Finances

The costs vary greatly depending on your personal situation. The following expenses may be incurred when preparing or applying for a degree programme: 

 

• Language course: There are a wide variety of courses on offer. Intensive language courses to achieve a higher language level are usually expensive. Generally, you should expect costs of CHF 1,000-2,000. Be sure to clarify with social aid which offers can be covered by them and compare different course options.  

 

• Language certificate: Expect to pay around CHF 200-420 for the test to get the certificate. Some universities offer their own language tests, which are slightly cheaper. 

 

• Documents for the application: Universities often require certified copies and certified translations for the application. A certified copy with an official stamp confirms that the copy corresponds to the original. Such a copy costs between CHF 10-25 and CHF 3-5 per additional page. Certified translations are also often required. A certified translation with notarisation from a non-European language can cost around CHF 150-250 for one page or more. Additional costs are added for each additional page. A quote for the translation can be requested from a translation agency. 

 

• ECUS exam: The German exam costs CHF 1,050, the French exam CHF 870. If you would like to prepare for the exam in a course, there are various options. For the German exam, for example, AKAD offers self-study preparation (up to approx. CHF 9,000 for all modules). For the French exam, for example, the Ecole de Préparation et Soutien Universitaire offers face-to-face courses for CHF 7,700 or the PrEP in Lausanne offers courses for CHF 9,900 (including exam fees). 

Depending on whether you live with your parents, whether you already have a family and which university you attend, the costs of studying will vary. On average, you should expect to pay between CHF 2,000 and CHF 3,000 per month for a single person.  

This consists of the following costs: 

• Living costs: Living costs consist of housing costs and all other expenses for food and daily use. Housing costs in particular can be very high. You can reduce these costs, if possible, by living in a shared flat or looking for a flat outside the city. In some cities there are cheaper rooms available for students. It is best to enquire about this with the student union at your university. 

 

• Tuition fees: Fees are charged per semester, so you pay that amount twice a year. Tuition fees usually have to be paid before the start of the semester. The semester fees at different universities vary. There are also universities where students with foreign intermediate diplomas pay higher fees. Swissuniversities provides an overview of the fees. At some universities, students in financially difficult situations have the option of applying for a tuition fee waiver. Some universities also have a social fund that can cover tuition fees. Find out more about this at your university. 

 

• Study materials (laptop, books, etc.): Some universities will provide second-hand laptops for little money. There are also often offers where you can buy a favourably priced laptop as a student. Books can often be bought second-hand from older students. You can find offers online, on the notice board at your university or you can ask at the university library or student union. If you are unable to pay these costs, enquire about a social fund at your university or contact foundations. 

 

• Travel costs: You can compare the various tickets and travelcards on sbb.ch and see which option is the cheapest (single ticket, travelcard for the specific route, GA travelcard, etc.). If you are less than 25 years old, you might profit from reduced youth prices. A social fund at your university or a foundation may also be able to support you here. 

 

• Health insurance: Health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland. If you receive social aid, you are usually insured through it. If not, you must find and pay for health insurance yourself. Here you can compare different offers from different providers. People on a low income are entitled to premium reductions. You can apply for this through the compensation office in your canton. You can find more information on health insurance companies and links to premium reductions here. 

A budget gives you an overview of the money you have available and the costs that you need to pay each month. Here you will find information and forms to create your own budget. You will also find guidelines specifically for students. Other sites such as Berufsberatung.ch or information from banks such as Raiffeisen can also help you estimate the costs of your studies and draw up a budget. All these information is available either in German, Italian or in French.  

• Social aid

  Social aid works on a subsidiary basis. This means that it only pays out if a person has no other means of covering their living expenses. It covers basic needs that enable a modest lifestyle. 

    

  Social aid is regulated at cantonal level. This means that support varies from canton to canton (and sometimes from commune to commune). Many cantons orientate themselves on the SKOS guidelines (German, French and Italian). However, these are not binding. What social aid pays also depends on your residence status. People with N, F temporarily admitted foreigners and S status receive asylum social aid. This is approx. 30% lower than regular social aid. Recognised refugees (status F and B) receive refugee social assistance. The same rates apply as for Swiss social aid recipients. 

   

  Social aid does not generally support university studies. It is usually designed to give priority to a quick entry into the labour market. However, there are exceptions where Social aid covers living costs during your studies. Often, however, study-related costs (tuition fees, material costs, etc.) won’t be paid by social aid as these exceed basic needs. In some cantons, some of these costs can be financed via the integration allowance. Ask your social worker directly about the possibility of using the integration allowance. 

  If you would like to start studying, it is important to discuss this with your social worker. It is important that you think about the following questions in advance: 

  • What do you want to study and to what end? What are your career options after graduation?  
  • Do you already fulfil the admission requirements or what do you still need? Can the careers counsellor confirm your potential for a university degree? 

  • How much will the degree programme cost and how could these costs be covered? 

  It is important that you clarify the following with your social worker: 

  • Will you continue to receive support from Social aid if you go to university?  
  • What costs will be covered?  
  • Can your social worker support you in submitting a scholarship application to the canton and/or a funding foundation? How would Social aid assess such a scholarship? 
• Cantonal scholarships

  Every canton has a scholarship office. This awards scholarships for initial education if a person or their parents do not have enough money for an education. The canton of residence is responsible in each case. On this page you will find the contact details of the respective cantonal scholarship offices in German, French or Italian.  

  Who is entitled to a scholarship? 

  Whether you are eligible for a scholarship depends on various factors: 

  • Residence status: Recognised refugees with B and F status and stateless persons are eligible for scholarships throughout Switzerland. Temporarily admitted foreign nationals (status F without asylum status) and persons with protection status S only have access to scholarships in some cantons. Asylum seekers (status N) are generally not entitled to scholarships in any cantons.  
  • Age: Many cantons have an age limit. The lowest age limit is 35 years.  
  • Previous education: As a rule, second qualifications are not eligible for a scholarship, especially if the degree from the first qualification is recognised in Switzerland. However, the extent to which initial training from abroad is taken into account depends on the canton and the training in question.  
  • Income & assets: You must be able to prove that neither you nor your parents (if they live in Switzerland) have enough money to finance your education. This proof is usually provided by the tax assessment.  

  Perspectives – Study provides an overview of important criteria in the individual cantons in German and in French.   

  Amount of support 

  Cantonal scholarships are considered to be education grants. This means that they do not usually cover all living costs and you will need additional financial resources for your studies. The amounts also vary from canton to canton. 

  If you receive Social aid, your application must be submitted in consultation with your social worker. The scholarship is often paid out to Social aid. Social aid counts the scholarship as income and reduces its financial support to you accordingly. 

  If you have a scholarship and work alongside it and earn “too much”, you may lose your entitlement to the scholarship. Therefore, find out from your scholarship office how much you are allowed to earn per month without losing your scholarship or having deductions made.  

  Procedure for submitting an application 

  Each scholarship office has its own procedures. This means that each canton has its own forms and sets different deadlines. You should therefore enquire directly at the scholarship office in your canton of residence.  

  In most cases, you will need a confirmation of enrolment or proof of enrolment in order to be able to submit an application. It can often take several months before an application is reviewed and you are notified of the decision. 
• Loan

  A loan is a sum of money that is borrowed and then usually has to be repaid with interest. This results in debt that must be repaid at the end of the degree programme. After graduation, the interest is charged. There are very different loans with very different interest rates. The interest rate is often between 4 and 10%. Some scholarship offices also grant loans, especially for older students. The loans are usually granted at low interest rates or even interest-free. Certain foundations, such as EDUCA SWISS, also grant educational loans at low interest rates. 
• Part-time job

  You can finance at least part of your studies yourself with a part-time job. However, if you work alongside your studies, this often extends the duration of your studies. But depending on what you do, work experience can be an advantage when looking for a job after graduation. 

  Depending on the position, it is possible to work part-time during the semester or full-time during the semester break. In many degree programmes, it is possible to work 20% during the semester, i.e. one day a week. The more compulsory courses your degree programme has, the more difficult it is to combine this with a part-time job. Ideally, the job should be flexible in terms of time. 

  If you have received a cantonal scholarship, it is advisable to clarify how much additional income you are allowed to earn. This is because above a certain income, you will have to pay back the grant. Even if you receive Social aid, your income will be offset and deducted from the Social aid you receive. However, you will be exempted from an income allowance. This is CHF 200-700 depending on your workload and income. 

  Work permit 

  Depending on your status, you may be required to obtain a work permit (N and S) or register (F and B). Inform yourself before the job interview so that you can provide information to your potential employer if necessary. SFH offers relevant information.  

  The hourly wage for student jobs is often between CHF 17 and 25. Many of the better-paid jobs require good language skills in a national language (e.g. tutoring or office work). 

  Job search 

  You can find jobs on the websites of the student unions or on sites like these: 

  • students.ch: Site with job and internship section for students 
  • studentenjobs.ch: job centre for students and graduates 
  • semestra.ch: Portal for students with job section 
• Funding foundations

  In addition to cantonal scholarships and municipal contributions, funding foundations also award scholarships or support for specific education-related costs. When assuming direct costs, the funding foundations often want to make the transfer to the invoice issuer and thus pay the outstanding invoice directly. 

  Funding foundations often support certain groups of people. For example, people from a certain region and specialisation or students who can demonstrate very good performance. 

  Check whether your situation corresponds to the purpose of the foundation. You can research this in the federal foundation directory (available in German, French & Italian), at Fundraiso or at StiftungSchweiz.  

  If you receive social aid, clarify with your social worker which costs can be covered by a foundation without this leading to reductions. As a rule, funding foundations provide subsidiary support, i.e. only if these costs cannot be covered by scholarships, social aid or other sources. This also means that the amount of support from a funding foundation should not be deducted from your social welfare budget. This is most likely to be possible in the case of direct assumption of costs, such as payment of semester fees. 
• Crowdfunding

  Crowdfunding offers the opportunity to receive donations from various private individuals. It is important to be able to present your educational project well. A video is often suitable for this. There is an enormous number of projects that are presented on crowdfunding platforms. It is therefore important to be able to convince potential donors of your idea and your motivation. There are various crowdfunding platforms, such as gofundme, crowdify or wemakeit. 

  However, this option is not suitable if you receive social aid. This is because these donations and all financial support you receive must be reported to social aid. As the donations are not clearly allocated to a specific purpose, in most cases they will be deducted from your social aid.