MBA in Switzerland : Top 10 Universities, Requirements, Jobs

An increasing number of B-schools have opened doors for MBA in Switzerland for Indian students by offering courses in English. The business schools in Switzerland have received accreditations from EQUIS, AMBA, ACBSP, or AACSB, encouraging students from all over the world to study in the country. So, if you’re aspiring to study at the best MBA universities in Switzerland, this blog covers this and other relevant information to help you get started. 

Why MBA in Switzerland?

Universities in Switzerland offer MBA programs that are internationally recognized and would also help you understand the concepts of general business topics and specialized disciplines. Switzerland’s vital industries include the high-tech and finance sectors, thereby offering broad job prospects to graduates after completing an MBA in Switzerland. Besides these benefits in terms of the course and career opportunities, there are many more reasons that make Switzerland an attractive country for pursuing an MBA degree:

High-Quality Education

The innovative teaching standards for MBA in Switzerland attract the world’s top intellectuals. The country also invests most of its money in research and education, inviting high-caliber guest speakers. This, in turn, offers excellent learning and networking opportunities for students. Another advantage of pursuing an MBA in Switzerland is that tuition fees are more affordable since most universities are public. 

A Hub of European Businesses

Switzerland features among the world’s 20 wealthiest countries. With 500 already established companies, more multinational corporations choose the country to set up their international base. Moreover, large corporations like Google, McDonald’s, and Nissan have moved part or all of their European operations to Switzerland. Many Swiss universities offer courses linked to area businesses and offer various work-related opportunities with companies spanning the pharmaceutical, chemical, hospitality, and banking sectors.

An Excellent Location for Developing Foreign Language Skills That Are Helpful in Businesses

Switzerland welcomes students from all over the world. Being a multilingual country, you learn and practice many non-Swiss languages. Besides, many language learning schools teach four national languages: French, German, Romansh, and Italian. 

Lucrative Salary Packages for Graduates After Completion of Degree

After completing your MBA in Switzerland, one is exposed to an ever-growing marketplace with lucrative salaries along with other monetary benefits. The annual wage of an MBA graduate is around $1,57,000, which makes the MBA salary in Switzerland per month $ 13,083

Hosts a High Percentage of International Students Every Year.

Studying an MBA in Switzerland will help you to develop cross-cultural management skills since you would work with people from different parts of the world at some point in your career. There could not be a better opportunity to develop this skill with classmates and professors from various nationalities. Switzerland is home to nearly 50,000 international students, and 21% of students and 40% of the faculty come from different countries.

Best MBA Universities in Switzerland

Switzerland is home to some of the best business schools globally, providing students with a combination of impressive educational experience, the best salaries for graduates, a high standard of living, and a chance to know the world’s leading employers. Here’s an overview of the top business schools for an MBA in Switzerland and the eligibility criteria, fee structure, and total duration of the course. 

University of St.Gallen

University of St. Gallen has been ranked fourth in the European Business School Ranking by Financial Times for the last two years. The University has earned triple-crown accreditation from AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB.

Moreover, this institution encourages an entrepreneurial spirit of innovation in business and society. Given below are the details for the same:

IMD Business School

International Insitute for Management Development or IMD is an independent business school with a global reach offering various business management. It is recognized as one of the best business schools by The Economic Times, Financial Times, Forbes, and many more. 

United International Business Schools

 UIBS is QS ranked MBA university, which is among the favorite choice amongst multiple international students. The university offers a wide range of MBA specializations and elective courses that students can pursue. 

University of Geneva – Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM)

Eligibility or Requirements for Pursuing MBA in Switzerland

In addition to good infrastructure, beautiful landscape and amicable culture, many universities offer lucrative opportunities for an MBA in Switzerland for Indian students. The education system in Switzerland is different from that of India. In Switzerland, students who graduate in one discipline can only opt for post-graduation in a specific subject if they have studied it earlier. To pursue an MBA in Switzerland, students must furnish all mark sheets from the 10th grade to the final year of their graduation and should have earned first class from a recognized university. Besides, there are a few more requirements that a candidate needs to comply with before getting admission to a B-school in Switzerland. 

GMAT

A Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT is not mandatory in all universities. Some premium institutions, like IMD Business School, University of St. Gallen, etc., require high scores in GMAT. A student needs to prepare for the exam for at least 2.5 to 3 months, and the score is valid for at least five years.

Language Requirements

Since the medium of instruction in Switzerland is English, and you need to prove your efficiency in the language. Various English language proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL are required to procure admission to a university. In IELTS, a score of 7.0 or 6.5 is preferred. Whereas in TOEFL, a score of 80-90 is preferred by various universities in the computer-based test.

Essays

To get admission at a business school in Switzerland, you need to write three topical essays to make you stand out in front of the admissions committee. The Swiss universities assess your leadership, teamwork, networking, and interpersonal skills and the ability to sustain pressure through these essays. 

Resume

You should craft your resume so that it makes you stand out from other students. It should talk about your education, previous work experiences, and achievements. Keep your resume short and to the point. 

Letter of Recommendation

A letter of recommendation has to be submitted and written by any professor, supervisor, or employer from your previous academic institution or workplace. The LOR should add value to your candidature and highlight your managerial or leadership skills. Most Swiss universities require at least 2 to 3 recommendations the referee should submit before the deadline. 

Work Experience

Most B-schools in Switzerland require students to have a work experience of at least two years, and the average preferred work experience ranges from seven years. 

Documents Required 

Once you fulfill the eligibility criteria for an MBA in Switzerland, you must submit all the documents required for the application process. Though different universities have different requirements, here are some documents necessary for general education. 

• Certified copy of high school degrees
• Relevant qualification in the original language
• Copy of Bachelor’s degree mark sheet
• Filled up the application form
• Four passport-size photographs
• A copy of valid passport with the photo ID page and personal information
• English language proficiency proof
• Translated overview of the courses studied earlier

Application Process

To apply for an MBA in Switzerland, start with searching for various universities offering the program. Check the eligibility criteria and if you fulfill them, arrange for the financial resources with which you will aid your studies in Switzerland. Apply for admission at a business school online from their official website. Once you get admission, apply for a residence permit and look for available accommodations near the university. 

Cost Of Studying MBA In Switzerland,

The cost of studying an MBA in Switzerland is based on two factors, i.e., tuition fees and cost of living. 

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee to pursue MBA in Switzerland ranges between 14,000 CHF- 115,000 CHF/annually. These fees are based upon any MBA specialization students choose, such as Flex MBA, Full-time MBA, etc.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Switzerland varies from 1,400 CHF- 2,250 CHF/per month. The monthly costs include accommodation, transport, health insurance, food, and miscellaneous expenses.

Scholarship Opportunities To Study MBA In Switzerland

IMD MBA Class Scholarship For Emerging Markets

• Applicable to those who pursue MBA in Business and Management
• Partial funding

IMD MBA- Financial Need Scholarship

• Applicable to those who pursue MBA
• Up to 30k CHF

The Nestle Scholarship For Women

• Applicable to those who pursue MBA IMD
•   Up to 25k CHF

ETH Zurich Excellence Masters Scholarship

• Applicable to those who pursue a Master in ETH Zurich
• Covers full study and living expenses and offers assistantship and partial stipend.

EPFL Excellence Fellowship for Masters students

• PursueApplicable to those who pursue masters in EPFL
• Grant amount- 8,000 CHF/semester. It covers accommodation and tuition fees for a maximum of four semesters.

Career Opportunities After MBA In Switzerland

After graduating from top universities in Switzerland, various job profiles exist. Below is the list of popular job profiles and expected salary ranges.