Data science is a complex network of interdisciplinary studies that combine economics, informatics, computer science, business, natural sciences, and more to manage, analyze, and utilize the massive volume of data available in today’s modern and highly technological world.
Switzerland is home to many excellent universities that offer competitive programs in preparation for a future career in data science. Most people feel that Switzerland is an expensive country to live and study in. However, international students can earn world-class and quality higher education in prestigious Swiss universities at a more affordable cost of less than CHF 1,500 per semester.
There is no doubt that data scientists are among the most in-demand and the highest-paid workers in the labor market today. Meanwhile, Switzerland is one of the highest-paying countries for data professionals. Earning a data science degree in the country is a ticket to seeking employment in a Swiss company for people who want to get a lucrative job. In this article, we will read about Switzerland’s best universities for data science!
Top Schools Offering Data Science Programs in Switzerland
1. University of Zurich
First founded in 1833, the University of Zurich, formerly known as The Universitas Turicensis, is now one of the highest-ranking learning institutions and a leading university for data science in Switzerland with 12 Nobel laureates. The institution is currently divided into four campuses: City, Irchel, Oerlikon, and Schlieren.
UZH offers a major in Data Science in an English-taught Master of Science UZH in Informatics. Students in the program must complete 120 ECTS credits, consisting of knowledge-based education in business informatics and computer science (90 ECTS credits) and a minor study program: the master’s thesis (30 ECTS credits). The university also has other bachelor’s and master’s degree programs that can provide the skills necessary to be a data scientist in various fields, such as Computing & Economics and Informatics with Natural Sciences.
2. University of Basel
The University of Basel was founded in 1460, making it the oldest higher education institution and a top school for data science in Switzerland. After overcoming hundreds of years of crises and reforms, the university stands strong and ranks among the top 150 in global rankings. This reputation helped the institution attract international students, who comprise a quarter of its over 13,000 students.
Prospective students interested in a data science-related career in the future may earn qualifications from the University of Basel’s programs that can equip them with the knowledge and skills they will need. The university offers a competitive curriculum with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science/Informatics and a Master’s in Business and Technology programs. The bachelor’s program lasts six semesters and is taught in English or German, while the English-taught Master’s program lasts three semesters.
3. ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is one of Switzerland’s best public universities and a top school for data science in the country that opened in 1855 with an international mindset from the get-go.
To this day, it has been gaining international acclaim for its outstanding contributions to the Swiss economic and industrial sectors and the achievements of its notable alumni— among them, 21 won the prestigious Nobel Prizes. The university consistently ranks among the top 20 universities in global rankings.
ETH Zurich has seen a significant increase in its student population in the past 15 years. In 2020, it saw the most student admissions in the mechanical engineering and computer science departments. The university hosts over 23,000 students from more than 120 countries.
Moreover, the institution offers an English-taught master’s degree in Data Science, providing students with a theoretical background and practical experience to take on real-world data management tasks in various fields, such as medicine and finance. The program lasts two years and offers 120 ETCS credits.
4. Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Winterthur is home to the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, a young institution that first opened its doors to students in 2007. In less than 15 years, the rapidly growing university expanded its course offerings to 33 bachelor’s and 20 master’s degree programs across eight faculties. It currently hosts over 14,000 students and 3,400 employees.
ZHAW is among the best institutions for data science in Switzerland that offer a Bachelor of Science ZFH in Data Science degree with German as the medium of instruction. Therefore, international students applying for a bachelor’s degree in Data Science at the university must first obtain a German language proficiency certificate with at least C1 Level and submit application documents with certified English or German translation.
The full-time program takes only six semesters, but students may opt to apply for the part-time program, which will last eight semesters. Usually, the program begins in the fall and awards 180 ECTS credits upon completion.
We hope that you found our article on the best universities to study data science in Switzerland informative. To learn more, you can visit the Switzerland Page and the open courses in Europe for international students!
