phd in swiss

Degree Programs & Courses Doctorate

Doctoral degree, doctoral study at the university of bern.

You can either take the doctorate within a graduate school or as part of a doctoral degree program, or you can even take a traditional individual doctorate. Graduate schools and doctoral degree programs are arranged on an interdisciplinary and/or interuniversity basis in many cases. In addition to research-related training and intensive support, these also offer excellent opportunities for networking within the academic community.

An A-Z of doctoral subjects

• Archaeology
• Business Administration
• Cellular and Biomedical Sciences Med./Nat./Vet.
• Central Asian Studies
• Chemistry and Molecular Sciences
• Classical Philology (special qualification in Greek or Latin)
• Old Catholic Theology
• Climate Sciences
• Cognition, Learning and Memory
• Communication and Media Studies
• Dental Medicine
• German Language
• German Language and Literature
• German Literature
• Digital Humanities
• Eastern European Studies
• Ecology and Evolution
• Economic Globalisation and Integration
• Earth Sciences
• Protestant Theology
• Gender Studies
• Geography and Sustainable Development
• Global Studies
• Health Sciences hum/med
• Human Medicine
• Computer Sciences
• Interdiciplinary Cultural Studies ICS
• Islamic Studies and Oriental Literature
• Italian Linguistics and Literature
• Social Sciences
• Art History
• Language and Society
• Languages and Literatures in English
• Linguistics
• Linguistique/Littérature françaises
• Mathematics
• Molecular Life Sciences
• Physics/Astronomy
• Political Science
• Public Administration
• Religious Studies theol.
• Science of Religion Human.
• Slavic Languages and Literatures
• Social Anthropology
• Spanish Linguistics and Literature
• Sport Science
• Criminal Justice
• Theater and Dance Studies
• Administrative Science
• Veterinary Medicine

Further information

Transferable Skills - Key Qualifications for your academic and non-academic Career

Transferable skills program for doctoral students and postdocs of every discipline.

Funding program «UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs»

The University of Bern, with its funding program «UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs», supports doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers in attending short research stays abroad, to advance their own research projects and to gain more international experience. Next application deadline: March 1, 2023

Open calls for ENLIGHT initiatives

The University of Bern and ENLIGHT support bottom-up initiatives by lecturers for challenge-based education projects in the six focus areas of ENLIGHT. Especially for early career academics, this is an opportunity to build an international network and gain interdisciplinary teaching experience.

UniBE Doc.Mobility

UniBE Doc.Mobility is granted for stays abroad which usually last twelve months. Support takes place in the form of an employment as a doctoral student, but with a place of research abroad. Application deadline: March 1/ September 1

Promotion Fund

In cooperation with the Intermediate Staff Association of the University of Bern, the Vice-Rectorate Research calls for proposals to the Fund for the Promotion of Young Researchers twice a year.

MVUB - Lunchtalks

Lunchtime events concerning academic career, working conditions and intermediate staff politics.

Innovative higher education teaching

The University of Bern's Department of 'Hochschuldidaktik & Lehrentwicklung' supports you in your teaching activities with coaching and around 50 events a year.

COMET – Coaching, Mentoring und Training

The COMET Career Programme supports female researchers in successfully pursuing their academic careers.

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PhD In Switzerland: Everything You Need To Know

Switzerland is known for its degrees in business , is home to some of the best institutes of technology, and is a world leader in science and engineering. This fact makes it the perfect country to continue or advance your education, especially to crown it with a PhD.

Universities

A PhD is the highest degree a person can obtain from a university, and it stands for Doctorate in Philosophy. It is not related to philosophy-related studies. It is a doctorate, possible in any discipline, except medicine, and sometimes theology. Some PhD’s require a Master’s degree.

These are the best Swiss universities that offer PhD programs in many disciplines.

Best universities for international students

It is estimated that around 50% of PhD students in Switzerland are international students. This big percentage is a factor of the great universities and PhD programs in Switzerland. It is a circle; the good universities attract lots of students, and a large number of students encourage international universities.

No matter what angle you look at it from, Switzerland is an overall great country to live and study in. Swiss universities generally rank relatively high compared to other world universities.

These are the best Swiss universities that offer PhD programs, as well as their world ranking:

The University of Zurich is one of the best universities in Switzerland. They rank 58th in the world .

The University of Geneva’s PhD programs provide students with a high-quality education for an academic career in economics, econometrics, management, statistics, finance, and information systems. They rank 59th in the world .

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne offers customized PhD programs, cutting-edge laboratories directed by internationally renowned professors, a modern, fast-developing campus, satellite sites in French-speaking cantons, and close ties to industry. They rank 81st in the world.

The University of Basel has been developing around 40 PhD programs since 2010. They rank 96th in the world.

Language of instruction

Tuition in Switzerland can be generally low compared to other countries, but what about the overall costs once you r elocate for your academic program ? Here is a breakdown of the basics.

Cost of studying

The cost of studying in Switzerland depends on the university you choose to finish your doctoral studies. As you move to higher levels of education, the tuition fees get lower . A bachelor’s degree tuition is higher than a master’s one, and a master’s tuition is higher than a PhD.

Tuition fees for PhD programs in Switzerland range around CHF 1000 to CHF 2000. But sometimes Swiss universities advertise their PhD programs as paid assistant jobs. This way, you don’t have to pay your tuition fee, and you get paid for the job you’re doing.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Switzerland for a PhD student depends on a personal choice of recreational activities, but it’s somewhere around CHF 1600 – CHF 2000 for monthly expenses.

Accommodation

Average price: Studio – CHF 900 to 2000/per month, Shared flat – CHF 500 to 900/per month

Clothes, personal care, entertainment

Average price: CHF 75-100/per week for groceries

Public transport

Average price: CHF 100/per month

Health insurance

Average price: CHF 90/per month

Utilities and memberships

Average price: CHF 350/per month for utilities, gym membership, Netflix membership, and internet bills.

C lothes, personal care, entertainment

Depends on your lifestyle.

Scholarships for PhD students

As for other specific scholarships from universities , we have another guide where you can find everything out in detail.

Eligibility

These are some of the things to bear in mind when applying for a Phd program in Switzerland .

Residence permit

All students (even those coming from an EU or EFTA member country) will still have to apply for a residence permit for a stay longer than six months. Students from all other nationalities apply directly for a visa in their country of origin, usually issued within eight weeks.

Language certificates

All universities usually require a language certificate proving you know the language of instruction. In most cases, you’ll need to know the respective language at a minimum C1 level. Some of the widely recognized certificates are:

• For English – IELTS score of 7, TOELF score of 600 or 100 (paper-based or online), and Cambridge CPE or CAE.
• For German – Goethe Certificate C1 or TestDaF with TDN 4
• For French – DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) C1
• For Italian – CELI (Certificazione Italiano Generale) C1 or PLIDA (Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri) C1

PhD Salary in Switzerland

Wondering how much do PhD students get paid in Switzerland? What about postdocs? To compensate for the high cost of living, Switzerland’s salaries are some of the highest in the world.

PhD students and postdocs tend to get employed by universities on a fixed-term contract—and they get paid well. Additional benefits may also apply, such as reduced public transportation or free access to all the university gyms.

PhD student salary in Switzerland

The  average PhD student salary  in Switzerland is around CHF 50,000 per year. However, if not fully employed, the pay will be accordingly less.

Postdoc salary in Switzerland

The median postdoctoral salary in Switzerland is around CHF 80,000 per year. Entry-level positions start at CHF 43,200 per year, while most experienced workers make up to CHF 94,000 per year.

Dear Sir, My request is to have details of P.hD. in embedded systems ,machine learning etc as my son is pursuing Ms thesis in electrical and computer engineering in Purdue school of engh.zUSA which will be completed in june2020 or earlier depending upon his defence date. He is very much eager to hv his P.hD done from one of the best colleges of Switzerland.pl help in this regard with last dt of appln,fee,required qualificationsetc. With regards Uday Kumar Sinha Calcutta India

We have written an article in which we have listed some of the best PhD programs in Switzerland and have included everything related to those programs. You can find it here: 1 2 Best PhD Programs in Switzerland . We hope this article will answer your questions.

We wish the best of luck to your son.

Satisfactory

Thank you, Uday.

Am from from Africa Kenya a member of the Commonwealth countries whose official instruction is English Language. Will be pleased to study specialize in finance for i have done Bachelor of Commerce (Finance Option) and Master of Business Administration (Finance Option) undergraduate and Masters degree programme options

I ‘m very satisfied with the informations I gained from this website and hope to see by applying for the PHD I want. Studying in such a stable Country’s University is GOd sent opportunity for those secured and recieved. Blessings, Chucha Gobena From Ethiopia

Thank you, Chucha,

Happy to help.

Thank you for the information. I am a Canadian citizen, originally from Sri Lanka. I like to do my PhD in Applied Linguistics. Switzerland, as I heard, is one of best countries in the world. No one has ever said to me anything bad about Switzerland. I would love to explore that country as well as do my research. I wonder whether this PhD is recognized around the world, whether I can survive with English and the money I would receive.

If my medium of study till master’s is english still IELTS or GRE is mandatory for pursuing P.hd in Switzerland?

Would you have information or ranking on accredited Part time PHD programs in Switzerland for professionals? Thank you.

Can you plz write an article on PhD in Astrophysics, Astronomy from University of Zurich …??

I am currently living in india I have a double Post graduation degree. One in commerce and the other in business administration. Besides the mentioed degree I have a MPhil in commerce too. I have 12 yrs of teaching experience at various MBA colleges in India. I’m interested in pursuing PhD in management/marketing in Switzerland. Can you please guide me accordingly. Thanks in advance.

hello sir, i want to persue my ohd in business or commerce from Switzerland. Will you help me to know the procedure and is there any scholarship provided for the programme. I am from india . Thankyou

Hello sir, I have done my post graduate in law, and I want to pursue my PhD in law from a good University in Switzerland, can you please let me know about the suitable universities for law and also everything related to scholarships and other ways to meet the financial aspects.

With regards, From Assam, India

Thank’s so much for info.

Thank you for all the information in your website, they are quite helpful. I am Irish and live in Ireland.

Is it possible for me to get funded law PhD in Switzerland? If that is possible, please how do I go about it.

I will appreciate if you can come back to me on this query.

Many thanks

Is GRE needed for PhD in Switzerland? How is the biotech field in Switzerland (especially in Virolgy and immunology)? And how much importance do professors give to papers published by students for selecting the PhD candidate?

Hi I want to pursue a phd in swiss. But it shall be double doctorate. I have already acquired one from Malaysia. Will swiss universities allow me to pursue my dream to acquire a doctoral degree which will be my second one.

can you help in this.

regards Zain

Dear sir, This is Eakub Ali. from Bangladesh currently living in Tokyo, Japan. I have completed an MBA in Finance from Bangladesh and joined national and multinational companies in the accounting sector for more than twelve years. Then I got admitted to another MBA and moved to Solbridge International School of Business, (AACSB accredited) South Korea. from where I came to Meiji University, Japan through the double Masters Degree program and I completed my MBA this month. Now I have an intention to do my PhD.

Would you please tell me the whole process of PhD admission in Switzerland, when admission starts and what is the requirements for admission? I would be very helpful if you please help me providing necessary information.

Thanks in advance and very best regards,

I would like to pursue my PHD studies in Public Health,please assist me with the relevant universities and the process for application.Do they allow part time studies and do they fund the studies?

Can any assistant professor of India become assistant professor in Switzerland with his indian educational qualifications.?

Please guide me about the procedure of applying for PhD in Eth Zurich in biomedical engineering. I am currently the student of M.Tech. Clinical Engineering at IIT madras .Is there any benefit given to IIT student?

Dear person in charge,

What are the costs and details of an online PhD or Doctorate in Business Administration in Switzerland?

Kindly, include all possible details, especially names of business schools and programs’ contents

Is the language proficiency certificate mandatory for postdoc applicants too?

Are there part time PHD Programs in Switzerland in business management dubjects?

Thank you Mahesh

typo – = please read it as Management Subjects

Whether PhD programs for English literature and Psychology is available Also want to know whether Scholarships for these projects are available When we have to apply for this programme When the admission is

Hello sorry for disturbing but I want to ask if there is any PhD program in HR in universities in Switzerland so please can you give me the names of universities that offer for me PhD in HR. THANKS IN ADVANCE.

SURPRISE KWESI AMENUVOR, Am from from Africa Ghana a member of the Commonwealth countries whose official instruction is English Language. I study Bachelor Of Science in Business administration specialize in Banking and Finance Option) and Master of Business Administration (Finance Option) I will like to Apply for PHD in Finance.

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University of Central Florida

Founded as a public institution in 1785, UGA boasts an illustrious history in higher education. Today, Georgia's flagship university offers online programs to make a UGA degree more accessible. The online courses limit class sizes and use the same high academic standards as on-campus classes. UGA offers an online bachelor's degree in special education and multiple online graduate programs in education. Degree-seekers can also earn master's degrees in community nutrition, international biomedical regulatory sciences, emerging media, and avian health and medicine. Other available online master's programs include business, technology, and social work.

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10% your international health insurance for life!

Scorestudies includes higher benefits than the Swiss compulsory health insurance, it is very often on a full refund basis and no co-​payment of 10% is required. In case of emergency, hospitalisation or prescribed medication, you are fully reimbursed by Allianz Care.

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Doctoral study programmes

At ETH Zurich, doctorates are not organised within an overall doctoral study programme in the way that students may be familiar with from other universities. Each doctoral student is free to select and assemble the components of their doctoral studies for him or herself. However, the departments do have the option of organising and offering their range of courses for doctoral studies in the form of doctoral programmes.

The Life Science Zurich Graduate School, for example, offers this kind of programme. There are 16 highly competitive doctoral programmes, run jointly by ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. The aim is to attract the most promising young scientists from across the world by offering a comprehensive and challenging education for doctoral students in biosciences.

If you are interested in one of the doctoral programmes available at ETH Zurich, please visit the following pages:

• external page call_made Life Science Zurich Graduate School
• external page call_made Zurich Graduate School Mathematics
• external page call_made Zurich Graduate School in Computational Science and Engineering CSE

Joint Doctoral Programs

Graduates of the following programs will obtain a joint doctoral degree certificate from ETH Zurich and the partner institution.

> Contact the Doctoral Administration