Swiss Universities - Application & Admission

Since 2001-2002, the universities in Switzerland have been instituting reforms in degree programs in accordance with the Bologna Declaration. This is a two-cycle (undergraduate/postgraduate) system and qualifications structure: 

• Bachelor's degree - Comprises of 3 years of full-time study
• Master's degree - Comprises of 1.5-2 years of full-time study beyond the Bachelor's degree. Access to a Master's degree program requires the successful completion of the Bachelor's degree.
• After Master's - Access to doctoral level studies (dissertation) requires successful completion of a Master's degree with good grades.
• Master of Advanced Studies - The universities also offer an additional post-graduate degree called Master of Advanced Studies. The MAS does not give access to doctoral level programs.

As the implementation of the Bologna reforms is not yet complete in Switzerland, academic degrees following the older system are still being awarded. In the older system, students are awarded the Licentiate or Diploma after completion of 4-5 years of full-time studies. Completion of a Licentiate/Diploma with good grades gives the holder access to doctoral level studies.

Admission to a Bachelor's Program

The decision concerning admission to a course of studies rests with the individual institution. The basicadmission requirement is a Swiss secondary high-school-leaving certificate (Matura, Maturit?, Maturit?) or a foreign secondary high-school-leaving certificate considered equivalent. Students not holding fully recognized certificates qualifying for university entrance may be required to take a university entrance exam.

Admission to a Master's Program

The prerequisite for access to a Master's program is a successfully completed Bachelor's level program. Each university makes its own decisions as to whether a foreign Bachelor's degree can give the holder access to Master's programs, and what are the conditions, if any (entrance examinations, further requirements). 

Admission to a Doctoral Program

To be eligible for a PhD program at a Swiss university, applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent from a recognised or accredited university. As conditions vary among universities, interested students should check the admission requirements of their prospective university.