Switzerland is known for its strong education and healthcare systems. Because medical study places are limited, admission to medicine is highly regulated, especially for applicants who do not hold Swiss citizenship or qualifying Swiss residence status. However, eligible students can study in a rigorous, internationally respected medical education system.
If you think you have what it takes to study in one of the country’s medical programs, here are some things you should know about studying medicine in Switzerland.
1. What are the requirements to study medicine in Switzerland?
Students who want to begin medical studies in Switzerland generally need to pre-register through the swissuniversities medical school application portal by February 15 for the intended fall intake. Applicants should also check whether their chosen university requires a separate university application.
Admission requirements are set by the chosen university. Applicants must meet the general university admission requirements as well as the additional restrictions that apply specifically to medicine. If you do not hold a Swiss passport or qualifying Swiss residence status, you generally cannot be admitted to medical studies in Switzerland because places are limited.
Language proficiency depends on the university and program. For example, the University of Bern’s medical programs are taught in German, and applicants with foreign non-German-language academic credentials need German at level C1 or higher.
Since slots at Swiss medical schools are very limited, several universities use a numerus clausus system. For the 2026 admissions cycle, the universities of Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Zurich, Università della Svizzera italiana, ETH Zurich, and the Zurich-Lucerne and Zurich-St. Gallen tracks use the aptitude test for medical studies, commonly known as the EMS. Applicants must first pre-register by February 15 and then register for the EMS by the stated EMS deadline. The current EMS participation fee is CHF 300.
The Universities of Geneva, Lausanne, and Neuchâtel do not use a numerus clausus in the first year of the Bachelor’s program. Instead, they apply an internal selection process at the end of the first year for access to the second Bachelor’s year.
Because dates, fees, and test arrangements can change, applicants should always check the current swissuniversities instructions and the admissions page of their chosen university before applying.
2. Which language is the language of instruction in Switzerland?
Most medical study options in Switzerland are taught in German and/or French, depending on the university. The University of Bern teaches medicine in German, while the University of Fribourg’s Bachelor of Human Medicine is taught in German and French.
Applicants should check the language of instruction for each university and each stage of the program. For example, Università della Svizzera italiana states that its Master of Medicine uses English for tuition and Italian during clinical practice. This means language requirements can differ between the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.
3. Can you study in Swiss medical schools as an international student?
Yes, but only certain categories of foreign applicants are eligible for admission to medical studies in Switzerland. In general, applicants without a Swiss passport or qualifying Swiss residence status cannot be admitted to medical studies because places are restricted.
Eligible categories may include:
- Liechtenstein citizens;
- Foreign nationals with a Swiss or Liechtenstein settlement permit;
- Citizens of EU countries, Iceland, or Norway who hold a Swiss EU/EFTA residence permit for gainful employment and meet the relevant professional-experience requirement;
- Children of citizens of EU countries, Iceland, Norway, or Liechtenstein who hold a Swiss family-reunification residence permit;
- Foreign nationals resident in Switzerland who meet specific conditions, such as holding a Swiss work-related residence permit for five uninterrupted years, holding a Swiss or cantonal maturity certificate, or holding an accepted Swiss vocational or specialized baccalaureate with the required university aptitude test;
- The spouse or registered partner of a Swiss citizen or of a qualifying foreign national living in Switzerland;
- Foreign nationals who have lived in Switzerland for the last two years and have a parent with a qualifying Swiss settlement or residence permit;
- Foreign nationals whose parents have diplomatic status in Switzerland; and
- Foreign nationals recognized as refugees in Switzerland.
The exact legal wording matters, so international applicants should confirm their eligibility directly with their chosen university before applying.
4. What are the components of the medical curriculum in Switzerland?
Switzerland follows a six-year medical curriculum. It is divided into two parts: a three-year Bachelor’s degree in Human Medicine, followed by a three-year Master’s degree in Human Medicine. The Bachelor’s and Master’s programs are typically 180 ECTS credits each.
The Bachelor’s degree in Human Medicine covers the core scientific and medical foundations. At the University of Fribourg, for example, the first year covers areas such as physics, chemistry, biology, organ systems, and human biology. The second year focuses on morphology and function, while the third year deals with disease mechanisms and clinical skills. Students must also complete a four-week nursing internship before finishing the Bachelor’s program.
The Master’s degree in Human Medicine teaches the scientific knowledge, clinical skills, and professional abilities needed for medical practice. At the University of Zurich, for example, the Master’s curriculum includes a core curriculum, elective modules, clinical training, an internship year, and a Master’s thesis.
To complete the Master’s degree, students must fulfill the required clinical training components and submit a thesis.
5. How many medical schools are in Switzerland?
Human Medicine can be studied in Switzerland through several universities and university tracks, but not all of them offer the same stages of medical training.
The current swissuniversities list includes the University of Basel, University of Bern, University of Fribourg, Università della Svizzera italiana, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, and University of Neuchâtel. Some tracks are linked to partner universities, including Zurich-Lucerne and Zurich-St. Gallen.
Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich, and Università della Svizzera italiana are involved in Bachelor-to-Master medical training, although the exact route and capacity vary by institution. ETH Zurich offers Human Medicine only at the Bachelor’s level, with Master’s continuation at partner universities. The University of Neuchâtel offers only the first Bachelor’s year, so students must continue elsewhere after the first-year selection process.
6. How difficult is it to study medicine in Switzerland?
The difficulty of studying medicine in Switzerland starts with admission. Places are limited, and universities with a numerus clausus allocate study places based on the EMS aptitude test. At Geneva, Lausanne, and Neuchâtel, students are instead selected after the first Bachelor’s year for access to the second year.
Even after admission, students may not complete every stage at the same university. If a student successfully completes a Bachelor’s degree in Human Medicine, a Master’s place is generally guaranteed somewhere in Switzerland, but not necessarily at the same university.
For example, ETH Zurich offers only the Bachelor’s degree in Human Medicine, so its graduates continue the Master’s degree at a partner university. At the University of Fribourg, Bachelor’s graduates may continue at Fribourg or at a partner faculty, depending on allocation and available places.
7. What do you need to become a doctor in Switzerland?
After completing the six-year medical curriculum, students must take the Swiss Federal Licensing Examination in Human Medicine. Passing this exam is required before entering the mandatory postgraduate medical training that takes place in hospitals and medical practices.
Postgraduate medical training is overseen by the Swiss Institute for Postgraduate and Further Education in Medicine. Doctors train as assistant physicians during this stage, and the duration depends on the specialist title or pathway.
After completing the required postgraduate training, doctors can take the relevant specialist examination. Once they meet the professional requirements, they may practice independently. Doctors practicing a university-level medical profession in Switzerland must also be recorded in the Medical Professions Register, known as MedReg.
I hope this article was helpful. If you are interested, check the Available Courses in Europe for International Students and the Europe Scholarships Page.
