🏅 QS World Rank #98
University of Zurich (UZH) — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
Switzerland’s largest university, an Einstein connection — QS World Rankings 2027 (joint #98)
The University of Zurich (UZH) is a public research university founded in 1833 and is the largest university in Switzerland. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026) it is joint 98th. This guide covers its faculties, admission, the official semester fees, scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan and the questions applicants ask most.
University of Zurich Overview
The University of Zurich was founded in 1833 and is Switzerland’s largest university by enrolment. Unlike neighbouring ETH Zurich, which focuses on science and engineering, UZH is a comprehensive university covering law, medicine, economics, the humanities and the sciences.
Albert Einstein submitted his doctoral thesis to UZH in 1905, and UZH conferred his doctorate in 1906. Erwin Schrödinger held a professorship at UZH from 1921 to 1927, the years in which he formulated wave mechanics.
University of Zurich Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
The University of Zurich is joint 98th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026.
This is a QS-specific result, not one universal ranking. Times Higher Education, U.S. News and ARWU use different methods and can order universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities (QS World University Rankings 2027, 18 June 2026).
Key Strengths & Programs
UZH is known for:
- Medicine and life sciences, including the university hospital network
- Law
- Economics, banking and finance, linked to Zurich’s financial centre
- Veterinary medicine, through the Vetsuisse Faculty
- Natural sciences and informatics
- Humanities and social sciences
This page does not quote subject ranks. Check the current QS subject tables for exact positions.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
Admission depends on the level and on whether your qualification is Swiss or foreign. Confirm every step on the official UZH pages.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | Applicants with foreign qualifications must show that their school-leaving certificate qualifies for UZH. UZH checks each case, so use its admission pages |
| Master’s | A relevant Bachelor’s degree. Some programmes have extra requirements and some are taught in English |
| Language | Most Bachelor’s programmes are taught in German, with proof of German required. Some Master’s programmes are taught in English. Check your programme |
| Application fee | CHF 100, or CHF 150 for foreign qualifications (from 1 January 2025 per UZH) |
| Medicine | Human medicine has its own selection rules. Check the UZH medicine pages |
| Permit | Non-Swiss students usually need a Swiss student visa and residence permit |
University of Zurich Acceptance Rate
UZH does not publish one acceptance rate for international applicants, so this page does not quote one. Medicine and some Master’s programmes are selective.
Practical Application Checklist
- Choose your programme and read its entry and language requirements
- Check the application deadline for your intake
- Book an English (or other required) language test
- Prepare transcripts, identification and any required documents
- Apply and accept your offer
- Meet the visa or residence-permit conditions for your destination
- Plan funding for tuition and living costs
- Verify every date, fee and requirement on the University of Zurich’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
UZH’s fee page lists these amounts per semester. It does not state an academic year, so check it before budgeting:
- Tuition: CHF 720 per semester
- Surcharge for foreign Bachelor’s students: CHF 500 per semester
- Surcharge for foreign Master’s, PhD and teacher-training students: CHF 100 per semester
- Mandatory semester contributions: CHF 59 in total
- Application fee: CHF 100, or CHF 150 for foreign qualifications
Worked examples from these figures (our calculation, two semesters, before living costs): a foreign Bachelor’s student pays about CHF 2,440 in tuition plus CHF 118 in contributions, and a foreign Master’s student about CHF 1,640 plus CHF 118. The old range of CHF 1,500 to 4,000 is now replaced by these figures. Zurich’s living costs are among the highest in the world, and Swiss authorities may ask for proof of funds.
Source: UZH fees. Fees, dates and rules change each year.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- UZH scholarship information: UZH lists scholarship options on its website. We could not confirm the old “UZH Excellence Scholarship for international Master’s applicants” or its amount, so it has been removed.
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: a federal scheme for postgraduate and research study. Eligibility depends on your country, so check the official Swiss scholarship pages.
- Other funding: see our guide to fully funded scholarships for 2027.
University of Zurich for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants follow the foreign-qualification route:
- Qualification check: confirm with UZH whether your school certificate qualifies for the Bachelor’s you want
- Language: German is required for most Bachelor’s programmes. For English-taught Master’s programmes our IELTS preparation guides can help
- Budget: plan for Zurich’s high living costs, which are far above the tuition
- Visa: a Swiss student visa is required after admission
Campus & Student Life
- UZH’s buildings are spread across several sites in Zurich, including the city centre and Irchel
- Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and a major financial centre
- The city is on a lake with the Alps nearby, and public transport is strong
- Students can use UZH libraries and sports facilities through the mandatory semester contributions
Research & Career Opportunities
- UZH is research-intensive, with strong medicine, law, economics and science
- Zurich has banking, insurance, pharmaceutical and technology employers
- Graduates work in healthcare, finance, law, research and public service
- The university does not guarantee employment, salary or permit outcomes
Notable Alumni
- Albert Einstein received his doctorate from UZH, conferred in 1906
- Erwin Schrödinger was a professor at UZH from 1921 to 1927
- Check the official UZH pages for other notable graduates
Contact & Location
University of Zurich
Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
Official website: uzh.ch
Use the contact details on the official site for admissions questions, as email addresses and phone numbers change.
Frequently Asked Questions
The University of Zurich holds joint 98th place in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026.
Einstein submitted his doctoral thesis to UZH in 1905, and UZH conferred his doctorate in 1906.
UZH is a comprehensive university covering medicine, law, economics and the humanities. ETH Zurich focuses on science and engineering.
UZH is best known for medicine, law, economics and life sciences.
UZH lists tuition of CHF 720 per semester, plus a CHF 500 surcharge for foreign Bachelor’s students and CHF 100 for foreign Master’s students.
Yes. UZH is Switzerland’s largest university by enrolment.
For most Bachelor’s programmes, yes. Some Master’s programmes are taught in English, so check your programme.
The application fee is CHF 100, or CHF 150 for applicants with foreign qualifications.
Yes, if their qualifications meet UZH’s rules for foreign certificates. Check the admission pages and the Swiss visa rules.
Check the University of Zurich’s official pages at uzh.ch. Fees, deadlines and rules can change.
Compare University of Zurich With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, University of Zurich’s official pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with the university before applying.