Intakes in Switzerland

If you want to Study in Switzerland and get a Switzerland visa to study abroad, the first thing you need to consider is intakes on offer by Universities in Switzerland. Top universities in Switzerland like University of Geneva and University of Zurich have their own admission cycles. There are no definite intakes to study in Switzerland. However, Universities in Switzerland follow mostly two intakes: Autumn or Fall Intake, and Spring Intake.

Top Universities to Study in Switzerland

The Fall intake is for September to February. If you need a study permit for Switzerland Visa, the application process should start three months before that, and the deadlines to apply for Fall intake in Universities of Switzerland will be much before that, around 31st March.

The spring intake to Study in Switzerland is for February to June. Again, the Switzerland Visa process should start three months before, and the application deadline for Universities in Switzerland having May Intake will again come much before that, around 31st August.

6 Steps to Study in Switzerland for September 2022 Intake

Step 1 : Start Now!

• The first thing you need to do is to look for the courses and Universities in Switzerland.  Look for the courses that suit you best to your needs, academically and economically. Have a look at the admission requirements and requirements and fees for the universities that you are interested in.
• Be aware of the deadlines, too. Different universities have different deadlines, and even for different courses, the deadlines are different. Do thorough research on each course/ University you have shortlisted.

Step 2 : Appear for the Exams: March 2022 to April 2022

• A general requirement for Swiss Universities will be entrance exams and English language proficiency tests that you need to clear to get admission. GRE and G
• The time you need to consider here are for the factors like preparing for the exam, booking for the test, waiting for the results to be declared, and reappearing for the test if required.

Step 3 : Start Applying to Colleges: April 2022 to May 2022

• Along with your application, you will need to submit some of the documents to help you stand out among the other applicants and show how you fit in that particular University.
• The SOP (Statement of Purpose) should be written by you. Start writing the SOP a month before the deadline. If you have work experience, contact your past supervisors and professors to write LORs (Letters of Recommendation) for you. If you are a fresher, the teachers and professors from the last institute you studied from, can write LORs for you.
• Once you have all the documents in place, apply before the due date.

Step 4 : Acceptance Letters and Interviews: May 2022 - June 2022

• Once you are accepted to the University, you will receive a mail from the University. If you are interested in attending the course, you should let the University know immediately.
• You might be asked to pay a non-refundable confirmation fee. Pay them before the deadlines. You should reply to the university as soon as you get a confirmation from them.

Step 5 : Switzerland Visa Application / Education Loan: June 2022 to July 2022

• After you have received the acceptance letter, the next step is to Study Visa in Switzerland. The visa process can sometimes take longer, so it is important to start the visa application process three months before the departure.
• You are required to have proofs of your monetary fund while applying for the Visa process. Apply for the Education loan on time, and look for any study abroad scholarships if you are eligible for any.

Step 6 : Tickets and Departure: September 2022

• You are almost ready to fly. The last step before that is to look for accommodation for your stay in Switzerland. If the courses are beginning in September, you should arrive in Switzerland a month before.
• Arrange an international credit or debit card for yourself. Document all the things that you will need for flying and after that. A pre-departure list always helps you not to forget everything important. Make a list and see that every box is checked before you are about to fly.

6 Steps to Study in Switzerland for February 2023 Intake

Step 1 : Start Now!

• The first step to study in Switzerland for February Intake is to decide on a course and a Swiss Universities that offer the course that you intend to study. Start the research as soon as possible and shortlist the Universities that are best suited for you academically and economically.
• Go through the intakes on offer, the admission requirements and eligibility criteria. You should do thorough research for the course you are applying to. Normally, all the details can be found on the Universities’ official websites.
• Look for the application deadlines for the Swiss Universities for February intake. Different Universities have different deadlines and you should know when to apply before the time runs out.

Step 2 : Appear for the Exams: September 2022 to October 2022

• The most important requirement to be fulfilled will be entrance exams and language requirements. If you are willing to study at an English speaking university, you are required to take IELTS or TOEFL, with some minimum scores required.
• The same is with the entrance exams like GRE and GMAT, the exam and score requirements will change with courses and Universities.
• Considering the exams, keep in mind the time taken for preparation, booking of the exam, time taken to publish the results, and retaking the exam if the results are not sufficient the first time.

Step 3 : Start Applying to Colleges: October 2022 to November 2022

• Once you have decided on the colleges and ready with the test results, now is the time to apply for the Universities. The application process itself, and getting a revert from the university is a time-consuming process. Start preparing for your final application.
• Start working on the SOP and LORs. Write a personalised SOP every time you apply to a college. It should say how you are a perfect fit for the University you are applying to. For letters of recommendation, contact your immediate supervisors in case you have had a job before, and the professors from the last institute you have studied.
• With all the necessary documents, submit your application before the due date along with the application fees.

Step 4 : Acceptance Letters and Interviews: November 2022 to December 2022

• The Universities you have applied to will contact you in case of any development in your application. To confirm your allotment you will have to revert to the University as soon as possible. If you are positive about attending the course, do not wait for the deadlines to revert.
• There might be some confirmation fees required to be paid to confirm your allotment at the Swiss University. The confirmation fees are mostly non-refundable and need to be paid before a specific deadline, too.

Step 5 : Apply for Visa / Education Loan: December 2022 to January 2023

• Student Visa in Switzerland is another process that is time-consuming. As soon as you get the acceptance letter from the University, you should start the visa application process for Switzerland. It is advisable to start the process at least three months before the departure.
• One of the most important things while applying for a Swiss Visa is the proof of monetary funds. You need to apply for an education loan before the visa process starts. Study abroad scholarships are another great way to fund your education and expenses abroad. Apply for one if applicable.

Step 6 : Tickets and Departure: January 2023 to February 2023

• Once the visa arrives, you are almost ready to fly. The last thing to look for is accommodation in Switzerland. Start looking for places to stay before the arrival. Make sure you have all the necessary documents before you take the flight.
• To help you with that, make a pre-departure checklist for all the necessities and follow it, so you do not miss out on anything important. Have an international credit or debit card.