SWITZERLAND · BASEL
University of Basel
public · Founded 1460 · Languages: German, English
In short
The University of Basel, founded in 1460 and ranked #158 globally, offers a respected academic environment in a prime European location. It boasts historically low tuition fees and is situated in a dynamic life-sciences hub.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1460
- Students
- 12,896
- International students
- 4,200
- Acceptance rate
- 65%
- Tuition (intl)
- €2–3k/yr
- Languages
- GERMAN, ENGLISH
- Location
- Basel, Switzerland
The University of Basel, founded in 1460, is Switzerland's oldest university and one of the world's most storied research institutions. Located in Basel — at the nexus of Switzerland, Germany, and France — it offers seven faculties spanning theology, law, medicine, humanities, natural sciences, psychology, and business. With around 12,900 students and QS world ranking #158 (2024), it combines a compact, personal academic atmosphere with access to one of Europe's most dynamic life-sciences ecosystems.
Why study here
- Switzerland's oldest and one of the world's most respected universities — founded 1460, QS #158 globally
- Prime location in Basel's life-sciences hub, home to Novartis, Roche, and hundreds of biotech firms offering unmatched research and internship opportunities
- Trilingual, cross-border setting (Switzerland, Germany, France) with genuine European cosmopolitan atmosphere
- Historically low tuition fees — Swiss universities charge among the lowest fees in the world for their calibre
- Research-intensive environment with CHF 270 million+ in third-party research funding annually
Student life
Basel is a compact, culturally rich city renowned for Art Basel, the world's leading contemporary art fair, and a vibrant gallery and museum scene. The university's campus is integrated into the city's fabric, making it easy to combine academic life with the city's cafés, Rhine promenades, and cross-border excursions to Germany and France. Student housing, sports facilities, and a comprehensive range of cultural and social events are available through the Studentenwerk Basel.
Fees
InternationalCHF 1,720/year (~€1,750) for most programmes — one of the lowest fees in Europe for a top-160 global university. Some master's programmes carry programme-specific fees (e.g. Executive MBA, MAS programmes) that are significantly higher.
HomeSwiss/EU students pay the same flat semester fee of approximately CHF 860/semester (~€875). There is no differential tuition for domestic vs. international students in most programmes.
LivingEstimated CHF 2,000–€2,500/month in Basel for accommodation, food, health insurance, transport, and personal expenses. Switzerland's cost of living is high; budget carefully.
Health insurance is mandatory in Switzerland and is a significant cost (~CHF 300–400/month). The Studentenwerk offers subsidised canteen meals and limited student housing. External accommodation is available but competitive; apply early.
Admissions
Bachelor'sSwiss Matura or recognised equivalent; subject-specific requirements vary by faculty. Medicine has a numerus clausus; some programmes require entrance tests.
Master'sBachelor's degree with 180 ECTS from a recognised university; minimum GPA of 5.0/6.0 for degrees from Swiss universities of applied sciences; programme-specific prerequisites apply
DoctoralMaster's degree or equivalent; supervisor agreement required; application via the relevant faculty
IELTS6.5 for English-taught master's programmes
TOEFL iBT90
German (DSH or TestDaF)DSH-2 or TestDaF 4 for German-taught programmes
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2024158
THE World University Rankings 2024151–175
ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) 2023151–200
National Swiss ranking (approximate)5
University scholarships
Biozentrum MSc Physics of Life ScholarshipCHF 25,000 over three semesters for outstanding international applicants
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (ESKAS)Full stipend + tuition waiver for postgraduate researchers from select countries
University of Basel Mobility ScholarshipsCHF 1,500–3,000 for exchange and visiting students
Accreditation
Accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Council (SAC) under the Higher Education Act (HEdA). Member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and the Coimbra Group.
Programs
a selectionUniversity of Basel · Switzerland
BSc Geosciences
The Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Geosciences at the University of Basel offers a comprehensive study of the Earth system, exploring the interconnectedness of its components: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. This program emphasizes understanding the complex interactions within these spheres and how human activities influence them. You will develop a holistic perspective, combining natural science methodologies with social science approaches to tackle environmental challenges. The curriculum is designed with a strong practical focus, integrating theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience through field trips, laboratory work, and engagement with current research projects. This approach ensures you gain practical skills and insights into real-world geoscientific applications. The program fosters critical thinking and prepares you for a diverse range of career paths in environmental protection, climate research, resource management, and more. Studying Geosciences in Basel provides a vibrant academic and living environment. The university encourages interdisciplinary thinking and offers opportunities for collaboration with international partners through the EUCOR network. You will benefit from a supportive learning atmosphere with direct interaction between students and faculty, facilitating a personalized and engaging educational journey.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
36 mo
Duration
University of Basel · Switzerland
Digital Humanities (PhD)
The Digital Humanities PhD program at the University of Basel addresses the evolving landscape of research in the humanities due to digitalization. This interdisciplinary field sits at the crossroads of information technology and humanities scholarship, focusing on the shared use of digital tools, approaches, and methods for processing research data. The program aims to make digital sources accessible and interconnected for humanities research, generate new digital data, and ensure its sustainable archiving. This includes developing virtual research environments, database systems, and computational procedures for long-term analysis of extensive data from diverse sources. This rapidly growing field necessitates specialized expertise and dedicated training. The University of Basel offers doctoral candidates the opportunity to conduct research projects within Digital Humanities. Prospective students are encouraged to consult the official job portal for available positions. Research within the Digital Humanities Lab (DHLab) at the University of Basel emphasizes the development of novel digital tools and methodologies, critically examining their impact on research outcomes through reflective, interdisciplinary dialogue. The DHLab has expertise in areas such as digital archiving, image processing, digital infrastructures, computational analysis of media and culture, and digital editing.
PhD
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
University of Basel · Switzerland
Sociology (PhD)
The PhD in Sociology at the University of Basel offers a research-focused environment for doctoral candidates. You can pursue your doctorate either independently or as part of the Graduate School of Social Sciences doctoral program. The program requires you to develop a project idea in collaboration with a supervising professor and submit a written proposal. The department's research interests span various areas, including inequality, international conflict, socioeconomics, historical sociology, sustainability, and migration.
PhD
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
Scholarships
for Switzerland
full fundingCYD Campus, EPFL and armasuisse Science and Technology
Cybersecurity and Cyber-Defence (CYD) Fellowships
Open to Master's, PhD, and Postdoctoral candidates of all nationalities pursuing or planning to pursue research in cyber-defence in Switzerland. Master Thesis Fellowship applicants must be enrolled Master's students at a Swiss institution; Doctoral Fellowship applicants need a Master's degree and admission to a Swiss PhD programme; Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship applicants must hold a completed PhD with a strong publication record. All candidates need strong academic performance and a research proposal aligned with cyber-defence goals.
full
Funding
€90k
Max
18d left
Deadline
full fundingUniversity of Basel – eikones Center for the Theory and History of the Image
University of Basel NOMIS Fellowships
Open to junior and senior scholars of any nationality who hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree, have published either one scholarly monograph or three peer-reviewed articles or book chapters, can propose a research project on the theme 'Images as Models', and are fluent in German or English.
full
Funding
€90k
Max
Sep 1, 2026
Deadline
full fundingCyber-Defence Campus (armasuisse Science and Technology)
CYD Doctoral Fellowships
Open to applicants of all nationalities who are enrolled, or plan to enrol, in a PhD programme at a Swiss university and have a confirmed endorsement from a Swiss professor who will supervise the doctorate. All PhD stages are eligible, though early-stage applicants are preferred, and there is no age restriction. Research must fall within cyber defence, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, cryptography, computational and data science and engineering, systems security, or security technologies.
full
Funding
€85k
Max
18d left
Deadline
full fundingCERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research)
CERN Research Fellowship in Theoretical Physics
Researchers who hold (or are about to defend) a PhD in theoretical physics with no more than six years of research experience after the PhD. Open to nationals of CERN Member and Associate Member States, with a limited number of places under the Non-Member State Postdoc Fellowship Programme. Current CERN staff members are not eligible.
full
Funding
€78k
Max
Nov 3, 2026
Deadline
full fundingUniversity of Basel
University of Basel PhD Positions in Advanced Data Management
Open to candidates worldwide who hold an MSc in Computer Science or a related field with software-development experience, show a clear interest in research toward a PhD in advanced data management, have practical or theoretical expertise in databases, multimedia data management or information retrieval, are proficient in English, and can work effectively in a team.
full
Funding
€49k
Max
Mar 31, 2027
Deadline
full fundingETH Zurich
Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
For students with an excellent academic record applying for a master's programme at ETH Zurich, of any nationality. The scholarship is merit-based; you apply for it as part of your ETH master's admission application, by the December deadline, and selection is by ETH.
full
Funding
€35k
Max
Dec 15, 2026
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What are the tuition fees for international students at the University of Basel?
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International students typically pay CHF 1,720 per year for most programs, which is considered low for a top global university. Some master's programs may have higher, program-specific fees.
What are the estimated living costs for students in Basel?
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Students should budget approximately CHF 2,000–2,500 per month in Basel. This estimate covers accommodation, food, health insurance, transport, and personal expenses.
What is the University of Basel's global ranking?
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The University of Basel is ranked #158 globally by QS World University Rankings in 2024. It also appears in the 151–175 range for THE World University Rankings and 151–200 for ARWU (Shanghai Rankings).
What language proficiency is required for programs at the University of Basel?
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For English-taught master's programs, an IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL iBT of 90 is generally required. German-taught programs require DSH-2 or TestDaF 4.
Does the University of Basel offer scholarships for international students?
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Yes, the university offers scholarships such as the Biozentrum MSc Physics of Life Scholarship and mobility scholarships for exchange students. The Swiss Government also offers Excellence Scholarships for postgraduate researchers.
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