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Science, Technology and Higher Education
Overview
Switzerland is a hub for excellent education, science, technology and innovation. It has outstanding universities with numerous programs, many world-class public research institutions, and a thriving private sector which encourages research and development and conduc ts its own cutting-edge research.
Switzerland has twelve universities, eight universities of applied sciences, and fifteen universities of teacher education. Moreover, Switzerland is home to several outstanding special institutes in the areas of international affairs, public administration, finance, and hotel management. Undergraduate study in Switzerland is usually in the national language of the respective area (German, French, Italian), while many graduate programs are offered in English.
For more information, please refer to the booklets in the sidebar and to the links below that provide information about everything that has to do with Studying and Living in Switzerland.
Scholarships and Student Mobility
Switzerland and the U.S. both benefit from well-established student exchanges. Like their U.S. counterparts, Swiss universities offer first-rate educational opportunities in diverse fields of study as well as a wide range of English-language study programs on the graduate level and conduct cutting-edge research.
The Swiss Government offers merit-based scholarships to U.S. postgraduate students as well as artists within the framework of the U.S. Fulbright Swiss Government Scholarship Program. U.S. citizens apply for this grant to the Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York City. Deadline: October for the following academic year.
ThinkSwiss supports highly motivated and qualified U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to do research in Switzerland for 2 to 3 months or to participate in summer schools at top Swiss universities.
Most Swiss universities have student exchange programs with U.S. universities. Various Swiss universities offer their own scholarships to international students. Please contact the university of your interest directly.
- Rectors' Conference of the Swiss universities (CRUS)
Grant information for Swiss students - A Successful Start in the USA
A Guide for Swiss Students, Researchers and Engineers - Office of Post-secondary Education (OPE)
For U.S. academic credentials, the U.S. Department of Education maintains a Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
In absence of a bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the U.S. regarding recognition of educational degrees, each U.S. University has its own rules of recognizing Swiss degrees. There is no single authority for the recognition of foreign degrees and other qualifications. Individual evaluation recommendations for international diplomas are provided by credential evaluation services for a fee.
- Visa information
For persons living in the U.S. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
For persons living in Switzerland - U.S. Embassy in Switzerland
For persons living in Switzerland
- Swissuni
This association promotes continuing education at Swiss universities. - Educa.ch
Educa.ch is the official platform on education in Switzerland for cantonal, national and foreign institutions. - The ranking forum of Swiss universities
Overview of international and Swiss universities rankings. - Study programs at Swiss universities
Search engine for all the degrees offered by Swiss universities.
- myScience.ch – The Swiss Portal for Research and Innovation
myScience.ch provides an overview of Swiss research and supports researchers by providing information about employment and funding opportunities. - Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Mandated by the Swiss federal government, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) is Switzerland’s leading provider of scientific research funding. - National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCR)
Funded by the SNSF, the National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCR) promote long-term research projects in areas of vital strategic importance to the development of science in Switzerland. - National Research Programmes (NRP)
Funded by the SNSF, the National Research Programmes (NRP) contribute to solutions to urgent problems specified by the Federal Council. - Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI)
The Swiss Confederation’s Innovation Promotion Agency (CTI) supports the transfer of knowledge and technology between businesses and universities. - Euresearch
Euresearch informs researchers in Switzerland about European research programs (framework programs and researcher’s mobility programs). - The Researcher’s Mobility Portal Switzerland
This site provides assistance and information about career opportunities for researchers interested in working in Switzerland. - Researchportal.ch
This site allows the user to search for research projects in the databases of several Swiss universities.
- The State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER)
The State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) is the specialized Swiss agency for all domestic and international issues relating to general and university education, research and aerospace. - Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET)
The Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET) is the Swiss federal government’s competence center for vocational education and training, Universities of Applied Sciences and innovation promotion. - Swiss Science and Technology Council (SWTR)
The SWTR is the advisory body of the Federal Council for science, research and technology policy. - Swiss University Conference (CUS)
University policy planning conference of the Confederation and all cantons with some decision-making authority. - Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (CDIP)
Conference of all cantonal cabinet members in charge of education, culture and sports representing the 26 cantons. - ETH Board
Administers the Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH) Domain, develops strategies and allocates resources. Elected by the Swiss Federal Council. - Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS)
The Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS) meets regularly to discuss university-related matters requiring agreement or a joint position. - Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences (KFH)
The rectors of the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences (KFH) represent their interests on the federal and cantonal (state) levels. - Swiss Conference of Rectors of Universities of Teacher Education (COHEP)
All rectors of the cantonal and intercantonal Universities of Teacher Education participate in an intercantonal academic conference.
Contact Science, Technology and Higher Education Section
Tel.: +1 (202) 745-7958
was.science (at) eda.admin.ch
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Last modification: 02.03.2012