Leading academic institutions

Excellence, from start to finish

Switzerland has a well-deserved reputation for its excellent private schools. But just as impressive are its state schools, vocational training academies, universities and universities of applied science (UAS).

This renown applies particularly to the GREATER GENEVA BERNE area (GGBa), where its schools of higher learning excel because of the region’s comparative advantage in international trade and management, international relations, finance, medical and climate research, engineering and many other high value-added industries – all originally inspired by the region’s watchmaking expertise. The region offers astonishing depth in higher education, with two major networks of universities of applied science at the forefront of basic and applied research: Western Switzerland (HES-SO) and Berne (HES-BE).

Significantly, coursework in many GGBa institutes is in English.

For employers in the GGBa, these factors combine to make it a straightforward matter finding workers qualified in up-to-date processes and state-of-the-art products.

The OECD consistently reports that Switzerland makes a larger financial investment per student than any other member country, highlighting the commitment to funding a creative environment that attracts the “crème de la crème” of teachers and scientists, produces the best students and is ready to co-operate with the best public and private firms. Public education is free for compulsory education (up to 15 years old) as well as for secondary school (15 to 19 years old); universities charge a low symbolic tax per term (less than USD 200).

• According to international comparisons, Switzerland’s education system is regularly cited for its excellence and competitive edge;
• Switzerland is also consistently adjudged to have among the highest skilled workers in the world in international surveys.

Expatriate advantages

The education system also fulfils the requirements of expatriate families, many of whom place their children in the GGBa’s fine public schools. Other options include private schools, which are among the best in the world, and among the most competitively priced by international standards in terms of value for money.

The GGBa is home to some of the most renowned academic institutions in the world:

• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne (EPFL) and University of Lausanne, the biggest campus in Switzerland, with 25,000 students
• Universities of Berne, Fribourg, Geneva and Neuchâtel
• University hospitals of Berne (Insel), Geneva (HUG) and Lausanne (CHUV)
• Western Switzerland University of Applied Science (HES-SO), a network of 30 schools offering bachelors and masters degrees and other services in six fields of study
• Berne University of Applied Science (HES-BE), a network of five schools offering bachelors and masters degrees in seven fields of study
• Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
• Swiss Finance Institute, Geneva
• Geneva Hotel School (EHG)
• Lausanne Hotel School (EHL)
• Les Roches-Gruyère University of Applied Sciences (LRG)
• University of Arts and Design of Lausanne (ECAL)
• Institute for Management Development (IMD)
• International Institute of Management and Technology

The Swiss education system is a true world-beater; it spends the most on its students and offers some of the best teaching – particularly in science – anywhere in Europe and beyond.