SWITZERLAND · ZURICH

University of Zurich

public · Founded 1833 · Languages: de, en

In short

The University of Zurich (UZH) is Switzerland's largest university, offering over 200 programs across seven faculties with high-quality research and teaching. It provides an affordable education in the highly livable city of Zurich, with low tuition fees for both Swiss and international students.

Key facts

Type: Public
Founded: 1833
Students: 25,732
International students: 5,000
Acceptance rate: 40%
Tuition (intl): €2–2k/yr
Languages: DE, EN
Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Programs

a selection

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University of Zurich · Switzerland

ALPECOLe: Alpine Environmental Biology

ALPECOLe is a specialized program focusing on Alpine Environmental Biology. It delves into the unique biological processes and adaptations of plants and organisms in alpine ecosystems. The program examines environmental factors such as UV-B radiation, light intensity, and climatic stress, and their impact on plant life. Through field studies and experimental research, students gain insights into the resilience and specific characteristics of flora in high-altitude environments.

University of Zurich · Switzerland

Data Science

In the Master's program in Data Science at the University of Zurich, you will gain the skills to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, understand relationships, and present findings in engaging formats. This program draws on knowledge from statistics, informatics, and cognitive sciences, providing a strong foundation for making informed decisions in various sectors. You will learn to tackle complex, non-standard data problems independently, acquire necessary knowledge, and develop appropriate systems and solutions.

University of Zurich · Switzerland

Information Systems Bachelor's Program

The Bachelor's program in Information Systems focuses on the crucial role of information and communication technologies in shaping business and society. You will learn to understand and address the challenges companies face by integrating methodologies from both informatics and business administration. This program equips you with a holistic approach to analyzing organizational problems, identifying information needs, and developing, adapting, and implementing information systems and applications that meet business requirements.

University of Zurich · Switzerland

Master of Arts in Internet & Society

The Master of Arts in Internet & Society program provides an in-depth understanding of the digital world's impact on communication, society, and culture. It equips students with advanced theoretical knowledge and research skills to analyze the architecture, affordances, and socio-economic implications of information and communication technologies. Graduates will be prepared to design, execute, and evaluate empirical studies on internet use, navigating the opportunities and challenges presented by a rapidly evolving media landscape.

University of Zurich · Switzerland

Master of Science in Geography

The Master of Science (MSc) in Geography at the University of Zurich offers advanced study focused on the complex interactions between humans and their environment. This program combines natural, social, and computer science approaches to address contemporary global challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and digital transformations. Students engage with interdisciplinary research and develop solutions for current societal issues, considering both opportunities and drawbacks of global changes. The curriculum encourages students to deepen their expertise and explore research practices, preparing them for responsible roles in a connected world. The MSc program allows for specialization in various fields within Geography, including Physical Geography, Human Geography, Remote Sensing, and Geographic Information Science and Systems (GIScience). The GIScience and Systems track, in particular, focuses on learning and applying geoinformatics methods, extracting geographically relevant information from diverse data sources, and visualizing it through digital techniques. This specialization equips students with advanced analytical and technical skills relevant to spatial data analysis and management.

University of Zurich · Switzerland

MSc in Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences

The MSc in Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences is a joint Master's degree program offered by the University of Zurich (UZH) and ETH Zurich. It focuses on understanding the workings of the healthy brain and the neural underpinnings of nervous system diseases, with the goal of developing more effective treatments. This interdisciplinary program bridges biology, technology, and clinical neurology, preparing specialists to tackle complex research challenges in neuroscience.

Scholarships

for Switzerland

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full funding

CYD 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.

University 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.

Cyber-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.

CERN (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.

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What are the tuition fees for international students at the University of Zurich?

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International students pay the same low public tuition as Swiss students, approximately 720 CHF per semester. This totals around 1,540 CHF or 1,600 EUR per year, plus mandatory semester and student-body fees, making UZH very affordable.

What is the cost of living for students in Zurich?

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Zurich is an expensive city, and students should budget approximately 1,600-2,200 EUR per month. This covers accommodation, food, health insurance, transport, and personal expenses. Proof of sufficient funds is required for the residence permit.

What are the English language requirements for international students?

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For English-taught master's programs, a minimum IELTS score of 6.5-7.0 overall or a TOEFL iBT score of 95-100 is typically required. For German-taught programs, proof of German proficiency at the C1 level is necessary.

Does the University of Zurich offer scholarships for international students?

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Yes, UZH offers various scholarships including internal research grants like UZH Candoc / Forschungskredit Grants for doctoral students. The Swiss Government also offers Excellence Scholarships for international postgraduate researchers, and individual faculties may offer their own awards.

What are the general admission requirements for international students?

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Admission requirements vary by study level (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) and your previous education. You will need to submit specific documentation as outlined in the university's 'Merkblätter' for international applicants, especially for Bachelor's and Master's programs.

University of Zurich

Why study here

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