I’m considering applying to universities in Switzerland, I want to go to ETH Zürich but my German is faaaar from good enough to do undergrad in. Are there any similar Swiss universities that offer undergrad in English? I’m looking into applied science/engineering programs. (considering this bc the tuition seems super cheap and it seems like a cool and safe place to study in)
The tuition may be cheap, but COL is extremely high in Switzerland, so make sure you have that accounted for.
How is your French? And many masters programs are English if you want to wait a few years. Here’s the highlights. Some offer English as well undergrad.
University of Bern
Bachelor’s degree: At the University of Bern the teaching language is German except for studies of foreign languages.
Master’s degree: The language of instruction is German , English or one or more other languages.
University of Basel
Bachelor’s degree: German language (C1 level or higher) is the primary language of instruction.
Master’s degree: German and English are the main languages of instruction.
University of Fribourg
The University of Fribourg is the only university in Switzerland that offers full range of courses in French and German language. At master level some study programs are only given in English.
University of Geneva
If you want to study at the University of Geneva, you are required to have a good level of French.
University of Neuchâtel
French language is the official language of instruction.
University of Lausanne
Bachelor’s degree: The majority of the courses at the University of Lausanne are taught in French (good level of French is required for admission to the university).
Master’s degree: Certain courses are taught partially or completely in English.
University of Lucerne
German language is the main language of instruction.
University of Lugano
At the University of Lugano the main language of instruction is Italian, with the exception of the Bachelor in Informatics, with courses taught in English.
University of St. Gallen
At the University of St.Gallen, the courses are taught in German and English language.
University of Zurich
Students applying for Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program must present proof of sufficient language skills in German. Master’s study programs are held in English.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne
Bachelor’s degree: The majority of courses are taught in French.
Master’s degree: English is the most used language.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ETH
Bachelor’s degree: The language of instruction in all Bachelor programs is German.
Master’s degree: The language of instruction of many Master’s degree programs is English. Some programs offer instructions in English and German.
Have in mind that some universities offer language courses for international students during the academic year or during the summer holidays
@privatebanker I speak very little French and won’t be able to do an undergrad in it, but thanks so much for this information!
University of Lugano
At the University of Lugano the main language of instruction is Italian, with the exception of the Bachelor in Informatics, with courses taught in English.
How about a bachelors in informatics. Sounds like a degree for the 2st century for sure.
@privatebanker Is informatics an interdisciplinary version of computer science?
“Informatics is a branch of information engineering. It involves the practice of information processing and the engineering of information systems, and as an academic field it is an applied form of information science.”
“As such, the field of informatics has great breadth and encompasses many subspecialties, including disciplines of computer science, information systems, information technology and statistics. Since the advent of computers, individuals and organizations increasingly process information digitally. This has led to the study of informatics with computational, mathematical, biological, cognitive and social aspects, including study of the social impact of information technologies.”
Sounds very cool to me.
You could consider Germany as an alternative, for example there is a Bachelor in Management & Technology, English Track (BSc) • Technische Universität München • However just like in Switzerland most undergrad programs in Germany are taught in German.
If your German is at least at a B1 level, then German universities allow enrollment into a free prep program (Studienkolleg) that is designed to bring you up to speed to be able to enroll into the full time German based undergraduate program. If you can study in German you will have many more choices with regards to universities and programs. You might consider doing the Studienkolleg in Germany and after one year reconsider transferring to Switzerland with improved language skills if that’s still your dream destination. (Or just continue with your studies in Germany)
Keep in mind even getting admitted into the German undergraduate program at ETHZ with a US high school degree requires passing an entrance exam. (ETH-Aufnahmeprüfung)