Study physics in Switzerland - 22 institutions

Physics is taught in Switzerland at the bachelor's level in German or English. Duration — 3–4 years of full-time study. A bachelor's degree in physics prepares graduates to study and investigate the laws of nature, physical processes and phenomena.

The bachelor's program consists of introductory courses on various topics:

• Physics,
• Chemistry,
• Astronomy,
• Mathematics,
• Theory of Heat,
• Computer Science,
• Electrodynamics,
• Linear Algebra,
• Classical Mechanics,
• Data Analysis in Physics,
• Mathematical Methods of Physics,
• Introduction to Solid State Physics,
• Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics, etc.

Schools offering physics study in Switzerland incorporate work in physics laboratories alongside lectures — this is an important part of the bachelor's curriculum that prepares students for research in a master's program.

Basic physics experiments are conducted in the following areas:

• Optics,
• Mechanics,
• Electronics,
• Astrophysics,
• Particle Physics,
• Thermodynamics,
• Nuclear Physics,
• Quantum Optics,
• Electromagnetism,
• Quantum Mechanics,
• Quantum Electronics,
• Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics.

Studying physics in Switzerland for international students provides basic training for independent experimentation. The practical course in the physics laboratory offers hands-on experience with equipment, conducting experiments and analyzing them, and includes:

• Planning,
• Setup,
• Execution,
• Evaluation,
• Interpretation of physical experiments, including measurement accuracy.

A mandatory component is the preparation of a written report on the completed experiment in scientific form; students learn to conduct increasingly complex experiments independently and document them in a scientifically correct manner.

Studying physics at universities in Switzerland helps international students to:

• Understand complex physical phenomena,
• Approach experiments with complex instruments in a structured way,
• Study and apply relevant statistical methods of data evaluation,
• Interpret measurements and measurement uncertainties,
• Produce descriptions of experiments and results in scientific form, in line with scientific publications.

In their final year, students choose between working in a laboratory and carrying out various research projects. To deepen knowledge in the field of theoretical physics, participation in seminars and projects is offered. To gain broad knowledge in experimental physics, students choose between:

• Completing a semester project,
• Working in a physics laboratory,
• Participating in a research institute project.

Students receive training under the supervision of a researcher and upon completion write a written report containing a declaration of originality.

Studying physics in Switzerland at the master's level involves 1–2 years of full-time study. The research project in a master's program is carried out with the aim of gaining experience in conducting experiments in a research environment, as well as analyzing and interpreting the data obtained. Results are presented in written form and as a presentation, with associate professors and professors from the faculty of physics and mathematics serving as supervisors.

A master's degree is the path to obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy in physics. Both doctoral and master's students possess an analytical mindset, a deep understanding of all areas of physics, the ability to evaluate and apply modern research methods, and to uncover the system of physical laws.

The topics of study depend on the direction chosen by the students — some of the most popular are:

• Materials quality testing,
• Improving fuel efficiency,
• Analysis of geological process data,
• Design of industrial devices,
• Research in the fields of astrophysics, optics, and mechanics.

Studying physics at Swiss universities for international students in a doctoral program takes 2–4 years. Students choose a supervising professor under whose guidance they conduct analyses and gain the experience necessary to complete a dissertation. Doctors of Philosophy:

• Conduct research in the field of electronics,
• Publish original articles and dissertations,
• Advise students,
• Participate in departmental work,
• Assist in the implementation of new ideas.

Attending a school with physics studies in Switzerland even for half a year allows students from abroad to work part-time: this gives students practical training and the opportunity to find an internship.

After graduation, physics faculty graduates in Switzerland find employment on average within 6 months. A physics degree opens up countless career paths around the world, with specialists working in various industries:

• Education,
• Engineering,
• Business finance,
• Medical sciences,
• Research and development,
• Computer hardware/software.

They successfully hold the following positions:

• Scientist,
• Laboratory technician,
• Optical engineer,
• Data analyst,
• Electrical engineer,
• Research associate,
• Systems engineer,
• Accelerator operator,
• Design engineer,
• Applications engineer,
• High school physics teacher,
• Physics technical specialist,
• Software developer, etc.

Physics skills are in demand in all countries; on average, specialists earn from $67,000/year to $210,000/year.

Obtaining a degree in Switzerland at public universities costs from 1,500–2,000 €/year; at private universities the cost will be around 12,000–30,000 €/year (recalculated each year).

Additional expenses:

• Registration fee,
• Accommodation,
• Food,
• Study materials.