Student Life in Zurich: An International Student Guide

Zurich provides world-class education in a setting that's both safe and lively QS Best Student Cities. While less diverse and vibrant than other major cities, Zurich has its own charm. It has world class access to nature with clean rivers and a lake to swim in during summer, a simple train journey to the mountains to ski or hike, and forests for running and mountain biking. The city itself functions perfectly and while expensive you will have very high earning potential if you remain after your studies.

International students benefit from an English-friendly environment, although the cost of living is high if you are not well funded.

This guide covers what to expect—from university culture and daily logistics to the social scene—to help you thrive as a student in Switzerland's largest city.

University Culture & Academics

Top Universities: Zurich's academic landscape is dominated by ETH Zurich and UZH. ETH Zurich is a world-renowned science and technology university (with multiple Nobel laureates) known for cutting-edge research and high academic standards. UZH, the largest university in Switzerland, offers a broad range of fields from humanities to medicine. Both schools attract students and faculty from around the globe, contributing to a diverse culture.

English is commonly used at the graduate level, while undergraduate courses at UZH and ETH are often in German. Other institutions in the city include the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), which add to the city's student population.

Academic Life: Expect a demanding workload and a high level of independence in your studies. ETH Zurich, for example, treats studies like a full-time job – around 50 hours of study per week is common ETH Study Workload.

Courses tend to be intense and often require significant self-study to master the material. The Swiss system places a strong emphasis on final exams rather than continuous assessment, so time management is key. Professors are approachable but expect you to take initiative if you need help.

Campus Environment: Zurich doesn't have a single enclosed campus. ETH Zurich has two main locations - the ETH Zentrum in the city and the modern Hönggerberg campus on the outskirts (ETH Zentrum vs Hönggerberg). UZH's campus is also spread through the city, with main lecture halls near ETH and other sites like the Irchel campus for science faculties.

Student housing is not guaranteed by the university; most students live off-campus in shared apartments or student residences around the city. This means you'll experience Zurich beyond just the university halls, which is part of the charm. Ultimate Guide to Student Housing in Zurich.

Resources for International Students: Both ETH and UZH offer support to help newcomers adjust. The universities' international offices organize orientation programs and often pair new international students with local "buddies" to show them the ropes. It's worth taking advantage of the free or low-cost German language courses through the joint Language Center of UZH and ETH to help navigate daily life ETH Exchange Guide.

Numerous student associations cater to international interests. For example, ETH's Erasmus Student Network (ESN) chapter runs trips and social events to explore Switzerland ESN Events. Each university also has a student union (VSETH at ETH and VSUZH at UZH) plus many faculty-based clubs that host meetups, talks, and parties. These groups are a great way to make friends and feel part of the community. Networking is also one of the best ways to find a place to live in Zurich.

For housing help, the ETH/UZH Housing Office and organizations like WOKO coordinate affordable student accommodations - be sure to apply early, as demand is high.

Daily Life: Transport & Shopping

Getting Around: Zurich's public transport network (ZVV) is exceptionally efficient and covers the entire city and suburbs with trams, buses, and trains. As a student, you'll likely rely on public transport daily - fortunately, it runs like clockwork. Our Cost of Living Guide has more information on transport costs and options.

Biking is another popular way to get around. Zurich is semi-bike friendly meaning there are bike lanes, but they disappear at times. You can rent bikes via city programs like publibike which has both e-bikes and normal bikes and offers an ETH discount. Just keep in mind the city is hilly in parts and all the university campuses are on top of hills.

Essential Shopping: Day-to-day shopping in Zurich will teach you to budget. Supermarkets like Migros and Coop are everywhere and carry all your basics, but the prices are extraordinary for anyone coming from outside Switzerland. Our Cost of Living Guide has more information on shopping and budgeting.

For affordable meals on campus, the university cafeterias (Mensa) are your best friend: a hot lunch at ETH or UZH Mensa is reasonably priced. Eating out anywhere else you will be subjected to Zurich's high prices.

Budget Tips: Living in Zurich on a student budget is challenging but doable if you're mindful. Smart budgeting will let you enjoy Zurich's high quality of life without constantly worrying about money. For more information on how to enjoy life while living cheaply, see our Affordable Student Living in Zurich Guide.

Social Scene & Student Organizations

Campus Social Life: Although academics are intense, Zurich's universities have an active social scene to balance the study grind. Each department at ETH and UZH has its own student association that organizes events. Throughout the semester you'll find everything from movie nights and game tournaments to guest lectures and career fairs.

Sports: Sports and fitness are another major part of student life. The Academic Sports Association of Zurich (ASVZ) offers more than 120 sports and exercise classes to all university students, largely free of charge ASVZ Sports Programs. Whether you're into football, yoga, climbing, or dancing, you can join scheduled trainings or use the gym facilities thanks to ASVZ. It's a fantastic way to stay healthy and meet people from different departments and schools (ETH, UZH, and others all share ASVZ).

Clubs and Organizations: There are countless student-run clubs catering to almost every interest. You'll find organizations for photography, robotics, debate, music, entrepreneurship - if it doesn't exist yet, you can even start your own.

International students can connect through nationality-based clubs which host cultural nights and help newcomers feel at homeInternational Student Associations. Joining a club is one of the best ways to expand your social circle. The atmosphere is inclusive and casual. There's no fraternity/sorority system so most social groups are open to anyone.

Nightlife and Culture:Zurich's has many bars ranging from grungy pubs to upmarket cocktail bars. In general the vibe of these places is casual. Though after twelve most are closing and your options are concentrated in Langstrasse. The Langstrasse district (Kreis 4) is the heart of Zurich's nightlife, packed with bars, clubs, and live music venues that keep going into the early hours.

Though Zurich can be pricey club entries are often between 20 and 30CHF so are comparable to other major cities. Though the price of drinks add up fast.

Culture: Zurich offers art galleries, opera, outdoor cinemas in summer, the famous Street Parade techno festival in August, and holiday markets in winter. There's always something happening. Many of these events offer student discounts or even free entry, so you can enjoy the city's culture on a budget.

Student-Friendly Districts: Students in Zurich live and hang out all over the city. For more information on Zurich neighborhoods check out our Top Student Friendly Neighborhoods in Zurich and our Commuting from Suburbs guides.

Is Zurich a good city for international students?

Yes. Zurich consistently ranks among the world's best cities for international students, and for good reason . The city combines academic excellence with a high quality of life that few places can match. For an international student, Zurich offers top-tier universities (with global reputations and many programs in English), a safe and clean urban environment, and a cosmopolitan population - about a quarter of the city's residents are foreign nationals, so English is widely spoken.

Beyond academics, Zurich provides an array of career opportunities (it's a financial and tech hub), networking events, and internships for students looking to get work experience. The main drawback is affordability: Zurich is expensive, from rent to a night out. However, universities help by keeping tuition fees low and providing resources like cheap student housing, and numerous student discounts help soften the blow. Overall, if you can manage the cost of living, Zurich is an excellent city to study abroad.