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Top Universities in Switzerland According to Times Higher Education

Here are the top Switzerland universities for Scholarships for Africans, based on the Times Higher Education ranking:, Post a Comment

Provider
Various
Host country
Switzerland
Region
Europe

About this scholarship

![Top Universities in Switzerland According to Times Higher Education](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/top-universities-in-switzerland.png) [starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/) [September 17, 2021September 17, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/09/17/) Switzerland is not only known for its delicious chocolates and the craftsmanship of its watches. They’re also a great option for studying abroad. With only around eight million inhabitants, Switzerland has one of the most powerful economies and educational systems globally. In particular, Swiss universities excel in the fields of physics, physiology, and chemistry. With 11 of its 12 universities featured in the World University Rankings (all in the top 500), there are a number of great institutions that students can choose from that all have high numbers of international students among the student body. Here are the top picks for Scholarships for Africans, based on the Times Higher Education ranking: ## THE’s Top Swiss Universities Switzerland offers over 3,000 degree programs with 700 in English. Their universities offer good quality education despite its relatively costly living expenses. EU and EEA students do not require a visa to study in Switzerland, and students from elsewhere will need to apply for a visa, leaving a few months for the process to complete. Studying in Switzerland is a good option if you’re looking to expand your language skills in one of its four main tongues, namely: French, German, Italian, and Romansh. You can read through more of Switzerland’s educational pride below: ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/a7705f68-d597-439c-ac73-d5a854cda6c1_1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1) ### 5\. University of Bern The University of Bern has eight faculties and schools based in the Länggasse area, which is a part of the city center known as the academic part of the city. It enjoys special recognition in leading-edge disciplines, is reputed for the excellent quality of its teaching, offers a delightful setting, and a campus environment intimately linked to the social, economic, and political life of the city. The university has had some prestigious former faculty members. Albert Einstein taught theoretical physics at the university in 1908, and the following year the Russian philosopher Anna Tumarkin became a professor (and the first European lecturer to accept PhD students). ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/university-basel-becomes-first-swiss-university-issue-blockchain-based-diplomas-1200x900-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1) ### 4\. University of Basel Known as the oldest university in Switzerland, the University of Basel has seven faculties, namely: theology, law, medicine, humanities and social sciences, science, business and economics, and psychology. An estimated 25% of its total student population is made up of international students. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/university-of-zurich.jpg?resize=1024%2C619&ssl=1) ### 3\. University of Zurich The University of Zurich is the largest university in Switzerland. Undergraduate degrees are mainly taught in Swiss Standard German, but all master’s courses are taught in English across its seven faculties: philosophy, human medicine, economic sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences, engineering, computer sciences and robotics, theology, and veterinary medicine. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1-ECOLE.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1) ### 2\. Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne Almost half of Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne’s students hail from 112 countries around the world. It specializes in natural science and engineering and is well-regarded across the world for its research output. The campus is located beside Lake Geneva and it is powered entirely by electricity produced by hydropower. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/imageCarousel.imageformat.lightbox.jpg?resize=1024%2C511&ssl=1) ### 1\. ETH Zurich [ETH Zurich](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/eth-zurich) was established in 1855 as the Federal Polytechnic School and has since become one of the world’s most prestigious science and technology universities. The university has produced over 20 Nobel Prize Laureates, including Albert Einstein – one of the most influential and well-known scientists of modern times. As well as providing excellence in science and technology education, the university is also a key contributor in science and technology research. * * * _brought to you by Scholarships for Africans_ [**Scholarships for Africans**](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/) is a premier scholarship information blog committed to bringing more opportunities for Africans globally. They are part of the African Scholar Initiative, powered by Scholarship Hippo. 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Eligibility criteria

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
  • Currently applying to or enrolled at the PhD level
  • Willing to study in Switzerland
  • Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
  • English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
  • Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential

Required documents

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

  • Valid international passport (bio page scan)
  • Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
  • Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
  • Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
  • Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
  • Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
  • Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
  • Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
  • Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
  • Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

Deadline timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

  1. 12 months out

    Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.

  2. 6 months out

    Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.

  3. 3 months out

    Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.

  4. 1 month out

    Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.

  5. Application deadline

    Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Top Universities in Switzerland According to Times Higher Education?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the PhD level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to Switzerland for the duration of the programme.

Is the Top Universities in Switzerland According to Times Higher Education fully funded?+

Funding model: Funding type varies — check the official site. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.