The types of visas and residence permits needed to study in Switzerland vary depending on your situation:

EU/EEA students
To complete an MBA in Switzerland, you need to submit proof of acceptance from the higher education institution where you will be studying. You can then apply for a residence permit in a Swiss canton or submit a visa application, depending on your nationality.

You are allowed to work alongside your studies for a maximum of 15 hours per week.

Non-EU/EEA students
If you are a non-EU/EEA student, you need to apply for a residence permit at the Swiss embassy or consulate in your own country. This procedure costs EUR€60 and will take at least two months, so make sure you plan accordingly!

You are allowed to work only six months after you start your studies, and you will need to notify the local authorities or canton, regardless of whether your job is paid or unpaid. You can apply for a work permit through your employer.

Students in Switzerland are eligible for special student accounts at banks in Switzerland. You will need a bank account to pay your bills, withdraw money, and/or receive money from your job. To open a bank account in Switzerland, prepare to submit a lot of paperwork – including verification of identity and sources of income and confirmation of your address. Non-EU/EEA students will also have to present their residence permits.

You can open an account at cantonal banks, private banks, or one of the two main Swiss banks (UBS Group and Credit Suisse). Other well-known Swiss retail banks are Migros Bank, PostFinance, and Raiffeisen. You can expect to pay a monthly fee between CHF10-30 to maintain your Swiss bank account.

You can expect premium-quality healthcare services in Switzerland, with sophisticated infrastructure and pioneering doctors and healthcare professionals. Health insurance is mandatory for everyone residing in Switzerland for more than three months. Students from EU/EEA countries can extend their home country’s insurance with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Insurance companies offer special insurance plans for non-EU/EEA students, which will vary depending on the type of plan and your age. Note that health insurance companies are obliged to give a 50% reduction on health insurance for young adults in education. You can also reduce your premium by increasing your annual personal contribution and checking if you are eligible for a reduction due to low income.

International students in Switzerland typically share an apartment with other students. While costs vary from city to city (and within each neighborhood), monthly rent can cost between CHF1,400 and CHF5,000. Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, and Basel are the most popular and expensive student cities in the country.

As the rental market is quite competitive in Switzerland, many Swiss universities provide student housing at a discounted rate. The cost of on-campus housing can range from CHF500 to CHF800 per month. However, this type of accommodation is often limited, so it’s best to apply as early as possible!

Public transport in Switzerland comes in many forms, from buses to ferries to trains. The average Swiss resident takes the train about 70 times a year – more than any other European country! Whether you travel between major cities or remote villages, train and bus timetables are optimized to enable commuters to get to their respective destinations in the shortest possible time. Discounts are available for young adults and students (aged between 16 and 24) for the Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Travel Pass Flex.

SwitzerlandMobility is a unique network for non-motorized traffic for leisure travel, made up of hiking paths, cycle lanes, mountain bike tracks, and even canoeing routes.

The Big Mac Index was invented by The Economist in 1986 as an informal way of measuring the purchasing power parity (PPP) between two currencies. The price of a Big Mac in Switzerland is approximately CHF6.50 (equivalent to US$5.81, EUR€6.21, and JP¥852). For US$50, you can buy eight Big Macs.

Switzerland has a notoriously high cost of living. Students should budget between CHF1,500 (US$1,535) and CHF2,800 (US$2,866) per month. Most of this budget will go toward accommodation (rent), as well as food.