In a recent decision that has sparked widespread debate, Switzerland’s authorities have announced a significant increase in tuition fees for international students planning to study at ETH Zurich and EPFL. Effective from the fall semester of 2025, foreign Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students at these prestigious institutions will face a threefold rise in tuition fees.
Currently, both Swiss and international students pay CHF 730 (€749.42) per semester to attend ETH Zurich and EPFL. However, under the new regulations, international students will see their fees rise substantially, aligning with a directive from the Federal Parliament aimed at ensuring parity and financial sustainability in higher education.
The ETH Board, which initially resisted the fee hike earlier this year citing concerns about internationalism and talent attraction, has now pivoted to implement the changes in response to governmental directives and economic pressures. The decision comes amidst a broader discussion on the role of international students in Swiss higher education and the financial implications of educating a diverse student body.
While current international students enrolled before the fall of 2025 will be exempt from the fee increase for the duration of their studies, future applicants and enrollees can expect to pay significantly higher fees. The ETH Board has also proposed linking all tuition fees to the national consumer price index to prevent future erosion of fee income due to inflation.
This move is expected to impact over 7,300 international students currently enrolled at ETH Zurich, and a substantial number at EPFL, where nearly half of the student body hails from abroad. The decision has drawn both support and criticism, with proponents arguing for financial sustainability and opponents voicing concerns about potential negative effects on international student recruitment and diversity.
As the debate continues, the Swiss Federal Council and higher education authorities are poised to monitor the effects of these changes on student demographics and academic quality, aiming to strike a balance between financial prudence and maintaining Switzerland’s appeal as a global academic destination.
