If you are a student aiming to pursue higher education abroad, many English-taught programs will ask you to demonstrate proficiency in English. One common way to fulfill this requirement is through standardized English language exams such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
IELTS is recognized by universities and other organizations worldwide. If you are an international student interested in studying in Switzerland, this article explains the IELTS and English-language requirements of selected Swiss universities. Because requirements can vary by program and language of instruction, always confirm the rules on the official program page before applying.
Minimum IELTS Band Requirements for Universities in Switzerland
Understanding the IELTS score you may need is an important step when applying to study in Switzerland. The table below summarizes official university-wide policies where available and identifies program-specific examples where a university does not publish one IELTS minimum for every applicant.
| INSTITUTION NAME | MIN. SCORE (UNDERGRADUATE) | MIN. SCORE (GRADUATE) |
|---|
| ETH Zurich | N/A for IELTS; bachelor’s studies are mainly taught in German | IELTS Academic 7.0 overall, with at least 6.0 in each component, for programs requiring English proof |
| École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne | No university-wide IELTS minimum; bachelor’s programs are taught in French | No university-wide IELTS minimum; C1 English is strongly recommended |
| University of Zurich | For programs with English as the main language: IELTS Academic 7.0 overall, with at least 6.5 in Speaking and Writing | For programs with English as the main language: IELTS Academic 7.0 overall, with at least 6.5 in Speaking and Writing |
| University of Geneva | Program-specific; for example, the GSEM bachelor’s program accepts IELTS 5.5 | Program-specific; some master’s programs require IELTS 7.0 |
| University of Bern | Program-specific; no university-wide IELTS minimum | Program-specific; examples include IELTS Academic 5.0 – 7.0 |
| University of Basel | No university-wide IELTS minimum; C1 proficiency in the relevant language of instruction is advised | No university-wide IELTS minimum; C1 proficiency in the relevant language of instruction is advised |
| Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) | Program-specific; IELTS 5.5 – 6.5 may apply to certain bachelor’s requirements or exemptions | IELTS 6.5 for English-language master’s programs when proof is required |
1. ETH Zurich
Ranked among the world’s leading universities of science and technology, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, or ETH Zurich, attracts students from around the world.
The main teaching language for bachelor’s degree studies is German. For master’s degree studies, language requirements depend on the program: most programs are taught in English, while some require German or both English and German. For programs requiring English proof, ETH Zurich accepts IELTS Academic with an overall score of 7.0 and at least 6.0 in each component. Exemptions apply in specified cases.
2. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne
Another Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), is a science and technology university.
EPFL bachelor’s programs are taught in French. At the master’s level, the language of instruction varies by program: some programs are taught entirely in English, some are taught in French, and some are bilingual. EPFL strongly recommends C1 French for bachelor’s degree studies and C1 English for master’s degree studies, but its university-wide language page does not set a universal IELTS minimum.
3. University of Zurich
As Switzerland’s largest university, the University of Zurich offers a broad range of academic programs and research opportunities.
Foreign-language applicants to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs must demonstrate proficiency at level C1 or higher in the main language of instruction. For programs where English is the main language, the University of Zurich accepts IELTS Academic with an overall score of 7.0 and scores of at least 6.5 in Speaking and Writing. Most bachelor’s programs are taught primarily in German, so applicants should check the requirements for their chosen program.
4. University of Geneva
Founded in 1559, the University of Geneva is a comprehensive university with strong international ties.
The University of Geneva does not define a single English-language requirement for every applicant. Some programs set their own requirements. For example, the Geneva School of Economics and Management bachelor’s program accepts a minimum IELTS score of 5.5, while certain master’s programs in the Faculty of Social Sciences require an IELTS score of 7.0 for applicants who must demonstrate English proficiency. Applicants should check the page for their chosen program.
5. University of Bern
The University of Bern offers a broad range of study programs in Switzerland’s capital.
English-language requirements for master’s degree programs vary by program. The university’s current admissions checklist lists IELTS Academic 5.0 for the master’s degree program in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences and IELTS Academic 7.0 for the English major and minor. The 5.0 – 7.0 range is therefore a set of program-specific examples, not a university-wide rule.
6. University of Basel
The University of Basel uses German and English as its principal languages of instruction.
Bachelor’s degree programs and some master’s degree programs are taught predominantly in German. For master’s degree programs taught primarily in English, the university advises students to have C1 proficiency in English before beginning their studies. Its university-wide language page does not specify a minimum IELTS score.
7. University of Lugano
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), sometimes referred to as the University of Lugano, offers programs in multiple languages.
For admission to English-language master’s degree programs at USI, applicants whose previous degree was obtained in a language other than English must provide an internationally recognized B2+ English certificate. USI lists IELTS 6.5 as the corresponding score. Bachelor’s degree requirements vary by program; USI lists IELTS scores of 5.5 or 6.5 for certain bachelor’s degree requirements or exemptions.
FAQs about Studying in Switzerland
Do Universities in Switzerland Consider Students Who Have Not Passed the IELTS Exam?
An IELTS score is not always required. Language requirements depend on the university, program, level of study, and language of instruction. For example, ETH Zurich’s bachelor’s degree studies are mainly taught in German, while EPFL’s bachelor’s degree programs are taught in French. At the University of Zurich, foreign-language applicants generally need to demonstrate C1 proficiency in the main language of instruction. Applicants should check the official admissions page for their chosen program.
Applicants to German- or French-taught programs may need to demonstrate proficiency in those languages through an accepted certificate. For background information, see our guides to TestDaF and DELF and DALF, then confirm accepted certificates on the university’s official page.
Some universities also accept alternative English-language proficiency exams, such as the TOEFL. For example, the University of Geneva’s Geneva School of Economics and Management lists TOEFL scores alongside IELTS scores for its bachelor’s degree program.
Whether you plan to apply to ETH Zurich, the University of Bern, or the University of Geneva, check the official page for your chosen program before applying. When IELTS is accepted or required, preparing early can help you meet the correct overall score and any component-score requirements.
We hope that this article on IELTS band requirements in Switzerland was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, make sure to check out the Switzerland Page and the Available Programs in Europe. Apart from IELTS, you can find other acceptable tests on the English Language Proficiency Exams Page.
