Choosing to study in Switzerland can be an amazing and rewarding experience. The country is home to world-class universities and some of the most beautiful locations on the planet.
Living and studying abroad is an enriching cultural experience that builds language skills and international knowledge, on top of the qualifications you’ll gain from your chosen institution. It’s also a great way to make a personal statement, CV/resume or college or university application stand out amidst waves of candidates.
So why study abroad in Switzerland? Let’s find out what this beautiful country and the city of Zurich and can offer students academically and personally. We’ll look more closely at the benefits of studying in Switzerland and specifically Zurich.
Why study in Switzerland? 10 Amazing Reasons
What’s it like studying abroad in Switzerland and its largest city, Zurich? Here are some of the top things to know about this popular study destination.
- Obtain a World-Class Education
Switzerland is renowned for its world-class education. It’s home to twelve universities including the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and others.
Over 100 Nobel Prize-winning scientists are from Switzerland. The country is continuously ranked among the World’s top study-abroad destinations. It has a strong reputation for education, research, science, and technology, but other popular programs include degrees in tourism and hotel management, finance, international business, and law.
- Study in English, Learn German, French, and Italian
Many degrees offered in Switzerland, particularly at the Master’s or Doctorate levels, are offered in English. The Swiss themselves speak French, Italian, German, or Romansh, and English is very widely spoken. The country has regions where each of its native languages is more prevalent. According to Wikipedia, in 2020, 62.3% of the population were native speakers of Swiss German or Standard German. So if you are wondering ‘why study in Switzerland?’, becoming proficient in another language or two (or more!) could be a further advantage to add to your list.
- Experience Beautiful Switzerland
This study-abroad destination is naturally beautiful, with untouched landscapes, lakes, mountains, and a perfect combination of green panoramas, lush valleys, and blue skies. There are stunningly picturesque villages and towns as well as clean and historic but also modern cities. No matter your preference for exploring and the outdoors, Switzerland has something for everyone.
- Enjoy High Standards of Living
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ranks Switzerland above average in OECD countries for well-being, jobs, earnings, income and wealth, health status, social connections, environmental quality, education and skills, housing, personal security, and work-life balance. That’s quite an attractive combination and another of the great benefits of studying in Switzerland, even if you’re only planning to stay in the short term.
Switzerland’s cities are also highly organised with government services, transportation, and, of course, the education system reputed to run smoothly and efficiently. It is worth noting that costs of living are quite high, and some cities, like Zurich, can have high rents and limited student accommodation, so it’s important to plan ahead to study in Switzerland. If you plan to study in Zurich, prepare for one of the most expensive cities. Of course, this is balanced out by high-salary job opportunities – see point number 9!
- Live Healthily and Eat Well
You can expect a healthy lifestyle in Switzerland. Not only is there lots to do outdoors, but the Swiss generally consume healthy food. You might find fewer fast-food restaurants, as the Swiss like to prepare food at home. Of course, the country is known for chocolate and cheese, but it also has many other traditional foods popular with residents and tourists. It might be useful to know that many shops and malls close on Sunday, but restaurants are usually open.
- Study in the Heart of Europe
Switzerland is seen as the heart of Europe, and the city of Zurich is, too. The country borders no less than five other countries: Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Zurich is close to the Alps and by Zurich and wider Switzerland and well connected with other cities in Europe both by air and other means of transport. Studying in Switzerland can provide an excellent base from which to explore many other regions.
- Join Other International Students and Expats
Out of a population of nearly nine million, over two million residents aren’t Swiss. So, not only is the country geographically diverse, but it’s also culturally diverse and welcoming. Many residents are from other countries in Europe, and the most diverse areas are the Lake Geneva region and Zurich itself. Switzerland and Zurich host thousands of international students attracted to its highly-ranked universities. No matter which university in Switzerland you choose, there’ll be the opportunity to get to know a diverse and inclusive community and to gain new cultural experiences.
- Switzerland has High Employment Rates After Graduation
One recent survey puts 93% of Swiss higher education graduates employed in a job that matches the skills they studied. University of Zurich (UZH) graduates are sought after and paid commensurate salaries.
The average UZH graduate earns around 60% more than the average Swiss worker. It is worth noting that around 10% to 15% of non-EU international graduates work in Switzerland after studying, though work permits can be difficult to obtain for non-EU students. However, the Swiss parliament hopes to make it easier for international students to stay due to the country’s talent shortage. The country’s universities are ranked highly with four appearing in the top 300 of QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022 and ETH Zurich 22nd in this list.
- It’s a Country with High Salaries and Low Unemployment
The average salary in Switzerland for all workers, not just graduates, is around $67,000 USD per the OECD in 2021, putting it among the highest-paying countries in the world. Another estimation by Talent.com says a new graduate could earn as much as $200,000, but it’s crucial to remember the high cost of living in the country.
Switzerland has a thriving services sector. It’s home to the second-largest location of the United Nations, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), and companies such as Novartis, UBS, and Nestle, as well as hubs with leading names in technology and many innovative startups. Switzerland has a low population and a low unemployment rate.
- Zurich – An Experience
The last of our reasons to study in Switzerland is Zurich itself. So what are the benefits of studying in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city?
Zurich is both beautiful and affluent, picturesque, and a centre for technology and finance. It boasts the highly ranked ETH—Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, the University of Zurich, the Zurich University of the Arts, the University of Applied Sciences Zurich, and the Swiss Finance Institute.
Graduates from Zurich universities are in demand around the world, and Zurich has numerous international corporations. The institutions are well-equipped with labs and technology, libraries, gyms, restaurants, and many other student comforts. When you’re not studying in Zurich, free time can be spent exploring the city with its lake, river, culture and music events, stunning surroundings, and nature, or other cities and parts of Europe.
That’s our ten incredible reasons why study abroad in Switzerland including the benefits of studying in Zurich itself.
There are many benefits to be had with studying abroad. Discover the opportunity of studying abroad at one of our international summer schools held in a number of different locations across the globe.
Sources:
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