English Programs in Switzerland 2026: Complete List of English-Taught Degrees for Indian Students

🕑 6 min read

Switzerland isn’t just chocolate and mountains—it’s home to some of the world’s best universities, many offering English-taught programs. With ETH Zurich ranked #7 globally and EPFL in the top 15, Swiss universities offer world-class education. The good news for Indian students: over 40% of Swiss Master’s programs are taught entirely in English.

In 14+ years of guiding students to study in Switzerland, we’ve seen the English program landscape expand significantly. This comprehensive guide lists the best English-taught programs at Swiss universities—from engineering to business to life sciences.

Top Swiss Universities with English Programs

1. ETH Zurich (#7 World Ranking)

Switzerland’s premier technical university offers extensive English-taught Master’s programs:

Department	English Master’s Programs
Computer Science	MSc Computer Science, MSc Data Science, MSc Cyber Security
Engineering	MSc Mechanical Engineering, MSc Electrical Engineering, MSc Robotics
Natural Sciences	MSc Physics, MSc Chemistry, MSc Biology
Life Sciences	MSc Biotechnology, MSc Food Science, MSc Health Sciences
Management	MSc Management, Technology and Economics (MTEC)
Architecture	MSc Architecture (English track available)

ETH Zurich Quick Facts:

• Tuition: CHF 730/semester (~₹67,000/year)
• English Requirement: IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 100
• Duration: 1.5-2 years (90-120 ECTS)
• Acceptance Rate: ~19-27% (competitive)

2. EPFL Lausanne (#14 World Ranking)

Europe’s most cosmopolitan technical university—50% international students:

Faculty	English Master’s Programs
Computer & Communication	MSc Computer Science, MSc Data Science, MSc Computational Science
Engineering	MSc Mechanical Engineering, MSc Electrical Engineering, MSc Materials
Life Sciences	MSc Life Sciences Engineering, MSc Bioengineering, MSc Neuroscience
Technology Management	MSc Management of Technology, MSc Financial Engineering
Architecture	MSc Architecture (English instruction)

EPFL Quick Facts:

• Tuition: CHF 730/semester (~₹67,000/year)
• English Requirement: IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 92
• Campus: Beautiful lakeside location in Lausanne
• International: 50%+ students from abroad

3. University of St. Gallen (HSG) – #4 in Europe for Business

Switzerland’s premier business university:

Program	Duration	Language
Master in Strategy & International Management	18 months	English ✅
Master in Banking & Finance	18 months	English ✅
Master in Quantitative Economics & Finance	18 months	English ✅
Master in Marketing Management	18 months	English ✅
MBA	12 months	English ✅

HSG Quick Facts:

• Tuition: CHF 3,326/semester (~₹3 lakh/year) for non-Swiss
• FT Ranking: #1 in Switzerland, #4 in Europe for Management
• Entry: Highly competitive (GMAT/GRE required)

4. University of Basel (#131 World Ranking)

Switzerland’s oldest university (founded 1460) with growing English offerings:

• MSc Epidemiology – English
• MSc Infection Biology – English
• MSc Nanosciences – English
• MSc Molecular Biology – English
• MSc Drug Sciences – English
• Various PhD programs – English

Basel Quick Facts:

• Tuition: CHF 850/semester (~₹78,000/year)
• Strength: Life sciences, pharmaceutical research
• Location: Border city (Germany, France nearby)

English Bachelor’s Programs (Limited Options)

English undergraduate programs at public Swiss universities are rare. Options include:

At Public Universities:

• USI Lugano: Bachelor in Economics (English track)
• University of Fribourg: Some bilingual programs
• Most other public Bachelor’s require German or French

At Private Institutions:

• Les Roches: Bachelor of International Hospitality Management
• Glion Institute: Bachelor in Hospitality Business
• Swiss Hotel Management School: Various hospitality degrees
• Geneva Business School: BBA programs
• EU Business School: Bachelor’s in Business

Note: Private institutions charge significantly higher fees (CHF 20,000-40,000/year vs CHF 1,500/year at public universities).

English PhD Programs

Most doctoral research in Switzerland is conducted in English:

• ETH Zurich: All PhD programs accommodate English research
• EPFL: English is the primary research language
• University of Basel: Strong English PhD programs in life sciences
• University of Zurich: Many PhD programs in English
• Funding: Most PhD positions are salaried (CHF 47,000-50,000/year)

Admission Requirements for English Programs

Requirement	ETH/EPFL	Other Universities
Bachelor’s Degree	Related field, strong grades	Related field
IELTS	7.0 overall	6.0-7.0
TOEFL iBT	100	80-100
GRE	Some programs (recommended)	Rarely required
GMAT	Business programs	Business programs

Cost Comparison: English Programs

University	Tuition/Year	In ₹ INR	Notes
ETH Zurich	CHF 1,460	₹1.35L	#7 globally
EPFL	CHF 1,460	₹1.35L	#14 globally
University of Basel	CHF 1,700	₹1.57L	#131 globally
University of St. Gallen	CHF 6,652	₹6.1L	#4 Europe (Business)
Imperial College UK (comparison)	£37,000+	₹38L+	Similar ranking

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I study in Switzerland entirely in English?

Yes, at the Master’s and PhD levels. Over 40% of Swiss Master’s programs are taught entirely in English. ETH Zurich alone offers 60+ English-taught Master’s programs. Bachelor’s options in English are limited to private universities and a few public exceptions.

Which Swiss university has the most English programs?

ETH Zurich leads with 60+ English-taught Master’s programs, followed by EPFL with most Master’s in English. University of St. Gallen offers extensive English business programs. For life sciences, University of Basel has strong English Master’s and PhD options.

What IELTS score is required for Swiss universities?

ETH Zurich and EPFL require IELTS 7.0 overall (or TOEFL 100). Other Swiss universities typically accept IELTS 6.0-6.5 (or TOEFL 80-90). University of St. Gallen business programs require IELTS 7.0. Always check specific program requirements.

Is it worth studying in Switzerland for English programs?

Absolutely. You get world top-15 education (ETH #7, EPFL #14) for CHF 1,460/year tuition. Compare to £30,000-40,000 at similarly ranked UK universities. The main consideration is high living costs (CHF 1,800-2,500/month), partially offset by part-time work rights.

Can I work while studying English programs in Switzerland?

Yes. International students can work 15 hours/week during semester and full-time during breaks. Student jobs pay CHF 20-30/hour. This can cover 30-50% of living expenses. English is sufficient for many student jobs in tech and research environments.

Do I need German for English programs?

No, not for academics. Your courses, exams, and thesis will be in English. However, basic German (A1-B1) helps significantly for daily life, part-time jobs, and integration. Many students learn German while studying—universities offer free or subsidized language courses.

What are the admission deadlines for English programs?

ETH Zurich: November-December for following autumn (some programs until March). EPFL: December 15 – April 15 for autumn semester. Other universities vary—typically 6 months before semester start. Apply early for competitive programs.

Conclusion

Switzerland offers exceptional English-taught programs at world-class universities for remarkably low tuition. ETH Zurich and EPFL provide education ranked alongside MIT and Cambridge—for under ₹1.5 lakh annual tuition. The challenge isn’t language; it’s high living costs and competitive admissions.

For Indian students with strong Bachelor’s degrees and IELTS 7.0+, Swiss English programs represent outstanding value. Focus on building a competitive profile: excellent grades, relevant projects, strong English scores, and compelling applications.

At Kadamb Overseas, we’ve guided students to ETH, EPFL, and other Swiss universities with our 97% visa success rate. Let us help you access world-class education in Switzerland.