Switzerland offers international students several options for studying psychology. Program structures, degree levels, teaching languages, and admission requirements vary by university, so applicants should review each institution’s current program pages before applying.
This guide highlights selected Swiss universities that offer top psychology programs. Switzerland is a multilingual country with four national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. As a result, the language of instruction is an important consideration when comparing programs.
Top Schools Offering Psychology in Switzerland
1. University of Zurich
The University of Zurich Department of Psychology offers bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. pathways. Its research areas include developmental psychology; neuropsychology, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience; clinical psychology; social, organizational, and business psychology and personality; and statistical methods.
The bachelor’s and master’s psychology programs are offered in German, and the department requires C1-level German proficiency. The psychology major in the bachelor’s program requires at least six semesters of study, while the master’s program requires a minimum of four semesters.
2. University of Geneva
The University of Geneva‘s Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral study in psychology. Its Master of Science in Psychology has five study plans: integrative clinical psychology, health psychology, psychology of sustainable development, applied psychology, and advanced research in psychology. Students choose one study plan and, depending on the plan, may also select one or two fundamental orientations.
The bachelor’s and master’s psychology programs are taught in French, and passive knowledge of English is required. Applicants should check the official program pages for current admission requirements and application procedures.
3. University of Bern
Located in Bern, the University of Bern was founded in 1834. Its Institute of Psychology offers bachelor’s study with major and minor options, master’s study with mono and minor options, and doctoral study.
The University of Bern currently reports more than 19,000 enrolled students. Its Institute of Psychology includes areas such as developmental psychology, health psychology and behavioral medicine, clinical psychology and psychotherapy, cognitive psychology, social neuroscience, and social psychology.
4. University of Lausanne
The University of Lausanne‘s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences lists a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Science psychology tracks. The university’s current catalog includes multiple master’s-level psychology orientations.
Prospective students should consult the university’s official study-program catalog for the latest program tracks, admission requirements, and language requirements before applying.
We hope that this article on psychology schools in Switzerland was informative. If you are interested, check out the available courses in Europe for international students and the Europe Scholarships Page!
