Funding your studies

Depending on your personal situation, the costs of preparing for and enrolling in a degree programme can vary considerably. The following expenses may arise: 

• Language courses: There are numerous language courses available at different prices. Intensive courses designed to prepare you for a higher language level are usually more expensive. Depending on the course, costs can range from several hundred to several thousand Swiss francs. Check with social assistance or the relevant authority at an early stage to find out which courses may be funded. It is also worth comparing different offers. 

 

• Language certificates: The cost of examinations for recognised language certificates varies depending on the language, level and examination provider. Fees typically range from CHF 200 to 500. Before registering, find out which language certificate and language level are recognised by your chosen university. Some universities offer their own language examinations, which may be less expensive. 

 

• Documents required for application: Depending on the university, official translations of documents may be required for your application. If you apply by post, certified copies of documents may also be required. 

 

• ECUS examination: The cost of the ECUS examination varies depending on the examination and language. The full examination costs more than CHF 1,000. Please consult the ECUS website for the current examination fee. Additional costs may arise when preparing for the examination. Private providers offer various preparation courses, with prices varying considerably depending on the scope and provider. You should expect costs of several thousand Swiss francs. Information on costs is available directly from the providers. These are listed on the ECUS website.

The cost of studying depends on your personal circumstances and where you live and study. As a rough guide, a person living alone should expect to spend between CHF 2,000 and 3,000 per month on living and study expenses. 

The main expenses include: 

• Living expenses: These include, in particular, rent, food, health insurance, clothing, communication and other day-to-day expenses. Accommodation often accounts for a large part of the budget. A room in a shared flat (WG) is usually cheaper than renting your own flat. Some universities also offer affordable or subsidised student accommodation. You can find information on this on the universities’ websites or from student organisations. Accommodation outside the city is often cheaper as well. 

 

• Tuition fees: Tuition fees are normally charged per semester and must generally be paid before the start of the semester. The amount varies depending on the university. At some universities, students with foreign qualifications pay higher fees. swissuniversities provides an overview of tuition fees at Swiss universities. Some universities allow students experiencing financial difficulties to apply for a reduction or waiver of tuition fees. However, this may only be possible from the second year of study onwards. Some universities also have social funds that provide financial support to students. Contact the university directly to find out which options are available. 

 

• Study materials: Depending on the degree programme, you may need a laptop, books or other materials. Some universities and organisations offer second-hand laptops at affordable prices or allow students to borrow them. Discounts may also be available when purchasing new devices. Textbooks can often be bought second-hand from other students or borrowed. Second-hand books are frequently available online or at universities, for example via noticeboards. The university library or student union can also provide information on affordable sources. Depending on your circumstances, the cost of study materials may be covered by a university social fund or a foundation. 

 

• Travel costs: Depending on where you live and which university you attend, you may incur regular travel costs. Compare different tickets and travelcards to find a suitable and cost-effective option, such as single tickets, route-specific travelcards, Halbtax Plus or a GA Travelcard. People under the age of 25 may be eligible for discounted fares. You can find information on the various options at SBB. You can also seek advice at an SBB ticket office. If you are unable to cover your travel costs yourself, you may be able to apply for financial support from your university or a foundation. 

 

• Health insurance:  In Switzerland, basic health insurance is compulsory. Supplementary insurance is voluntary. How insurance premiums are funded depends, among other things, on your personal circumstances and residence status. People receiving social assistance are usually insured through the social assistance system. If this is not the case, you must choose a health insurance provider yourself and pay the premiums. You can compare offers from different health insurance providers here. People on low incomes may be entitled to a premium reduction. This must be applied for through the cantonal compensation office in your canton of residence. Further information on health insurance and premium reductions can be found here. 

A budget shows how much money you have available each month and what your expenses are. It helps you plan how to finance your studies and identify financial difficulties at an early stage. The following resources can help you estimate your costs and draw up a budget: 

• Budgetberatung: information, guidelines and budget templates for drawing up a personal budget, including templates specifically for students. 

• University of Basel: guide to drawing up a budget. 

• Berufsberatung.ch: information on the costs of studying. 

There are various funding options available, depending on your personal circumstances. You will find the key information on this below. 

• Social assistance

  Social assistance operates according to the principle of subsidiarity. This means that, in principle, it only provides support if a person’s living expenses cannot be covered by their own income, assets or other financial benefits. Social assistance covers basic needs and enables people to maintain a modest standard of living. 

  Social assistance is regulated at cantonal level in Switzerland. As a result, the benefits available vary from canton to canton and, in some cases, from municipality to municipality. Many cantons follow the guidelines of the Swiss Conference on Social Assistance (SKOS). However, these guidelines are not legally binding. 

  Residence status also affects the type and level of support a person receives. In some cases, different rules apply to people in the asylum system than to people receiving standard social assistance: 

  • People with N status, F status (temporarily admitted foreign nationals) and S protection status receive asylum social assistance. This is generally lower than standard social assistance. 

  • Recognised refugees with B status and F status (temporarily admitted refugees) receive refugee social assistance. In principle, the same rates apply to them as to Swiss nationals receiving social assistance. 

   

  In principle, social assistance does not cover the costs of a university degree. In many cases, rapid integration into the labour market takes priority. However, there are situations in which social assistance covers living costs while a person is studying. Study-related costs such as tuition fees, language examinations, study materials or travel expenses are generally not considered basic needs and are often not covered by social assistance. In some cantons, such costs may be partially funded through the integration allowance. 

  You should therefore clarify with your social worker at an early stage whether and under what conditions you can receive support while studying and which costs may be covered. 

  It is important to discuss your study plans with your social worker at an early stage. Before the meeting, consider the following questions: 

  • What do I want to study, and what career goal am I aiming for? 

  • What career opportunities will I have after completing my degree? 

  • Do I already meet the admission requirements, or what do I still need to do to meet them? 

  • Can the career guidance service help me assess whether a university degree is suitable for me? 

  • How much will my studies cost, and how can these costs be covered? 

  • What further steps do I need to take before starting my degree? 

   

  Discuss the following points in particular with your social worker: 

  • Will I continue to receive social assistance while studying? 

  • Which living and study-related costs are covered? 

  • Which costs will I need to cover by other means? 

  • Can my social worker help me find additional sources of funding? 

  • Can I apply for a cantonal scholarship or funding from a foundation? 

  • How are cantonal scholarships or other financial contributions (e.g. from a charitable foundation) considered when calculating social assistance? 
• Cantonal and municipal scholarship

  Every canton has a scholarship office. It awards scholarships to people who are unable to finance their education themselves. As a rule, the canton of residence is responsible. You can find the contact details of the cantonal scholarship offices here.  

  Who is eligible for a scholarship? 

  Whether you are eligible for a scholarship depends on various factors: 

  • Residence status: 

  • • Recognised refugees with B or F status, as well as stateless persons, are eligible for cantonal scholarships throughout Switzerland. 

  • • Different rules apply, depending on the canton, to temporarily admitted foreign nationals (F status without refugee status) and people with S protection status. 

  • • Asylum seekers with N status are not entitled to cantonal scholarships. 

   

  • Age: Many cantons have an age limit. The age limit varies from canton to canton. The lowest age limit is 35. 

   

  • Previous education: Scholarships are often not awarded for a second degree, such as a second Bachelor’s degree. This applies in particular if the first degree is recognised in Switzerland. How a first degree completed abroad is taken into account depends on the canton and your previous educational background. It is therefore important to check with the relevant scholarship office at an early stage. 

   

  • Income and assets: A scholarship is generally only awarded if the financial resources of the student and their parents (provided they live in Switzerland) are insufficient to cover the costs of the course of study. In most cases, the tax assessment is used to assess financial need. If you receive social assistance, confirmation from the social assistance authority is often sufficient. 

   

  An overview of the key criteria in the individual cantons can be found here. 

   

  How much is a cantonal scholarship? 

  Cantonal scholarships are intended to contribute towards education and living costs. They do not usually cover the full cost of living and education. Additional financial resources are therefore often necessary. The amount of the scholarship depends on the canton and your personal circumstances. 

  If you receive social assistance, you should discuss your scholarship application with your social worker. Depending on your situation, you may be required to sign an assignment of benefits. In this case, the scholarship is paid directly to the social assistance authority and taken into account as income when your social assistance is calculated. 

  Income limits generally also apply to cantonal scholarships. If you earn more during your studies than the amount stated in your application, your scholarship may be reduced in the following year. In some circumstances, you may also have to repay part of the scholarship you have already received. 

  You should therefore check with the relevant scholarship office when you receive a scholarship to find out how much additional income you are allowed to earn. 

   

  How to apply 

  Each canton has its own forms, deadlines and procedures. You can find the relevant information from the scholarship office in your canton of residence. 

  A scholarship application usually requires confirmation of enrolment or proof that you have been admitted to a higher education institution. As processing the application can take several months, you should submit your application as early as possible. 

   

  Municipal scholarships 

  Some municipalities and local authorities also award scholarships or provide other forms of financial support for education. The eligibility criteria, deadlines and application procedures vary depending on where you live. You can find an overview of the relevant schemes here.
• Loans

  A loan is money that you borrow and must repay later. Taking out a loan therefore creates debt. Repayment usually begins after you have completed your studies. Depending on the loan, interest may also be charged. 

  The terms and conditions for loans vary depending on the provider. Before taking out a loan, you should therefore find out about the interest rate, repayment terms and any additional costs. 

  Some cantonal scholarship offices also provide education loans, particularly for older students. These loans often have low interest rates or may even be interest-free. Private organisations and foundations also offer education loans. For example, EDUCA SWISS arranges education loans on favourable terms, with interest rates agreed on an individual basis. Borrowers also receive initial budget advice and can access support during their studies if needed. 

  Important: A loan must be repaid. Before signing a loan agreement, you should therefore carefully consider whether you will realistically be able to repay the loan in the long term. In general, loans cannot be repaid using financial support from a foundation. 
• Part-time work whilst studying

  A part-time job can help you cover some of the costs of your studies yourself. However, working alongside your studies leaves you with less time to devote to your studies and may result in your studies taking longer. At the same time, work experience can be an advantage when looking for a job after graduation, particularly if the job is relevant to your field of study. 

  Depending on the job, you may be able to work part-time during the semester or full-time during the semester holidays. In many degree programmes, it is possible to work around 20% of full-time hours during the semester – roughly one day a week. The more compulsory modules a degree programme includes, the more difficult it can be to combine study and work. Flexible working hours can therefore be an advantage. 

  If you receive a cantonal scholarship, you should check how much additional income you are allowed to earn. Once your income reaches a certain level, your scholarship may be reduced, or you may have to repay part of the scholarship. 

  If you receive social assistance, income from a part-time job may affect the amount of social assistance you receive. As a rule, part of this income is considered when calculating social assistance. However, an income allowance means that you are allowed to keep part of your earnings. The amount of this allowance depends, among other things, on your income and the number of hours you work and is usually between CHF 200 and 700 per month. 

  Despite the often limited financial benefit, a part-time job can be worthwhile. You gain work experience, build a professional network and improve your chances of finding a job after graduation. In cantons where social assistance is repayable, earning your own income through a part-time job can also help reduce the amount of assistance that you may have to repay. 

  Pay for student jobs varies depending on the type of work. Hourly rates often range from CHF 25 to 35. For many better-paid jobs, such as tutoring or office work, a good command of at least one of Switzerland’s national languages is required. 

   

  Work permit 

  Whether you need a work permit or only need to register your employment depends on your residence status. 

  • Asylum seekers (N status): A work permit is required. 

  • Recognised refugees (B and F status), temporarily admitted persons (F status) and persons with S protection status: Employment must be registered. 

   

  It is advisable to familiarise yourself with the applicable regulations before a job interview. This will enable you to provide a potential employer with information about your right to work if necessary. 

  You can find further information, for example, in the overview (Statusrechte im Asylbereich) provided by Swiss Refugee Aid (SFH). 

   

  Job search 

  Many universities publish vacancies on their own job platforms. Further job vacancies can be found on specialist websites for students and graduates. 

  • students.ch: Job and internship opportunities for students 
  • studentenjobs.ch: Job vacancies for students and graduates 
  • semestra.ch: Portal for students with a jobs section 

   

  Further information on job hunting can be found in the chapter Entering the labour market.
• Funding foundations

  In addition to cantonal and municipal grants, private foundations may also provide financial support to students. For example, they may award grants or cover specific education-related costs. If a foundation covers a particular invoice, the payment is often made directly to the university or other relevant institution. 

  Private funding foundations often support specific groups of people. Eligibility criteria may include, for example, place of residence, age or field of study. 

  Perspectives – Study has compiled an overview of funding foundations. The first tab lists foundations operating throughout Switzerland, while the second lists regional foundations. The overview includes many, but not all, available foundations. 

  Further foundations can be found in the federal government’s directory of foundations, on Fundraiso or on spheriq. 

  As a rule, charitable foundations provide support on a subsidiary basis. This means that they generally provide financial support only if the costs cannot already be covered by other sources, such as scholarships, social assistance or the applicant’s own financial resources. 

  If you receive social assistance, you should consult your social worker before applying for support from a foundation. It is important to clarify which costs a foundation can cover without the payment being treated as income and consequently reducing your social assistance. If a foundation pays a cost directly – for example, tuition fees – the support is often not treated as income.