Study biology in Switzerland - 24 institutions

Graduates of biology departments of schools with biology studies in Switzerland can work in various fields of biology and related industries:

• research fields,
• pharmaceuticals,
• ecology,
• food industry,
• biobank management,
• education (teaching),
• healthcare,
• biomedicine,
• biotechnology,
• nature conservation,
• environmental resource management and planning,
• aquaculture and fisheries,
• park, zoo and nursery management,
• forensic science.

Switzerland boasts some of Europe’s most distinguished institutions for the life sciences, each with its own character and research focus.

At the forefront is ETH Zurich, a federal institute renowned across the continent for its prowess in natural sciences, engineering, and technology. Ranking second in Europe overall—just behind Oxford—and first in earth and marine sciences, ETH offers a biology department that combines conceptual rigor with hands-on preparation. Its internal institutes span microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular systems biology, with a shared research culture centered on cellular health, tissue dynamics, disease origins, and ecological interdependence.

Also, the University of Zurich complements this strength through its Faculty of Molecular Sciences, which hosts specialized groups in developmental neuroscience, cell biology, and systems biology. Regular joint seminars and collaborative research projects with ETH create a lively intellectual corridor between the two universities. Beyond its bachelor’s offerings, Zurich provides doctoral studying across an unusually broad range—from systems biology and neurology to biostatistics, epidemiology, and even biomedical law and ethics.

On the French-speaking side, EPFL Lausanne takes a distinctly interdisciplinary approach. Its School of Life Sciences fuses biology with computer science and engineering, preparing students to tackle biological questions through digital and computational methods. The “Life Sciences” engineering track gives undergraduates and graduates a dual foundation in both fields, while doctoral candidates can choose among seven specializations—including computational biology, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and neuroengineering.

Further south, the University of Geneva stands out for its research excellence in life sciences, physics, and astrophysics, and serves as a hub for national centers in genetics and chemical biology. This environment offers aspiring biologists direct access to cutting-edge labs, equipment, and mentorship. Its Faculty of Biology and Natural Sciences provides a full curriculum across botany, cell biology, genetics, evolution, and molecular biology, with bachelor’s instruction in French and master’s-level teaching in English—making it one of the country’s top choices for biology studies.

Finally, the University of Basel is featured by being Switzerland’s oldest university, as well as one of the world’s oldest surviving academic institutions. Beyond its historic library and treasured archives, Basel offers a highly regarded biology school. Its “Life Sciences” program includes multiple master’s directions in ecology and animal biology, while the affiliated Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute awards specialized diplomas in epidemiology. With courses available in both English and German, and opportunities to branch into molecular biology and biomedical engineering, Basel provides both tradition and modern flexibility for students at all levels.