Would you like to start a university degree, but you’re worried about the costs involved? Even if your parents can’t afford to provide much financial support or you don’t have your own money to spend on your studies, that shouldn’t be an obstacle. There are several different ways of obtaining financial support or earning money yourself. But first and foremost, it’s useful to find out about the costs involved in your studies.

How much does a university degree cost in Switzerland?

There’s no hard and fast answer to this question. The costs depend on which university you attend, which course you choose and whether you live at home, find your own apartment or move into a flat-share. According to berufsberatung.ch, the average costs for students who move out of home range from 20,000 to 30,000 francs a year.

Ideally, you should make a list of the expenses you expect to have as a student. The most important budget items include:

• University tuition fees, including registration and exam fees
• Study materials and equipment, such as laptop, software, printer, specialist literature, etc.
• Flat rental, including all associated costs (e.g. electricity). Go to the article “Rent, electricity and more: what is the cost of living?”
• Living costs: food, refreshments at the cafeteria, hairdresser, toiletries, laundry, clothing, etc.
• Health insurance premiums
• (Accident) insurance
• Mobile phone and Internet contracts
• Retirement planning: OASI contributions (at least 480 francs from the age of 20)
• Public transport/bicycle/e-bike, etc.
• Leisure activities
• Sport
• Taxes, if applicable
  

How high are university tuition fees?

Tuition fees vary and can be viewed on the website for your university or University of Applied Sciences. At Universities of Applied Sciences, the fees range from 500 to 1,000 francs per semester, depending on the institution and course or level of study, while at universities, the range is approximately 400 to 1,200 francs. The association swissuniversities manages lists of tuition fees for Bachelor’s and Master’s courses at its member institutions.

Useful tip: students experiencing financial difficulties, especially those who receive a scholarship for their studies, can be exempted from their semester fees at many universities. You must submit a substantiated application to receive the exemption. Several universities and Universities of Applied Sciences provide the relevant forms on their websites. These may be named “Hardship application”, “Application for release from tuition fees” or similar. 

Financing your degree

Once you’ve compiled a rough overview of costs, you can think about how to finance your degree. 

When should I think about how to finance my degree?

Ideally, when selecting your course of study. After all, a great many factors depend on this choice: not only the amount of tuition fees, but also whether, when and how much you can work during your studies. Not all degrees have the same level of flexibility in this respect. It may also be the case that your course requires varying levels of commitment in different semesters. If you want or need to work alongside your studies: ask older students in the same situation about their experience and weigh up the pros and cons of combining part-time study with work, if this option is available. On the Canton of Zurich’s degree selection website, you can find an interesting article on whether and how much you should or can work while studying. 

Do my parents have to finance my degree?

According to Swiss law, parents are obliged to finance an appropriate professional education that meets their child’s skills and interests. The training is regarded as complete once it is possible for the child to enter working life. In certain situations, however, parents may be exempt from their duty of maintenance to the extent that the child can be expected to support themselves from their own paid work or other means.

The parental duty of maintenance is governed by the Swiss Civil Code.

Useful information

For children aged 16 to 25 who are in education, parents are entitled to an education allowance of at least 250 francs per child and per month. Ask your canton of residence how much allowance you can receive. 

How can I apply for cantonal scholarships or educational loans?

If the financial contribution your parents can afford is not enough to finance your degree, you can submit a scholarship application to your canton (generally your parents’ canton of residence). The cantonal scholarship office will assess whether you can receive a scholarship or loan and how much it will be. The criteria and amount of financial support vary from canton to canton. Repayment conditions also differ: loans must always be repaid (with or without interest), but you won’t generally have to repay a scholarship (although there are cantons that expect repayment if your financial situation is good in later life). 

Tip: submit your application early so that you know whether or not you will receive a scholarship or loan.

Which private foundations and funds can help me to finance my degree?

If you’re not entitled to a cantonal scholarship, you could receive support from a private foundation, a private fund or an educational contribution from your university. The Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) maintains a register of all private foundations. Alternatively, you can ask the careers advice office in your canton about potential foundations. 

How many hours can I work alongside my degree?

Working alongside your studies doesn’t just help you to finance your degree. It’s also a good opportunity to gain initial work experience. The same goes for paid student internships. At any rate, it’s ideal if there are parallels between the content of your work and your degree. This will be of benefit during your studies and make it easier to apply for jobs later. But make sure you don’t work so many hours that your degree suffers. Otherwise, there’s a risk that you may have to do financially costly resits due to failed exams.

You can read tips on finding a part-time job in our blog post

What is a graduate internship?

PostFinance offers students who have already studied for at least four semesters the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a practical setting with a graduate internship. The students are inducted by an experienced and motivated practice supervisor and are quickly able to take on the initial responsibility of exciting tasks. A graduate internship at PostFinance generally begins in February or August and lasts for six months. During this time, the students have an employment level with us of between 80 and 100 percent and receive a salary (50,000 francs per year). Graduate internships at PostFinance are available in several fields. Maybe something for you to consider?

Useful information

There isn’t just one right way to finance your degree. Think about combining the various options. Maybe you could earn most of the money yourself and receive a small contribution from your parents, or perhaps you could achieve your goal with a scholarship and a part-time job.