Number of inhabitants: 7,164,000 (74% German, 20% French, 4% Italian, 1% Romansch) and 19.6% foreigners.
Number of students: 154,800 in 1998/1999, of which 20% are foreign students and 40% of postgraduate students are foreign.
Capital: Bern (123,000 inhabitants)
Principal cities: Zurich (336,000), Geneva (172,000), Basel (168,000), Bern (123,000), Lausanne (114,000), Lucerne (57,000)
Principal university cities: There are 14 institutions classed as universities in Switzerland, composed of eight state (canton) universities: Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel, St. Gallen and Zurich, two Federal Institutes of Technology in Lausanne and Zurich, the College of Secondary Education of St. Gallen, the schools of theology of Chur and Lucerne and the new university of Lugano which opened in 1996. The most important university city is Zurich with 20,000 students. There are also 120 private schools.

Local information
According to the London magazine Wallpaper, which specializes in the art of living, Zurich is the most livable city in the world. Furthermore, a number of other Swiss cities are in a good position to claim the same; the cities are not so large and you have the feeling in Switzerland that there's time for life. The stores close relatively early (5:30 p.m. in Zurich and 6:30 p.m. in Geneva) and stay open one night per week.
Nature is omnipresent: there is always a mountain on the horizon and the Swiss countryside charms with its verdant mountain pastures, its cows and its barges, when it isn't covered with snow to the delight of skiers worldwide.
You can say that there is no true Swiss identity, with so many barriers, especially linguistic, between the different communities. Sometimes French-speaking Swiss feel closer to Parisians than to their Zurich compatriots. It is therefore necessary to choose a university town carefully based on the language spoken.
The Swiss often appear to be reserved and noncommunicative. Yet, if you heed certain advice, it may be possible to build relationships quickly enough. It is important in Switzerland to respect the laws and customs; be careful, therefore, not to criticize the Swiss or the system in public. When establishing new relationships, always remain discreet. Respect for others, civility, politeness as well as punctuality are truly rooted in the society. To finish the picture, remember that much of the Swiss population is older and very rich, yielding a somewhat conformist society. But young people do not necessarily fit into this mold; Zurich remains famous for the demonstrations of young anarchists who refused the agenda of their elders at the beginning of the 1980's. Today's youth continue to maintain their identity by practicing sensational sports: snowboarding, skateboarding, sailing…anything that glides and goes fast! The Swiss musical scene remains very lively, most recently with hardcore and techno.
Climate and seasons: The climate varies a great deal according to the altitude, which reaches 4,634 meters. Winters are generally cold and humid, which means you can expect to see snow! Summers are very pleasant: not as hot as the rest of Europe, 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, the ideal temperature for cycling or hiking!
Distances: Switzerland is a small country with very efficient transportation systems, making it quick and easy to get from one point to another. The Swiss highway system is especially impressive: it is designed for vehicles traveling between Germany, France, Italy as well as between the large Swiss cities. Building this system required the construction of bridges, viaducts and tunnels, and a car trip on the highways of Switzerland can often be truly spectacular! The railway system is equally efficient. Air travel within the country would rarely be justified.
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
Equivalent:1 CHF = €.65 = $.58
Telephone country code: 41

Life in Switzerland is expensive: count on 11,500-18,000 CHF ($6,670-$10,440) yearly. Prices vary according to the city, the two most expensive being Zurich and Geneva.
University Housing: As an example, the yearly prices in Neuchâtel are currently 3,500 CHF ($2,030) a room; 7,800 CHF for a studio; and 11,000 CHF ($6,380) for a private studio.
Movie ticket: 9-14 CHF ($5.20-$8.10).
Bus, tram, or metro ticket: 2.20-3.60 CHF ($1.20-$2).
Meal (without wine): 18-30 CHF ($10.50-$17.40)
Meal in a university dining hall: 7.7-8.7 CHF ($4.50-$5)
Hamburger (in a restaurant): 10 CHF ($5.80)
Coca cola (in a restaurant): 4.50 CHF ($2.61)
Mug of beer: 4.50 CHF ($2.61)

Costs vary considerably between public and private schools and also within each category. In the cantonal universities, fees are around 1,000 CHF ($580), but certain universities charge a supplement for foreign students of around 1000 CHF ($580).
In private schools, the fees are quite variable, costing around 1,500 CHF ($870) annually for undergraduates and 2,000-15,000 CHF ($1,160-$8,700) annually for postgraduates, according to the program. The prestigious MBA programs are among the most expensive.
Main schools and universities
Swiss education has an excellent reputation. The Financial Times ranks the IMD MBA (International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne) 11th place among MBA programs worldwide. HEC Lausanne and HEC St. Gallen get similar marks.
In the scientific fields, the two Federal Institutes of Technology in Lausanne and Zurich offer training for engineers that is renowned throughout the world. These schools are particularly open to foreign students, who make up about a quarter of the total student body.
For a list of all Swiss institutions of higher learning with their Web sites, consult: www.switch.ch/edu/educ_orgs_fr.html

The conditions are very restrictive! In order to study in Switzerland, you must have not only a generous bank account but good academic references:
- A diploma from your secondary school studies in your country of origin with a certain level of distinction, or
- One or several years' university study in your country of origin.
Some students must also pass the Fribourg exam. This exam includes three required subjects: French, math, and history, plus two subjects chosen from the following fields: physics, chemistry, biology, geography, Latin, German, Italian, English. (The language categories change according to the linguistic zone.)
For more information, contact:
Commission of Admission Exams for Students with Foreign Diplomas
Route du Jura 1
CH-1700 Fribourg
Tel: +41 (0)26 322 76 23
Fax: +41 (0)26 322 67 03
E-mail: info@vkhs.ch
Private institutions generally require specific tests corresponding to the desired field of study, as well as language tests (French, German, or English). To get precise requirements, contact the school directly.
Even if you do not have to take the Fribourg test, you will surely have to take a language test if instruction is not in your mother tongue.

Citizens of the European Union do not need visas to enter Switzerland. After arriving, they must present themselves to the police department's services for foreigners in order to obtain a residency authorization for students.
Citizens of the following countries must obtain student visas from a Swiss embassy or consulate:
Europe: Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, and all Eastern countries
Africa: all countries
Asia: all countries except Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore
Oceania: all countries except New Zealand, Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands
The Americas: all countries except Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
• Swiss entrance visa for studies
Before leaving for Switzerland, you must complete certain important formalities which you should begin as soon as you receive confirmation that you have been accepted by a Swiss university.
To do this, apply to the nearest diplomatic representative of Switzerland with your valid passport, your confirmation of acceptance, and all documents needed to demonstrate that you have financial means for studying in Switzerland.
Ask for an entrance visa for studying in Switzerland.
On the questionnaire, describe your general program of studies and the length of time you expect to study in Switzerland. All subsequent changes to this program must be reported without delay to the appropriate authorities.
You must wait in your country to receive the student permit B visa.
Attention: Do not begin your studies with a tourist visa or you will encounter serious difficulties for the remainder of your stay.
Formalities to complete in Switzerland for all foreign students:
You must present yourself within ten days of arrival to the appropriate authorities in the town where you will be living.
After matriculating in the university, you must pay fees for the first semester. You will not be definitively registered until you have done this and received the receipt by post. With this receipt, you must visit the town authorities a second time to prove that you are officially registered in the university.
• Residence permit
Residence permits are awarded to students who wish to study in Switzerland under the following conditions:
- the applicant is coming to Switzerland alone;
- the applicant wants to attend a university or some other institution of higher learning;
- the program of studies is fixed;
- the institution attests in writing that the applicant has been accepted for studies;
- the applicant proves necessary financial means;
- the applicant guarantees departure from Switzerland at the end of studies.
- Upon arrival in Switzerland, you must present yourself to the authorities controlling foreigners in your place of residence with the following documents:
- passport (with student visa, if required)
statement of arrival provided by the bureau of foreigners
- student questionnaire provided by the bureau of foreigners
- proof of acceptance from the school
- 1 recent passport-style photo
- proof of financial means for the duration of studies, or
- proof of Swiss or foreign financial aid, with the amount indicated, or
- guarantee from parents (form available from the bureau of foreigners). This must be completed by the father or mother, certified by local authorities, and accompanied by a permanent wire transfer order, or
- guarantee from a third party (form available from the bureau of foreigners). The guarantor must live in Switzerland and prove sufficient financial means for the student's upkeep. The guarantor's signature must be notarized by the local authorities.
The request for a residence permit will not be processed until all documents are submitted.
Cost of residence permit: for 1 semester $15-$22; for 2 semesters $18-$25
• Residence Tax
All foreign students with B permits must pay a residence tax, without exception.
The lowest tariff possible is approximately $2.50 monthly, for a student living in the same apartment as the landlord. In student dorms, the tax would be the same.
All other students must pay around 7% of their monthly rent for residence tax, which includes a community tax of 6% and a cantonal tax of 1%, approximately. This applies to students who share an apartment with several others and to anyone else not living in the same apartment as the landlord.
This amount is sometimes included in the rent.
• Special foreign student statute
(Holders of Confederation scholarships, Conventions of European exchange and mobility/SOCRATES-ERASMUS)
The students mentioned above are exempt from the residence tax upon presentation of an attestation from the Sociocultural Affairs office.