Those willing to study medicine in Switzerland should know that the country is globally acclaimed for its high educational standards in the field. There has been growing interest in the options to study medicine in Switzerland for international students over the last few years. It is due to the country’s renowned medical schools and institutions. Switzerland is stringent with its admission standards for foreign students as far as medical programs are concerned. Read this article to know the procedure to study medicine in Switzerland.
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MBBS in Switzerland: Course Highlights
Known for having one of the most advanced education systems in the world, Switzerland has become a popular destination for pursuing medicine. The medical universities and colleges in Switzerland offer a wide range of scholarships to international students. These scholarships are either government-funded or private.
Some highlights of MBBS in Switzerland are mentioned in the table below
| Duration | 3 years |
| Mode of instruction | French, German |
MBBS Specializations in Switzerland
- Human Movement Science and Sport
- Neurosciences
- Molecular Health Sciences
- Medical technology
- Medical Engineering
- Medical Imaging
MBBS in Switzerland: Curriculum
The year-wise curriculum followed by Swiss universities is given in the table below
| Year | Curriculum |
| First Year | The first year of medicine in Switzerland includes core subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Organ Systems. |
| Second Year | The second Year focuses on morphology and function. |
| Third Year | The final year deals with understanding the components of the disease. |
Top Universities for MBBS in Switzerland
| University | QS World University Rankings | Tuition fees |
University of Bern | 119 | CHF 750 per semester |
University of Zurich | 70 | CHF 720 per semester |
| University of Basel | 138 | — |
University of Geneva | 105 | CHF 500 per semester |
| University of Lausanne | 176 | CHF 580 per semester |
Source: QS WUR 2022
Intakes in Switzerland
There are no fixed intakes to apply in Switzerland. However, the majority of the universities follow two intakes: Autumn or Fall Intake, and Spring Intake.
| Intake | Admission cycle | Application deadline |
| Fall intake: The fall intake in Switzerland starts in September and goes up till February | The admission cycle for this intake starts in June | 31st March |
| Spring intake: The fall intake in Switzerland starts in February and goes up till June | The admission cycle for this intake starts in November | 31st August |
Source: Jeduka
Eligibility Criteria for MBBS in Switzerland
To be eligible to apply for MBBS in Switzerland, the applicant must
- Have a valid passport
- Possess minimum 3 years bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
- Language proficiency requirements ( German or English, depending on the university the candidate is targeting. )
- German language proficiency: TestDaF
- English language proficiency: IELTS and TOEFL
- Qualify the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) exam
- Note: Some specific universities like Universities of Basel, Bern, Chur require candidates to clear the qualifying exam.
Admission requirements for MBBS in Switzerland
In order to get admission into medical universities in Switzerland, the candidates must submit the documents mentioned below
- Copy of Passport
- Educational Transcripts
- CV or Resume
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- English language proficiency scores (IELTS/ TOEFL)
- NEET report cards
Who Can Apply for Studying Medicine in Switzerland?
According to the Higher Education Council, only a select category of foreigners can apply for admission in medical courses in Swiss universities. These include:
- Liechtenstein citizens
- Foreign nationals (or their spouses/partners) holding Swiss or Liechtenstein residence permits
- Foreign citizens of EU nations, Norway and Iceland who hold a Swiss work permit
- Foreign nationals, whose parents are citizens of EU nations, Iceland, and Norway, and with a Swiss residence permit
- Foreign citizens who possess
- A Swiss work permit that has been continuing for 5 years
- A Swiss or cantonal baccalaureate
- A Liechtenstein baccalaureate, federal vocational baccalaureate, or a nationally-recognized specialized baccalaureate
For Whom Medicine in Switzerland Can be the Right Choice?
Medicine in Switzerland is ideal for those meeting the stringent admission requirements of the country for medical aspirants. If you are eligible on these counts, then you can readily apply. Also, it is suitable for those with proficiency in languages like French, Italian, or German since many institutions have their qualifying examinations in these languages. It is also suitable for those willing to enter into stringent competition for limited university seats.
Application Process
The qualifying examination is conducted every year from July. It is conducted in German at the universities of Bern, Basel, Lucerne, Suhr, Zurich, Chur, and St. Gallen while it is held in French at Fribourg and in Italian at Lugano.
Cost of Living in Switzerland
The cost of living covers the accommodation costs, utilities, transportation, and food expenses.
Though the cost of living in Switzerland depends on the city you want to live in, the average costs for each category are mentioned in the table below
| Category | Costs |
| Accommodation costs | On-campus accommodation – € 450 to 800/month Off-campus accommodation – € 700 to 1,200/month |
| Food expenses | € 400 to 550/ month |
| Transportation costs | € 55/ month |
Other costs Health insurance Books | € 250 to 330/year € 100/year |
Scholarships for MBBS in Switzerland
Here are some of the scholarship options for students:
ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarships-
These scholarships offer financial assistance for master’s students under its Excellence and Master Scholarship. The former covers tuition and living costs while the latter only offers a partial stipend with an offer of an apprenticeship.
Graduate Institute Geneva Scholarships-
Students may get full scholarships of CHF 10,000 (INR 8 lakh) per month or a full scholarship of CHF 20,000 (INR 16 lakh). Merit scholarships are given on the basis of academic performance.
Job Prospects and Salary of MBBS in Switzerland
The MBBS degree offers excellent job prospects in Switzerland. Those completing 6-year courses will have to go for the Swiss Federal Licensing Examination, which is the gateway towards the future doctor and hospital practices. Doctors become assistant physicians for postgraduate courses of three years, supervised by the Swiss Institute for Postgraduate & Further Education in Medicine. After training, a specialist examination may be taken.
- Average salaries for doctors are roughly CHF 82,404 annually (INR 66-67 lakh).
- Per-hour salaries are CHF 42.26 (INR 3,592) for doctors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost for pursuing MBBS in Switzerland?
The average cost for pursuing MBBS in Switzerland in the top universities ranges from 500 to 750 CHF per semester.
What is the average salary after completing MBBS in Switzerland?
Generally, the average salary that you can earn after completing MBBS in Switzerland is around 291,000 CHF per year.
What is the mode of instruction in Switzerland?
Although the primary mode of instruction in Switzerland is German, there are some specific universities that offer an option to choose between French and German.
What are the important exams to pursue MBBS in Switzerland?
To apply for MBBS in Switzerland, students must clear the German or English language proficiency tests, depending on the university they are applying to. To prove their German language proficiency, students can take TestDaF and for proving their English language proficiency students can take either IELTS or TOEFL. Apart from this, students must qualify for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test.