Opportunities in Switzerland

Switzerland has no central admission portal. Each university sets its own admission requirements by country of qualification, and swissuniversities publishes the country-by-country lists. Language matters: most ETH Zurich master's programmes are taught in English, but some require German as well, and a recognised language certificate must be submitted by the application deadline. Applications with a missing or insufficient certificate are rejected on formal grounds, so exemptions should be confirmed in writing.

The main national scheme is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, aimed at early-career researchers from abroad who already hold a master's degree. Research scholarships need a Swiss academic supervisor, and applications go to Swiss diplomatic representations. The call is annual, opening in August, with decisions announced by the end of May; the application is free, and the authorities warn about scams that ask for money. Students may work only from six months after their course starts, for a maximum of 15 hours a week with cantonal approval.

After graduating, third-country nationals have a six-month period to look for a job that matches their qualifications. Work permits are subject to quotas, and employers must normally show that no suitable person could be found in Switzerland or the EU/EFTA, apart from cases of overriding scientific or economic interest. Common mistakes are assuming a Swiss degree guarantees the right to stay and working before the permit is approved. Applicants should confirm current rules with the cantonal migration office.