switzerland phd programs

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Doctoral study programmes

At ETH Zurich, doctorates are not organised within an overall doctoral study programme in the way that students may be familiar with from other universities. Each doctoral student is free to select and assemble the components of their doctoral studies for him or herself. However, the departments do have the option of organising and offering their range of courses for doctoral studies in the form of doctoral programmes.

The Life Science Zurich Graduate School, for example, offers this kind of programme. There are 16 highly competitive doctoral programmes, run jointly by ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. The aim is to attract the most promising young scientists from across the world by offering a comprehensive and challenging education for doctoral students in biosciences.

If you are interested in one of the doctoral programmes available at ETH Zurich, please visit the following pages:

• external page call_made Life Science Zurich Graduate School
• external page call_made Zurich Graduate School Mathematics
• external page call_made Zurich Graduate School in Computational Science and Engineering CSE

Joint Doctoral Programs

Graduates of the following programs will obtain a joint doctoral degree certificate from ETH Zurich and the partner institution.

> Contact the Doctoral Administration

University of Fribourg

Graduate Campus

PhD programmes @unifr

The University of Fribourg provides its PhD students with a wide range of postgraduate programmes and advanced training opportunities. These offer optimal conditions for improving individual competences, for networking and for further planning of the PhD students' future careers.

In addition to the internal university programmes, there are further inter-university programmes for PhD students.  If you are interested in participating in the programmes/continuing education opportunities, please contact the respective coordinator directly.

  Course Offerings provided by the University of Fribourg 

List - phd programmes.

PhD programmes CUSO

With its structured PhD programmes , the CUSO (Conférence des Universités de Suisse occidentale - Conference of the Universities of Western Switzerland) aims to consolidate and improve the supervision and training of PhD students at its universities. In addition to the subject-specific programmes, the CUSO offers diverse programmes for interdisciplinary skills.

PhD programmes swissuniversities

swissuniversities  supports the work in the universities within the framework of the P-1 programme Promoting the mobility of PhD students and further development of the 3rd cycle (2021-2024) On behalf of the Confederation, it also awards financial grants for "Cotutelle de thèse" (PhD partnership) projects or PhD partnerships .

PhD & MD-PhD Programs

• PhD Program
• MD-PhD Program
• Application
• Student Life

Why choose the FMI?

Science : The FMI is an international leader in biomedical research in the fields of Neurobiology, Genome Regulation and Multicellular Systems. It provides interdisciplinary training and access to state-of-the-art technology platforms. Our affiliations with the University of Basel and with Novartis, as well as our location at the center of the greatest European Life Sciences hub, provide numerous opportunities for scientific collaborations.

Training : A wide range of theoretical and practical courses are available at both the FMI and the University of Basel. FMI provides an annual PhD orientation afternoon and a Scientific Inquiry Course for first year PhD students, as well as a PhD retreat outside the FMI. Most students participate in “progress reports” to discuss science and practice their presentation skills. Many labs provide journal clubs. In addition, students participate in the FMI Annual Meeting and are encouraged to attend international conferences to present projects and develop their networks.

Mentoring : PhD students are mentored throughout their PhD by their supervisor (group leader) and by their thesis advisory committee members. There may also be initial supervision/collaboration by/with more senior students or postdocs in their labs.

Support : PhD students are supported by the PhD program coordinator (for administrative management), the PhD representatives (to bring forward ideas and concerns of students) and the Dean of students (liaison with the University of Basel and confidential advice). In addition, PhD students can consult our dedicated Guidance Counsellor for confidential support on any issues concerning projects, mentors, lab environment, work/life balance or career planning.

Career development : Group leader supervisors, the Head of Human Resources, and the Guidance Counsellor are key people supporting students’ career development. PhD and Postdoc representatives organize career events and professional development workshops with external trainers. In addition, many workshops on career development are offered through the Basel University Graduate Center. FMI PhD students are also able to join an employee program at Novartis, matching them with an industry mentor.

Life at the institute : With staff of more than 40 different nationalities, the FMI offers a truly international, open and welcoming environment. All FMI students are encouraged to organize and participate in activities outside the lab (e.g. sport groups, movie nights...). Happy Hours are held once a month on Friday afternoon, sometimes including barbecues on the rooftop terrace. The annual PhD retreat provides a relaxed opportunity to connect with fellow students in a beautiful setting.

Life in Basel : Basel – the third largest city in Switzerland, with a rich cultural heritage – is a great place to live. It has a lot to offer in terms of culture, entertainment, dining, etc., while being easy to navigate thanks to its relatively small size. Located right on the border with France and Germany, and home to several multinational companies, Basel is highly international. As well as providing easy access to neighboring countries, it is close to the many beautiful places in Switzerland. Switzerland is an expensive country, but the FMI offers a generous stipend for living expenses.

Learn more about our PhD and MD-PhD programs in the various sub-sections (tabs at the top of the page).

Important Dates

We have two application rounds per year, with an application period of 2.5 months.

• Opening Spring round: February 15, 2024
• Closing: May 1, 2024
• Interviews: Week of June 17, 2024
• Next round: September 1, 2024
• PhD Program: [email protected]
• MD-PhD Program: [email protected]
• Student reps: [email protected]

Spotlight on FMIers

See all interviews: Spotlight on FMIers

Applicants must hold, or anticipate receiving before enrollment, a university degree that would formally qualify them to enter a PhD or equivalent program in their home country (MSc., Diploma, DEA etc.) Admission is competitive, involving a selection procedure that takes place twice a year (in January and June). The deadline for applications is 1.5-2 months prior to the selection procedure (in November and May).

A course of study at the FMI leading to a PhD degree of the University of Basel typically lasts four to five years. Thesis defenses take place at the FMI and are public.

Program highlights

• Welcome meeting for first year PhD students & Dean of Students, Guidance Counsellor and PhD student representatives
• Scientific Inquiry course for first year PhD students
• Annual check-ins with Guidance Counsellor
• Annual thesis committee meetings

Mentoring & support

The main supervisor and mentor of the PhD student is the leader of the research group. Students are also supported by their thesis advisory committee composed of internal and external experts whom the students choose together with their supervisor. The FMI put in place mentoring guidelines and conducts lab surveys on a regular basis to maintain excellence in mentoring.

Additional academic advice, professional development support and advocacy on behalf of the students is also available through the FMI Dean of Students and the Guidance Counsellor.

As Dean of Students, Marc Bühler acts as an academic liaison with the University of Basel. He offers confidential, impartial advice, and can help resolve problems by acting as a neutral intermediary between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University and the FMI.

As Guidance Counsellor, Piera Cicchetti offers individual counselling to promote the academic and professional development of students and resolve difficulties. She attends thesis committee meetings to support best practices, develops the training curriculum, and organizes professional development activities with students and postdocs.

Graduate courses

• neurobiology
• cell biology
• developmental biology
• biophysical chemistry
• structural biology
• systems biology
• bioinformatics
• infection biology

PhD students are required to complete 18 credit points (CPs) during their PhD thesis. A minimum of 6 CPs must come from the University of Basel approved graduate teaching program . A maximum of 12 CPs can be collected by active participation in meetings, practical courses, progress reports, group meetings, and the University of Basel transferable skills courses etc.

Compensation

The FMI provides financial support to graduate students in accordance with the scale of the Swiss National Science Foundation . Salary is generous relative to international standards for PhD students.

The FMI MD-PhD Program was launched in summer 2016 to provide the opportunity to research-oriented medical students and physicians to carry out cutting-edge biomedical research and do a PhD thesis. Students can benefit from the excellence of the well-established PhD program, the reputation of the Basel Medical School and a privileged relationship with the researchers of the major pharmaceutical company Novartis.

The FMI MD-PhD program is intended for individuals who have studied medicine and who wish to gain a deep knowledge in fundamental biological research by performing a PhD thesis. Students applying to the program must hold, or anticipate to receive before their enrollment, a university degree that would qualify them to enter formal clinical training / residency (e.g., a diploma in medicine or an approbation). They also should have some laboratory research experience and have done an experimental Master/Diploma thesis, which must be approved by the University of Basel. Admission is competitive, involving a selection procedure that takes place twice a year (in January and June). The deadline for applications is 1.5-2 months prior to the selection procedure (in November and May).

A course of study at the FMI leading to a PhD degree of the University of Basel typically lasts four years. It is the responsibility of the thesis advisory committee, together with the student and supervisor, to assess the project status and recommend when the thesis should be written/submitted. Thesis defenses take place at the FMI and are public.

The main supervisor and mentor of the MD-PhD student is the leader of the research group. Students are also supported by their thesis advisory committee composed of internal and external experts whom the students choose together with their supervisor. The FMI put in place mentoring guidelines and conducts lab surveys on a regular basis to maintain excellence in mentoring.

As Dean of Students, Marc Bühler acts as an academic liaison with the University of Basel. He offers confidential, impartial advice, and can help resolve problems by acting as a neutral intermediary between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University and the FMI.

Clinical work

Interested students can devote up to 20% of their PhD study time to clinical work - in agreement with their PhD supervisor at the FMI. The clinical work is done in conjunction with a Professor at the Medical Faculty of the University of Basel and will often be part of a collaboration between the FMI Group Leader and the Medical Faculty Professor.

General requirements

The application procedure is the same for the PhD and the MD-PhD Program. For the PhD Program, applicants must hold a university degree that would formally qualify them to enter a PhD or equivalent program in their home country (MSc., Diploma, DEA, etc). Please note that a Bachelor's degree does not qualify for entry into our PhD Program.

For the MD-PhD Program, applicants must have studied medicine and must hold a university degree that would formally qualify them to enter clinical training in their home country (Medical Diploma, Approbation, etc). Having documented research laboratory experience is strongly recommended.

There are two rounds of applications per year, with application deadlines in May and November. All applications are reviewed by group leaders who have openings within their teams. A group of shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews in June and January, respectively.

The application

Please fill in the online application form. Note that this information and relevant documents will be shared among various people within the FMI for assessment.

» Online application form (PhD Program) » Online application form (MD-PhD Program)

You should provide contact details of at least one referee familiar with your training and research experience. Multiple letters (up to three) are preferred. Referees will receive an individualized link to upload their letter (not visible to you) once you have submitted their contact information. We suggest to submit a first version of your application, containing contact information of referees early, in order to give referees sufficient time to provide their letters. You will be able to revise your application up to the deadline. Please ask your referee(s) to use this reference letter template:

» Reference letter template

• The application period for the spring/autumn round normally starts on February 15/September 1 respectively.
• Applications are open for a period of 2.5 months, with closing dates on May 1/November 15 respectively.
• The interviews take place approximately 7 to 8 weeks after each deadline, in person at the FMI in Basel.

For more information about the application process, please check out our Q&A section (FAQ tab above)

If you still have questions about the PhD Program, please contact Elida Keller at the FMI PhD Program office: [email protected] .

If you still have questions about the MD-PhD Program, please contact the FMI MD-PhD Program office: [email protected]

The FMI has an active student body of about 80 PhD students (and a few Master’s students) – coming from all over the world. Our students are supported by a PhD student representative committee that is elected every year. The main reason why students join the FMI is to conduct a successful PhD in an environment of scientific excellence. However, there are plenty of other reasons that make student life at the FMI appealing.

Our students have many training opportunities, and they organize and participate in various seminars and career events.

We have many sports fans at the FMI; associates can join several sports team, including a running team.

Our FMI football team always fights hard in our annual tournament against the Biozentrum and the ETH!

The yearly PhD retreat is a great opportunity to learn, and connect to fellow students in a relaxed setting in a beautiful location.

Everyone at the FMI can join the Monthly Happy Hours. Cheers!

We have by-weekly Happy Hours at the FMI. Cheers!

And life in Basel is great… especially in the summer!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Please refer to the frequently asked questions and answers below if you have any concerns regarding your application to the FMI International PhD Program or the FMI International MD-PhD Program (open to all countries).

Q: What are the required degrees / pre-requisites to be eligible to the FMI PhD Program and the FMI MD-PhD Programs, respectively? A: For the PhD Program , applicants must hold a university degree that would formally qualify them to enter a PhD or equivalent program in their home country (MSc., Diploma, DEA, etc.). For the MD-PhD Program , applicants must have studied medicine and must hold a university degree that would formally qualify them to enter clinical training in their home country (Medical Diploma, Approbation, etc.). Having documented research laboratory experience is strongly recommended.

Q: Is there an age limit to apply to the programs? A: No, there is no age limit to apply. The only formal requirement for application is a university degree as detailed above.

Q: Do I need an English certificate to apply to the program? A: No this is not required. Even though English is the business language used at FMI there is no requirement for you to have an English certificate.

Q: When should I submit my application? A: The PhD Program and the MD-PhD Program both offer two rounds of selection every year, with application deadlines usually in May and November and interviews in June and January respectively. The application portal is open approximately three months before each deadline and you can submit your application during this time when ever your feel is appropriate. You will be able to edit it up to the deadline.

Q: How many openings are offered in each round of selection? A: The number of openings varies and is only known at the application deadlines. All candidates who are invited to the interviews will be informed of groups with openings when receiving the invitation letter. This number is not communicated to the candidates who are not invited for an interview.

Q: Why is there no list of groups that will have positions available? A: Positions frequently become available only after the application deadlines. You may consider contacting a group leader directly if you wish to enquire about the availability of a position in a particular group. However, because we have observed in the past that students become excited about groups and research topics they had not initially considered, we encourage you to apply for and join the interviews with an open mind.

Q: In the application form, I am asked to indicate research groups at FMI that are of particularly interest to me and to write an essay on my specific research interests. Does this have an influence on the group I may join? A: No. Although we use this information to channel the application review, it is the quality, not the topic of the essay that matters most. Candidates that are invited to the interviews can freely explore all available openings, irrespective of previously expressed interests.

Q: Can I apply more than once? A: Although there is no formal limit on the number of times you can apply, we discourage re-applications because of their low success rates. Hence, you should only consider reapplying if you can update and revise your original application to strengthen it substantially. Please note that due to the volume of applications we are not able to provide feedback on the reasons that specific applicants were not invited.

Q: Can I submit my CV for review before I apply, so you can check that I fulfill all the requirements? A: Due to the very high number of applications we receive every session, this is unfortunately not possible. Please note that if you have the required degrees then you are allowed to apply.

Q: Do you offer PhD positions in Bioinformatics? A: Many group leaders at the FMI are involved in bioinformatics projects and FMI has a dedicated Bioinformatics platform composed of five permanent members. Thus, we encourage you to apply if you are interested in this field of study.

Q: Can I update my application once it has been submitted? A: Yes. Once you have submitted your application you will receive a confirmation email with a personalized link to update the content of the application. You will be able to modify your application until the submission deadline.

Q: Can I add/remove referees once I have submitted my application? A: Before the submission deadline, you may add referee(s) to the originally submitted list, but not remove them. Contact details for a total of up to three referees can be provided, and we prefer to receive more than one letter for a balanced assessment.

Q: Where is the link for my referee to upload the reference letter? A: Once your application has been submitted, an automated email will be sent to the referee(s) you have entered in the form. The email contains a personalized link for the referee to submit the reference letter.

Q: Once the reference letter has been uploaded by my referee, do I get informed? A: Yes. Once the referee has submitted the reference letter through our online tool, an automated email is sent to the referee and you to confirm that the upload has been successful. However, you will not see the content of the letter submitted. If you have not received a confirmation email close to the application deadline, we highly recommend that you contact your referee to ask for a status.

Q: I made a mistake in the email address of my referee, how can I correct it? A: If you realize that there is a typo in the email address of your referee we ask you to contact your referee and ask him/her to send an email to [email protected] for the PhD program, [email protected] for the MD-PhD program, in order to change the email address. You are not allowed to modify the email address yourself.

Q: Is the deadline for the referees to upload the reference letters the same as the deadline for the candidates to submit their applications? A: No, referees have one more week after the application deadline to submit the reference letters. However, we strongly encourage you to contact your referees few days before the application deadline to ensure that they send the reference letters on time.

Q: If I am accepted for an interview, will I be reimbursed for the trip and stay in Basel? A: Yes, the FMI will reimburse you for your travel expenses. You are required to book and pay your travel tickets (plane, train, etc.) ahead of your interview and the FMI will reimburse you based on the invoices provided. Your stay in the hotel will also be covered. The invitation letter you receive after having been selected contains more information and guidelines about the travel expenses. Please do not book your travel until you have confirmed your visit to the FMI.

Q: If I am accepted for a PhD position, will I receive compensation during my time at the FMI? A: Yes. The FMI provides financial support to graduate students in accordance with the scale of the Swiss National Science Foundation . . Income is generous relative to international standards for PhD students (see document in German - English).

Q: Are there any additional steps when applying for the MD-PhD Program? A: The application and first interview process are the same for both Programs. If you are accepted as an MD-PhD candidate by the FMI you will be invited for an additional interview with the Medical Faculty of the University of Basel. Whenever logistically possible, this second interview will take place shortly after the FMI interview. If not possible, the second interview will take place a few weeks later.

If your question is not listed above, please contact [email protected] (PhD Program) or [email protected] (MD-PhD Program) for information.

Degree Programs & Courses Doctorate

Doctoral programs.

Besides the graduate schools, doctoral students at the University of Bern also have the option to take a structured doctorate as part of

• a doctoral program of the University of Bern
• a CUSO doctoral program (programs of the Conférence universitaire de Suisse occidentale (Association of Universities in Western Switzerland)

Doctoral  programs are organized on an interuniversity basis and are particularly concerned with promoting academic exchanges involving doctoral students. As with the graduate schools, the doctorate in these programs involves certain mandatory curricular components in addition to drafting a dissertation. Unlike the graduate schools, doctoral programs tend not to relate to specific subjects at the University of Bern and are mostly less formalized.

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Faculty of Law

• Doctorate Faculty of Law (PVO09)

Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics

• Doctorate Business and Economics (A, PVO13)
• Doctorate Business and Economics (B, PVO13)
• Doctorate Business and Economics (C, PVO13)
• Doctorate Informatics (PVO08)
• Doctorate Neuroeconomics (PVO10)

Faculty of Medicine

• Doctorate Faculty of Medicine
• Doctorate Medical Sciences

Vetsuisse-Faculty

• Doctorate Veterinary Medicine
• Doctorate Veterinary Medicine with Focus in Natural Sciences
• PhD of Veterinary Medicine

Faculty of Arts

• Doctorate Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Faculty of Science

• Doctorate Faculty of Science
• Joint Doctorate at the Faculty of Science of the UZH and the ETH Zurich

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Before you begin the application, please note the following:

1. ​​​​​​​Degree programs

An overview of the doctoral studies offered by the various faculties can be found in the  information sheet: Doctoral studies issued by the specific faculties . You can also find information by visiting  doctoral subjects  or the websites of the specific faculties.

2. Admission requirements

Admission to doctoral studies generally requires a master's degree from a higher education institution recognized by the University of Basel. The faculty-specific doctoral degree regulations specify additional admission requirements as well as the discipline-specific requirements with respect to equivalence and supervision. Degrees granted as part of continuing education programs do not meet the eligibility criteria for admission to doctoral studies. Applicants are admitted by the Rectorate at the request of the respective faculty. The doctoral degree regulations can be found on the websites of the individual faculties or under  doctoral subjects .

3. ​​​​​​​Compulsory matriculation

Doctoral students must matriculate on the next possible date and remain enrolled for the entire duration of their doctoral studies.

4. ​​​​​​​Setting up a user account for the application portal

Before you can submit an application, you need to set up a user account. Once you have logged in, you will receive an email from the Student Administration Office with an activation link. This allows you to access the portal. If you haven’t received an email, check your spam folder. Make sure that you provide an email address where you can be reached throughout the admission process. All information and documents from the university regarding your application will be sent to you via the application portal. Whenever this happens, a notification will be sent to your email address.

5. Starting the application

After you have set up a user account, you can use an online form on the application portal to apply to a doctoral program. There are six steps in the application process. We recommend that you complete the individual sections in order, as they follow on from one another. You can log out at any time and resume work on the application later. The online form asks you to provide details of your educational qualifications (high school, higher education etc.) and personal information, and to upload the required documents. For details of the  required documents , please consult the  information sheet , which can be found on this page under  Related Links and Downloads  or at  www.unibas.ch/documentsapplication . Submit your application even if you have not yet received your final degree certificate or other required documents by the application deadline. Transcripts and certificates that you do not yet have can be submitted later. There are deadlines for submission of these documents, which you can also find on the information sheet.

6.​​​​​​​Certified translations

If the original document is written in a language other than German, French, Italian or English, a certified translation into German or English must be uploaded with it. Please ensure that this meets the requirements set out in the  University of Basel Rectorate's conditions for certified translations .

7. ​​​​​​​Finishing the application

An application is regarded as having been submitted only when it has been sent via the application portal and the associated application fee (CHF 100) has been paid.  Please note that applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on the final day of the application period. No further changes to the information supplied in the application can be made once it has been submitted. You will be sent an acknowledgement of submission.

8. ​​​​​​​Payment of the application fee (online payment)

An application fee of CHF 100 is due when you submit an application for doctoral studies. This fee can be paid online by card. The application cannot be submitted until the application fee has been paid. The application fee will not be refunded or credited to you. The following payment methods are available: Visa, Mastercard, DinersClub/Discover, UnionPay, JCB and, in Switzerland, Postfinance and TWINT. You can also use a prepaid card as well as a traditional credit card. For further details, please consult the relevant  information sheet . You will receive confirmation of payment as soon as the payment has been made. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please check the status of your application and, if necessary, resubmit it.

9. Submission of missing or rejected documents at a later date

If your application is incomplete or the documents or information that you have submitted do not meet requirements, you will receive a written request on the application portal to submit further material, with deadlines.

Related Links and Downloads

• Information sheet: Doctoral studies (PDF, 512 KB)
• Certified translations (PDF, 166 KB)
• Documents for doctorate application (PDF, 321 KB)
• Doctoral subjects at the University of Basel
• Student regulations of the University of Basel (PDF, 223 KB)
• Preliminary information for international PhD candidates at the University of Basel (PDF, 683 KB)
• Information sheet cashless fee payment (PDF, 73 KB)

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• Our PhD programmes

PhD in International Economics

The PhD programme in international economics offers a rigorous and stimulating course of study where you will develop research skills allowing you to contribute to expanding knowledge with a policy orientation. Our faculty has expert knowledge over a wide range of issues in international economics, including international trade, the impact of globalization, international financial markets, sustainable finance and macroeconomic policy design. Professors have active connections with economic policy institutions and bring you exposure to the latest debates in policy circles.

Our Phd is structured around the training program of the Gerzensee Study Center (becoming compulsory as core courses from 2024 onwards) as well as two specialized courses to choose from.  Those courses focus on Macroeconomics, Trade, Development Economics, Econometrics and Environment. Our high faculty to student ratio, collegial atmosphere among students, and a range of research and policy seminars ensure that you will develop a solid set of skills and insights. The blend of technical skills and policy analysis that you will gain will prepare you for careers in international economics , both in policy institutions and academia, where recent graduates have secured highly competitive positions.

Frequently asked questions about the programme

Economics PhD Placement

Preliminary Dissertation Guidelines for PhD Students

• Anthropology and Sociology
• International Economics
• Our master programme
• One-Year MAS in Sustainable Finance and Development
• Department Faculty
• Job Market Candidates
• Department Seminars
• Research Projects
• Publications
• Our Courses
• Our PhD Researchers
• International History and Politics
• International Law
• International Relations & Political Science

PhD in Development Economics

Our four-year PhD programme offers a stimulating environment in which highly-qualified graduates can develop research skills that will enable them to contribute to knowledge in the field of Development Economics with a policy orientation. Our faculty focuses on a wide-range of topics, from global macroeconomic issues, such as the determinants of economic growth, to microeconomic work on financial inclusion, gender, education, health, SME development, sustainable finance and migration.

Our Phd is structured around the training program of the Gerzensee Study Center (becoming compulsory as core courses from 2024 onwards) as well as two specialized courses to choose from.  Those courses focus on Macroeconomics, Trade, Development Economics, Econometrics and Environment. PhD students also have the opportunity to contribute to teaching, policy seminars and research activities at the Institute and will be well prepared to participate and present in international conferences. Through this process, we aim at preparing young economists who are sought-after by academic institutions, international organisations and the private sector. Recent graduates have been successful in securing highly competitive jobs in each of these areas.

PhD courses open to students from other Swiss universities

The International Economics Department welcomes participants from Swiss universities in its PhD courses.  

With this initiative, the Department wishes to provide PhD students working in international economics in Switzerland an opportunity to interact and develop a community with their peers.  

We offer courses in Development Economics, International Trade and International Macro/Finance. These courses are organised in the form of modules concentrated over consecutive days to allow students to participate on-site. Remote access will also be provided. 

Students are welcome to take the course for ECTS credits or to participate as auditors.

If you are interested in one or more courses, please send a message to [email protected] .

PhD courses open to students from other Swiss universities

Digital skills for phd students.

The P8 programme, initiated by Swissuniversities in 2019, aims to enhance digital skills in education. Specifically focused on supporting universities, the programme offers workshops for PhD students from the Geneva Graduate Institute.  These workshops combine traditional presentations with practical exercises to impart knowledge and skills, creating new learning opportunities. While these workshops do not provide academic credits, students who attend and complete a workshop will receive a certificate.  Further information regarding upcoming workshops and our previous workshops can be found on the Libguide . 

Best PhD Programs in Switzerland [2022]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Economics, Ph.D., University of Zurich

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

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.

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University of Central Florida

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.

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

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.

Nouscom Appoints Leading Cancer Drug Development Expert, Neil Gallagher, MD, PhD, as Independent Advisor to its Board and Chair of its R&D Committee

Dr. Gallagher, current President of R&D at Syndax Pharmaceuticals and former Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development at AbbVie, brings significant experience of end-to-end development that has resulted in the approval of multiple innovative medicines

BASEL, Switzerland – 14 th May 2024 - Nouscom, a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing off-the-shelf and personalized viral vector-based cancer vaccines targeting neoantigens, announces today that Neil Gallagher, MD, PhD, has been appointed as an Independent Advisor to Nouscom’s Board of Directors and will also Chair the Company’s R&D Committee.

Dr. Gallagher’s leadership will be essential in guiding Nouscom’s clinical development strategy and activities as it advances its wholly owned clinical pipeline through multiple clinical proof of concept readouts.

Dr. Gallagher has over 20 years of experience within large, global pharmaceutical R&D organizations and emerging biopharmaceutical companies. Throughout his career, he has led end-to-end drug development programs that have resulted in the approval of multiple innovative medicines, ranging from small molecules to biologics across several therapeutic areas, including oncology and immunology.

Since April 2023, he has served as President of R&D at Syndax Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage oncology company developing targeted first-in-class cancer therapies. Prior to this, he led multiple development programs through approval globally and oversaw asset strategy and portfolio management across several therapeutic areas as Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development at AbbVie. Other roles include Head of Global Oncology Development at AbbVie, Head of Development for Oncology and Inflammation at Amgen, and Global Program Head at Novartis Oncology. He has also held clinical development roles at AstraZeneca and Astex Therapeutics.

Before entering the industry, Dr. Gallagher received his medical degree from Trinity College, Dublin, and completed his Fellowship in Gynaecological Oncology at the Institute for Cancer Studies, University of Birmingham, UK.

Dr. Marina Udier, Chief Executive Officer of Nouscom, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Neil as Independent Advisor to our Board and Chair of our R&D Committee. His extensive experience and leadership in clinical drug development and registration will provide invaluable insights that will allow us to further accelerate progress across our clinical portfolio of neoantigen-based cancer vaccines, including an ongoing randomized Phase 2 trial of NOUS-209 in MSI colorectal cancer.”

Dr. Goran Ando, Independent Chair of Nouscom’s Board, said , “ Together with the experience of our existing Board Members, I look forward to Neil’s contributions as Nouscom reports multiple clinical trial readouts and navigates the next exciting steps in its growth.”

Dr. Neil Gallagher added, “I am truly excited to be working with Nouscom’s Board and management and look forward to sharing my knowledge and expertise to guide and support the development of its clinical pipeline. Nouscom’s dedication to generating safe, innovative, and potent next-generation cancer immunotherapies that selectively eliminate tumor cells and pre-cancerous lesions could be potentially life-changing for patients and I look forward to helping the Company achieve this.”

About Nouscom

Nouscom is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing next-generation, off-the-shelf and personalized cancer immunotherapies. Nouscom’s proprietary viral vector platform has the capacity to encode for large payloads of neoantigens or other immunomodulators and clinically demonstrated to safely and potently harness the power of the immune system.

Nouscom is currently advancing the clinical development of its wholly owned programs:

• NOUS-209, an off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy for the treatment of MSI solid tumors in combination with pembrolizumab in randomized Phase 2 trials.
• NOUS-209, an off-the-shelf monotherapy in Lynch Syndrome carriers with the potential to ‘intercept cancer’ before it occurs. A Phase 1b is being conducted under a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement signed in 2022 with the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
• NOUS-PEV, a personalized cancer immunotherapy, is expected to enter randomized Phase 2 trials in indications with high unmet medical need in 2024.

Nouscom has also exclusively out-licensed VAC-85135, an off-the-shelf immunotherapy developed under a multi-project agreement, which is currently under evaluation in a Phase 1 trial for the treatment of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms sponsored by Janssen Research & Development and Bristol Myers Squibb.

For more information on Nouscom, please visit the company’s website at www.nouscom.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

• NouscomRick Davis, COOE : [email protected] T : +41 61 201 1835
• MEDiSTRAVA Sylvie Berrebi, Mark Swallow E : [email protected] : +44 (0)203 928 6900