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Switzerland Universities Application Deadlines Overview
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Switzerland Universities Application Deadline 2025

Switzerland Universities Application Deadline 2025

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Stay updated with Switzerland university application deadlines for 2025. Find key dates for bachelor's and master's programs, along with tips to enhance your application.

GyanDhan
Diwakar Kumar Singh
Updated on:  28 Jan 2025  | Reviewed By:  Aman  | 14.9K | 22  min read

Switzerland has always been one of the top destinations for education. Students from various countries, including India, pursue higher education in Switzerland. The reasons why Switzerland is one of the favourite study-abroad destinations are as follows:

 

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    World-class education
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    Switzerland is one of the best travel destinations because of its stunning beauty and eye-catching landscapes
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    Great quality of life with high living standards
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    Switzerland university intakes are flexible, making it easier for students to plan their studies.
 

There are 12 public-funded universities and many private universities for applied sciences and higher education. If you are planning to apply to Swiss universities for the year 2025-2026 academic year, it is very important to know the Switzerland university application deadline 2025 and Switzerland intake for international students.

Highlights:

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    Admission to Switzerland universities takes place in 2 intakes - primary and secondary
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    Primary intake (Fall intake): Sessions start in September with applications opening in November of the previous year and deadlines ranging from January to May
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    Secondary intake (Spring intake): Sessions start in February with applications opening in July and deadlines between October and December. 
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    The choice of courses and universities varies in both intakes.
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    Primary intake or the fall intake has comparatively more course options and university openings as compared to the secondary intake or the spring intake.
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    Students must check with the individual university websites for specific dates and requirements.
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Admission Intakes in Switzerland Universities

Let us understand the admission intakes and information about Switzerland universities:

Aspect Description

Number of universities

12 public and multiple private universities

Number of semesters 

2

Intakes Name

September intake (also called Fall intake)

February intake (also called Spring intake)

General Deadline and start of September intake

Application deadline: February to April

Class commences: September / October 

General Deadline and start of February intake

Application deadline: September to November
Class commences: February / March

Application Fees

CHF 50 to CHF 150

 

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Overview of University Intake in Switzerland Universities

From the table below, we can understand the various courses offered and the popular universities offering admission for various intakes that is Fall and Spring:

Intake Program Starting Month Courses Offered Popular Universities Offering Admission

Fall

September

Engineering, Business, Hospitality, Law, IT, Medicine

ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, EPFL, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne

Spring

February

Business, Economics, Sciences, Engineering

University of Zurich, University of Basel, EPFL, University of Geneva

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List of Top Switzerland Universities

Below is the list of top Switzerland universities with ranks, intakes and courses offered.

Rank University Name Intakes Courses Offered

1

ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute)

Fall, Spring

Engineering, Technology, Sciences

2

EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale Lausanne)

Fall, Spring

Engineering, Technology, Innovation

3

University of Zurich

Fall, Spring

Humanities, Business, Law, Sciences

4

University of Geneva

Fall, Spring

International Relations, Sciences, Law

5

University of Lausanne

Fall, Spring

Life Sciences, Business, Medicine

6

University of Basel

Fall, Spring

Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences

7

University of Bern

Fall, Spring

Medicine, Sciences, Law

8

University of St. Gallen (HSG)

Fall, Spring

Business, Economics, International Management

9

University of Fribourg

Fall, Spring

Humanities, Theology, Sciences

10

Lucerne University of Applied Sciences

Fall, Spring

Business, Engineering, Social Work

11

Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)

Fall, Spring

IT, Business, Applied Sciences

12

University of Neuchâtel

Fall, Spring

Law, Economics, Humanities

13

Geneva School of Business Administration

Fall, Spring

Business, Finance, Management

14

FHNW (University of Applied Sciences)

Fall, Spring

Engineering, Business, Social Work

15

University of Lugano (USI)

Fall, Spring

Informatics, Communication, Architecture

16

Bern University of Applied Sciences

Fall, Spring

Business, Engineering, Health

17

EHL Hospitality Business School

Fall, Spring

Hospitality Management, Business

18

Les Roches Global Hospitality

Fall, Spring

Hospitality, Tourism

19

Glion Institute of Higher Education

Fall, Spring

Hospitality, Business

20

University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland

Fall, Spring

Applied Sciences, IT

 

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Switzerland University Application Deadline 2025-2026

Let us understand Switzerland university application deadlines and stages for 2025-2026.

 

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    Fall Intake (September): This is the primary intake and offers the widest range of programs, but also very competitive due to many candidates applying for this intake.
 
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    Spring Intake (February): This is the second intake and offers limited courses and programs for masters and specialised courses.
 
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    The September intake is the best choice if you want more options for programs and universities. The February intake is better if you need more time to prepare or if you want to target specific postgraduate programs.
Stage Fall Intake 2025 Spring Intake 2026

Applications Open

November 2024

July 2025

Early Deadlines

January 2025

August 2025

General Deadlines

Feb to April 2025

September to November

Offer Letters Released

May to July 2025

November to December 2025

Visa Applications

June to August 2025

December 2025 to January 2026

Application Process for Switzerland University Programs:

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    The first step is to check, compare, and research programs and universities that suit your requirements and their eligibility criteria.
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    Then you have to apply directly through the university portal (Switzerland does not have a centralized system).
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    Upload required documents like high school certificates, mark sheets, proof of English language proficiency (IELTS / TOEFL test scores) and SOP (Statement of purpose).
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    You may also have to attend any interviews or tests if required for your program.
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    Receive your admission letter and apply for a visa. Do not delay in applying for a visa once you receive your admission letter.
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Application Deadlines & Timeline for September Intake 2025

The September intake is the most popular because of the following reasons:

 

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    The highest number of students are admitted during this intake.
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    Many courses and programs open up during this intake.
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    Competition is also very tough during this intake.
 

Let us understand the application process, deadlines and timeline for the September intake from the table below:

Month Step Action Recommended

August 2024

Research Universities and Courses

Start by looking for the preferred university and courses.

Check for eligibility criteria, tuition fees, scholarships and more.

September 2024

Appear for the Standardized Tests

Register and appear for required tests like TOEFL/IELTS/PTE.

October 2024

Collect Important Documents including LOR and other important Transcripts

Request Letter of Recommendation (LOR) 

Start writing your statement of Purpose (SOP)

November 2024

Applications Open

Start preparing your documents and research programs and their eligibility criteria

January 2025

Early Deadlines

For highly competitive programs like Medicine, Business, and Engineering

April to May 2025

General Deadlines

Final submission deadline for most programs.

February to June 2025

Interview/Assessment Rounds

Required for some programs, including Arts, Hospitality, and MBA.

May to July 2025

Offer Letters Released

Applicants are informed of the decisions taken by their respective universities.

June to August 2025

Visa Applications

Apply for a student visa immediately after receiving your offer letter.

September 2025

Classes Begin

The academic year begins in early September.

Application Process:

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    Apply directly through the university portal with all the required documents.
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    For competitive programs, you may have to face additional assessments like interviews or entrance exams, so prepare for them accordingly.
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    Upload necessary documents (transcripts, SOP, recommendation letters).
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    Accept offers and start the visa process immediately.
 

Scholarships

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Application Deadlines & Timeline for February Intake 2025

The February intake is very less competitive as only Master’s and few specialised programs open up and the number of applicants is also low as compared to the Fall intake. Let us understand the application process, Switzerland intakes and the timeline for the February intake from the table below:

Month Step Action Recommended

April 2024

Research Universities and Courses

Start by looking for the preferred university and courses.

Check for eligibility criteria, tuition fees, scholarships and more.

May 2024

Appear for the Standardized Tests

Register and appear for required tests like TOEFL/IELTS/PTE.

June 2024

Collect Important Documents including LOR and other important Transcripts

Request Letter of Recommendation (LOR) 

Start writing your statement of Purpose (SOP)

July 2025

Applications Open

Start preparing your documents and research programs and their eligibility criteria

August 2025

Early Deadlines

For highly competitive programs like Medicine, Business, and Engineering

October 2025

General Deadlines

Final submission deadline for most programs.

November 2025

Interview/Assessment Rounds

Required for some programs, including Arts, Hospitality, and MBA.

November to December 2025

Offer Letters Released

Applicants are informed of the decisions taken by their respective universities.

December to January 2026

Visa Applications

Apply for a student visa immediately after receiving your offer letter.

February 2026

Classes Begin

The academic year begins in early September.

Application Process:

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    Apply directly through the university portal with all the required documents.
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    For competitive programs, you may have to face additional assessments like interviews or entrance exams, so prepare for them accordingly.
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    Upload necessary documents (transcripts, SOP, recommendation letters).
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    Accept offers and start the visa process immediately.
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Additional Information for International Students

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    Visa Requirements: Proof of funds (bank statement, financial records), health insurance, and English proficiency tests (IELTS / TOEFL) scores are required.
 
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    Living Expenses: Average costs are around 1,200-2,000 CHF per month, depending on the city.
 
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    Work Opportunities: International students can work part-time for up to 15 hours a week during the semester.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Following are some of the mistakes that can be avoided to secure your seat in your desired university:

 

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    Missing Deadlines: Swiss universities stick strictly to deadlines. Do not wait for the last date, apply as early as possible once the intake process starts.
 
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    Overlooking Language Requirements: Programs in Switzerland may require English, French, or German proficiency depending on the region. Make sure you are ready with your language test scorecards.
 
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    Incomplete Applications: Missing a single document can delay or reject your application.
 
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    Ignoring Visa Timelines: Visa processing can take up to 2-3 months, so start as soon as you receive your admission letter.
 
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    High living costs: Please note that tuition fees are reasonable but living expenses are high, so you need to have a budget plan ready with you.
 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do Swiss universities accept late applications?
 

Yes, some universities do accept late applications but only if seats are available. That is why, it is advised not to wait for the last date and apply as early as possible.

Are English-taught programs available in Switzerland?
 

Yes, most of the Master’s programs and some of the Bachelor’s programs are offered in English. Please do proper research before applying.

What are the language requirements?
 

English, French, German, or Italian are the languages that universities usually accept, however, this entirely depends on the region.

How competitive is admission to Switzerland universities?
 

Yes, admission to top universities like ETH Zurich and EPFL is very competitive, especially for international students.

Can I apply for scholarships for Switzerland universities?
 

Yes, Switzerland universities and government programs offer scholarships for international students based on merit and need. You can check scholarships here.

Can I work part-time while studying in Switzerland?
 

Yes, students can work up to 15 hours per week during the semester and full-time during breaks.

How long does a Swiss student visa take to process?
 

Visa processing usually takes between 8 to 12 weeks, so apply as soon as you receive your admission letter.

Is health insurance mandatory?
 

Yes, all international students must have valid health insurance during their stay in Switzerland.

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