Studying in Austria and Switzerland: prestige at the heart of Europe
In short
- In Austria, EU citizens pay no tuition at public universities within the standard length of study.
- In Switzerland public fees are relatively low, but the cost of living is among the highest in Europe.
- Language matters: many bachelor’s programmes are taught in German or French.
Austria and Switzerland: two countries at the heart of Europe, with historic universities, strong economies and stability. They look alike, but differ significantly in fees, language and process.
Austria: a strategic springboard
Austria is where internationally respected training meets zero tuition for EU citizens (within the standard length of study plus a tolerance period; there is only a small student union fee per semester). Vienna consistently ranks among the world’s top cities for quality of life and hosts international organisations such as OPEC, UN offices and the OSCE.
- University of Vienna: a historic centre of learning in the German-speaking world.
- Medical University of Vienna: an internationally recognised medical school. Entry to medicine is through the MedAT exam, usually in summer.
- WU Vienna: a leading university of economics and business, with a modern campus.
- TU Wien and TU Graz: engineering and technology with close links to industry.
Language: most bachelor’s programmes are taught in German, so a German certificate is often required. English-taught programmes are more common at master’s level.
Switzerland: multilingualism and excellence
Switzerland is where German discipline, French finesse and Italian liveliness meet. Studying there builds cultural intelligence, which is valuable for an international career. It is a centre for finance and wealth management, cutting-edge technology (robotics, AI, and blockchain in Zug’s “Crypto Valley”), micro-engineering and watchmaking, and hospitality.
- ETH Zurich (German-speaking): a world leader in technology and engineering.
- EPFL Lausanne (French-speaking): cutting-edge research and innovation.
- University of St. Gallen (HSG): economics and management in an international setting.
- EHL and Glion: internationally known hospitality management schools (private, with high fees).
Fees: at public universities they are relatively low, usually around CHF 500–2,000 per semester, with higher amounts for foreign students at some institutions. The cost of living, however, is among the highest in Europe. Language: bachelor’s programmes are mostly taught in German, French or Italian, while English-taught programmes are more common at master’s level. Some institutions also require entrance exams for applicants with a foreign school-leaving certificate.
Austria or Switzerland?
- Cost: Austria is clearly more affordable, in both fees and living costs.
- Language: in both countries, German (or French in Switzerland) opens many more doors.
- Subject: medicine and economics in Vienna; technology, finance and hospitality in Switzerland.
How we help
We build your academic profile, check the language and academic requirements and manage the demanding admission processes. See also our guides to tuition-free study in Scandinavia and DOATAP.
Fees and terms change; we check them every year at each university’s official sources.
Frequently asked questions
Is studying in Austria free?
For EU citizens, public universities charge no tuition within the standard length of study plus a tolerance period. There is only a small student union fee per semester.
Do I need German to study in Austria or Switzerland?
For most bachelor’s programmes, yes (or French/Italian in parts of Switzerland). English-taught programmes are more common at master’s level.
How much does Switzerland cost?
Public fees are relatively low, usually around CHF 500–2,000 per semester, but the cost of living is among the highest in Europe.
