If you’ve decided to study abroad, in Europe, it’s quite possible that you’ll opt for Switzerland. This country is well known for its high standard of living and the equally high quality of university education and globally competitive academic studies.
Eight universities in Switzerland are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2016-2017, all of which rank in the top 300. ETH Zurich and EPFL, both within the global top 15, are joined by five more Swiss universities ranked among the world’s top 200. You should also know that the population of this country is only 8.4 million. In view of this, the accomplishments of its universities are all the more impressive. Four of the eight ranked Swiss universities make the world’s top 65 for their percentage of international students.
The following universities in Switzerland are all ranked in the world’s top 100:
ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
More than 18,600 students study at ETH Zurich, studying at two campuses. Switzerland’s highest ranked university, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) is currently placed 8th in the world and is the only non-UK European university to rank within the global top 10. The university was founded in 1855, and is well established as a leader in scientific and technical fields. As many as 21 Nobel prize winners came from this university. ETH Zurich is currently ranked fifth in the world for engineering and technology subjects, and sixth for natural sciences.
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
The school was established in 1853. It’s placed 14th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2016-2017, and in the QS World University Rankings by Faculty comes 17th for engineering and technology and 13th for natural sciences. Most lectures are given in French because Lausanne is located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, but there are also English programmes. At present, 10,000 students attend classes at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.
University of Zurich
With around 26,000 students, the University of Zurich is the largest university in Switzerland. It is currently ranked 80th in the world and offers a vast variety of academic courses. The University of Zurich runs an impressive selection of museums, public libraries, collections, events and educational programs, including a “Children’s University” and “Senior Citizens’ University”.
University of Geneva
The University of Geneva was established in 1559. It stands at joint 95th in the QS World University Rankings 2016-2017, and is located in Geneva. Teaching at bachelor’s level is mainly in French, while many master’s courses are led in English.
University of Basel
The University of Basel is a world famous center of science and research. Founded in 1460, it is the oldest university in Switzerland. This historic cultural city lies on the border of Germany and France. Several renowned research institutions and international companies with which the university maintains strong partnerships are located in the immediate vicinity.