01Landscape
Nature within easy reach
Mountains, lakes, valleys and forests make Switzerland an exceptional place to hike, cycle, explore and reset beyond the classroom.
Student Life in Switzerland
From the shores of Lake Geneva to internships with global companies, discover what studying in Switzerland with HBS is really like.
Studying in Switzerland
Why choose Switzerland?
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02Location
Europe on your doorstep
A calm, well-connected base beside France, Italy and Germany makes weekend travel and international perspective part of everyday student life.
03Education
A culture of quality
Swiss higher education combines high expectations with professional teaching facilities, practical learning and an international outlook.
Campus facilitiesThe campus
Chemin du Levant 5, La Tour-de-Peilz.
The La Tour-de-Peilz campus offers lecture rooms, a cafeteria, a computer lab, a library, a study area, a lounge, administrative offices and sports courts.
The business school is located near Geneva and Lausanne, which are large business hubs, providing ample opportunities for internships and networking with industry professionals.
Campus life
A closer look at HBS.
Shared moments beyond the classroom — campus activities, friendships and the Swiss landscape around HBS.
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Diversity
A distinctly cosmopolitan home.
As a global hub for finance, technology and innovation, Switzerland draws people from all over the world, creating a distinctly cosmopolitan vibe within its major cities.
It has four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh — all spoken slightly differently throughout Switzerland’s 26 regions. You will also hear plenty of English, especially in businesses, on university campuses and in cities such as Zurich, Geneva and Bern.
University degrees are primarily taught in French and German, although most universities also offer programs taught in English. Attracting thousands of international students every year, Swiss campuses are renowned for being exciting and vibrant melting pots of cultures. For example, of the 16’000 University of Geneva students, around 40% are international students.
Careers
A place to build a career.
Around 25% of Switzerland’s workforce are foreign nationals, including a large number of former international students who stayed following graduation.
Firstly, 14 of the top Fortune 500 businesses are headquartered in Switzerland; that is the highest concentration of Fortune 500 head offices anywhere in the world. Moreover, companies like Nestlé, the Adecco Group and Glencore International have a close working relationship with Switzerland’s best universities.
Practice orientation looks at the methods, systems and professional practice through real-world examples and scenarios. It is a popular approach in many Swiss business schools.
Practicalities
Accommodation, activities and support
Accommodation
CHF 750+ per month
Accommodation is not covered by tuition. Plan separately for a shared room, residence or apartment in the Lake Geneva region.
Activities
CHF 200 per term
Plan for social activities alongside approximately CHF 100 per term for books and e-books.
Transport
CHF 60+ per month
Swiss public transport connects Lausanne, La Tour-de-Peilz and Montreux efficiently, making the region easy to navigate.
Safety and stability
Safe, stable and well connected.
There are many practical benefits to studying in Switzerland. It has a low crime rate, and violent crime is very rare. It is also one of the cleanest countries globally, with excellent public transport networks and a world-class health system.
The Swiss enjoy a high standard of living, reporting well-being levels that are well above the global average, and the government is open, transparent and fully accountable.
Switzerland is an open, exciting and forward-thinking nation that understands the value of investing in young talent. It is a place where you can get a world-class education, meet amazing people and maybe even kickstart your career.
Contact
Talk to HBS.
Our admissions team guides applicants through the application, interview, offer, enrollment and visa steps.
Your next step
Culture
Social and cultural events
A calendar of events
Switzerland completely supports several carnivals and festivals which allow people to socialise with each other. Students can take time out from their busy schedules and enjoy and relax, and can also socialise with the locals, as the people here are warm and welcoming.
Well-known festivals
Some of the most famous events of all time are the Paleo Festival, the country’s largest open-air festival; the Basler Fasnacht Festival, known as the largest Swiss Carnival; the Montreux Jazz Festival, known to be Europe’s largest jazz festival; and the International Balloon Festival.