^{* Depending on your study programme, possible project weeks and late examinations, the mentioned dates can differ in certain cases. The International Office LSFM will provide more specific, individual information after you have been nominated or upon request.}

Incoming students need a language level of B2 in the language their programme is taught in and have to submit a language certificate with their application (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or equivalent).

The majority of classes in the Bachelor's programmes are taught in German, in the Master’s programmes in German as well as English, depending on the programme and specialisation.

Want to improve your German during your student exchange? At the ZHAW LSFM, we offer a free German course(PDF 376,5 KB) specifically aimed at foreign students – there is a beginner and an advanced level. If you want to practice your German and, at the same time, connect with other ZHAW students, we recommend signing up for the Tandem Language Learning. Last but not least, the ZHAW School of Applied Linguistics also offers a wide range of additional German courses at various levels. However, please note that in this case, the regular charges apply and all of these courses take place in either Zurich, Winterthur or online.

Students can complete an exchange at the ZHAW LSFM starting from their third semester. The minimal duration is two months and the maximum duration twelve months (two semesters) during each study cycle (Bachelor and Master). Each student exchange requires an official nomination by the International Office of the home university. The following information needs to be sent to international.lsfm@zhaw.ch:

• First name(s) and last name, date of birth, sex and nationality
• E-Mail address (from the home university)
• Study programme at home university and study programme at the ZHAW LSFM
• Study cycle (BSc/MSc)
• Planned exchange semester and year

After the International Office of the ZHAW LSFM has received and reviewed the official nomination from the partner university, we will contact the nominated student directly in order to provide them with all information necessary for their application and send them the registration link.

Important: The following data is provided without liability. For legally binding information, please contact the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) or the Swiss representation in your home country.

Depending on their nationality and period of stay, incoming students may need a visa for entering Switzerland. Please refer to the relevant website of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) in due time, to find out about the requirements applicable in your specific case. EU citizens normally do not need a visa, as long as they can provide a valid travel document upon their entry. Let us know if you are uncertain about something or have any questions: international.lsfm@zhaw.ch.

If a visa is, in fact, required, important links and useful information on the application procedure, documents to submit etc. can be found in our Visa Guidelines(PDF 189,9 KB). The whole process may take up three months and it is therefore very important to start organising your visa early. Please also note that, during public holidays as well as the Christmas and the summer break, the processing time might be additionally delayed due to absences and limited opening hours.

Generally, every person staying in Switzerland for more than three months must be insured with a recognised Swiss health insurance company. As special regulations apply for students, incomings please note the following:

Students from the EU who are insured statutorily or compulsorily in their home country, can be exempt from the Swiss insurance obligation by means of their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The card has to be applied for in time, furthermore, it needs to be valid for the whole duration of stay.

Privately insured students and third country nationals can only apply for exemption if the health insurance of their home country offers a coverage equal to Switzerland’s. We recommend that concerned incomings ask their health insurer on time if sufficient insurance coverage can be guaranteed and certified. However, due to Switzerland’s strict requirements, most foreign insurances are not accepted.

If students are not insured at all or fail to show proof of equivalent insurance coverage, they can take out a special student health insurance policy accepted by the Canton of Zurich for the duration of stay that will, in turn, allow them to be exempt from the regular insurance obligation.

We answer some of the most common questions from our incoming students in our FAQ. If you do not find an answer there, you are welcome to contact us.