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Switzerland · Zurich · Switzerland's Largest Research University · Reviewed 14 October 2026

University of Zurich (Universität Zürich)

Founded in 1833 as the first university in Europe to be established by a democratic state rather than a monarch or church, the University of Zurich (Universität Zürich - UZH) is Switzerland's largest university, enrolling over 28,000 students. With 12 Nobel laureates in its history—including Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, Albert Einstein, and Erwin Schrödinger—UZH is a premier global research hub and a founding member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU). UZH doctoral candidates receive guaranteed salaried employment contracts, while Master's students benefit from world-class research institutes in the vibrant financial and technological capital of Zurich. Explore verified academic opportunities and admissions guidance.

Official university portal ↗Graduate Funding & FacultyResearch checked, not sponsored

Verified degree programs and opportunities

Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:

Admissions, language requirements & application process

Master's admission eligibility
Recognized Bachelor's degree (or equivalent 180 ECTS credit qualification) from an accredited university in an aligned discipline with above-average grades.
Doctoral admission eligibility
Recognized Master's degree (120 ECTS) with excellent academic marks, strong thesis research background, and written confirmation of acceptance from an authorized UZH faculty supervisor.
Language proficiency
Academic IELTS 7.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 100 for English-taught graduate programs; C1 level German (Goethe-Zertifikat C1 or TestDaF 4x4) for German-taught programs.
Research statement / Proposal
Detailed 3 to 5-page research proposal detailing research objectives, methodology, preliminary literature review, and academic work schedule.
Application fee
CHF 100 application fee for applicants with Swiss credentials; CHF 500 for applicants with foreign university qualifications (credited against semester fees upon matriculation).
Required documentation
Complete official university transcripts, certified copies of degree diplomas, curriculum vitae, personal statement, and two academic referee letters.

Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems

Tuition fees at the University of Zurich are exceptionally low by international standards. Regular tuition is only CHF 720 per semester (plus an international student surcharge of CHF 500 per semester for foreign students, totaling approx. CHF 1,220/semester or CHF 2,440/year). Doctoral students are salaried employees of the canton of Zurich, receiving a guaranteed annual salary of CHF 48,000 to CHF 56,000 per year according to official Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) salary scales.

Verified faculty profiles and research leaders

Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at University of Zurich:

Dr. Davide Scaramuzza

Professor of Robotics & Head of the Robotics and Perception Group; specializing in Autonomous Drones, Event-Based Cameras, Computer Vision.

Dr. Ernst Fehr

Professor of Economics & Director of UBS Center for Economics in Society; specializing in Behavioral Economics, Neuroeconomics, Social Preferences.

Dr. Fritjof Helmchen

Professor of Neurophysiology & Co-Director of the Brain Research Institute; specializing in Two-Photon Microscopy, Neural Circuits, In Vivo Imaging.

Important verification note

Facts reflect official University of Zurich documentation reviewed 2026-10-14. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.

Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Editorial standards · Report an issue