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Study Business in Switzerland: All you need to know

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Study Business in Switzerland: All you need to know

Author: Leonardo Carlo Calisse — Last update: 17 November 2022

Some of the world’s best business schools are located in Switzerland, and the country also offers a remarkably high quality of life. Keep reading to discover what options are available if you’re looking to get a degree in Business, Management, or related discipline in this lovely alpine country.

Switzerland is one of the best places to get a Business degree

While Switzerland is not technically part of the European Union, many see it as the “heart of Europe”. This is not only because of its geographical location at the center of the continent but also due to its culture and history. German, Italian, and French are spoken in different pars of the country (plus the lesser-known Romansch), and Switzerland has long been not only the financial hub of Europe but also home to many international organisations. Many world-renowned banks, insurance companies and other corporations have their HQ or significant operations here.

As a result, Switzerland is rife with an incredible selection of high-level employment opportunities for business graduates. Therefore, it’s no surprise that it has one of Europe’s largest and most multicultural expat communities. The country is also consistently ranked as one of the best places in the world to live due to its extremely high quality of life and competitive salaries. Whether you love fondue, skiing, amazing chocolate, or beautiful lakes and mountains, Switzerland truly has something for everyone.

What business subjects can I study?

Swiss business schools are known for offering almost every possible business discipline in English. Furthermore, if you fluently speak one of the country’s four national languages, you’ll have a strong chance of finding a degree available in your preferred language as well. Whether you're looking to specialize in a particular field or pursue a standalone program, the following subjects will be available, among many others:

  • Business Administration & Management
  • International Business
  • Finance
  • Business Analytics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Supply Chain Management & Logistics
  • ...and many others

Switzerland is also often regarded as one of the leading places in hospitality education. Therefore, you may find business schools that provide special management programs specifically designed for this field.

The best business schools in Switzerland

Many of Europe’s and the world’s best business schools are located in Switzerland. This fact is widely reflected in all of the major business school rankings. And while these rankings do not always apply to each student’s particular situation and can be inaccurate at times, they do provide a solid indication of educational quality. However, it’s important to view these rankings with a critical eye: In some cases, they suffer from the self-fulfilling bias of company recruiters relying on them, which in turn raises the school’s score and leads to more employers hiring its students, and so on.

Nevertheless, the most reputable of these rankings can usually be trusted, and one such list is that of the Financial Times (FT). In 2020, out of the 90 best business schools in Europe, five were based in Switzerland, making it one of the countries with the most entries. Below are the top 5 Swiss institutions as ranked by FT:

Rank (Europe) Institution
7 University of St.Gallen
10 IMD Business School
40 HEC Lausanne, University of Lausanne
69 University of Zurich
73 ZHAW School of Management and Law

How to pick the right business school?

Picking the perfect business school for you is not an easy task, and it’s normal for candidates to sometimes be overwhelmed by the high degree of choices available. Luckily, there’s more than just rankings to go on, and many other factors can be used to gauge the quality of a business school in advance:

  • Accreditation: When deciding where to study, looking for business schools that are accredited through third-party accreditation organizations can help make the choices much more narrow. These organizations evaluate essential factors of business schools, such as teaching quality, in order to give schools a seal of approval. The most reputable of these accreditations are those awarded by AACSB, AMBA, and Equis. Obtaining all three of these accreditations is known as achieving the “triple crown”. Other reputable accreditation authorities include the ACSBP, IACBE, and specifically in Switzerland, the eduQua.
  • Partner universities: Some business schools award their degrees through partner universities. Swiss private institutions often collaborate with prestigious and high-ranking British universities. In these cases, the value of the degree you obtain is bolstered by the reputation of the school’s academic partners.
  • Study-abroad options: Multi-campus institutions such as EU Business School often provide the opportunities to study abroad for one or more semesters. Studying at an additional university for a portion of your studies can help demonstrate to employers an ability to integrate and adapt to different cultures.
  • Partner companies: Many institutions seek partnerships with well-established companies. This implies quality (those companies wouldn’t want to be associated with questionable schools!) and can make it much easier to land internships or graduate jobs after having completed a business degree at a Swiss university.

Tuition fees

Business degrees from Switzerland are highly sought-after qualifications, and they are routinely considered some of the most valuable in the world. Due to this high standing, they can cost significant amounts in tuition fees, especially the private institutions. However, thanks to the salary you can hope to earn after graduation, consider it an investment that offers a high return in the long run.

Here is an overview of the typical tuition fees at Swiss business schools and universities:

Institution Bachelor tuition fees per year Master (MSc/MA) tuition fees per year MBA tuition fees per year
Business School Lausanne 29,000 CHF to 43,500 CHF 38,000 CHF 44,800 CHF
EU Business School 27,600 CHF 28,800 CHF 37,800 CHF
Geneva Business School 24,900 CHF 20,500 CHF 25,900 CHF
HEC Lausanne 1,160 CHF 1,160 CHF 45,000 CHF
IMD - - 90,000 CHF
International Institute in Geneva (formerly: International University in Geneva) 34,500 CHF 36,400 CHF 36,400 CHF
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts 1,600 CHF 1,600 CHF -
University of St. Gallen 6,258 CHF 6,658 CHF 58,500 CHF

What are the best cities in Switzerland to study Business?

While Switzerland is a relatively small country, it is brimming with exciting cities in which to study. Depending on the type of career path you’re looking to pursue, different locations might strike your fancy. Here are some of the top choices to consider:

  • Zurich: As the industrial and financial capital of the country, Zurich is one of the most dynamic and international Swiss cities. Not only is it famous for its luxurious lifestyle, but it’s filled with beautiful public parks which extend all the way to the banks of Lake Zürich. However, keep in mind that it’s the most expensive Swiss city, requiring around 2,000 to 2,300 CHF per month to live comfortably.
  • Geneva: Another major financial hub and one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities is Geneva. The city is also home to several important international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Trade Organization.
  • Montreux: If you’re looking for more of a small-town atmosphere, Montreux is an excellent choice for students that enjoy a more relaxed university experience. Living there you’ll be able to experience the beauty of Lake Geneva and of the particularly charming city architecture. EU Business School also has a second campus here, and there are many hospitality schools for those interested in this sector.
  • St Gallen: The executive school of the University of St.Gallen (HSG) is what attracts the most students to this city. Their management programmes are routinely ranked among Europe’s best. In addition to its educational prowess and vibrant student community, there are also many captivating landmarks in this city.

Average salaries for Business graduates in Switzerland

While the costs of living in Switzerland are notoriously high, the country has the salaries to match. Students attending business school in the country are usually able to secure average wages that are far superior to those in other regions, making it one of the most attractive places to work. This is also the case for student jobs and internships, which are paid highly in comparison to the modest salaries in the rest of Europe.

And last but certainly not least, the taxes are comparably low. This means that even after having covered all living costs, you’ll have decidedly more money left over to save or spend however you see fit.

Can I work while attending business school in Switzerland?

It’s entirely possible to work during your business school studies in Switzerland. Foreign students may work up to 15 hours per week while studying and up to 100% of the time during semester breaks.

However, students from outside the EEA (“third countries”) can only begin working 6 months after having entered the country, and their employers must submit a request to help the student obtain a work permit. “Study in Switzerland” has a helpful guide.

Many universities also offer opportunities for students to find part-time jobs on the side of their studies, either at the university or via partner companies.

Can I work in Switzerland after graduating from business school?

Graduates from Swiss universities and business schools are able to apply for a six-month “job search” residence permit. While this is not as generous as the post-study work visas offered by countries such as Germany or the UK, it provides students with sufficient time to land a great job opportunity as long as they take the time to prepare correctly.

Due to Switzerland’s powerful economy and the abundant presence of expats throughout the country, foreign students with Swiss degrees have excellent job prospects. However, make sure that you take the time to network during your studies and that you take up opportunities for internships or student jobs. In addition, it will help to be aware of the main language in the city you plan to work in. German or French is spoken in most major cities; but there are numerous jobs available for students that want to work in English.

Notable alumni from Swiss business schools

Business schools in Switzerland are known for having spawned a great many highly successful business leaders. It’s no coincidence that a Swiss business education helped pave the way for these industry leaders into boardrooms and other leadership positions. Here’s a small selection that might inspire you to pursue your studies within the country:

  • Jean-Claude Biver (from Luxembourg), CEO of TAG Heuer
  • Ola Källenius (from Sweden), Chairman of Daimler
  • Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen (from Denmark), former CEO of Lego
  • Johan Lundgren (from Sweden), CEO of easyJet
  • Ulf Mark Schneider (from Germany), CEO of Nestlé

Top 3 reasons to get a Business degree in Switzerland:

There are many amazing destinations for business school students to choose from within Europe. But Switzerland stands out as one of the top study locations. Let’s review three of the main reasons:

  1. Top-ranked education: Many of the best business schools and universities are located within Switzerland.
  2. High-paying career opportunities: Due to Switzerland’s standing as one of the world’s major financial and banking hubs, finding entry-level positions for business graduates is much easier than in most other European countries. You’ll even be paid handsomely from the get-go!
  3. Quality of life: Swiss cities have long since been known for having an incredible quality of life. This goes beyond just earnings and education, as the country provides some of the world’s best healthcare, work-life balance, social connections, housing, environmental quality, and personal security.
98 Business & Management Programmes in Switzerland
Leonardo Carlo Calisse
Author: Leonardo Carlo Calisse

Leonardo Carlo Calisse knows life as an international business student: He holds a BSc in International Business from Tilburg University (Netherlands) during which he went on an exchange to the University of South Carolina (USA), and he followed it up with a Master in Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship at the highly coveted Esade Business School (Spain). He also co-founded Source Humanitarian Network, an NGO that strives to teach digital skills to refugees. Leonardo currently works as a creative copywriter and content writer for Leadtech, an innovation/advertising agency located in Barcelona.

Featured universities:
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
Lucerne, Switzerland
8 study programmes
EU Business School
EU Business School
Geneva, Switzerland
46 study programmes
KU Leuven
KU Leuven
Leuven, Belgium
105 study programmes
University of Helsinki
University of Helsinki
Helsinki, Finland
73 study programmes

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