The academic culture encourages collegial relationships between professors and students and nurtures independent learning and critical thinking. Student life is vibrant, with student clubs, extracurricular activities, and easy access to Switzerland’s scenic landscapes. Efficient public transport connects its diverse cities and language regions, offering everything from casual city trips to year-round outdoor adventures. 

Despite its relatively small size, Switzerland is home to many world-class universities – six are found among the QS World Top 200 (2026), with ETH Zurich ranked 7th globally, highest in continental Europe. Alongside leading institutions in natural science, business, finance and international studies, Switzerland also offers strong programs in art, design, hospitality, and other disciplines.  

Ranked the world’s most innovative country for 15 consecutive years, Switzerland’s universities and research institutes are closely integrated with industries like pharmaceuticals, tech, and finance, opening doors to exciting career opportunities. Many global companies and international organizations have their headquarters or subsidiaries in Switzerland, making Switzerland an ideal springboard for young talent. 

Switzerland also offers a very high quality of life, political and economic stability, and proximity to nature. These factors, combined with its academic and professional environments and modest study fees make it a considered option for students seeking study opportunities abroad. 

 Find here a comprehensive study guide in Japanese by Japan Student Service Organisation (JASSO): https://ryugaku.jasso.go.jp/oversea_info/region/europe/switzerland.html 

If you wish to spend a semester or a year in Switzerland during your studies, the easiest first step is to check with your home university for existing exchange agreements with Swiss universities. If no agreements exist, you should contact the international office of the university you wish to enroll to inquire about admission requirements. Here is an overview of all Swiss universities: https://www.studyinswitzerland.plus/list-swiss-universities/  

Switzerland is home to 12 universities, 10 universities of applied sciences, and specialized institutions such as teacher-training universities. These institutions offer a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, with programs also offered in English. Tuition fees in Switzerland are relatively affordable compared to those of other highly ranked universities, especially in Anglophone countries.

If you are interested in completing your full degree in Switzerland, it is best to contact the international office of the university you wish to enroll directly. Admission requirements vary depending on the program, your previous qualifications, and your language proficiency. Most undergraduate programs are taught in the local language.

Here is an overview, where you can find study programmes in Switzerland: https://www.studyprogrammes.ch/en

·       Scholarships by Swiss institutions: https://www.studyinswitzerland.plus/scholarships/ 

·       Swiss government excellence scholarship for early career researchers and art-related Master’s students: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships 

·       “A year in Switzerland” program (internship + language school) by SCCJ and SCCIJ : https://sccij.jp/scholarship/introduction/ 

·       “Tobitate” Japanese government scholarship : https://tobitate-mext.jasso.go.jp/ 

·       Japan Student Service Organisation (JASSO) scholarship: https://www.jasso.go.jp/ryugaku/scholarship_a/index.html 

To study in Switzerland, the university you plan to attend is responsible for submitting an application for the residence permit assurance on your behalf, if you are a Japanese citizen. This application is sent directly to the Office of Migration of the Canton where your university is located. The Embassy of Switzerland in Japan is not involved in this process. Find out more about visa matters: https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/japan/en/home/visa-entry-to-switzerland/entry-ch/more-90-days/do-i-need-a-national-visa.html 

·       Website by swissuniversities (official umbrella organization): https://www.studyinswitzerland.plus/

·       List of accredited higher education institutions: https://www.swissuniversities.ch/en/topics/studying/accredited-swiss-higher-education-institutions-1 

·       Federation of Swiss Private schools: https://www.swiss-schools.ch/en/   

·       Swiss boarding schools and private educational institutions program by Swiss Learning (https://www.swisslearning.com)