The world’s most popular tourist destination is quickly becoming the world’s most popular study abroad destination. Switzerland offers not only a vibrant and safe student life, but also great academic qualifications and research prospects.
It is a dream come true to be able to study abroad for free. Unfortunately, quality education comes at a cost. It is never given for free. You can, however, seek for scholarships to lessen your financial load. You can study in Switzerland at a reasonable cost if you follow the methods outlined below.
1. Develop Your Skills and Portfolio
- When applying to universities and colleges in Switzerland, a good GPA, outstanding exam scores, and a solid behavior background will boost your chances of receiving scholarships. These documents demonstrate your eligibility for scholarships.
- A good academic report notifies a university that you are an excellent candidate for investment because they will be expecting remarkable results. So, before considering studying in Switzerland, you need have good grades in your previous courses.
- Also, always work on developing a positive reputation so that there are no unfavorable ideas about you and no one questions your behavior while applying to Swiss universities. This is the first and most important step for overseas students wishing to study in Switzerland.
2. Attend Affordable Universities in Switzerland
- Most of the universities in Switzerland do not charge tuition fees to international students. Although not all universities follow this, there are plenty of universities that provide such a relief.
- The student is encouraged to get in touch with institutions, research their websites thoroughly and acquire as much data as possible.
3. Get your application prepared in advance
- To entice overseas students to study abroad, “early bird discounts” are offered. Some colleges provide tuition cost discounts to overseas students who apply early. This will not allow you to study in Switzerland for free, but it will significantly reduce your study costs.
- Because your admission application will be handled quickly, you may be eligible for tuition fee savings. Also, keep in mind that there is far too much rivalry in the foreign market, so always be the first to reap the benefits.
4. Apply for Scholarships in Swiss Universities
If you wish to study at Swiss universities but are concerned about the tuition fees, here are two fully-funded study abroad scholarships that will help you handle the cost of studying in Switzerland:
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Every year, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are offered to overseas students studying in Switzerland for doctorate, post-doctoral, and research-based studies. It is one of the greatest scholarships in the world, and it is given to students from 180 countries who want to complete their research and doctoral/post-doctoral studies in Switzerland.
- Host Universities in Switzerland– Any of 10 Cantonal Universities in Switzerland, federal institutes, or public research and teaching institutes.
- Level of Study – Doctoral and Post-Doctoral study in Switzerland or research in any discipline.
- Scholarships Include -The scholarship includes tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses, airfare allowance for a maximum of 3 years. A country-wise allowances list can be found on the scholarship website.
- Deadline for Application – Between September-December, annually.
Eligibility Criteria:
- A Master’s Degree, completed before the September of the application year.
- Candidate must be born after 31 December 1983
- A letter of acceptance from a professor/university who is hosting the program
- Must have a research proposal including a timeframe
- Necessary Language skills
- Applicants who have been in Switzerland for one year before September of that year are not eligible.
ETH Zurich Excellence Masters Scholarship Program
The Master Scholarship Programme (MSP) and the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) are both part of the ETH Zurich Excellence Masters Scholarship Program. It is intended for candidates who wish to pursue a master’s degree at ETH Zurich in Switzerland.
- Host Universities in Switzerland – ETH Zurich in Switzerland
- Level of Study – Eligible Master’s Program at ETH Switzerland.
- Deadline of Application-15 December, annually.
Scholarships Include:
- ESOP (Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme):
- The ESOP scholarship includes a tuition Fee Waiver, living and study expenses (CHF 11000 per Semester)
- MSP (Master Scholarship Programme):
- The MSP scholarship includes a tuition Fee Waiver, partial living and study expenses (CHF 6000 per Semester), OR an assistantship from the second semester.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates who are eligible and accepted for a Master’s program at ETH Zurich.
- It is open for both national and international students who want to study in Switzerland
- The candidate must have scored well in the bachelor’s program, preferably in the top 10% of the class, or grade A scores.
- It is open for the students who have graduated with a bachelor’s from ETH Zurich, too.
Aside from this, there are numerous governmental and university-funded scholarships for international students to study at universities in Switzerland. With the proper research and execution, you may easily fund your studies in Switzerland.
5. Look for Scholarships offered by your country
Scholarship options are also available in your home country, most of which are given by the government. You simply need to conduct extensive research for them on the government website and hope to uncover a golden opportunity among them.
6. Find Cheaper Accommodation
Accommodation prices in Switzerland vary depending on the area and kind of accommodation. A flat in Zurich can be found for $400-500 per month, whereas a comparable flat in Winterthur can cost nearly twice as much. Finding low-cost housing combined with scholarships and job options will reduce your financial strain.
7. Job Opportunities
During the semester, international students can work up to 15 hours per week part-time. They can even work full-time throughout the holidays. Students from outside the EU or EFTA may begin working six months after beginning their education.
8. Lowering the cost of living
Finally, even if you are accepted to a Swiss institution and locate reasonable housing, you will still have numerous extra living expenditures to contend with. There are several ways to cut these costs:
- Get passes for local transport.
- Shop during sales.
- Get student discount cards.
- Buy second-hand books or digital copies.
The greatest approach to lower your living expenses is to receive a scholarship, whether from a university, the government, or any other institution. You should also not pass up the opportunity to work while studying.
