Do Swiss universities accept the IB Diploma?

Yes, as an equivalent foreign certificate, on conditions. The ten cantonal universities ask for at least 32 of 42 points with six subjects from set categories and three at Higher Level; ETH Zurich and EPFL ask for 38 points and specific HL subjects. Bonus points never count.

What IB score do you need for ETH Zurich?

38 of 42 points without bonus points, with Higher Level maths (AA or AI), an HL natural science and an HL Language A, three further subjects from ETH's set Standard Level list, plus a German C1 certificate by 31 March (unless German is your mother tongue). Below that, the route is ETH's reduced entrance exam, sat in German.

What IB score do you need for EPFL?

38 of 42 points without bonus points, at least 6 in maths and physics, and Higher Level maths, physics and chemistry, biology or computer science. Swiss applicants and residents working in Switzerland (or whose parents do) need 36 points with at least 5, and are exempt from the 3,000-place cap.

Is the Swiss Matura or the IB better for university entry in Switzerland?

The Matura gives exam-free access to every Swiss university, with medicine's aptitude test the main extra hurdle; the IB is recognised only under conditions. Students from a cantonal double-diploma school hold both and can simply apply with the Matura.

Can you study medicine in Switzerland with an IB?

Only within limits. The usual IB conditions apply, plus the EMS aptitude test at Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Zurich, USI and ETH Zurich. Applicants with neither a Swiss passport nor residence in Switzerland cannot be admitted to medicine.

Do you need German or French to study in Switzerland with the IB?

Usually yes, at bachelor level: German around C1 at ETH, Zurich, Bern and Lucerne, French at EPFL, Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchâtel. St. Gallen's first year can be taken entirely in English, and USI's Economics bachelor runs in English too.

Switzerland · 2026/27 admission rules

IB Diploma requirements for Swiss universities

Most Swiss universities admit IB Diploma holders with at least 32 of 42 points (bonus points don't count), six subjects from set categories and at least three at Higher Level, one of them maths or a science. ETH Zurich and EPFL ask for 38 points and specific Higher Level subjects (EPFL: 36 for Swiss applicants and residents). Every university also expects its teaching language, for example German at ETH, Zurich, Basel, Bern and Lucerne, and French at EPFL, Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchâtel.

32/42

minimum points at the ten cantonal universities

38/42

points at ETH & EPFL with set HL subjects; EPFL: 36 for Swiss

bonus points count towards these thresholds; TOK and EE are excluded

universities compared, from official sources

Check again before you apply

These are the rules for students starting university in autumn 2026, the latest published. Students who start the DP in August 2026 will apply for autumn 2028. swissuniversities revises its list every year, EPFL says requirements may change, and ETH is planning changes to its entry requirements from autumn 2028, not yet finalised, with details from spring 2027.

The general rule (swissuniversities)

All ten cantonal universities follow this rule, some with their own subject lists. The two federal institutes of technology, ETH Zurich and EPFL, set stricter ones.

At least 32 of 42 points. Bonus points (TOK and the Extended Essay) do not count.
Six subjects, one from each category: first language; second language; mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation, SL or HL); a natural science (biology, chemistry or physics); geography, history, economics or business management; and an elective (another subject from the language, science or humanities categories, or computer science or philosophy, which count only as the sixth subject).
At least three subjects at Higher Level, one of them mathematics or a natural science.
Language requirements are left to each university ("Language skills and/or exams under reserve").

All twelve universities at a glance

Click a university for the full rule, its language requirement and the official sources.

University	Minimum points	Beyond the general rule	Language
ETH Zurich	38/42	HL maths + HL science + HL Language A	German C1
EPFL (Lausanne)	38/42	HL maths, physics + chem/bio/CS; at least 6 in maths and physics	French B2
University of Zurich (UZH)	32/42	General rule	German C1
University of Basel	32/42	Own subject list; Math Studies excluded	German, no certificate required
University of Bern	32/42	General rule	German C1 or test
University of Geneva (UNIGE)	32/42	3 HL incl. a science; continuous two-year DP	French B2
University of Lausanne (UNIL)	32/42	3 HL + 3 SL; list of excluded subjects	French, exam if needed
University of Fribourg	32/42	3 HL + 3 SL from the swissuniversities list	French or German B2
University of Neuchâtel (UniNE)	32/42	3 HL + 3 SL; list of excluded subjects	French B2
University of St. Gallen (HSG)	32/42	Own subject list; selection for foreign applicants	English or German first year
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)	32/42	General rule	By programme: Italian or English B2
University of Lucerne	32/42	General rule	German C1

ETH Zurich and EPFL in detail

The two federal institutes set the strictest rules. Both want 38 points and Higher Level maths, but they differ on the other Higher Level subjects, so the same six IB subjects rarely satisfy both.

ETH Zurich

38/42

Subjects: Higher Level: maths (AA or AI); physics, chemistry or biology; one Language A. Standard Level: three more from physics, chemistry, biology, geography, history, economics or business management, one further language, computer science.
Language: German. A C1 certificate is due by 31 March unless German is your mother tongue; the IB itself does not count as proof, even with German at a high level.
Other routes and limits: Otherwise the reduced ETH entrance exam in German (maths, biology, chemistry, physics; 18–28 January 2027; CHF 550), with study starting a year later. ETH is planning changes to its entry requirements from autumn 2028, not yet finalised; details follow from spring 2027.
Sources: [1] ethz.ch [2] ethz.ch [3] ethz.ch [4] ethz.ch

EPFL (Lausanne)

38/42, with 6+ in maths and physics

Subjects: Higher Level: maths (AA or AI), physics, and chemistry, biology or computer science. SL or HL: a first and a second modern language, and history, geography, economics or philosophy. Swiss applicants and residents working in Switzerland (or living with parents who do): 36/42 with 5+ in maths and physics.
Language: French. B2 required, C1 highly recommended.
Other routes and limits: First-year places are capped at 3,000 from 2025 for at least four years; IB holders are ranked by total points and hear in early August. Swiss applicants and residents are exempt from the cap and can also sit the entrance exam; Swiss applicants just below the threshold can be admitted to the Cours de mathématiques spéciales.
Sources: [1] epfl.ch [2] epfl.ch [3] epfl.ch

ETH and EPFL want different Higher Level subjects

ETH needs maths, a science and a Language A at Higher Level. EPFL needs maths, physics, and chemistry, biology or computer science at Higher Level. With the usual three HL subjects you can meet one set of rules, not both. Covering both would take four HL subjects (maths, physics, chemistry, biology or computer science, and a Language A), which the IB allows. But ETH also asks for three further subjects at Standard Level and does not say whether a fourth HL subject counts as one of them, so confirm that with ETH's admissions office before you build your DP around both.

Example A

Higher Level: Maths AA 7, Physics 7, English A 6

Standard Level: Chemistry 6, German B 6, Economics 6

Points (no bonus): 38

ETH Zürich: MeetsEPFL: Doesn't meet

Meets ETH. Not EPFL: the third HL subject would have to be chemistry, biology or computer science.

Example B

Higher Level: Maths AA 7, Physics 7, Chemistry 6

Standard Level: English A 6, German B 6, Economics 6

Points (no bonus): 38

ETH Zürich: Doesn't meetEPFL: Meets

Meets EPFL, with 6+ in maths and physics. Not ETH: its Language A would have to be at Higher Level.

The examples apply the two universities' published rules; this is our reading, so check it against the sources on this page.

The ten cantonal universities

University of Zurich (UZH)

32/42

Subjects: swissuniversities rule.
Language: German. Non-native speakers prove C1 (e.g. Goethe C1, TestDaF, DSD II) unless their last three years of upper-secondary school were taught in German in a German-speaking area.
Other routes and limits: Medicine and veterinary medicine: places allocated through the EMS aptitude test.
Sources: [1] uzh.ch [2] uzh.ch [3] uzh.ch

University of Basel

32/42

Subjects: Own subject list: maths AA or AI (Math Studies not accepted); Economics and Business Management count as one subject. Basel's own page asks for a group 4 or 5 subject at HL; swissuniversities lists the general three-HL rule for Basel.
Language: Mostly German, some English. C1 German expected at the start; no certificate is required.
Other routes and limits: Medicine and dentistry: EMS aptitude test.
Sources: [1] unibas.ch [2] unibas.ch

University of Bern

32/42

Subjects: swissuniversities rule; computer science or philosophy only as the sixth subject.
Language: German. Prove C1 or pass Bern's own German test, unless German is your first language or the language your certificate was taught in.
Other routes and limits: Human, dental and veterinary medicine: EMS aptitude test.
Sources: [1] unibe.ch [2] unibe.ch

University of Geneva (UNIGE)

32/42

Subjects: The DP must be followed continuously over its two years. Three HL (one of maths, chemistry, biology or physics) and three SL from an approved list; every language counts except Literature and Performance.
Language: French. B2 expected; otherwise UNIGE's French exam. Exempt with a French-taught diploma or DELF B2/DALF.
Other routes and limits: Medicine: no cap in year one; selection at the end of the first year.
Sources: [1] unige.ch

University of Lausanne (UNIL)

32/42

Subjects: Three HL and three SL; maths or an experimental science at HL; not both Economics and Business Management. Not recognised include Psychology, Global Politics, Environmental Systems and Societies, Visual Arts, Music, Theatre, Film, Dance, Design Technology, SEHS, and Math Studies SL.
Language: French. A French exam (minimum B1) unless French is your first language or language of instruction, or you hold DELF B1 or higher.
Other routes and limits: Medicine: no cap in year one; selection at the end of the first year.
Sources: [1] unil.ch [2] unil.ch

University of Fribourg

32/42

Subjects: Three HL (one maths or natural science) and three SL from the swissuniversities list.
Language: French or German (bilingual university): B2 in one of them, shown by first language, at least half of schooling and final exams in that language, or a certificate.
Other routes and limits: Human medicine: aptitude test if oversubscribed.
Sources: [1] unifr.ch [2] unifr.ch

University of Neuchâtel (UniNE)

32/42

Subjects: Three HL (including maths or a natural science) and three SL; not both Economics and Business Management; same list of non-recognised subjects as UNIL (e.g. Psychology, Global Politics, ESS, Math Studies SL).
Language: French. A B2 certificate unless French is your first language or language of instruction.
Other routes and limits: Entrance exams of other Swiss universities are not recognised. Medicine: selection at the end of the first year.
Sources: [1] unine.ch [2] unine.ch

University of St. Gallen (HSG)

32/42 (below 32: no admission)

Subjects: Three HL, one of them maths or a group 4 science. Group 3 only geography, history or economics (or business management). Not accepted include Math Studies SL, Psychology, Global Politics, ESS, Visual Arts, Music and Theatre.
Language: The first year (Assessment Year) runs entirely in English or entirely in German (Law and Computer Science in German only). No certificate at application; C1 recommended.
Other routes and limits: Foreign applicants go through the HSG selection procedure (online test and video interview; 2027 dates 16 February or 8 June), and places for them are capped by law. Swiss or Liechtenstein nationals, C-permit holders and Swiss Matura holders are exempt.
Sources: [1] erlasse.unisg.ch [2] unisg.ch [3] unisg.ch

Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)

32/42

Subjects: swissuniversities rule.
Language: Depends on the programme: Economics in Italian or English (B2 in the chosen language); Communication requires Italian B2 for foreign students.
Other routes and limits: Where equivalence is unclear, USI may ask for an interview or a test. Medicine: EMS aptitude test.
Sources: [1] usi.ch [2] usi.ch

University of Lucerne

32/42

Subjects: swissuniversities rule.
Language: German. A certificate (e.g. Goethe C1, TestDaF, DSD II) by the start of studies, unless the certificate is German-taught or you spent at least three years of secondary school in German in Switzerland.
Sources: [1] unilu.ch

Swiss Matura or IB?

The Swiss gymnasiale Matura gives exam-free access to every Swiss university; medicine adds an aptitude test.
By law, universities require the Matura and may also admit equivalent qualifications. The IB is recognised on that basis, only under the conditions on this page.
Students at the cantonal gymnasiums that offer both finish with a Matura and an IB Diploma, and can apply with the Matura.

The cantonal schools that combine the Matura and the IB

Medicine with an IB

The same admission rules apply as for other subjects, so an IB holder must first meet the university's IB rule. For the restricted programmes, the timeline for an autumn 2027 start is:

1Pre-register with swissuniversities by 15 February 2027, whichever university you aim for.
2Register for the EMS aptitude test by 25 May 2027 (fee CHF 300). Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Zurich, USI and ETH Zurich allocate their places by its result.
3Sit the EMS on 9 July 2027. The result is valid for one year.

Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchâtel don't cap the first year; they select at the end of it instead.
Applicants with neither a Swiss passport nor residence in Switzerland cannot be admitted to medicine in Switzerland.
Foreign nationals who do live in Switzerland qualify only in defined categories, a C permit for example; the university checks the status.

What this means for your DP subject choices

Keep maths at Higher Level if ETH or EPFL is a possibility; both require it (AA or AI are both accepted).
For EPFL, take physics at HL and aim for at least 6 in maths and physics.
Some universities don't count certain subjects: Lausanne, Neuchâtel and St. Gallen, for example, exclude Psychology, Global Politics, Environmental Systems and Societies and Visual Arts. Make sure your six subjects cover the categories with recognised subjects.
Plan your language certificate early: ETH wants German C1 by 31 March, and the IB does not count as proof.
Bonus points from TOK and the Extended Essay never count towards the 32 or 38.

Common questions

Do Swiss universities accept the IB Diploma?: Yes, as an equivalent foreign certificate, on conditions. The ten cantonal universities ask for at least 32 of 42 points with six subjects from set categories and three at Higher Level; ETH Zurich and EPFL ask for 38 points and specific HL subjects. Bonus points never count.
What IB score do you need for ETH Zurich?: 38 of 42 points without bonus points, with Higher Level maths (AA or AI), an HL natural science and an HL Language A, three further subjects from ETH's set Standard Level list, plus a German C1 certificate by 31 March (unless German is your mother tongue). Below that, the route is ETH's reduced entrance exam, sat in German.
What IB score do you need for EPFL?: 38 of 42 points without bonus points, at least 6 in maths and physics, and Higher Level maths, physics and chemistry, biology or computer science. Swiss applicants and residents working in Switzerland (or whose parents do) need 36 points with at least 5, and are exempt from the 3,000-place cap.
Is the Swiss Matura or the IB better for university entry in Switzerland?: The Matura gives exam-free access to every Swiss university, with medicine's aptitude test the main extra hurdle; the IB is recognised only under conditions. Students from a cantonal double-diploma school hold both and can simply apply with the Matura.
Can you study medicine in Switzerland with an IB?: Only within limits. The usual IB conditions apply, plus the EMS aptitude test at Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Zurich, USI and ETH Zurich. Applicants with neither a Swiss passport nor residence in Switzerland cannot be admitted to medicine.
Do you need German or French to study in Switzerland with the IB?: Usually yes, at bachelor level: German around C1 at ETH, Zurich, Bern and Lucerne, French at EPFL, Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchâtel. St. Gallen's first year can be taken entirely in English, and USI's Economics bachelor runs in English too.

Where tutoring helps

The thresholds sit on total points and on Higher Level maths and the sciences. Our tutors, who all scored 40+ IB points, work on exactly those subjects and on the internal assessments that feed them.

IB Maths AA tutoring IB Maths AI tutoring IB Physics tutoring IB Chemistry tutoring IB tutoring in Switzerland: schools, prices in CHF

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Sources

Facts on this page last checked on 30 September 2026.