Tuition for International Students at ETH Zurich and EPFL Increases to CHF 2,190 per Semester; 2027 Master's Applications Open in November
Starting from the Fall 2025 semester, ETH Zurich and EPFL will charge international students triple tuition, set at CHF 2,190 per semester. For ETH's Fall 2027 Master's applications, bachelor's degrees obtained outside of Switzerland can only be submitted from November 1 to 30, 2026. This article summarizes the tuition policies, living expense budgets, and Master's application timelines for both universities.
Let's get straight to the point: Switzerland's two Federal Institutes of Technology—ETH Zurich and EPFL—will charge triple tuition for most international students starting in the Fall 2025 semester, increasing from CHF 730 to CHF 2,190 per semester. Master's applications for Fall 2027 enrollment are also approaching: applicants with an overseas bachelor's degree applying to ETH can only submit their applications between November 1 and 30, 2026.
The following information is compiled from the official websites of ETH and EPFL as of October 4, 2026, and is subject to the universities' latest announcements.
How Tuition Fees Are Changing
According to the EPFL website, the ETH Board amended the regulations on fees in the ETH domain on December 5, 2024, following a vote by both chambers of the Swiss Federal Assembly in support of raising tuition fees for international students. The specific measures are:
- Tuition fee increase only: The semester tuition of CHF 730 is tripled to CHF 2,190;
- Regular adjustments: Tuition fees will be adjusted every four years according to the Swiss Consumer Price Index, with the first adjustment in 2029. This applies to all students;
- Effective date: Fall 2025 semester.
ETH divides students into two tuition fee groups:
| Tuition Group | Semester Tuition | Eligible Students (Summary) |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (Standard Tuition) | CHF 730 | Swiss or Liechtenstein citizens; individuals residing in Switzerland or Liechtenstein when obtaining university entrance qualifications (e.g., high school graduation exams); and other foreigners meeting specific residency conditions |
| Group 2 (Triple Tuition) | CHF 2,190 | Students who do not meet the conditions for Group 1 |
Regarding the "specific conditions" in Group 1, ETH lists several categories, such as EU/EFTA citizens holding a residence permit with the right to work prior to enrollment, individuals eligible for family reunification under the EU rules on the free movement of persons, and refugees. EPFL states that international students wishing to be exempt from the triple tuition must prove they were residing in Switzerland prior to enrollment for reasons such as work, family reunification, or protection.
For Chinese students who completed high school in China and apply directly, they generally fall under the triple tuition category. The final determination is made by the university during the admissions process. ETH notes that the tuition group will be verified during admissions; students who believe they were placed in the wrong group can apply for reclassification; however, those who do not meet the conditions prior to enrollment cannot change groups during their studies (including when progressing from a bachelor's to a master's program).
How It Applies to Current Students
Both universities have transitional arrangements:
- Students already enrolled in a bachelor's or master's program at ETH before the Fall 2025 semester will continue to pay the original tuition until they complete their current degree, provided they do not enroll in a new degree program;
- EPFL similarly stipulates that students who started their master's program before Fall 2025 will not face a tuition increase until they complete their current master's degree.
Note: Progressing from a bachelor's to a master's program is considered starting a new degree and does not count as the "current degree."
Total Semester Costs at EPFL
The EPFL website lists the following semester bill (for students subject to triple tuition):
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition fee | CHF 2,190 |
| Student association AGEPoly fee | CHF 25 |
| Sports facility fee | CHF 16 |
| Social fund | CHF 9 |
| Total | CHF 2,240 |
With two semesters a year, the total is approximately CHF 4,480. The student association fee can be applied for a refund, while the other fees are mandatory. Additionally, the application fee for EPFL for holders of foreign diplomas is a one-time CHF 150.
Living Expenses Are the Major Cost
Compared to tuition, living expenses in Switzerland are more important to calculate in advance. The annual budget provided by the EPFL website (excluding tuition) is:
- Approximately CHF 25,219 / year for international students, which includes about CHF 900 per month for housing, CHF 600 per month for food, and at least CHF 113–120 per month for health insurance for non-EU students;
- Approximately CHF 28,689 / year for Swiss domestic students (with higher health insurance costs).
EPFL recommends budgeting approximately CHF 29,000 per year for living expenses, plus tuition. For costs of studying in Zurich, please refer to the ETH official website.
Fall 2027 Master's: ETH Has Only One Window in November
ETH master's applications are divided into two rounds:
| Application Round | Time | Eligible Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | November 1 to 30, 2026 | Applicants with an overseas bachelor's degree must apply in this round; all applicants can apply |
| Round 2 | April 1 to 30, 2027 | Only for holders of a Swiss bachelor's degree |
A few details:
- The deadline for Round 1 is 11:59 AM CET on Monday, November 30, 2026, subject to the exact time indicated on the ETH website;
- Applicants wishing to apply for the ETH Excellence Scholarships (ESOP) or direct PhD programs must also apply in Round 1;
- Students who have completed a master's or PhD in Switzerland but hold an overseas bachelor's degree must also apply in November;
- Those rejected in Round 1 cannot apply for the same master's program in Round 2.
This means that students currently completing their bachelor's degree in China and aiming to enroll in a master's program at ETH in 2027 will have no opportunity if they miss the November deadline.
EPFL Master's: Two Deadlines, December Recommended for Visa Applicants
EPFL master's online application periods:
- Round 1: Mid-November to December 15, with results released in late March;
- Round 2: December 16 to March 31 of the following year, with results released in mid-June.
Applicants can choose either round, and both start in early September. EPFL explicitly advises applicants who need a visa to apply before the December deadline to receive their results earlier, as visa processing may take up to 3 months. Admitted students have a four-week intensive French course before the semester begins.
Summary
- Tuition at the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology has tripled, but at approximately CHF 4,400–4,500 per year, it remains a relatively low-tuition option; living expenses are the primary cost.
- ETH applicants with overseas degrees have only the November window, while EPFL recommends submitting by December 15.
- Undergraduate application deadlines for both universities are not covered in this article; please refer to the official university websites.
Need Help?
If you are comparing master's applications in Switzerland with those in the UK and US, Hong Kong, or Singapore, and want to create a preparation plan before November, you can start by checking out Admissions Planning, or Book a 1-on-1 Consultation. For language test preparation, check out IELTS Preparation and TOEFL Preparation.