Hospitality, business, engineering and sciences at Swiss schools and universities. We check that the degree counts at home first, then plan every step to arrival.
DXB · RUH → ZRH · GVA
Our signature route. Best known for hospitality and business schools, universities of applied sciences, and two federal institutes of technology. Many private schools teach in English; public bachelor's programmes are often in German, French or Italian.
Switzerland combines well-known public universities, a long tradition of hospitality education and a central place in Europe, with direct flights from Dubai to Geneva and Zurich. Cities are safe, clean and well organised, and many programmes, especially at master's level and at private schools, are taught in English.
Swiss higher education has two sides. Public universities and the two federal institutes of technology, ETH Zurich and EPFL in Lausanne, charge low tuition and set strict entry requirements. Private hospitality and business schools charge much higher fees, teach in English and admit students several times a year. Under Swiss law, only accredited institutions may call themselves a university or a university of applied sciences, so the title a school uses tells you something.
Public universities charge tuition per semester. For foreign students it is CHF 2,190 at ETH Zurich and EPFL, CHF 950 at the University of Bern, CHF 580 at the University of Lausanne and CHF 435 at the University of Geneva, plus small compulsory fees. Private hotel schools are on a different scale: at EHL in Lausanne, the bachelor's degree for international students starting in September 2027 or February 2028 totals CHF 123,802 including the preparatory year, before housing.
Living costs are the larger part of the budget. The Graduate Institute in Geneva estimates that a student needs CHF 1,430 to CHF 2,720 or more a month, with rent alone between CHF 750 and CHF 1,200. Health insurance is compulsory and comes with a yearly deductible. Read our full guide to the cost of studying in Switzerland.
For every family, the school must be accredited in Switzerland, and online or part-time formats need extra checks. For Emirati students, the programme must also rank in the top 50 of its field in rankings the ministry approves. Some private schools award their degrees through a partner university in another country, so we check which institution actually awards the degree. Read how degree recognition works and our guide to Swiss hotel schools.
In the Pathway Plan we compare public and private options for your field, check recognition in writing and build a yearly budget in Swiss francs. With Apply and Arrive we handle the applications, the visa file, housing and the first weeks in the country, supported by our office in Geneva.
Yes, at master's level and at private hospitality and business schools. Most public bachelor's programmes are taught in German, French or Italian, so a student aiming for one should plan language study early.
Public university tuition ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand francs a semester. Living costs in Geneva start at about CHF 1,430 a month, according to the Graduate Institute. Private hotel schools cost far more. We build the full budget in the Pathway Plan.
Yes, up to 15 hours a week during the semester, but not in the first six months, and only with a work permit request supported by the school.
Public universities close in spring, and earlier for students who need a visa. The University of Lausanne, for example, closed at the end of February for visa applicants in the last cycle. Private schools have several intakes a year. Start this autumn.
Yes. Our Swiss office is at Av. du Lignon 27 in Geneva, and our Dubai team works with families across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Tuition per semester, a real Geneva budget and private school fees, with sources.
GuideHow hotel schools differ, what accreditation means, and what to check before you pay.
GuideTwo kinds of schools, the language question, timing and cost.
Answer three questions and see which recognition rule applies to you.
A 90-minute session with student and parent. We check recognition, then give you a shortlist of 8, a yearly budget and a dated timeline.
Week 1Applications, personal statements, documents and interview practice, each with its deadline in the shared file.
Autumn to winterWe compare offers with you, then prepare the visa file and secure accommodation.
Spring to summerA pre-departure briefing for student and parent, then check-ins through the first month on campus.
Intake month90 minutes, a recognised shortlist and a dated plan. AED 1,500, credited if you continue.