Best PhD Programs in Switzerland [2022]

Studying in Switzerland

If you want to get your Ph.D. in Switzerland, bear in mind that it is known for its top-ranking universities around the world. Switzerland is home to many state universities and institutes of technology that score high on quality and are often referred to as world leaders. Furthermore, the cantonal universities and institutes of technology are the only ones that award recognized Ph.D. titles, despite not being the only accredited universities in Switzerland.

Apart from the world-acclaimed fame, Swiss universities offer various scholarships for international students , and the language of instruction for doctorate programs is mainly English. Additionally, there will be opportunities for academic jobs in Switzerland, and they tend to have high salaries.

We’ve already discussed what there is to know about getting a Ph.D. in Switzerland , so let’s dive into the programs. From mathematics to neuroscience, here are some of the best doctorate programs in Switzerland.

Disclaim: The following list of higher education does not represent a ranking.

Food Science, Ph.D., ETH Zurich

nutrition-food-science-hero (1)

The food science Ph.D. program at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich focuses on using food research for improving food nutrition needs for the consumer. Their goal is to provide proper nutrition to humanity on a global level. The program also concentrates on the production and development of food, including the macroscopic and molecular structure of the food and the relationship between them. The program also studies how the food structure transforms under controlled biochemical or physical factors.

*Degrees that do not qualify a student to apply for this program are degrees from universities of applied sciences, bachelor’s degree, and any MBA degree.

Social Psychology, Ph.D., University of Lausanne

switzerland phd programs

The social psychology doctorate program at the University of Lausanne primarily focuses on stimulating thesis work. The syllabus contains interlaboratory meetings, dissertation work,  internal seminars, and modular courses. This way, students listen to thematic modules presented to them mainly by visiting professors, presenting their research with established researchers, and discussing their research with local teachers.

International Law, Ph.D., University of Geneva

switzerland phd programs

While this international law program at the University of Geneva— which is one of Switzerland’s best law schools —offers an intellectually stimulating environment. It also requires students to have the ability to go on with independent research and have a strong commitment to the field. In addition, doctorate students will receive intellectual support in the form of supervision during their research. Some of the courses offered are Climate Change and International Law, International Trade Law, Law Without the State, Political Justice and Human Rights, etc.

Mathematics, Ph.D., ETH Zurich

switzerland phd programs

In the mathematics program at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, doctorate students get employed for up to six years, and they work as scientific assistants at the university. The Swiss National Science Foundation funds the research. Students who chose to follow studies in this program can benefit from internationally honored professors and gain access to the mathematics library, ETH library, and online access to most recent publications. Of the 12 credit units, graduates are required to have, four must come from outside their research area.

Biozentrum Fellowship Program, Ph.D., University of Basel

switzerland phd programs

Students selected for the biozentrum fellowship program at the University of Basel start in a rotation program that lasts one to three weeks. This allows them to participate in the research group of their choice. The Biozentrum, a leading life science institute globally, embraces a wide range of topics in their program. However, they are mainly focused on the organization of molecules that form living organisms and life. The program offers full and independent funding to their students for their Ph.D. and additional travel funds.

Architecture and Sciences of the City, Ph.D., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne

This program at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne is focused on theory and practice equally, allowing doctoral students to view the project as both a research challenge and an object of study. They offer a multidimensional program to all students, including in its curriculum, urban sciences, and architecture. Although it is primarily aimed at students of social sciences, it is also suitable for architects and engineers. The elementary cause of the program is an understanding of the contemporary urban world and social life.

Business Administration, Ph.D., University of Zurich

Source: the University of Zurich on FacebookThe goal of the business administration program at the University of Zurich is to help students gain a systematic understanding of the field and master skills and methods to help them in their research. Doctoral students should be able to apply their research to practical programs, in addition to the ability to present and discuss their research to an international scientific community. The program also focuses on equipping doctoral students with analytical and problem-solving skills on relevant issues. If you’ve already obtained your MBA credentials in Switzerland , this program is an excellent way to extend your education.

Finance, Ph.D., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne

switzerland phd programs

The first phase of this doctorate program at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne starts with a module of Ph.D. courses. This coursework aims to equip doctorate students with a broad education on fundamental concepts of finance. The program accepts 10 to 15 students per year. After students have completed the first module, they are then asked to select a thesis topic and a thesis advisor from one of the participating universities.

Computational Science and Engineering, Ph.D., ETH Zurich

switzerland phd programs

This is a program that comes from the joint forces of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and the University of Zurich and is focused on attracting talents in computer science to join. In addition, they put in the effort to improve the collaboration between the industry, the society, and the university. They offer interdisciplinary education for doctorate students through block courses and seminars, laboratory exchanges, retreats, journal clubs, and academia-industry modeling (AIM) weeks.

Neuroscience, Ph. D., University of Lausanne

neuroscience

Economics, Ph.D., University of Zurich

switzerland phd programs

The Economics Ph.D. program at the University of Zurich is concentrated on preparing students to conceive and implement a research procedure with scientific integrity. Doctoral students should be able to conduct original research, which will contribute to existing knowledge. The curriculum consists of core courses in microeconomic, macroeconomics, mathematics, and econometrics. Meanwhile, these core courses provide the foundation; a compulsory curriculum would require an independent research proposal.

Physics, Ph.D., University of Bern

switzerland phd programs

The physics program at the University of Bern contributes to teaching by combining four physics-related institutes. The physics institutes are in charge of guiding doctoral students through introductory physics classes in the first year. These classes are not merely for physics majors. They also include physics lectures for medical science students, biologists, veterinary students, etc. The research is delegated to these divisions of the physics institute Climate and Environmental Physics division (KUP), The Space Research and Planetology division (WP), and Laboratory for High Energy Physics (LHEP).

Good luck with your studies!

I am Evans Muriungi Muchege from Kenya. I am interested in PhD in Humanitarianism and Peace studies. Do you have such a course in your universities?

Respected sir , I’m pursuing my masters in yoga studies in india ,and want to pursue P.hD in yoga in Switzerland. Could you please suggest me the university which I can apply for the p.hd course.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

University of Central Florida

switzerland phd programs

Founded as a public institution in 1785, UGA boasts an illustrious history in higher education. Today, Georgia's flagship university offers online programs to make a UGA degree more accessible. The online courses limit class sizes and use the same high academic standards as on-campus classes. UGA offers an online bachelor's degree in special education and multiple online graduate programs in education. Degree-seekers can also earn master's degrees in community nutrition, international biomedical regulatory sciences, emerging media, and avian health and medicine. Other available online master's programs include business, technology, and social work.

  • VIEW PROFILE

University of Georgia is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

switzerland phd programs

10% your international health insurance for life!

Scorestudies includes higher benefits than the Swiss compulsory health insurance, it is very often on a full refund basis and no co-​payment of 10% is required. In case of emergency, hospitalisation or prescribed medication, you are fully reimbursed by Allianz Care.

Find Your School in Switzerland

Take the first step toward a successful career. Answer a few questions and we’ll get you connected with a university in Switzerland. 

Universität Bern

Degree Programs & Courses Doctorate

Doctoral degree, doctoral study at the university of bern.

switzerland phd programs

You can either take the doctorate within a graduate school or as part of a doctoral degree program, or you can even take a traditional individual doctorate. Graduate schools and doctoral degree programs are arranged on an interdisciplinary and/or interuniversity basis in many cases. In addition to research-related training and intensive support, these also offer excellent opportunities for networking within the academic community.

An A-Z of doctoral subjects

  • Archaeology
  • Business Administration
  • Cellular and Biomedical Sciences Med./Nat./Vet.
  • Central Asian Studies
  • Chemistry and Molecular Sciences
  • Classical Philology (special qualification in Greek or Latin)
  • Old Catholic Theology
  • Climate Sciences
  • Cognition, Learning and Memory
  • Communication and Media Studies
  • Dental Medicine
  • German Language
  • German Language and Literature
  • German Literature
  • Digital Humanities
  • Eastern European Studies
  • Ecology and Evolution
  • Economic Globalisation and Integration
  • Earth Sciences
  • Protestant Theology
  • Gender Studies
  • Geography and Sustainable Development
  • Global Studies
  • Health Sciences hum/med
  • Human Medicine
  • Computer Sciences
  • Interdiciplinary Cultural Studies ICS
  • Islamic Studies and Oriental Literature
  • Italian Linguistics and Literature
  • Social Sciences
  • Art History
  • Language and Society
  • Languages and Literatures in English
  • Linguistics
  • Linguistique/Littérature françaises
  • Mathematics
  • Molecular Life Sciences
  • Physics/Astronomy
  • Political Science
  • Public Administration
  • Religious Studies theol.
  • Science of Religion Human.
  • Slavic Languages and Literatures
  • Social Anthropology
  • Spanish Linguistics and Literature
  • Sport Science
  • Criminal Justice
  • Theater and Dance Studies
  • Administrative Science
  • Veterinary Medicine

Further information

switzerland phd programs

Transferable Skills - Key Qualifications for your academic and non-academic Career

Transferable skills program for doctoral students and postdocs of every discipline.

switzerland phd programs

Funding program «UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs»

The University of Bern, with its funding program «UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs», supports doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers in attending short research stays abroad, to advance their own research projects and to gain more international experience. Next application deadline: March 1, 2023

Open calls for ENLIGHT initiatives

The University of Bern and ENLIGHT support bottom-up initiatives by lecturers for challenge-based education projects in the six focus areas of ENLIGHT. Especially for early career academics, this is an opportunity to build an international network and gain interdisciplinary teaching experience.

UniBE Doc.Mobility

UniBE Doc.Mobility is granted for stays abroad which usually last twelve months. Support takes place in the form of an employment as a doctoral student, but with a place of research abroad. Application deadline: March 1/ September 1

Promotion Fund

In cooperation with the Intermediate Staff Association of the University of Bern, the Vice-Rectorate Research calls for proposals to the Fund for the Promotion of Young Researchers twice a year.

switzerland phd programs

MVUB - Lunchtalks

Lunchtime events concerning academic career, working conditions and intermediate staff politics.

Kreiden

Innovative higher education teaching

The University of Bern's Department of 'Hochschuldidaktik & Lehrentwicklung' supports you in your teaching activities with coaching and around 50 events a year.

switzerland phd programs

COMET – Coaching, Mentoring und Training

The COMET Career Programme supports female researchers in successfully pursuing their academic careers.

Previous Next

IMAGES

  1. Best PhD Programs in Switzerland [2020/2021]

    switzerland phd programs

  2. PhD Programs in Switzerland: A Comprehensive Guide

    switzerland phd programs

  3. Best PhD Programs in Switzerland [2020/2021]

    switzerland phd programs

  4. International PhD Fellowship Program in Switzerland 2022 ( Fully Funded)

    switzerland phd programs

  5. Best PhD Programs in Switzerland

    switzerland phd programs

  6. Best PhD Programs in Switzerland [2020/2021]

    switzerland phd programs

VIDEO

  1. CERN International Students Program

  2. PhD School in Life Sciences

  3. Claudia Pellegrin, from the PhD Program in Management of Technology

  4. PhD School in Life Sciences

  5. Fully Funded ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship 2024 for International Students

  6. Why I did my PhD from Switzerland after M.tech at IITK?5 reasons to choose switzerland for a PhD