Switzerland is a mountainous country in the heart of Europe. It has four national languages—German, French, Italian, and Romansh—and offers a high standard of living and an efficient transport system.
Swiss universities offer students opportunities to study in a multilingual country with internationally connected institutions. It is an excellent place for international students to begin their education and build an international network. In this article, we will look at universities in Switzerland with English-taught study options!
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Switzerland
1. ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading technical and scientific universities. Albert Einstein studied at ETH Zurich from 1896 to 1900 and served as a professor of theoretical physics there from 1912 to 1914.
The institution is a strong option for students interested in technical and scientific fields. Its programs combine professional knowledge with practical experience and interdisciplinary cooperation.
The main teaching language in all bachelor’s degree programs at ETH Zurich is German, although some courses may be taught in English, including during the first year depending on the program. Most master’s degree programs are taught in English; some require knowledge of both English and German, and some are taught in German. ETH Zurich mainly offers individual doctorates, and a solid command of English is essential for doctoral students.
2. University of Zurich
The University of Zurich is Switzerland’s largest university. Founded in 1833, it was the first university in Europe to be established by a democratic state rather than by a monarchy or the Church. In 1867, Nadezhda Suslova became the first woman to be awarded a doctorate by the University of Zurich. UZH has been a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) since 2006.
UZH offers the widest range of degree programs in Switzerland. Its official profile highlights distinctions in medicine, immunology, genetics, neuroscience, structural biology, and economics. Generally, the main language of instruction for bachelor’s programs is German, although individual modules may be offered in English or other languages. At the master’s level, the main language depends on the chosen program and may be German, English, French, Italian, or Spanish. For doctoral admission, language requirements are assessed by the relevant institute, department, graduate school, or faculty office.
3. University of Geneva
The University of Geneva was founded in 1559 and currently has 19,078 students. Located in Geneva, the university reports 430 partner institutions in 73 countries.
The institution is a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and offers more than 500 programs, including 136 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and 87 doctoral programs.
English-taught courses are available at both bachelor’s and master’s levels. Students should check the language of instruction in the details for each course or program.
4. University of Bern
The University of Bern is a comprehensive public university located in Switzerland’s capital city, Bern. With more than 19,000 enrolled students in 40 bachelor’s and 75 master’s programs, it is Switzerland’s third-largest university.
The University of Bern offers English-taught study options, but the language of instruction varies by program. At the master’s level, the teaching language may be German, English, or one or more other languages. Some programs require a very good command of English. Doctoral admission requirements are set by the relevant faculty or graduate school.
5. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), linked here as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of Switzerland’s top-ranked universities. It is part of the ETH Domain, which includes ETH Zurich, EPFL, and four research institutes. EPFL is ranked joint 22nd in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Its core missions are teaching, research, and innovation.
EPFL is an internationally oriented institution with courses and programs in French and English. At the bachelor’s level, most courses are taught in French. From the second year, study plans may include up to 50% of courses taught in English. Most master’s programs are taught mainly in English, while others are taught mainly in French. Students interested in doctoral study should review the requirements for their chosen program.
We hope that this article on the best English-taught universities in Switzerland was helpful. You can find more educational resources, including scholarships, on the Switzerland Page. If you are interested in studying abroad and do not know where to begin, start by checking out these Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
