how long is phd in switzerland

How Long Does a Ph.D. Take? [2023 Ultimate Guide]

Finishing a master’s degree is quite the achievement, and most people reasonably choose to stop there. However, if you’re dedicated to your specialized field, you may feel the need to take your education a step further. 

This next step and the culmination of all your years in education results in getting a Ph.D. But what exactly is a Ph.D., how do you get one, and most importantly, how long does a Ph.D. take?

These questions and every other detail will be covered in the following paragraphs of this article.

What Is a Ph.D. Degree?

A Ph.D. is a doctorate degree, and anyone who gets it is considered a Doctor of Philosophy. However, this does not mean that you’ve studied philosophy; it simply means, as translated from ancient Greek, that you’re a lover of wisdom. Nice. 

It is the most advanced degree one can earn, representing dedication and focus on a specialized study area or profession. 

Ph.D. degree entry requirements

Contrary to popular belief, anyone willing to get a Ph.D. can get one, not only geniuses. Having said that, you do need to complete some requirements to be eligible for a Ph.D., and below you’ll find the most crucial ones. 

Academic qualifications: First and foremost, you’ll have to perform well at the undergraduate level. Afterward, due to the standards in many universities worldwide, you’ll also need a Master’s degree . 

Suitability: After getting your Master’s, you’ll need to check if what you’ve been studying until then matches your potential Ph.D. degree. 

Residency: In most cases, you’ll need to live in the same country your research and university are in, so you’ll have to apply for a residency permit or any other relevant document. 

Language: If your research for a Ph.D. is being conducted in a language other than your first, you’ll need to go through some proficiency exams to showcase your capability and understanding of the language. 

Ph.D. degree coursework

Usually, students begin with advanced core classes focused on writing methods, research skills, applied statistics, and analysis to set a foundation for future research. Afterward, they go through more specific courses to focus on their desired field of study. Throughout the years spent towards a Ph.D., students also take electives that help in broadening perspectives.

Most Ph.D. programs require 120 credit hours to be completed, amounting to about 40 classes. 

What can you do with a Ph.D. degree?

While getting a Ph.D. may seem tiring and demanding, the benefits are endless. Opportunities for work in any company or organization you want are immensely higher, and everyone will know your enthusiasm and intensity towards your duties. 

Some of the jobs one can do with a Ph.D. degree are:

• Higher education professor
• Researcher in a specialized field
• Specialist medical practitioner
• Clinical psychologist

How To Get a Ph.D.

Complete an undergraduate degree

Obviously, an undergraduate degree or a bachelor’s is crucial in building a base of knowledge and research skills. No matter what direction your field of specialization takes, a bachelor’s will help you organize time, work alone and with other people, and showcase that you can finish something if you put your mind to it. An undergraduate degree is usually completed in 3 to 4 years. 

Complete a master’s degree

A master’s degree is for those who want to learn more about a particular field and gain some needed experience. Because it aims to focus all senses on one topic, a master’s degree is more detailed and requires more attention, considering that students will be done in only two years.

Enroll in a Ph.D.

Finishing a bachelor’s and master’s and the other requirements mentioned earlier makes you eligible to enroll in a Ph.D . Additionally, the university will check your credentials, and you’ll have to convince them of your interest and devotion to that area of study through your research proposal, interview, and references. 

Complete the coursework and graduate

If you thought the journey to being accepted was challenging, here’s where the fun part begins! You’ve gathered all the knowledge you could throughout your years at undergraduate and graduate levels, and the Ph.D. program is where you finally put it to use. “It” being your extraordinary brain and intelligence, which you’ll utilize to finish courses, network with people, conduct your research, and finally graduate. 

How Long Does a Ph.D. Take?

Ph.D. timeline

Here’s a detailed timeline of what you’ll be doing each year as you approach your graduation. 

• Year 1: Enroll and complete advanced courses.
• Year 2: Complete advanced courses and prepare for your comprehensive exams.
• Year 3: Study, take, and defend the comprehensive exams. Start researching your dissertation proposal.
• Year 4: Submit your dissertation proposal to the committee chair and, if approved, begin working on your dissertation.
• Year 5: Write your dissertation and submit it for committee approval. Defend your dissertation and apply for graduation.

Online vs. campus

While most people believe that finishing any university level online is not genuinely graduating, recent global events have changed those opinions. Getting a Ph.D. online follows the same traditional trajectory outlined above, yet it has some exciting benefits. 

Faster progress: With online universities usually holding eight-week courses, you could be getting a Ph.D. much quicker than average, in only about 3-4 years. 

Flexibility: With you not having to go to campus, your studying schedule can be arranged to your liking and capabilities. 

Cost-saving: Finishing doctoral studies in fewer years means paying less tuition. 

Equal status: If your online university is accredited, potential employers will value your diploma just as much as a traditional one. 

Comprehensive examinations

Comprehensive exams determine if the student is ready for a doctoral project and able to make an original contribution to their area of research. These exams are taken in written or oral form, and most universities allow students to retake them if they don’t pass the first time.

Ph.D. dissertation and defense

This phase usually takes much longer to complete than the other requirements of a Ph.D. Researching and writing a dissertation takes considerable time because students have to make an original and notable contribution to whatever they’re studying. This stage typically lasts 13 to 19 months.

Final Thoughts

Whether or not a Ph.D. is for you is a question only you can answer. It’s difficult, requires a lot of time and attention, and takes up years that could be spent advancing in a career. 

However, a doctorate is a serious commitment and a significant accomplishment once finished. What’s even more impressive is the incredible return on investment; you’ll get every job opportunity you’ll ever want and be able to work in your dream profession at the highest level. There are more upsides than downsides, but the only thing left to do for you is to decide if you need it or not. 

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PhD in Switzerland Pursuing a doctorate in Switzerland as a foreigner

In Switzerland, doctorates can be obtained under excellent conditions © gorodenkoff / iStock.com

Astonishingly, over 50 percent of PhD candidates at Swiss universities are international students. World-renowned institutes, a growing emphasis on doctoral education, multilingual education, funding for early career researchers and travel opportunities are just a few of the attractions.

Updated: 2024-04-09

By: Claire Wenngren, Dacha Media

Swiss PhD programmes

Switzerland’s universities have experienced considerable growth in recent decades and have ambitious plans to increase the number of doctoral researchers in the country. The Swiss are rightfully proud to be home to universities that are regularly ranked among the best in the world, including the renowned ETH Zurich (which has produced over 20 Nobel laureates, including Albert Einstein), the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EFPL ) and the University of Zurich . The country's academic history stretches back to the 15th century, when the first university was founded in Basel in 1460 , an institution that remains top-notch today.

The universities’ offerings have been so successful in recent decades that SwissInfo ran the headline in February 2024: “Are Swiss universities victims of their success?” The online news outlet, part of the public broadcaster SRG SSR, also reported in the same story that EPFL is considering capping slots for international students to ensure it can maintain its high quality of education. The university reported that fully 85.7 percent of its doctoral candidates are from abroad. Still, with universities booming, it is unlikely we will see the alpine nation shut its doors to international doctoral students anytime soon.

Currently, students seeking to study in Switzerland have four types of universities to choose from:

• 10 cantonal universities ( Universitäten ), which are run by individual Swiss cantons
• 2 federal institutes of technology ( Eidgenössische Technische Hochschulen )
• 9 universities of applied sciences and arts ( Fachhochschulen ), including eight public institutions and one private university
• 20 universities of teacher education ( Pädagogische Hochschulen )

PhD students are most likely be based at a Swiss cantonal university or a federal institute of technology, since they are the only institutions of higher learning in the country [CH3] allowed to award recognised PhD titles. While universities of applied sciences and arts are not entitled to award doctorates, they may offer doctoral studies in collaboration with other universities that provide the primary PhD supervision and award the degree.

With four national languages, multilingualism is an inherent part of Swiss identity , and that linguistic diversity is also present in academia. Universities normally teach in the language of their canton (German, French or Italian) or in English. And although Romansh is spoken in some areas, it is not a language of instruction at universities.

As in other countries, the Swiss PhD is research-based and entails independent work towards an original thesis that contributes significant new knowledge to the field of study. There are two typical routes towards a PhD in Switzerland:

•   Traditional or general PhDs  at a single university with one or more advisors: Students spend most of their time working on their doctoral thesis, but opportunities for additional training and development may also be offered.
•   Structured PhDs , a relatively new development, come more formal training, which may include coursework, and often entail collaboration between different institutions, including partnerships between different types of institution.

Current jobs and vacancies in Switzerland

ETH Zürich - Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich Hauptgebäude

Berner Fachhochschule - Hochschule für Agrar-, Forst- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften HAFL

ETH Zürich - Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich

How long does a doctorate in Switzerland take?

There is no standard length of study for PhDs in Switzerland . Candidates can expect to spend between two and seven years , depending on their field and programme, though traditional programmes tend to be on the shorter end of that spectrum. Doctoral candidates are assigned at least one academic supervisor, who will act as a mentor for their project in addition to providing guidance and support for the research. Some Swiss PhD programmes, especially structured ones, involve two or more supervisors.

The main product of the PhD is the doctoral thesis, which will be assessed by an oral examination or defence after submission. In Switzerland, this process takes place in a public setting. Candidates present their PhD thesis in front of a panel of experts, including at least one external examiner from outside the university.

Applying for a PhD in Switzerland

PhD opportunities in Switzerland can be found by searching for advertised projects and programmes or by browsing information on university websites. In most cases, a master’s degree in a relevant subject is a prerequisite for applying . Other requirements depend on the type of PhD being applied for. If responding to an advertised project or position, applicants will need to submit a personal statement, an academic CV and references ( more information here ).

Candidates devising their own PhD topic generally must submit a research proposal outlining their project , its objectives, methodology and outcome . Applicants should also submit supporting material, such as references. Applications for structured PhD programmes may not require an initial research proposal because students often develop their project during the first year of the doctorate. Applicants may also be required to take a test to prove their competence in the language of instruction .

Application procedures may vary between individual doctorates and PhD programmes. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the requirements for the program to which they are applying prior to submission. Most applications are submitted digitally through an online form. It is also important to contact the university regarding any additional documents, such as language certificates, that may be required as well as the specifications regarding the translation of supporting application documents.

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PhD salaries in Switzerland

Sometimes Swiss universities advertise PhD opportunities as paid research positions or assistantships . In this case, they normally hire PhD candidates as research assistants or PhD candidates. If awarded one of these positions, students do not have to pay fees while pursuing their PhD and receive a regular salary . Those hired may also be entitled to additional benefits, including sick pay and holiday leave.

In return, PhD candidates hired in these positions are normally expected to assist with undergraduate teaching and other administrative responsibilities . Job portals like academics.com publish positions for PhD students, but it is a good idea to check whether the prospective university offers these positions and what conditions they stipulate. Additionally, it is common practice to contact a professor or research group directly and ask about opportunities.There are also research positions at companies and universities of applied sciences, but they are less common.

PhD candidates at the ETH Zurich can expect to earn a salary of between 50,700 CHF and 83,200 CHF gross per year . PhD candidates in exact sciences and medicine are usually paid better than PhD candidates in life sciences, chemistry, arts and humanities.

However, a candidate’s salary and working conditions depend on specific contracts and workload, city of residency, marital status and number of children. The personnel consultants from human resources are responsible for determining salaries and are generally happy to provide that information if asked.

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Scholarships for PhDs in Switzerland

Universities and institutes offer scholarships for specific programmes, and some universities provide additional support to their PhD students in the form of financial loans, but the main source of funding for international PhD students in Switzerland is the  Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) . It awards Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, which are divided into research scholarships and art scholarships . These scholarships are aimed at young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree and at foreign artists holding a bachelor’s degree, respectively. They normally cover fees and living costs.

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Duration doctoral studies.

On average a doctorate at ETH Zurich takes a little more than four years to complete. The maximum duration for a doctorate is six years.

Subject to a well-founded request and the agreement of the department in question, the Vice-Rector for Doctoral Studies may extend this period. Please use the official form for the Download Extension of the deadline for doctoral studies. (PDF, 2.6 MB)

> Contact the Doctoral Administration