Starting next school year, tuition fees for foreign students at Swiss technical universities will see a substantial increase. In September, the Swiss parliament approved a regulation requiring foreign students, including those from Luxembourg, to pay at least three times the tuition fees of local students
Affected universities include the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich and the EPFL in Lausanne. An optional referendum is open for signatures until January 16, 2025. If the referendum doesn’t gather enough support, the government will determine the timeline for implementing the new fee structure
In March, ETH’s board addressed this issue, and emphasised that it can, independently from the law, set tuition fees for foreign students. At the time, the committee opposed the regulation, advocating for equal tuition fees for all students. They argued that Switzerland’s shortage of qualified professionals, a vital resource for the country’s economy, makes maintaining access for international students important.
However, in July of this year, the board changed its opinion. A decision is anticipated by December on the potential increase in tuition fees for international students beginning in fall 2025. Presently, the tuition cost is €780 per semester for all students, and the proposed change would not apply to those already enrolled. Student associations from ETH Zurich and EPFL have voiced opposition, arguing that the additional funds would have minimal effect on the universities’ budgets. They also warn that the move could strain Switzerland’s academic and political relations with the EU.
