Arrive in Switzerland and settle into your accommodation. Depending on arrival time, enjoy an introductory orientation to the destination, including information about the local area, transportation and the general structure of the week.

The day provides an opportunity to become familiar with the Swiss environment before beginning the education and cultural activities.

Begin the academic component of the experience with an introduction to the Swiss education landscape. Learn about the broad range of study pathways that international students may explore, including undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and short-course options.

The orientation can also cover factors to consider when comparing potential study options, such as academic level, language, location, admission requirements and program suitability.

Explore the surrounding city and discover what everyday life can be like for an international student in Switzerland. Visit key city areas and experience the local atmosphere while learning about transportation, shopping, food, leisure and cultural activities.

The day combines practical orientation with sightseeing, helping participants understand the relationship between study, work-life balance and everyday living.

Continue exploring the educational and lifestyle environment. Students can consider what makes a particular Swiss city suitable for their personal and academic interests, including access to services, transportation, cultural activities and potential study environments.

Optional institutional visits may be arranged depending on availability and the selected program. Any specific visit should be confirmed separately before travel.

Experience more of Swiss culture through local sightseeing and cultural exploration. Depending on the selected itinerary and location, the day may include visits to notable areas, historic surroundings, scenic locations or cultural attractions.

This provides students with a broader understanding of the country beyond the classroom and helps them experience the environment in which they may potentially live.

Focus on practical considerations for living and studying in Switzerland. Discuss areas such as accommodation, transportation, daily expenses, languages, insurance, study materials and personal budgeting.

Students can also review their education interests and identify the information they may need when progressing toward an application.

Conclude the experience with a final review of the journey and the student's areas of interest. Discuss possible next steps, including further research into suitable programs, education requirements and future travel planning.

Depart Switzerland with a clearer understanding of the country, its lifestyle and the study opportunities that may be relevant to your goals.

For international students, Switzerland can provide an environment with strong international connections, multiple languages and access to a diverse range of education pathways. The country's higher-education landscape includes different types of institutions and programmes, meaning that students should research individual programmes carefully rather than assuming that requirements are the same across Switzerland.

The country's multilingual character is another important consideration. German, French, Italian and Romansh are Switzerland's national languages, while individual programmes may be taught in one of these languages or in English. Language expectations therefore depend on the institution and programme.

Switzerland's location in Europe also makes it an interesting destination for students who want to experience life in a highly connected European country. Its public transportation network provides extensive connections by train, bus and boat, making travel between cities and regions practical for residents and visitors.

Most importantly, students should assess Switzerland based on their own academic objectives, budget, preferred language, programme requirements and long-term plans.

Education Opportunities

International students may explore a range of education options in Switzerland, depending on their academic background and objectives. These can include:

• Bachelor's degree programmes
• Master's degree programmes
• MBA and postgraduate programmes
• PhD and research opportunities
• Diplomas and continuing education
• Short courses
• Professional and specialised programmes
• Other recognised study and training opportunities

The availability of programmes, admission criteria, language requirements and tuition fees varies between institutions and programmes. swissuniversities provides programme information and notes that its study programmes platform lists programmes offered by accredited Swiss universities.

International qualifications may also require specific assessment or recognition depending on the institution and level of study. Admission requirements can vary according to the applicant's previous education and nationality. swissuniversities publishes country-specific admission information for the 2026/27 academic year.

Students should therefore confirm requirements directly with the relevant institution before making an application.

Student Life in Switzerland

Student life in Switzerland can involve a combination of academic study, independent living, cultural activities and everyday experiences in a multilingual society.

Accommodation

Students should investigate accommodation options well before their intended study period. Depending on the city and institution, options may include student residences, shared accommodation, private rentals or other arrangements. Availability and costs vary considerably, so accommodation should be considered as part of the overall study-planning process.

Transportation

Public transportation is an important part of daily life in Switzerland. The Swiss public transport network connects cities and regions by train, bus and boat, providing students with practical options for commuting and exploring the country.

Food & Lifestyle

Students can experience Swiss cuisine alongside international food options in the country's larger urban areas. Shopping, cafés, museums, outdoor activities and cultural events can all form part of life outside the classroom.

Languages

The language environment depends on the region. Students should check the teaching language of their intended programme and consider whether additional language skills will be useful for daily life.

Social Life & Leisure

Switzerland offers a wide variety of cultural and outdoor experiences. Students may spend free time exploring cities, visiting museums, enjoying lakes and mountain landscapes or participating in local activities.

Zurich

Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and an important international urban centre. It offers a highly developed city environment with extensive transportation connections, cultural activities and a diverse international population.

Geneva

Geneva provides an international and multilingual setting in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Its global outlook and location near Lake Geneva make it an interesting city for students considering an international lifestyle.

Lausanne

Lausanne is located on Lake Geneva and offers a compact urban environment with a strong student presence. Its French-speaking setting makes language considerations particularly relevant for prospective students.

Bern

Bern, Switzerland's federal city, provides a more relaxed urban atmosphere while still offering access to cultural, administrative and educational environments.

Basel

Located in northwestern Switzerland near the borders with France and Germany, Basel offers an international setting and convenient cross-border connections. Its location can appeal to students interested in experiencing different parts of the region.

Lucerne

Lucerne combines a scenic lakeside setting with a compact city environment. It can provide a valuable introduction to Swiss lifestyle and culture for students who want to experience more than a major metropolitan centre.

Cost of Living

The cost of studying in Switzerland depends on the city, institution, programme and personal lifestyle. Students should create a realistic budget covering:

• Accommodation
• Food and groceries
• Local transportation
• Health insurance
• Study materials and equipment
• Personal expenses
• Mobile and communication costs
• Leisure and social activities
• Travel within Switzerland
• Other administrative or education-related expenses

Tuition fees also vary by institution and student status. For example, swissuniversities publishes separate tuition-fee information for Swiss and foreign students and notes that the applicable information from each institution is decisive.

Because costs can change and individual circumstances differ, prospective students should obtain current figures directly from their chosen institution and relevant Swiss authorities.

International students should investigate Swiss entry and residence requirements well before travelling.

Whether a visa is required depends on nationality, the purpose and duration of the stay and other individual circumstances. Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration provides nationality-specific information on visa and entry requirements.

For longer stays, different procedures may apply than for short visits. Swiss authorities distinguish between short-term Schengen visas and national procedures for longer stays where applicable.

Visa and immigration requirements vary by nationality and individual circumstances. Students should confirm the latest requirements with the relevant Swiss authorities before travelling.

GlobalLink Suisse can help students understand the practical planning considerations surrounding their journey, but official visa and immigration decisions remain the responsibility of the relevant Swiss authorities.

Who This Experience Is For

This seven-day experience may be suitable for:

• Prospective international students
• Parents exploring Swiss education options
• Students considering Bachelor's programmes
• Students considering Master's or postgraduate education
• Students interested in short courses or professional education
• Students comparing different Swiss cities
• Students who want to experience Switzerland before making a study decision

The experience can be particularly useful for students who want to combine education research with a first-hand introduction to Swiss culture and everyday life.

GlobalLink Suisse provides an opportunity for prospective international students to combine education exploration with a professionally organised Switzerland travel experience. Rather than considering education options entirely from a distance, students and families can use the seven-day orientation to gain a practical sense of Swiss cities, lifestyle, transportation and cultural environment.

The experience can also help students organise the questions they need to answer before making an education decision. These may include the preferred level of study, academic interests, location, language, intended study period, accommodation requirements and travel arrangements.

GlobalLink Suisse can assist with planning the travel experience and discussing education interests, while recognising that admission decisions, programme requirements, tuition policies and immigration decisions remain with the relevant institutions and Swiss authorities.

Practical Information for International Students

Passport Requirements

Travellers should ensure that they have a valid passport or recognised travel document appropriate for their nationality and intended travel. Exact requirements should be confirmed through official Swiss sources before departure.

Visa Considerations

Visa requirements depend on nationality and circumstances. Students should determine whether they require a visa or other authorisation before confirming their travel arrangements.

Currency

Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (CHF). Students should plan for currency exchange, banking and payment arrangements before travelling.

Languages

Switzerland has several national languages, with German, French and Italian being particularly relevant depending on the region. The language used for a particular study programme must be confirmed with the institution.

Transportation

Switzerland has an extensive public transportation network covering trains, buses and boats. Students should become familiar with local transportation options during their orientation.

Weather

Switzerland experiences distinct seasons. Students should consider the season of travel when preparing clothing and planning outdoor activities.

Accommodation

Accommodation should be researched early, particularly when planning a longer study period. Students should compare location, availability, facilities and total costs before committing.

What to Pack

Pack according to the season and itinerary. Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, travel documents, personal medication where applicable, charging equipment and essential personal items are useful considerations.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance should be considered for the journey. Visa applicants may also have specific insurance requirements depending on their circumstances; students should check the applicable official requirements before travelling.

Why should international students study in Switzerland?

Switzerland offers a multilingual and international environment, diverse education pathways and a distinctive European lifestyle. Students should assess individual institutions and programmes according to their academic and personal objectives.

How can international students study in Switzerland?

The process generally involves identifying suitable programmes, checking academic and language requirements, preparing the required documents, applying to the relevant institution and then addressing any applicable visa or residence requirements.

What types of courses can international students take in Switzerland?

Depending on the institution, international students may explore Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, PhD, diploma, professional, short-course and other recognised study opportunities.

How much does it cost to live in Switzerland as a student?

Living costs vary significantly by city, accommodation type and lifestyle. Students should budget for accommodation, food, transportation, insurance, study materials and personal expenses rather than relying on a single national figure.

Planning to explore study in Switzerland opportunities? Contact GlobalLink Suisse to discuss your individual requirements before arranging your journey.

When making an enquiry, it is useful to provide:

• Preferred course or education level
• Academic or professional interests
• Intended study period
• Preferred Swiss city or region
• Proposed travel dates
• Accommodation preferences
• Student support requirements
• Any particular education questions you would like to explore

This information can help GlobalLink Suisse understand your objectives and discuss suitable travel and orientation arrangements.

Call to Action

Thinking about studying in Switzerland? Contact GlobalLink Suisse to explore your education interests, travel plans and the next steps for your Swiss experience.

Your seven-day orientation can be the beginning of a more informed study journey—helping you experience Switzerland, understand the practical realities of student life and prepare the right questions before pursuing an education opportunity.

• info@globalinksuisse.com
• +41 79 504 36 45