Studying in Switzerland: EPFL, hospitality schools and costs

Academic excellence, teaching in French in French-speaking Switzerland, moderate university fees and some of the most renowned hospitality schools in the world: Switzerland has serious strengths for Tunisian students. On the other hand, the cost of living is high and the visa requires planning ahead. Here is how to study in Switzerland from Tunisia.

Why Switzerland?

• Top-level universities, regularly ranked among the best in Europe.

• French is an official language in French-speaking Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Valais, Jura).

• Moderate fees at public universities, even for foreign students.

• World-renowned hospitality schools, with company internships.

• International, safe and multilingual environment.

Types of institutions

Cantonal universities

Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel, Fribourg (bilingual French-German), but also Bern, Basel, Zurich (in German) and Ticino (in Italian). They offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in all disciplines.

The federal institutes of technology

• EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne), in French-speaking Switzerland, French-taught at bachelor's level and largely English-taught at master's level;

• ETH Zurich, German-taught at bachelor's level.

They are among the best engineering and science schools in the world.

Universities of applied sciences (HES)

More practical programmes in management, engineering, health, social work and design, with strong links to companies.

Hospitality schools

Switzerland has internationally renowned private hospitality schools offering bachelor's and master's degrees in hospitality management, often in English, with paid internships built into the programme. Their fees are considerably higher than at public universities.

Is the Tunisian baccalaureate enough?

Swiss universities set country-specific requirements. For the Tunisian baccalaureate, they may require:

• a minimum average in the baccalaureate;

• a specific baccalaureate stream depending on the field;

• language skills (French for French-speaking Switzerland);

• sometimes an additional admission exam or a successfully completed first year at university in Tunisia.

EPFL has its own high requirements and may require an admission exam depending on the diploma. Private hospitality schools generally admit on the basis of an application file and an interview.

Good news: many institutions offer conditional admission before the baccalaureate. So the application can start in the final year of secondary school.

Deadlines

There is no national timetable. For students who need a visa, universities often set a deadline in winter (frequently before mid-February) for the September intake. Private schools have admission sessions several times a year.

The student visa

The application is made to the Swiss representation and the canton of the institution. It includes in particular:

• the certificate of admission;

• proof of financial means for the year (a high amount, often blocked in an account);

• a motivation letter explaining your study plan;

• a commitment to leave Switzerland at the end of your studies;

• a CV and your diplomas.

Processing can take about three months: submit your application as soon as you are admitted.

How much does Switzerland cost?

• Public universities: fees for foreign students generally range from a few hundred to about 2,000 francs per semester, depending on the institution (some charge higher fees to foreigners).

• Private hospitality schools: several tens of thousands of francs per year, accommodation sometimes included.

• Cost of living: this is the main expense. Allow generally 1,800 to 2,500 francs per month for accommodation, food, compulsory health insurance and transport, more in Geneva and Zurich.

Working while studying

Foreign students can work part-time during semesters, within a weekly hour limit, and more during holidays, generally after a minimum period of residence. It is a supplement, not a way to fund all your studies.

Medicine in Switzerland

Note: medical studies are in practice closed to foreign students who are not resident in Switzerland. For a health-related project, look instead at Belgium or Italy.

Typical timeline for a September intake

1. September – December of the final year of secondary school: choosing institutions, checking the requirements for your baccalaureate stream, preparing documents.

2. December – February: applications (before the deadlines for students who need a visa, often in winter).

3. Spring: conditional admission, any additional exam.

4. June – July: passing the baccalaureate and confirming admission, submitting the visa application (about three months' processing).

5. August – September: accommodation, arrival, registration with the municipality and health insurance.

For private hospitality schools, the timeline is more flexible, with several intakes per year.

University or hospitality school: how to choose?

Documents to prepare

• baccalaureate transcripts and diploma, with translations if necessary;

• valid passport;

• detailed motivation letter explaining why you chose Switzerland;

• CV;

• proof of financial means, often in the form of a blocked account or a bank certificate;

• commitment to leave Switzerland after your studies;

• language certificate.

Reducing your budget in Switzerland

Choose a city that is cheaper than Geneva or Zurich (Fribourg, Neuchâtel or some cities in German-speaking Switzerland), aim for a room in a university residence and take advantage of student rates for transport and food.

How we support you

Worldwide Studies helps you choose between university, EPFL, HES and hospitality school, check the requirements for your baccalaureate, meet deadlines and put together a strong visa file. See our Study in Switzerland page.

👉 Fees and requirements vary by institution: talk to an advisor for a Switzerland plan suited to your profile and your budget.