If you’re thinking about studying abroad and want the perfect mix of world-class education, international culture, and stunning landscapes, Switzerland should be high on your list. This small country is home to some of the best universities to study abroad in Europe - and even the world - including institutions that lead in science, business, hospitality, and the arts.
And students don’t just choose to study here for the reputation of the universities, the country has a unique approach to education and a quality of life and culture that makes it very attractive for international students of all ages.
It’s not just the reputation of one university that has made Switzerland’s institutions so famous; it’s a combination of factors. Rankings consistently place Swiss universities among the best in the world in several categories and for different criteria.
Here’s why:
Top-Ranking Programs: Swiss universities offer a wide range of top-ranked programs that attract students from around the world for specialized expertise. From the ETH Zurich and EPFL in Lausanne, famous for groundbreaking research and innovation, to specialized institutions like EHL and the University of St. Gallen that offer uniquely focused programs, Swiss universities are known for creating rigorous, inventive, experienced specialists for various industries.
Leading Innovation and Research: Switzerland invests heavily in academic and applied research, as well as innovation hubs, which is why its universities frequently appear at the top of global rankings.
Excellent Quality of Life: Cities like Zurich, Lausanne, and Geneva are consistently rated among the best places to be a student, known for the excellent quality of life for students and safe, welcoming environment. Plus, living here means you’re just a train ride away from skiing in the Alps, exploring historic towns, or traveling across Europe.
International Culture and Languages: In Switzerland, you’ll find programs taught in English, as well as German, French, and Italian. The combination of studying in English-taught programs and being immersed in a second language makes it easy for international students to feel at home while also acquiring new language skills.
So, whether you’re into science, business, art, or hospitality, studying in Switzerland is a chance to get a world-class education and an unforgettable life experience.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the best universities in Switzerland, what makes each one stand out, and why so many international students choose to start their academic journeys here.
Before jumping into the list, it’s good to remember that “best” can mean different things to different people. You should consider the “best” rankings that rate universities based on what is most important to you
Some students look at global rankings like QS or Times Higher Education, which focus on industry reputation, research output, and academic reputation. Others care more about specialized programs, international student support, or career connections.
Furthermore, different rankings measure and compare different types of universities. In Switzerland, universities are often divided into three main types: traditional research universities, universities of applied sciences with a strong practical focus, and private or specialized institutions. All three can offer excellent education, depending on your goals.
Accounting for the sentiment of 175,000 academic faculty members and 105,000 employers, and analysing the distribution and performance of 17 million research papers, the QS World University Rankings offers an annual audit of the world’s top universities.
Switzerland’s public universities are internationally renowned for rigorous research and academic excellence. They attract a high proportion of international students - at ETH Zurich alone, over 40% of students hold foreign passports, reflecting the country’s global reputation for science and innovation.
The country is also home to some of Europe’s most prestigious business and hospitality schools, famous for close industry ties and career-focused education. At IMD, for example, more than 98% of MBA participants are international, while EHL draws students from over 120 countries. Furthermore, Switzerland is home to three of the world’s top four institutions for hospitality & leisure management, according to QS, as well as eight in the top 20.
Switzerland’s Universities of Applied Sciences combine practical training with applied research. These institutions are increasingly popular with international students seeking hands-on education - yet they remain primarily Swiss, with only around 20% of UAS students coming from abroad, depending on the program and campus.
Switzerland has many top-ranking universities, yet they are all esteemed for different reasons and by different ranking systems and reports. Consequently, it’s impossible to produce a single “best university” ranking list for this country’s top schools.
To remain fair and highlight each university's strengths, we present this list in alphabetical order, featuring six of the top universities in Switzerland, along with their respective specializations, rankings, and notable impacts and alumni.
What It’s Famous For:
The world’s first and top-ranked hospitality management school, combining Swiss hospitality traditions with business innovation. EHL is known for shaping leaders in luxury hospitality, consulting, and entrepreneurship.
Recent Rankings:
Notable Impact and Alumni:
EHL alumni lead top brands like Four Seasons, LVMH, and Accor, with many launching their own ventures. The school’s Innovation Hub and incubator foster startups and industry partnerships, while its research drives sustainability and digital transformation in hospitality.
Swiss Hospitality Management Schools train very well-rounded, emotionally intelligent, and flexible managers, who are used to multicultural environments. Their profiles are valued in a wide range of sectors (such as the operations side of the food and beverage sectors, but also in marketing, revenue management, real estate development) and various other industries (such as consulting, banking, luxury, etc).
- Swiss Education & Hospitality Industry: Interview with Anne-Sophie Delval, PhD
What It’s Famous For:
A powerhouse in engineering, life sciences, and digital technologies, EPFL is known for interdisciplinary research and close ties to industry.
Recent Rankings:
Notable Impact:
EPFL’s innovation park hosts hundreds of tech companies and startups. The university’s research has advanced robotics, neuroscience, and renewable energy.
What It’s Famous For:
Located in Lausanne, IMD is an elite, independent business school renowned for its MBA, Executive MBA, and custom executive education programs. Unlike many business schools, IMD focuses exclusively on leadership development for experienced professionals and senior executives, rather than undergraduate degrees.
Recent Rankings:
Notable Impact and Alumni:
IMD alumni include CEOs, board members, and entrepreneurs leading major companies like Nestlé, Novartis, ABB, and international NGOs.
IMD’s research centers, like the Global Center for Digital Business Transformation, shape how companies worldwide respond to technological disruption.
Rankings aren’t the whole story, but they do reflect our commitment to creating transformative learning experiences with measurable impact, says Jean-François Manzoni, IMD President and Nestlé Chaired Professor.
What It’s Famous For:
As Switzerland’s largest university of applied sciences, HES-SO serves over 21,000 students, nearly one-third of whom are international. It’s known for its strong regional presence across Western Switzerland, offering applied degrees in health, engineering, business, design, and social work.
Recent Rankings:
Notable Impact and Alumni:
HES-SO plays a key role in applied research and regional innovation, partnering with local industries and fostering entrepreneurship.
We use 13 separate performance indicators to judge world-class universities against all of their key missions, including both teaching and research, using tough, global standards.
- Phil Baty, Times Higher Education Chief Global Affairs Officer
What It’s Famous For:
One of Europe’s top schools for business, economics, law, and international affairs. HSG is well-known for its interdisciplinary approach, combining management education with strong legal and social science foundations, earning it the nickname “Kaderschmiede” (leader factory) in the German-speaking region.
Recent Rankings:
Notable Impact and Alumni:
HSG has produced leaders across business, politics, and law, including CEOs of Deutsche Bank, UBS, Nestlé, Swatch, and political figures like the Prince of Liechtenstein and members of Switzerland’s Federal Council). Its law school ranks among the best in Switzerland and hosts robust programs in corporate law, governance, and international law.
What It’s Famous For:
Switzerland’s largest university and a leader in life sciences, medicine, law, business, and the humanities. UZH is known for its cutting-edge research in neuroscience, molecular biology, and banking law, and is home to some of Europe’s top medical and scientific institutes.
Recent Rankings:
Notable Impact and Alumni:
UZH has been a research powerhouse for over 180 years. Alumni include Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize-winning economist Richard Ernst, and groundbreaking neuroscientist Erwin Neher. The university is also recognized for its contributions to medical research, biodiversity conservation, and legal reforms in Switzerland.
Switzerland’s reputation for academic excellence, innovation, and quality of life makes it a standout choice for students who want to get the most out of studying abroad. As we’ve seen, the country’s top universities each shine for different reasons—some for cutting-edge research, others for career-focused business and hospitality programs, and others still for practical, applied learning closely tied to industry.
But “best” is personal. For some students, it means joining a globally ranked research university like ETH Zurich or EPFL. For others, it’s about building leadership skills at a business powerhouse like St. Gallen or IMD. And for many, hands-on experience at a university of applied sciences or a world-renowned hospitality school like EHL opens the right doors.
When choosing a university in Switzerland, ask yourself:
With world-class institutions across vibrant cities like Zurich, Lausanne, Geneva, St. Gallen, and Lucerne, Switzerland offers a study destination where academic success meets personal growth.