15. November 2025 Admin

Swiss Tuition Fees: What Will Change in 2026 for International Students

As of 2025–2026, major changes are underway for tuition fees in Switzerland — especially for non‑Swiss students at top federal universities. These changes will reshape the financial landscape for international students.

Quick Insight: International students at ETH Zurich and EPFL will soon pay **3× the current semester fees**, starting autumn 2025 — and this will carry into 2026.

1. What’s Changing: The Fee Increase

- ETH Zurich and EPFL are raising their international student tuition from **CHF 730 per semester** to **CHF 2,190** per semester. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- This change applies **from autumn semester of 2025**, which means many new students in 2026 will pay the higher rate. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- Students already enrolled before this increase typically continue to pay the old rate for the duration of their program. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

2. Reason Behind the Increase

- The Swiss federal government is reducing its funding to ETH and EPFL, and the universities are increasing fees to make up for the shortfall. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- ETH’s board has also approved a plan to link tuition to inflation, adjusting fees every few years in line with the Swiss consumer price index. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

3. Who Is Affected?

- The fee hike targets **non‑Swiss students** who obtained their secondary/entrance qualification outside Switzerland. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- Students who completed their high school in Switzerland, or lived in Switzerland before admission, may be exempt from the higher fees. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- Current students (before the increase) are generally grandfathered under the old fee structure. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

4. Broader Tuition Landscape in Switzerland

- For many Swiss universities (other than ETH/EPFL), there’s still a gap in fees between Swiss and non‑Swiss students. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- The federal board is discussing even more cuts to funding by 2027, which could lead to **further tuition increases** if implemented. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

5. What to Do as a Prospective Student

Run a fresh cost‑model: include the new, higher tuition when budgeting.
Look very closely at scholarships, grants, or financial aid — especially for international students at ETH or EPFL.
Verify your fee category: make sure if you qualify for the old rate or must pay the new one.
Factor in inflation: future tuition might continue to rise if tied to the consumer price index.
Stay updated: follow ETH / EPFL communications and Swiss higher‑education news for any further changes.

Conclusion

Yes — Swiss tuition for international students *is changing significantly*. For the most elite institutions (ETH and EPFL), fees are tripling, starting late 2025. That means in 2026, many newly enrolled internationals will pay much more than before. Planning ahead, understanding your eligibility, and exploring financial support are now more important than ever.

Explore More Study Abroad Guides

⚠️ Reminder: Policies may continue to evolve — always double-check official university websites for the **latest tuition** information before applying.

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