🇨🇭 Switzerland • Study Guide for Indian Students
Study in Switzerland with TcollegeDayz
Switzerland is a mountainous central European country known for high living standards, stability, and strong education in business, hospitality, tourism, culinary arts and more. Many programs include an academic phase plus practical exposure. This guide covers entry requirements, English tests, documents, visa process & timelines, and FAQs.
High quality education & infrastructure
Part-time work allowed (rules vary)
Visa process involves interview (as applicable)
Important: Requirements can change by program/canton/school. Always verify the latest official guidance before filing.
Quick Facts about Switzerland
Overview
- Mountainous central European country with lakes, villages and the Alps.
- Known for political & economic stability, transparency and equality.
- World famous for Swiss watches and chocolates.
- Strong global reputation in hospitality education.
- Many study structures combine academic learning + practical exposure (program-specific).
Good Fit For
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Business & Management
- Culinary Arts
- Finance & Global Business
- International Studies
Popular Universities & Institutions (Examples)
Below are examples of institutions students commonly explore in Switzerland. Final shortlist depends on your profile, budget, intake and eligibility.
Examples from our Switzerland guide
- University of Zurich
- EU Business School (Switzerland)
- Glion Institute of Higher Education
- Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS)
- Geneva Business School
- International Institute in Geneva
- American Institute of Applied Sciences in Switzerland
- Culinary Arts Academy (CAA)
- Hotel & Tourism Management Institute (HTMi)
- Les Roches
- Swiss School of Business and Management (SSBM), Geneva
- Business & Hotel Management School (BHMS)
- Cesar Ritz
- EHL Hospitality Business School / EHL Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality
- Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM)
Note: This is a non-exhaustive list and not a ranking. We will shortlist based on your course goals.
Entry Requirements (Indicative)
Academic Requirements
- Bachelor’s: ~55%+ in Grade XII
- UG Diploma: ~55%+ in Grade XII
- PG Diploma: ~50%+ in tertiary qualification
- Master’s: ~50%+ in tertiary qualification
Entry requirements are indicative and may change by university/program.
English Proficiency (Indicative)
- UG Diploma / Bachelor’s: IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5) • TOEFL iBT 80 • PTE 57
- PG Diploma / Master’s: IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5) • TOEFL iBT 89 • PTE 59
Note: Home-based editions may not be accepted (as per this guide).
Documents Required for Applications
Mandatory Documents
- Academic documents
- CV
- Passport
Additional Documents (If Required)
- Letters of Recommendation / Referee details (unique, non-plagiarized)
- Work experience documents
- Statement of Purpose (unique, program-specific)
Work Rights & Post-Study Options (Guide Reference)
Part-time Work
- Part-time is allowed in Switzerland (rules vary by canton/program).
We’ll advise you based on your city, permit conditions and institution.
Post-Study Work
- This guide notes: no separate PSW visa; students may convert study status to work if they secure an internship followed by a job placement (case-based).
Always verify the latest official policy before planning your pathway.
Switzerland Student Visa Process (Guide Reference)
The visa process may involve document submission and interview (as applicable). This section is summarized from the Switzerland guide used for this page.
Visa Documents (Common)
- Valid passport
- Passport size photos
- Visa application forms
- Personal covering letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Acceptance / confirmation letter from the institution
- Proof of academic degrees
- Financial documents
Processing Time
- This guide references minimum ~8 weeks for the process (case-based).
- Embassy may request additional documents via school/cantonal authority.
Apply early to avoid intake delays.
Important (Guide Note): All documents should be submitted with the visa application. Avoid sending documents by fax/email unless officially requested.
FAQs (Q & A)
What are the minimum academic requirements for Switzerland?
This guide indicates: 55%+ in Grade XII for Bachelor’s/UG Diploma, and 50%+ in tertiary qualification for PG Diploma/Master’s. Exact requirements vary by university and course.
Which English tests are accepted and what scores are required?
IELTS, TOEFL iBT, and PTE Academic are commonly accepted. This guide indicates for UG/Bachelor’s: IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5), TOEFL iBT 80, PTE 57; for PG/Master’s: IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5), TOEFL iBT 89, PTE 59. Requirements can change by school/program.
Is part-time work allowed for international students in Switzerland?
Yes—part-time work is allowed (rules can vary by canton and institution). We will guide you based on your city and permit conditions.
Is there a Post-Study Work (PSW) visa in Switzerland?
This guide notes there is no separate PSW visa; students may convert to a work route if they secure an internship followed by a job placement (case-based). Always verify the latest official policy before planning.
How long does Switzerland student visa processing take?
This guide references a minimum of around 8 weeks, but timelines vary depending on case complexity and document checks.
What are the common application documents?
Mandatory documents typically include academic documents, CV, and passport. Additional documents may include LORs/referee details, work experience documents, and a course-specific SOP (unique and non-plagiarized).