Switzerland's educational opportunities annually attract thousands of foreign students to this Alpine country
In most universities, entrance exams are not required for Swiss students. There are also no such familiar sessions for our students. Instead, after one year, the student must take the first exam, which is taken in the main subject, and then another year later, a second exam is taken. This level corresponds to a bachelor's degree.
Then, over three years, the student gains in-depth knowledge, after which a diploma is awarded and a licentiate degree is obtained, which corresponds to a master's degree. If the student intends to continue studying and obtain a doctorate degree, they need to study the subject for another three years. More details can be found on the website of the educational agency 'A-priori' http://a-priori.kiev.ua/education-in-switzerland/.
Today, the most popular fields of study in Switzerland are hotel and tourism management, as well as finance and banking.
Admission Features for Foreigners
An important feature of studying in Switzerland is that admission to medical specialties is impossible in this country. And for specialties related to psychology and pharmacy, there are very strict restrictions.
Admission conditions to Swiss universities depend on the region of the country where one intends to study. For example, in the French-speaking part, providing a secondary education certificate with excellent and good grades is sufficient. In the German-speaking part of Switzerland, this is not enough – to enter a university there, one must have completed two years of study at a domestic university in a related field. Additionally, foreign students must take an exam in the city of Fribourg, which applies to all applicants regardless of their place of study.
The unified exam held annually in Fribourg consists of three mandatory subjects (history, mathematics, and a foreign language) and two subjects chosen by the prospective student. The optional subjects are: biology, geography, physics, chemistry, a second foreign language. For those interested, preparatory courses for foreign applicants are available in Fribourg.
In addition to public universities, it is possible to enroll in private universities in Switzerland. This requires only a good knowledge of English, as instruction is conducted in that language.
Can Students Work While Studying
During their studies, students who have turned 18 can work part-time, but no more than 15 hours per week. This figure varies across different cantons of the country. Senior students often work as assistants to professors.
Obtaining a Student Visa
To obtain a long-term visa for studying in Switzerland, one must submit a standard package of documents to the consulate, which must be translated into a foreign language. The language proficiency level is confirmed at the Swiss embassy through an oral test.