Nursing requires scientific knowledge, clinical judgment, and a commitment to patient care. For international students, studying nursing in Switzerland can combine practice-oriented professional education with experience in the Swiss higher education system and a multilingual cultural environment.
Switzerland has several higher education institutions offering nursing degrees. This article presents five institutions with undergraduate or graduate nursing programs. The order is not a formal ranking, and prospective students should confirm each program’s teaching language, admission requirements, and professional recognition before applying.
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in Switzerland
1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
Bern University of Applied Sciences, commonly known as BFH, was established in 1997 and offers nursing education through its School of Health Professions. Its Bachelor of Science in Nursing combines academic instruction with practical training and can be completed full-time or part-time. The program comprises 180 ECTS credits and is taught in German.
The bachelor’s program does not have formal specializations. Students instead develop broad nursing competencies through coursework and clinical placements. At the master’s level, BFH offers specializations in Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Research Collaborator. The Master of Science in Nursing comprises 120 ECTS credits and prepares students for advanced practice, research, and specialist roles.
2. Zurich University of Applied Sciences
- Study Program | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Location: Winterthur, Switzerland | Medium of Instruction: German for the bachelor’s program; German with some English for the master’s program
Zurich University of Applied Sciences, or Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften in German, was established in 2007 and is one of Switzerland’s universities of applied sciences. Its Institute of Nursing offers a full-time Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a part-time bachelor’s program for registered nurses, and a Master of Science in Nursing. The programs emphasize evidence-based care, clinical practice, and applied research.
The bachelor’s program is taught in German, comprises 180 ECTS credits, and normally takes six semesters of full-time study. The Master of Science in Nursing comprises 90 ECTS credits and is taught mainly in German, with some instruction in English. It offers specialization options in Research, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Nurse Practitioner and prepares graduates for advanced nursing practice, management, teaching, and research. ZHAW also provides opportunities for international study and clinical experience through partner institutions.
3. University of Basel
The University of Basel, founded in 1460, is Switzerland’s oldest university. Its nursing programs are intended primarily for students pursuing graduate-level study and research.
The university offers a Master of Science in Nursing Science consisting of 180 credit points and normally completed over six semesters. Instruction is provided in German and English, and applicants are expected to have strong proficiency in both languages. The Institute of Nursing Science also supports doctoral education in Nursing Science, including participation in the Swiss PhD Platform in Nursing Science Education, known as SPINE.
Because its nursing education is concentrated at the master’s and doctoral levels, the University of Basel is most relevant to qualified nurses seeking advanced academic, clinical, or research preparation rather than an entry-level bachelor’s nursing degree.
4. University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) offers Italian-language nursing education in Manno. Its Bachelor of Science in Nursing comprises 180 ECTS credits and is available in full-time and part-time formats. An accelerated 90-ECTS route is also available for applicants who already hold an eligible nursing qualification.
SUPSI also offers a part-time Master of Science in Nursing that normally takes two and a half years. The master’s program covers advanced clinical practice, interprofessional collaboration, leadership, and research. The Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care organizes research through eight competence centers and laboratories, and its current research overview lists 153 active projects.
Whether you choose SUPSI, ZHAW, BFH, or the University of Basel, your nursing education will require both professional competence and a commitment to patient care. The appropriate institution will depend on your current qualifications, preferred language, desired degree level, and career goals.
We hope this article on nursing schools in Switzerland was helpful. If you are interested, explore the Programs in Europe for International Students and the educational opportunities listed on the Switzerland Page.
