
  4. Neuchatel university
  5. Lausanne university
  6. University of Bern

Course Duration

  • Three years for a bachelor
  • Two years for masters
  • Three to five years for Ph.D. study

Minimum education 

required

  • Higher Secondary Education for bachelors
  • A relevant bachelor's degree for a master
  • A relevant master’s degree for a Ph.D.

Average fee structure

For bachelors and masters, 400-3700 Euros per year

For Ph.D., the tuition fee is 100- 900 Euros per year

Is IELTS required or not?

IELTS is not mandatory but it depends on the university and program selected

Eligibility criteria

Secondary school certificate or intermediate result

Scholarships

Yes, scholarships are available.

Part-time job Working hours

Yes, 15 hours per week

After the study work 

permit

Yes, you can get a work permit

Embassy location

Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad

Bank statements

Yes, bank statements of 22,163 Euros for the past 3 to 6 months.

Average monthly 

expense

1000-1500 Euros per month

Admission processing 

time

Not specified, depending on the university

Visa processing time

8 to 12 weeks

 Are you looking for Best consultant for study in Switzerland in Pakistan? 

Why Study in Switzerland?

Switzerland is a globally recognized and developed country. Many positive points are highlighted below that show why students should study in Switzerland.

  • Switzerland is providing the best education to their local and international students. It has made a well-maintained education system for international students by offering some programs in the English language.
  • Switzerland is a welcoming country for overseas students. International students can easily blend with the Swiss way of life because of their lively culture and cosmopolitan environment.
  • Although the cost of living in Switzerland is higher than in other countries, the cost of studying is still lower than in others, and students can always explore less expensive options.
  • There are some courses taught in English, but the student needs to do some study on it. The tuition-free universities in Switzerland for international students are either German-speaking or French-speaking.
  • International students might receive fully funded scholarships from Switzerland. Deserving students receive 100% support from scholarships like the Swiss Excellence Scholarships and the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarships.
  • The Pakistani student needs to make some effort in terms of communication because the regional language is not English.
  • Switzerland follows the Bologna Education Scheme, which is based on the ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). With this scheme, international students can transfer their academic credentials to their home institutions.
  • International students who have settled there after completing the degree make up about 25% of the entire population. This indicates that there are many chances for work and permanent residence in Switzerland.

Scholarships in Switzerland for Pakistani Students

Scholarships in Switzerland for Pakistani students are offered for both bachelor's and master's programs. Students can get scholarships in Switzerland without an IELTS score. The scholarships are granted to deserving international students for tuition fees exemption and these scholarships include:

  1. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
  2. Basel University Scholarship
  3. ETH Zurich University scholarship
  4. Bern University scholarship

1. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship

Switzerland's government offer fully funded scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students. Bachelor's students who want to do a degree in arts can get a government art scholarship without any IELTS requirement. Masters and Ph.D., students can get Swiss research scholarships to study in any Switzerland university.

2. Basel University Scholarship

The university offers numerous scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students like mobility programs and exchange scholarships. The university requires English language proficiency IELTS scores from international students. The scholarship gives a partial or full tuition fee waiver.

3. ETH Zurich University scholarship

The university offers scholarships for undergraduate, master's, and doctorate programs. This scholarship is available for all international students who want to study at ETH Zurich University. The scholarship covers full tuition fees and living costs for international students including Pakistanis. The university requires IELTS/TOEFL scores.

4. Bern University scholarship

Bern University works with the Swiss government and offers scholarships for international students. The university provides scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The benefits of this scholarship include study and living expense coverage for international students.

Universities in Switzerland

Switzerland has many renowned universities recognized for their academics. The universities in Switzerland are as follows:

  1. Geneva University
  2. University of Zurich
  3. University of Fribourg
  4. Neuchatel University
  5. University of Lausanne
  6. University of Bern
  7. University of Lucerne
  8. Basel University
  9. University of Applied Science Geneva
  10. University of St. Gallen

1. University of Geneva

Geneva University is a public university that was established in 1559. The university taught various programs in English at the bachelor's and master's levels. The university provides courses in biomedical science, biochemistry, computer science, chemistry, and social science. The average tuition fee is 1055 Euros per year. The world ranking of this university is 128. IELTS is required with a minimum score of 6. The acceptance rate of this university is 21%. 

World Ranking

128

IELTS required or not

Yes, a minimum of 6

Average tuition fee

1055 Euros per year

Acceptance rate

21%

2. University of Zurich

The university was established in 1833 and is a public research university in Switzerland. The university offers a variety of programs and research opportunities in different courses like medicine, philosophy, law, veterinary medicine, and natural science. The world ranking of Zurich University is 91. IELTS is required with a minimum score of 6.5-7. The average tuition fee costs around 1287 Euros per year. The tuition fees vary according to the course. The acceptance rate is 19%. 

World Ranking

91

IELTS required or not

Yes, a minimum of 6.5-7

Average tuition fee

1287 Euros per year

Acceptance rate

19%

3. Fribourg university

The university was founded in 1889. The university offers various undergraduate and postgraduate courses in theology, medicine, social science, and humanities. Fribourg University has excelled both in academics and research over the years. The world ranking of Fribourg University is 563. IELTS is required with a minimum score of 6. The average tuition fee is 1698 Euros per year. The tuition fees depend upon the course. The acceptance rate is 8%.

World Ranking

563

IELTS required or not

Yes, a minimum of 6

Average tuition fee

1698 Euros per year

Acceptance rate

8%

4. Neuchatel University

The university is a public university that was founded in 1838. The university contains four colleges and various departments including ones for law, economics, arts and humanities as well as the natural sciences. The world ranking of this university is 401 by Times Higher Education. IELTS is required with a minimum score of 5.5. The average tuition fee cost is 2499 Euros per year. The acceptance rate of this university is 27%. 

World Ranking

401

IELTS required or not

Yes, a minimum of 5.5

Average tuition fee

2499 Euros per year

Acceptance rate

27%

5. Lausanne University

The university was founded in 1537 and is the oldest university in Switzerland. The university offers a variety of courses in management, law, arts, science, nursing, and economics. The university has ranked 220 by the QS world ranking. IELTS is required with a minimum score of 6.5. The average tuition fee is around 1223 Euros per year. The acceptance rate of this university is 31%.

World Ranking

220

IELTS required or not

Yes, a minimum of 6.5

Average tuition fee

1223 Euros per year

Acceptance rate

31%

6. University of Bern

Bern University was established in 1834. The university has many faculties, including history, philosophy, medicine, law, social sciences, and veterinary medicine. The QS world ranking of Bern University is 126. IELTS is required with a minimum score of 6. The tuition fee is around 791 Euros per semester. The acceptance rate lies between 20-40%.

World Ranking

126

IELTS required or not

Yes, a minimum of 6

Average tuition fee

791 Euros per semester

Acceptance rate

20-40%

Admission Requirements and Documents List

For admission to Swiss universities, certain documents are required. These documents are mentioned below:

  • Complete the online application form and pay the application fee
  • Signed copy of the application form
  • Paid receipt of application fee
  • Copy of national identity card
  • Two recent photographs
  • CV
  • Motivation letter
  • Academic transcripts of your previous degrees
  • Language proficiency certificate either English, German, or French
  • For Ph.D., research work and thesis are required

Visa Requirements and Documents for Pakistani Student

After getting admission to Switzerland university, then comes the visa processing. The visa fee is 70 Euros and the success rate of a Swiss student visa is 97%. The required documents are mentioned below:

  • No language requirements for a Swiss student visa
  • Student visa application form
  • Passport
  • Four passport-size photographs
  • Offer letter from the university
  • Paid receipt of tuition fee or registration fee at Switzerland University
  • After completion of the degree, commitment to leave the country
  • Letter from the university if a student gets the scholarship
  • Motivation letter
  • CV
  • Bank statement of around 22,163 Euros for the past 3 to 6 months

Cost of Living in Switzerland for Pakistani Students

The cost of living in Switzerland can vary significantly depending on the Swiss cities, students' lifestyles, and personal choices. Groceries may cost around 300 euros per month. A one-bedroom apartment's monthly rent can be in the range of 700 to 800 euros. Monthly public transportation passes cost 60 euros. The monthly living expenses in Switzerland are estimated to be around 1000 to 1500 Euros.

Part-Time Working Hours and Income

International Students are allowed to work part-time for 15 hours per week. During vacation periods, students have the opportunity to work 30 hours per week. Every university has a job placement office that delivers information regarding part-time jobs. The minimum wage in Switzerland for students is around 21 to 36 euros per hour.

Study in Norway Read Here

Study in Qatar Read Here

Study in Luxembourg Read Here

Work Permits and Future Opportunities for Pakistani Students

Pakistani students can explore work permits and future opportunities in Switzerland. Students are allowed to search for jobs within six months after completion of their studies. During this time, graduates can seek employment related to their field of study. When a student gets hired by a company, the employer will obtain a work permit for you. The country's economy offers opportunities for skilled professionals, and there is a demand for individuals with expertise in fields such as pharmaceuticals, banking, finance, and business. The average salary in Switzerland is around 7349 Euros per month. 

Are you looking for Best consultant for study in Switzerland in Pakistan?

Mahnoor Iqbal
Article Author

Mahnoor Iqbal

Mahnoor is a seasoned visa consultancy professional with over 11 years of hands on experience guiding Pakistani students toward successful study abroad journeys. Her expertise spans international education systems, student visa regulations, and global immigration frameworks, making her a trusted voice in the study abroad industry. Over the past 11 years, Mahnoor has worked closely with students, parents, educational institutions, and international partners to simplify complex visa processes and ensure compliance with ever changing immigration laws. Her deep understanding of country-specific visa requirements enables him to provide accurate, up to date,...

Read more
Join the Conversation

Share Your Thoughts

Engage with our community of students and education experts. Your insights matter!

Post a Comment

Share your thoughts with the community

0/1000
Your comment is moderated for quality

Be the First to Comment

No approved comments yet. Share your thoughts!

All comments are moderated for quality