how to do phd in switzerland

PhD In Switzerland: Everything You Need To Know

Switzerland is known for its degrees in business , is home to some of the best institutes of technology, and is a world leader in science and engineering. This fact makes it the perfect country to continue or advance your education, especially to crown it with a PhD.

Universities

A PhD is the highest degree a person can obtain from a university, and it stands for Doctorate in Philosophy. It is not related to philosophy-related studies. It is a doctorate, possible in any discipline, except medicine, and sometimes theology. Some PhD’s require a Master’s degree.

These are the best Swiss universities that offer PhD programs in many disciplines.

Best universities for international students

It is estimated that around 50% of PhD students in Switzerland are international students. This big percentage is a factor of the great universities and PhD programs in Switzerland. It is a circle; the good universities attract lots of students, and a large number of students encourage international universities.

No matter what angle you look at it from, Switzerland is an overall great country to live and study in. Swiss universities generally rank relatively high compared to other world universities.

These are the best Swiss universities that offer PhD programs, as well as their world ranking:

The University of Zurich is one of the best universities in Switzerland. They rank 58th in the world .

The University of Geneva’s PhD programs provide students with a high-quality education for an academic career in economics, econometrics, management, statistics, finance, and information systems. They rank 59th in the world .

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne offers customized PhD programs, cutting-edge laboratories directed by internationally renowned professors, a modern, fast-developing campus, satellite sites in French-speaking cantons, and close ties to industry. They rank 81st in the world.

The University of Basel has been developing around 40 PhD programs since 2010. They rank 96th in the world.

Language of instruction

Tuition in Switzerland can be generally low compared to other countries, but what about the overall costs once you r elocate for your academic program ? Here is a breakdown of the basics.

Cost of studying

The cost of studying in Switzerland depends on the university you choose to finish your doctoral studies. As you move to higher levels of education, the tuition fees get lower . A bachelor’s degree tuition is higher than a master’s one, and a master’s tuition is higher than a PhD.

Tuition fees for PhD programs in Switzerland range around CHF 1000 to CHF 2000. But sometimes Swiss universities advertise their PhD programs as paid assistant jobs. This way, you don’t have to pay your tuition fee, and you get paid for the job you’re doing.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Switzerland for a PhD student depends on a personal choice of recreational activities, but it’s somewhere around CHF 1600 – CHF 2000 for monthly expenses.

Accommodation

Average price: Studio – CHF 900 to 2000/per month, Shared flat – CHF 500 to 900/per month

Clothes, personal care, entertainment

Average price: CHF 75-100/per week for groceries

Public transport

Average price: CHF 100/per month

Health insurance

Average price: CHF 90/per month

Utilities and memberships

Average price: CHF 350/per month for utilities, gym membership, Netflix membership, and internet bills.

C lothes, personal care, entertainment

Depends on your lifestyle.

Scholarships for PhD students

As for other specific scholarships from universities , we have another guide where you can find everything out in detail.

Eligibility

These are some of the things to bear in mind when applying for a Phd program in Switzerland .

Residence permit

All students (even those coming from an EU or EFTA member country) will still have to apply for a residence permit for a stay longer than six months. Students from all other nationalities apply directly for a visa in their country of origin, usually issued within eight weeks.

Language certificates

All universities usually require a language certificate proving you know the language of instruction. In most cases, you’ll need to know the respective language at a minimum C1 level. Some of the widely recognized certificates are:

• For English – IELTS score of 7, TOELF score of 600 or 100 (paper-based or online), and Cambridge CPE or CAE.
• For German – Goethe Certificate C1 or TestDaF with TDN 4
• For French – DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) C1
• For Italian – CELI (Certificazione Italiano Generale) C1 or PLIDA (Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri) C1

PhD Salary in Switzerland

Wondering how much do PhD students get paid in Switzerland? What about postdocs? To compensate for the high cost of living, Switzerland’s salaries are some of the highest in the world.

PhD students and postdocs tend to get employed by universities on a fixed-term contract—and they get paid well. Additional benefits may also apply, such as reduced public transportation or free access to all the university gyms.

PhD student salary in Switzerland

The  average PhD student salary  in Switzerland is around CHF 50,000 per year. However, if not fully employed, the pay will be accordingly less.

Postdoc salary in Switzerland

The median postdoctoral salary in Switzerland is around CHF 80,000 per year. Entry-level positions start at CHF 43,200 per year, while most experienced workers make up to CHF 94,000 per year.

Dear Sir, My request is to have details of P.hD. in embedded systems ,machine learning etc as my son is pursuing Ms thesis in electrical and computer engineering in Purdue school of engh.zUSA which will be completed in june2020 or earlier depending upon his defence date. He is very much eager to hv his P.hD done from one of the best colleges of Switzerland.pl help in this regard with last dt of appln,fee,required qualificationsetc. With regards Uday Kumar Sinha Calcutta India

We have written an article in which we have listed some of the best PhD programs in Switzerland and have included everything related to those programs. You can find it here: 1 2 Best PhD Programs in Switzerland . We hope this article will answer your questions.

We wish the best of luck to your son.

Satisfactory

Thank you, Uday.

Am from from Africa Kenya a member of the Commonwealth countries whose official instruction is English Language. Will be pleased to study specialize in finance for i have done Bachelor of Commerce (Finance Option) and Master of Business Administration (Finance Option) undergraduate and Masters degree programme options

I ‘m very satisfied with the informations I gained from this website and hope to see by applying for the PHD I want. Studying in such a stable Country’s University is GOd sent opportunity for those secured and recieved. Blessings, Chucha Gobena From Ethiopia

Thank you, Chucha,

Happy to help.

Thank you for the information. I am a Canadian citizen, originally from Sri Lanka. I like to do my PhD in Applied Linguistics. Switzerland, as I heard, is one of best countries in the world. No one has ever said to me anything bad about Switzerland. I would love to explore that country as well as do my research. I wonder whether this PhD is recognized around the world, whether I can survive with English and the money I would receive.

If my medium of study till master’s is english still IELTS or GRE is mandatory for pursuing P.hd in Switzerland?

Would you have information or ranking on accredited Part time PHD programs in Switzerland for professionals? Thank you.

Can you plz write an article on PhD in Astrophysics, Astronomy from University of Zurich …??

I am currently living in india I have a double Post graduation degree. One in commerce and the other in business administration. Besides the mentioed degree I have a MPhil in commerce too. I have 12 yrs of teaching experience at various MBA colleges in India. I’m interested in pursuing PhD in management/marketing in Switzerland. Can you please guide me accordingly. Thanks in advance.

hello sir, i want to persue my ohd in business or commerce from Switzerland. Will you help me to know the procedure and is there any scholarship provided for the programme. I am from india . Thankyou

Hello sir, I have done my post graduate in law, and I want to pursue my PhD in law from a good University in Switzerland, can you please let me know about the suitable universities for law and also everything related to scholarships and other ways to meet the financial aspects.

With regards, From Assam, India

Thank’s so much for info.

Thank you for all the information in your website, they are quite helpful. I am Irish and live in Ireland.

Is it possible for me to get funded law PhD in Switzerland? If that is possible, please how do I go about it.

I will appreciate if you can come back to me on this query.

Many thanks

Is GRE needed for PhD in Switzerland? How is the biotech field in Switzerland (especially in Virolgy and immunology)? And how much importance do professors give to papers published by students for selecting the PhD candidate?

Hi I want to pursue a phd in swiss. But it shall be double doctorate. I have already acquired one from Malaysia. Will swiss universities allow me to pursue my dream to acquire a doctoral degree which will be my second one.

can you help in this.

regards Zain

Dear sir, This is Eakub Ali. from Bangladesh currently living in Tokyo, Japan. I have completed an MBA in Finance from Bangladesh and joined national and multinational companies in the accounting sector for more than twelve years. Then I got admitted to another MBA and moved to Solbridge International School of Business, (AACSB accredited) South Korea. from where I came to Meiji University, Japan through the double Masters Degree program and I completed my MBA this month. Now I have an intention to do my PhD.

Would you please tell me the whole process of PhD admission in Switzerland, when admission starts and what is the requirements for admission? I would be very helpful if you please help me providing necessary information.

Thanks in advance and very best regards,

I would like to pursue my PHD studies in Public Health,please assist me with the relevant universities and the process for application.Do they allow part time studies and do they fund the studies?

Can any assistant professor of India become assistant professor in Switzerland with his indian educational qualifications.?

Please guide me about the procedure of applying for PhD in Eth Zurich in biomedical engineering. I am currently the student of M.Tech. Clinical Engineering at IIT madras .Is there any benefit given to IIT student?

Dear person in charge,

What are the costs and details of an online PhD or Doctorate in Business Administration in Switzerland?

Kindly, include all possible details, especially names of business schools and programs’ contents

Is the language proficiency certificate mandatory for postdoc applicants too?

Are there part time PHD Programs in Switzerland in business management dubjects?

Thank you Mahesh

typo – = please read it as Management Subjects

Whether PhD programs for English literature and Psychology is available Also want to know whether Scholarships for these projects are available When we have to apply for this programme When the admission is

Hello sorry for disturbing but I want to ask if there is any PhD program in HR in universities in Switzerland so please can you give me the names of universities that offer for me PhD in HR. THANKS IN ADVANCE.

SURPRISE KWESI AMENUVOR, Am from from Africa Ghana a member of the Commonwealth countries whose official instruction is English Language. I study Bachelor Of Science in Business administration specialize in Banking and Finance Option) and Master of Business Administration (Finance Option) I will like to Apply for PHD in Finance.

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Founded as a public institution in 1785, UGA boasts an illustrious history in higher education. Today, Georgia's flagship university offers online programs to make a UGA degree more accessible. The online courses limit class sizes and use the same high academic standards as on-campus classes. UGA offers an online bachelor's degree in special education and multiple online graduate programs in education. Degree-seekers can also earn master's degrees in community nutrition, international biomedical regulatory sciences, emerging media, and avian health and medicine. Other available online master's programs include business, technology, and social work.

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PhD in Switzerland Pursuing a doctorate in Switzerland as a foreigner

Astonishingly, over 50 percent of PhD candidates at Swiss universities are international students. World-renowned institutes, a growing emphasis on doctoral education, multilingual education, funding for early career researchers and travel opportunities are just a few of the attractions.

Swiss PhD programmes

How long does a doctorate in switzerland take, applying for a phd in switzerland, phd salaries in switzerland, scholarships for phds in switzerland.

Switzerland’s universities have experienced considerable growth in recent decades and have ambitious plans to increase the number of doctoral researchers in the country. The Swiss are rightfully proud to be home to universities that are regularly ranked among the best in the world, including the renowned ETH Zurich (which has produced over 20 Nobel laureates, including Albert Einstein), the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EFPL ) and the University of Zurich . The country's academic history stretches back to the 15th century, when the first university was founded in Basel in 1460 , an institution that remains top-notch today.

The universities’ offerings have been so successful in recent decades that SwissInfo ran the headline in February 2024: “Are Swiss universities victims of their success?” The online news outlet, part of the public broadcaster SRG SSR, also reported in the same story that EPFL is considering capping slots for international students to ensure it can maintain its high quality of education. The university reported that fully 85.7 percent of its doctoral candidates are from abroad. Still, with universities booming, it is unlikely we will see the alpine nation shut its doors to international doctoral students anytime soon.

Currently, students seeking to study in Switzerland have four types of universities to choose from:

• 10 cantonal universities ( Universitäten ), which are run by individual Swiss cantons
• 2 federal institutes of technology ( Eidgenössische Technische Hochschulen )
• 9 universities of applied sciences and arts ( Fachhochschulen ), including eight public institutions and one private university
• 20 universities of teacher education ( Pädagogische Hochschulen )

PhD students are most likely be based at a Swiss cantonal university or a federal institute of technology, since they are the only institutions of higher learning in the country [CH3] allowed to award recognised PhD titles. While universities of applied sciences and arts are not entitled to award doctorates, they may offer doctoral studies in collaboration with other universities that provide the primary PhD supervision and award the degree.

With four national languages, multilingualism is an inherent part of Swiss identity , and that linguistic diversity is also present in academia. Universities normally teach in the language of their canton (German, French or Italian) or in English. And although Romansh is spoken in some areas, it is not a language of instruction at universities.

As in other countries, the Swiss PhD is research-based and entails independent work towards an original thesis that contributes significant new knowledge to the field of study. There are two typical routes towards a PhD in Switzerland:

•   Traditional or general PhDs  at a single university with one or more advisors: Students spend most of their time working on their doctoral thesis, but opportunities for additional training and development may also be offered.
•   Structured PhDs , a relatively new development, come more formal training, which may include coursework, and often entail collaboration between different institutions, including partnerships between different types of institution.

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There is no standard length of study for PhDs in Switzerland . Candidates can expect to spend between two and seven years , depending on their field and programme, though traditional programmes tend to be on the shorter end of that spectrum. Doctoral candidates are assigned at least one academic supervisor, who will act as a mentor for their project in addition to providing guidance and support for the research. Some Swiss PhD programmes, especially structured ones, involve two or more supervisors.

The main product of the PhD is the doctoral thesis, which will be assessed by an oral examination or defence after submission. In Switzerland, this process takes place in a public setting. Candidates present their PhD thesis in front of a panel of experts, including at least one external examiner from outside the university.

PhD opportunities in Switzerland can be found by searching for advertised projects and programmes or by browsing information on university websites. In most cases, a master’s degree in a relevant subject is a prerequisite for applying . Other requirements depend on the type of PhD being applied for. If responding to an advertised project or position, applicants will need to submit a personal statement, an academic CV and references ( more information here ).

Candidates devising their own PhD topic generally must submit a research proposal outlining their project , its objectives, methodology and outcome . Applicants should also submit supporting material, such as references. Applications for structured PhD programmes may not require an initial research proposal because students often develop their project during the first year of the doctorate. Applicants may also be required to take a test to prove their competence in the language of instruction .

Application procedures may vary between individual doctorates and PhD programmes. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the requirements for the program to which they are applying prior to submission. Most applications are submitted digitally through an online form. It is also important to contact the university regarding any additional documents, such as language certificates, that may be required as well as the specifications regarding the translation of supporting application documents.

Sometimes Swiss universities advertise PhD opportunities as paid research positions or assistantships . In this case, they normally hire PhD candidates as research assistants or PhD candidates. If awarded one of these positions, students do not have to pay fees while pursuing their PhD and receive a regular salary . Those hired may also be entitled to additional benefits, including sick pay and holiday leave.

In return, PhD candidates hired in these positions are normally expected to assist with undergraduate teaching and other administrative responsibilities . Job portals like academics.com publish positions for PhD students, but it is a good idea to check whether the prospective university offers these positions and what conditions they stipulate. Additionally, it is common practice to contact a professor or research group directly and ask about opportunities.There are also research positions at companies and universities of applied sciences, but they are less common.

PhD candidates at the ETH Zurich can expect to earn a salary of between 50,700 CHF and 83,200 CHF gross per year . PhD candidates in exact sciences and medicine are usually paid better than PhD candidates in life sciences, chemistry, arts and humanities.

However, a candidate’s salary and working conditions depend on specific contracts and workload, city of residency, marital status and number of children. The personnel consultants from human resources are responsible for determining salaries and are generally happy to provide that information if asked.

With our Job-Mail, you will receive suitable job ads as well as interesting content matching your search profile  on a weekly basis.

Universities and institutes offer scholarships for specific programmes, and some universities provide additional support to their PhD students in the form of financial loans, but the main source of funding for international PhD students in Switzerland is the  Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) . It awards Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, which are divided into research scholarships and art scholarships . These scholarships are aimed at young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree and at foreign artists holding a bachelor’s degree, respectively. They normally cover fees and living costs.

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Phd programme, doing a phd at the zhaw school of engineering.

The ZHAW School of Engineering offers students with a Master’s degree the opportunity to do a doctorate in cooperation with its partner universities. While studying for your PhD, you work on applied research projects at the university of applied sciences and are supervised jointly by professors from the ZHAW and its partner university.

You thus benefit from the strengths of both types of university and, with your dissertation project, also contribute towards raising the profile of research at the School of Engineering. The School of Engineering, for its part, creates favourable conditions and prerequisites for supporting high-quality research.

As a doctoral student, you are enrolled in a regular PhD programme at a partner university and are required to go through its admission process. After completing the programme, you will receive a doctorate from the partner university in question. Most PhD networks are also open to students with a Master’s degree from a university of applied sciences. They are, however, required to complete the processes (specific to each faculty) that are necessary for admission to the partner university. In addition to formalised PhD programmes, it is also possible for individual agreements to be concluded between partner universities, doctoral students and ZHAW.

https://www.zhaw.ch/en/jobs/vacant-positions/

Formal PhD programmes with partner universities

ZHAW is part of the PhD Network Data Science . We thus participate in the University of Zurich’s PhD Programme in Data Science . A broad selection of topics is available for doctoral studies in data science and these explicitly include data-intensive areas of Industry 4.0, such as predictive maintenance, data analytics and risk management, and cloud computing.

ZHAW graduates with a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) are also eligible for the joint doctoral programme run by ZHAW and the Università Ca' Foscari in Venice. They can complete their doctoral studies in data science over a period of four years. They spend one year in the Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics at the University of Venice and three years at the ZHAW School of Engineering. MSE graduates from ZHAW can participate directly in the programme without having to catch up on additional ECTS from the Master’s degree programme.

Important to know

• The doctorate is always awarded by the partner university. It is therefore the regulations of the partner university that are decisive.
• In most cases, doctoral students at ZHAW School of Engineering are employed as scientific assistants; the dissertation is normally embedded in a fairly large research project (Innosuisse, SNSF, Horizon Europe).
• ZHAW School of Engineering supports dissertation projects that are related to one of its main research areas.
• The dissertation topic is agreed on directly by the doctoral student and their supervising professors from the university of applied sciences and the partner university.
• Doctoral students are expected to display a high degree of independence and discipline and to actively exchange ideas with the contact persons in the institutes and centres.

How will the ZHAW School of Engineering support me with my dissertation project?

• Financial support through PhD programmes and internal calls
• Time support, including for caregivers
• Networking within the PhD community
• Access to foreign universities and networks (e.g. Horizon Europe Doctoral Network, PhD networks)

ZHAW employees and students will find further information in the Intranet .

Interested? Then venture to take the next step

A dissertation project requires careful planning and preparation in both the professional and private environment.  We will be happy to offer you a consultation.

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PhD in Health Sciences

For doctoral studies, the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine offers a flexible and intensively supervised doctoral program.

Registration

Before you can register for the PhD Program, you need the approval of a supervisor from among the professors of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine . Please contact a potential supervisor first.

For students to the University of Lucerne, it is necessary to use the online registration . If you are starting a PhD in Health Sciences at the University of Lucerne directly after completing your Master's degree at the University of Lucerne, please register by e-mail to the student services team .  If you are not starting your PhD in the following semester, you must register online.

The following deadlines apply to doctoral registrations: August 31 for the coming fall semester January 31 for the coming spring semester

The admission to the PhD Program is regulated by the study and examination committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine. The admission requirements can be found in the PhD Regulations . The admission decision will be communicated by email.

Language skills: You should have a very good knowledge of English; knowledge of German is not required.

Supervision

The first supervisor is responsible for the academic supervision. This person must be chosen from among the professors of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine . Without a written supervision agreement , which is co-authored and signed by a first supervisor, the admission to the PhD Program is not possible. The second supervisor  must be a person with a doctorate degree or higher from another faculty or different university.

Study requirements

The doctoral performance to be achieved consists of the academic performance (at least 18 ECTS credits), the thesis, the defense and the publication of the thesis.

Course selection All courses (see Course program ) offer ECTS credits and contribute to the 18 ECTS credit requirement. External courses can also be attended after consultation with the supervisor.

Course program

Courses University Lucerne

External Course program Swiss Learning Health System (SLHS) Course program SGGÖ Course program Campus Luzern Course program SSPH+ Course program Graduate Academy Meet to Write (Uni Basel) ​​​​​​​

Evaluation report

The supervisor meets with the PhD student at least once a year to evaluate the progress of the dissertation. In particular, the development of the research work and the earned course credits are evaluated based on the goals set for current year. Goals for the following year are also established.

Leave of absence

A leave of absence from the doctoral study is generally possible. Applications must be submitted in written form to the Study Center ( phd_health remove-this. @ remove-this. unilu.ch ) by September 15 (for the fall semester) and February 15 (for the spring semester).

Please note the following: - A leave of absence is granted for a maximum of two semesters. - During this time there are no matriculation fees. - No academic achievements can be earned. - It is not possible to participate in courses. - No applications for financial support from the faculty can be made. - No applications for the opening of the doctoral procedure can be made.

ECTS credits For all courses with earned ECTS credits, written documentation is required to ensure that the requirements according to § 4, number 1 of the Guide to PhD Regulations are fulfilled. The minimum number of credits to be earned during the doctoral studies is 18 ECTS credits (according to § 7, number 1 of the Guide to PhD Regulations). Usually these credits consist of participation in elective modules (in the amount of at least 6 ECTS) and in elective modules, which are announced at the beginning of each semester.

Application for the opening of the doctoral procedure The doctoral procedure is opened at the candidate's request. The application must be submitted in writing to the head of the faculty and submitted to the Study Center by email to phd_health remove-this. @ remove-this. unilu.ch .

The following documents (as pdf-files) must be enclosed with the application:

• a declaration by the candidate that he or she has independently written the submitted dissertation, that he or she has only used the specified aids when writing the dissertation and that he or she has marked passages that have been adopted either literally or in content as such a statement as to whether the dissertation has already been submitted to a university in the current or another version
• proof of academic achievements of at least 18 ECTS credits
• proof of matriculation for the duration of the doctoral studies (can be requested from Study Services )

Title After the successfully contested defense, a temporary certificate is issued. After publication of the dissertation, the PhD Student is awarded as Doctor of Science (Dr. sc.). A certificate and diploma will be issued for the doctoral work.

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Dr. med. Christian Schirlo, MME Director Study Center

Colette Lenherr Administrative Coordinator PhD in Health Sciences

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How to Apply for a PhD at Swiss TPH

Are you interested in starting your PhD in the inspiring environment of Swiss TPH? We look forward to receiving your application. Please follow the steps below.  

Applying for an Advertised Position

Please refer to the institute's website for information on the research areas of Swiss TPH. All open PhD positions can be found here . This is the most recommended and successful way to move forward with your application.

Swiss TPH makes the final decision on whether or not to accept a PhD candidate. Acceptance is very restrictive as there are no paid positions available at the institute.  

Unsolicited Applications

1. Find a supervisor: If you are interested in becoming a PhD student at Swiss TPH, please note that finding a supervisor is the most important step for prospective candidates. Swiss TPH does not offer fellowships to PhD students, rather PhD students are funded through projects led by potential supervisors. Students may also be funded by competitive external fellowships to which they apply independently. In both cases, a Swiss TPH supervisor is required for eligibility. Please explore the Swiss TPH website to find an area or team of interest and relevance to you .

2. Documentation : Your application will only be considered if you include the following documents/information:

• Detailed motivation letter
• Field and team of interest
• Potential funding, if available

Please submit your application to christine.mensch @ swisstph.ch . 

After an initial departmental screening, unsolicited applications will be shared with potential supervisors at Swiss TPH. You will be contacted directly if an opportunity is available and asked to submit further information.

Masters abroad: preps and steps

PhD in Switzerl...

PhD in Switzerland: Guide on Universities in Switzerland for PhD, Fees, Requirements, Scholarships, Scope

Le News revealed, ‘’Switzerland breaks record for the highest number of PhD students.’’ In 2017, the number of PhD students in Switzerland was 31,293, and in 2022, the number has grown twice more, 54,279. Pursuing PhD in Switzerland is a popular choice amongst international students for its QS-ranked PhD universities, fully funded PhD in Switzerland and a diverse choice in Swiss PhD programs. 

Did you also know that PhD graduates in Switzerland receive the highest salary? Working as a doctoral assistant in EPFL offers you 52,700 CHF/year on a general salary range. All of this clearly states your decision to pursue a Swiss PhD is a wise investment. Read along to explore your study and career options for PhD in Switzerland.  

Why Study PhD In Switzerland?

Before we can proceed further, let’s first understand why pursuing PhD in Switzerland is a great choice:

• QS-Ranked PhD Universities: Switzerland is home to multiple QS-ranked universities, especially PhD studies. A few are University of Zurich (Rank 70), University of Basel (Rank 138), etc.
• Preferred choice by international students: Academics revealed 50% of PhD students in Switzerland are international students. As you also learnt above, the number of PhD students in Switzerland has increased since 2017. 
• Different types of PhD: The Swiss PhD is of two types, general and structural. The general PhD refers to focusing n a doctoral thesis and may include training and development. The structural PhD includes more coursework, formal training and even collaboration with different institutions.
• Multiple Scholarship opportunities: Studying PhD in Switzerland is easy due to the range of scholarship opportunities provided. These scholarships help fund PhD studies and provide payment convenience in recurrent student expenses.

Suggested: How is the education system in Switzerland?

An Overview Of Swiss PhD 

To help you get a better understanding of what to expect from a Swiss PhD study, we have curated brief information on the same:

Working in Switzerland

Top 5 Universities In Switzerland For PhD 

There are multiple universities to choose from when pursuing PhD in Switzerland for international students. These are popular choices amongst international students, and the universities offer multiple PhD programs to choose from. Here are the top 5 choices:

• University of Lausanne
• University of Bern
• University of Zurich
• University of Geneva
• University of Basel

Details of each of these universities to study in Switzerland is mentioned below: 

3. University of Lausanne

University of Lausanne is a research institution that offers seven different facilities. It provides a range of PhD programs for international students to choose from. University of Lausanne is also home to multiple Nobel prize winners in PhD. 

2. University of Bern

University of Bern offers a diverse range of PhD programs for international students to choose from. The university is well known for its teaching methods and campus environment.

3. University of Zurich

University of Zurich is on the top list of the best PhD universities in Switzerland. Zurich is a popular student destination and the university offers a range of PhD programs based on different faculties. 

4. University of Geneva

Another widely popular PhD choice is University of Geneva. Geneva is well known for its academic excellence and the teaching methods they offer. With every PhD program, students are encouraged to do more self work. 

5. University of Basel

University of Basel is a great choice to pursue PhD studies as the list of PhD programs available here are multiple. The university has a great staff student ratio and offers better research based learnings. 

Suggested: View more PhD universities in Switzerland

Eligibility Criteria For Swiss PhD 

To pursue PhD in Switzerland, there are certain eligibility criterias that have to be met. These differ based on the university choice, but there are two standard processes for this field of study:

• A Bachelor and Masters Degree
• Language requirements

1. A Bachelor and Masters Degree

International students need to have a three year Bachelor's degree as well as a Master's degree or equivalent in the relevant field of study.

2. Language requirements

Based on the language of instruction of the PhD program, international students will write the language proficiency test like IELTS , TOEFL . For instance, for English, you require a C1 level to pass, etc.

Admission Process For PhD In Switzerland For Indian Students

To apply to the top PhD universities in Switzerland, here is an overview of the admission process:

• Identify which PhD program you wish to study. Choose the PhD university that offers the same.
• Search for a supervisor and confirm the supervision based on your PhD program choice
• Visit the selected PhD universities' official website to learn about the entry requirements
• Clear any tests required and attach them and other relevant documents to send before the application deadline. 
• Pay the application fee ( 100 CHF-400 CHF)
• Wait for confirmation, once accepted apply for the student visa and start arranging for funds

Suggested: How to apply for student visa in Switzerland?

Documents Required For A Swiss PhD 

When submitting your PhD application, there are certain documents that need to be attached. Ensure the below is checked:

• All educational transcripts
• Valid identity proof
• Scorecard of exams required(ELP Scores, GRE , GMAT , etc)
• Proof of payment
• Proof of application fee payment
• Signed declaration of consent
• Information of residence with regards to last educational background

Note: Ensure all documents are translated as per the language enquired on the universities official website.

Cost Of Studying PhD in Switzerland

To study PhD in Switzerland, there are two cost factors you need to consider. These factors are important as they will contribute to your fund planning when you arrive in the country. 

Let’s learn about them one by one:

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees of doing a PhD in Switzerland ranges from 80 CHF- 500 CHF/semester.  

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Switzerland ranges from 1,400 CHF- 2,250 CHF/month. Most of your recurring monthly expenses will be accommodation, transport, health insurance, food, and miscellaneous expenses.  

Suggested: A detailed guide on cost of studying in Switzerland

Scholarship Opportunities To Study PhD In Switzerland

You can now study for a PhD in Switzerland with scholarship conveniently. There is a list of popular Switzerland PhD scholarships for international students. They help cover multiple expenses such as travel, etc and also offer grants. 

Here are the top 5 Switzerland PhD scholarships for international students:

Suggested: View more scholarships in Switzerland for international students

Career Opportunities After PhD In Switzerland

After completing PhD in Switzerland for Indian students, there are a range of job profiles to choose from. Based on your expertise and experience, the salary figure will fluctuate. On average a PhD graduate in Switzerland will earn 116,000 CHF/year. 

Here is an overview of the popular PhD job profiles and expected salary for each:

Suggested: What is it like to work in Switzerland?

Switzerland offers research-based PhD programs that are tutored well with the help of academic experts. Pursuing a PhD program should always be from an institute that offers a blend of theory and practical approaches whilst also offering additional knowledge about the real world. Luckily this is exactly what a PhD in Switzerland will offer you. With all the information listed above, it's time to apply to top universities in Switzerland for PhD .

Frequently Asked Questions About PhD In Switzerland

Is GRE required for PhD in Switzerland for Indian students?

Yes, GRE scores are required for PhD studies in Switzerland. GRE Analytical- 3.5 and GRE Quantitative- 165

Can you study PhD in Switzerland In English?

Yes, most PhD programs in Switzerland are taught in English.

Can PhD students work in Switzerland?

Yes, PhD students are allowed to work for 15hrs/week during semesters and unlimited in holidays. Suggested: How to do part-time jobs in Switzerland?

Is it easy to get a Swiss PhD?

To get accepted in a PhD university, you need to have a good academic score in your previous educational qualifications. Based on this, the university will measure your candidature. 

Can PhD in Switzerland for international students complete their PhD in one year?

No, to complete your PhD studies in Switzerland, international students will take up to three to five years based on the PhD programs in Switzerland chosen. 

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Phd in switzerland for international students.

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There are a few reasons why one might want to do a PhD. Mostly, it’s for a career advancement but also to conduct research and deepen your knowledge on a subject you’re passionate about. And Switzerland is one of those countries which had made a huge investment in the field of education. PhD’s candidates have access to some of the most prestigious institutions with cutting-edge research facilities. And they do so while studying in a stimulating environment with a high standard of living. You’re considering Switzerland for your PhD? Here are some crucial details to help you find the best program for you.

Table of Contents

Is it worth doing a PhD in Switzerland?

There are several reasons why you should study in Switzerland for your PhD. Starting by the reputation of excellence of the country, whose institutions and graduates have contributed to some of the most groundbreaking research programs in the world. Graduates from universities in Switzerland are highly skilled, innovative, creative, and the country counts the highest number of Nobel Prize per capita. 

Another reason to choose this country for a PhD’s degree is that among all the qualifications you can earn at Swiss universities , PhDs and MBA are the most popular ones. In other words, you can’t be wrong in considering this country to pursue research or further studies. And being a global hub for finance and business, career options are numerous once you’ve completed your studies in Switzerland.

Last but not least, you have the choice between 3 official languages of instruction: French, German, and Italian, depending on the canton you’re in. But there are also more and more programs in English, especially at graduate and postgraduate levels. 

How long is a PhD in Switzerland?

Switzerland being a signatory of the Bologna process, a PhD in the country is then a third-cycle qualification. It’s also the highest level of degree you can achieve in the country. And it will take between 3 and 7 years to complete it, depending on whether you pursue a traditional PhD or a structured one.

A traditional PhD tends to be shorter while a structured PhD, which involves additional training, may take longer. The other difference between the 2 types of PhD is that a general PhD takes place in one university, where the student is under the supervision of one or more academic experts. 

The structured PhD, on the other hand, takes place at more than one institution. And it can even involve a collaboration between different institution types such as cantonal universities and universities of applied sciences. 

Moreover, the academic year in Switzerland runs from September to May. It comprises 2 semesters, from September to December and from February to May/June. However, PhD research may continue beyond these periods, while training only take place during semester sessions. 

Supervision and assessment 

Like in any PhD programs, students will have at least an academic supervisor to oversee their work. But in some cases, there might be a second or more supervisors involved, especially in the case of structured PhD. 

Each supervisor will then have a specific role in the student’s project, but all of them will provide overall mentoring, guidance and support along the research process.

The PhD program always results to the writing and submission of a doctoral thesis at the end of your research. The thesis must bring up a considerable yet unique contribution to the student’s field of specialization, something that is worth a publication and that other scholars and researchers can use. 

The candidate then will be assessed through a defense, in a public setting. The assessment is made by a panel of experts that includes at least one external examiner, from outside the student’s university. 

In the case of a structured PhD, some smaller assessments will take place along the way. This may be a coursework and some exams related to training modules. They will then need to undertake these exams in order to continue in their program. However, these small-scale assessments don’t affect the final grade for the PhD degree.

How to apply for a PhD in Switzerland?

As long as you have chosen your program and university for your PhD in Switzerland, you can easily navigate the application process. 

So how does it work? First and foremost, you need to browse available PhD positions. For that you have 2 options: visiting the websites of your university of interest or visiting portals that bring together any available PhD positions.

It’s common practice also to get in touch with a professor or a research group whose work has sparked your interest. You can then ask if there is any opportunity for you to do your PhD with them.

Entry requirements 

In the case you register for an existing position, requirements include a personal statement or cover letter, an academic CV, your references and any other file your university requires.

If you plan to conduct research on a topic you’ve provided, you need to add a research proposal to the list of documents. This dissertation should give details regarding the purpose of your project, its scope and the outcome you expect to get out of it.

Furthermore, students who apply to a structured PhD might not need an initial research proposal. This is because the student’s project has to be put in place during the first year of the PhD.

Read also about the requirements to study in Switzerland .

PhD in Switzerland in English 

PhD programs in Switzerland are either in the university’s canton language or in English. However, the possibility of a PhD program to be in English also depends greatly on the type of subject.

That’s why you’re more likely to get a degree in English with highly international subjects such as business, engineering or science. In this case, you’ll have to provide the classic paperwork proving your proficiency in English (IELTS, TOEFL…) depending on your university.

The cost to study a PhD in Switzerland is paid either for the entirety of the program or per term as it applies at some universities. Typically, Swiss universities are free to set up their own fees. 

Some may cost as low as €182 while some will cost more than €6,000 for the entirety of the course. If you’re given a price per semester, you then have to multiply it by 6 to get the total cost of a 3-year study program. 

Moreover, you need to consider other smaller fees for registration, examination and student union fees. But these costs will remain very low thanks to generous support from the Swiss government for higher education.

Of course, you’ll need to prepare for your living cost in Switzerland as an international student. 

How much is a PhD salary in Switzerland?

In some cases, PhD opportunities are advertised as paid research positions. Students then receive a regular salary as an employee of their university. Moreover, they are exempt from paying the study cost above. 

They also have the right to additional benefits such as a holiday leave. In return, they assist with undergraduate teaching and take care of some administrative tasks. This is a quite common practice at universities but a lot less at universities of applied sciences. 

PhD candidates receive on average a salary of CHF 2,000 to CHF 6,000 per month. The amount they earn depends on their level of experience. Beginners can get roughly CHF 48,000 per year while the most experienced candidate can get around CHF 60,000 per year.

Lastly, PhD students in medicine or exact sciences are more likely to get a better payment than those studying humanities or arts for example.

Can you work while doing a PhD in Switzerland?

To fund their PhD, international students in Switzerland can work up to 15 hours per week on school days and unlimited hours during holiday periods. For that, their potential employer needs to apply for a work permit on their behalf. 

They also need to contact the Swiss Immigration Authority to check about their rights to work and study in Switzerland. It’s important to keep in mind that PhD students can work only 6 months after the beginning of their program. 

And lastly, they must inform the immigration authorities whenever they undertake any employment in Switzerland.

Find out also how to work in Switzerland after graduation.

PhD in Switzerland with a scholarship

For students who don’t perceive any salary, the other source of funding they can look for is with the Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS). This commission grants every year some scholarships based on merit, as well as a research scholarship. 

The latter is available at research universities, federal institutes of technology and universities of applied sciences throughout Switzerland. Any international students can apply for this funding as long as they meet the academic qualifications and provide a convincing enough PhD work proposal 

Moreover, this scholarship covers the candidate’s PhD fees and living cost in Switzerland.

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Can enrollment be given to a student in a phD program withless than 3.0Gpa? If yes, which universities in Switzerland does that?

It depends on the university. To find out, please consult the websites of the universities you’re interested in. Here’s our article on Switzerland’s top universities , where you can visit their official websites.

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Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy

Emotionally focused therapy can be understood from a bioecological perspective..

Posted April 11, 2024 | Reviewed by Michelle Quirk

• What Is Therapy?
• Find counselling near me
• Emotionally focused couples therapists encourage engagement with emotions.
• A key part of emotionally focused couples therapy is the “unpacking” of the present moment.
• The infant-caregiver bond is an example of how the past can influence the relationship and therapy process.

Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory emphasizes the influence of bidirectional interactions between the person, their context, and time, as well as the proximal processes of interaction between these different variables and the developing individual. Proximal processes are seen as the “engines of development,” the most important component in the model (Bronfenbrenner & Morris, 2006). Characteristics of the person are seen to influence development through their effect on proximal processes. These personal characteristics are classified as demand characteristics (characteristics that are apparent upon meeting an individual), resource characteristics (mental, emotional, or material resources that the individual possesses), or force characteristics (an individual’s motivational characteristics).

Importantly, context in this model is seen to be made up of microsystems (smaller systems that the person is a part of), mesosystems (interactions between microsystems), exosystems (systems that have an indirect influence on development), macrosystems (the larger social system that the person is a part of), and chronosystems (historical time systems). Time includes microtime (the present moment), mesotime (the frequency of certain proximal processes), and macrotime (synonymous with the chronosystem).

Bidirectional Interaction

Consistent with a bioecological perspective, the individuals in emotionally focused couples therapy are thought to interact in a bidirectional manner, a proximal process. These proximal processes are at the core of the therapeutic intervention, as restructuring the interactions between partners is a key component of the emotionally focused method. This is reflected in the fact that emotionally focused therapists may be referred to as “process consultants” (Johnson, 2007). Individual emotions in this model can be thought of as resource characteristics that interact with proximal processes to influence the couple's relationship for better or for worse.

From a bioecological perspective, the goal of emotionally focused therapy may be to enhance the resource characteristics of responsiveness and emotional regulation /expression to improve the proximal processes within the microsystem of the couple's relationship. The emotionally focused couples therapist encourages engagement with emotions, which may foster greater emotional regulation and thus transform relational processes to become more positive and less negative. The emotionally focused model assumes that all couples have the communication skills (resource characteristics) to engage in effective proximal processes (communication within the couple) if they are not inhibited by their “hard” emotions. Force characteristics come into play in emotionally focused couples therapy because if couples are more motivated to change their relationship, they are more likely to fully engage in the therapeutic process and thus enjoy more positive outcomes.

"Unpacking" the Present Moment

A key part of emotionally focused couples therapy is the “unpacking” of the present moment (Johnson, 2007) to enhance moment-to-moment emotional responding. Thus, intervening in microtime is seen as the key to lasting change. While this may suggest that emotionally focused couples therapy neglects some of the time components of the bioecological model, namely the lifespan, mesotime, and macrotime components, the influence of these different constituents is involved in the therapeutic process.

The infant- caregiver bond that ultimately influences a partner’s attachment style is an example of how events in the past influence the couple's relationship and therapeutic process in the present. For example, a lack of responsiveness in bidirectional infant-caregiver interactions may produce a fear of attachment in an individual. This fear of attachment may create negative primary emotions in an individual, which may show themselves as secondary emotion reactions, influencing the couple's relationship and therapeutic process. Given that an individual's caregiver-infant attachment history has an indirect effect on their partner, this relationship could be thought of as an example of the exosystem influence on the couple's relationship. The frequency of couple conflict that likely contributes to a couple’s decision to seek therapy is an example of how mesotime is involved in couples therapy. Historical context (the chronosystem) is implicitly taken into account in emotionally focused therapy because the therapist and couple are all embedded in the same historical context.

The emotionally focused therapist’s use of acceptance, validation, and empathy can be thought of as resource characteristics of the therapist that improve the proximal processes involved in the client-therapist relationship. These resource characteristics are essential in creating change within each individual and the couple as a whole. In addition, emotionally focused couples therapy’s holistic perspective is in harmony with a bioecological perspective, which considers the whole individual to change in development.

Contrasts With the Bioecological Model

Emotionally focused couples therapy may not account for the embeddedness of the person in their context to the extent that the bioecological model calls for. This is reflected by the fact that emotionally focused therapists try to avoid digging into past histories and other context factors. The focus is instead on emotions and communication in the present moment, which neglects to acknowledge the importance of events over the lifespan of the individual (with exception to experiences related to attachment histories).

Also in contrast to a bioecological perspective, emotionally focused couples therapy does not take into account the influence of the macrosystem or even mesosystem on the couple's relationship. Expanding this method to include the mesosystem may involve having partners discuss stressors outside of their relationship and learning how to be responsive to each other's needs surrounding these stressors. For example, if an individual feels insecure that their partner is spending too much time at work, the partner may be encouraged to listen to these concerns and reassure their partner. To include the macrosystem in emotionally focused couples therapy, a therapist must be culturally responsive to the couples who come into the therapy room, learning how to modify their methods to be sensitive to each couple's cultural background.

To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory .

Bronfenbrenner, U., & Morris, P. A. (2006). The bioecological model of human development. In R. M. Lerner (ed.), Handbook of Child Psychology, Vol. I, Theoretical Models of Human Development (6th ed., pp. 793–828). Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.

Johnson, S. M. (2007). The contribution of emotionally focused couples therapy. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy , 37 (1), 47–52.

Tasha Seiter, M.S., Ph.D., LMFT, provides online couples and individual therapy as well as life and relationship coaching to anyone hoping to improve their life or relationship.

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