Cost of Living
While it's difficult to generalize, the cost of living is comparatively high in Switzerland. But living expenses also vary individually - as a PhD candidate you may prefer less costly living arrangements, whereas a postdoctoral researcher may be more flexible with regard to her or his expenses.
Study and living expenses for students
Living expenses depend very much on the individual student. These figures should therefore be regarded as a guideline only: (CHF)
| Rent incl. heating | 690 |
| Additional expenses (telephone, internet, Billag*) | 140 |
| Meals | 450 |
| Health insurance, insurance | 100 |
| Travel | 95 |
| Clothing, laundry, personal items | 100 |
| Leisure, spending money | 150 |
| AHV / IV | 40 |
| Tuition fees** | 130 |
| Teaching materials*** | 120 |
The expected minimum cost of living for students at the University of Zurich therefore comes to a total of CHF 2000 per month.
* Every household in Switzerland is legally obliged to register their receiving devices and pay the radio and television fees. Your fees contribute to the public service offered by radio and television broadcasting in Switzerland.
** Tuition fees come to around CHF 770 per semester (+ CHF 100/CHF 500 for foreign students).
*** Depending on the field of study, the cost of teaching materials comes to around CHF 50 - 150 per month.
Fees and Contributions
Fees for Students and PhD Candidates
Flat-rate tuition fee
| per semester | |
| Students | 720.— |
| PhD candidates | 150.— |
Reduced flat-rate tuition fee
PhD candidates with Swiss qualifications pay a reduced flat-rate tuition fee if they submit a confirmation of doctoral study signed by their PhD supervisor.
To be entitled to a reduction in the tuition fee, PhD candidates with foreign qualifications must also present a letter acknowledging their foreign university degree as well as proof of admission to doctoral study from the UZH dean's office in question.
Surcharge for foreign students
All foreign undergraduate students who did not have their legal domicile in Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein at the time they obtained their university entry qualification are required to pay an additional charge of CHF 500.-- per semester. Students in Master's degree programs, PhD candidates, and students in the teaching program only pay an additional charge of CHF 100.--.
For more information, please see the ordinance of the Government of the Canton of Zurich (in German only):
Contributions for Matriculated Students at the University of Zurich
Mandatory semester contributions
Apart from the flat-rate tuition fee, the following semester contributions are mandatory:
| UZH scholarship fund | 6.50 |
| Libraries and collections | 15.— |
| Academic Sports Association Zurich | 25.— |
| Student concerns | 2.50 |
| Total | 49.— |
| «Student Body Loan Association» foundation | 7.— |
| The Student Body Loan Association grants loans for students enrolled at the University of Zurich to help them complete their studies.
| |
| «Solidarity Fund for foreign Students» foundation | 5.— |
| The solidarity fund for foreign students at the University of Zurich and ETH Zürich supports low-income students from abroad. | |
Membership fee University of Zurich Student Association VSUZH
| Membership fee per semester | 12.— (14.-- from fall semester 2016) |
| UZH students and PhD candidates automatically become members of the VSUZH. The membership fee is charged with the tuition fees. | |
Withdrawal
The withdrawal of a matriculation that has already been submitted, or a refund for University and semester fees that have already been paid is possible until 15 October for the fall semester and until 15 March for the spring semester. Applications for refund for paid fees must be sent in writing to the Student Administration Office of the University of Zurich by the stated deadlines. A processing fee of CHF 50.-- will be charged.
