Frequently Asked Questions
Below, you will find a collection of the most frequently asked questions and answers. It contains (almost) everything you need to know for your travel to and stay in Zurich! If your question is not answered on this page, you can also contact the UZHISS team by using the contact form on the contact page or by sending an email.
Send an email: summer@int.uzh.ch
Contact Page: www.summerschools.uzh.ch/en/contact
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Application Process
How do I apply?
Follow our six easy steps outlined in our application process. You will need to provide the following documents:
- Scan of your passport
- Motivation letter (max. one page)
- CV
- Confirmation of enrollment from your home university
- Current Transcript of Records
- Photo
- Language certificate (not mandatory)
Can I apply for more than one UZHISS program?
You can apply for more than one program option but will only be admitted to one program.
When will I hear from you about my application?
You will receive an email confirming that your application has been received by our UZHISS team. All applications are processed by our selection committee, and we aim to inform you of the outcome within 7 days of submitting your complete dossier. If you apply for a scholarship (see Fees & Discounts), the processing of your dossier may take more than 7 days.
Can I cancel my application?
For information about cancellation and for all UZHISS regulations, please refer to our UZHISS Regulations (PDF, 145 KB).
Fees and Discounts
What is included in the summer school fee?
The fee of approx. 3,500 Swiss francs includes*:
| Tuition fee | 2,500 Swiss francs |
| *Housing fee (only if requested in the application): Based on the lowest housing fee available – see our page on housing for more information: UZHISS housing | Starting at 950 Swiss francs |
Included in the tuition fee:
- All teaching fees
- Costs for the social program
- Student meal card with which you have access to discounted meals at all UZH cafeterias on the UZH City Campus
- Public transport ticket (see Life in Zurich) that covers the fare for most connections in the Zurich city center (zone 110)
Am I eligible for a partner discount?*
Generous discounts are available for full-time students that are enrolled at certain partner universities. You will be automatically notified about any available discounts once you have submitted your application via our application platform and are currently enrolled at one of our partner universities.
How can I apply for a scholarship?*
For the applicants to the program "Deep Dive into Blockchain", there is an opportunity to apply for different levels of industry scholarships for both merit-based excellence and financial-need-based candidates. More information about requirements and the application process can be found here: Deep Dive into Blockchain - Industry Scholarships. Please note that students from economically disadvantaged countries may have priority in applying, to encourage diversity and inclusion.
*Industry scholarships and partner discounts are mutually exclusive. Students who receive a partner discount will not receive an industry scholarship (and vice-versa).
Credits & Workload
When will I receive the credits?
Credits will be awarded on successful completion of the academic program following assessment. An official transcript will be sent out to students at the end of the course.
How can I transfer my credits?
Please check with your home institution regarding credit transfer. The UZH International Summer Schools cannot guarantee that students will be able to accredit the summer school module at their home university.
How are the programs structured?
All our programs offer a mix of daily (Monday – Friday) interactive classes, Q&A-sessions, and workshops. Attendance and active participation in the sessions are mandatory to successfully pass the program. Next to these classes, you are most welcome to join our social activities: Social Program
What is the expected workload of the programs?
Please consider that outside of the classes, the field trips, and the social program, you will also be expected to do group work and self-paced learning. The summer schools are intended as full-time programs and participants should not commit to any other time-sensitive engagement during the course. The workload per program is approx. 30 hours for each week with additional hours for the preparatory coursework. Instructions and pre-readings will be provided by the end of May to all enrolled participants.
Visas Requirements & Arrival
Do I need a visa to travel to Switzerland?
- Students from EU and EFTA countries need a valid travel document (i.e. passport or identification card) in order to enter Switzerland. For students from the new EU states, interim regulations apply. Please contact the Swiss embassy or consulate in your country for information about the exact procedures that apply for you. You can find a list of Swiss representations by visiting the following link:List of Swiss representations in EU and EFTA
- Students from outside the EU and from non-EFTA countries need a Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days (within a 180-day period). Please note that this visa is not suitable for full-term exchange students and degree-seeking students who wish to study at UZH. You can find more information on the Schengen visa by visiting the following link: More Information on Schengen visa
Please note that, as a summer school participant, it is your own responsibility to ensure that you have the valid travel documents required to enter Switzerland for the duration of the UZH International Summer Schools (and the additional travel days before and after the program). Consider securing your valid entry documents as early as possibly, ideally immediately after you have received the confirmation documents from our UZHISS team. The invitation letter and confirmation of housing that you receive once you have paid the first installment (400 Swiss francs) can be used as official documents in your visa application.
How do I travel to UZH after arriving in Switzerland?
- Airport: The UZH City Campus is located in the city center of Zurich – the best way to reach it is by public transport. After your arrival at the airport, follow the signs towards the train station, which is located in the lower level of the airport, below Terminal B. Traveling to the main station (Zürich HB) takes approximately 12 minutes by train. If you prefer a taxi, you can either go to a taxi stand or call +41 44 444 44 44 (Taxi444). A taxi from the airport to the city center will cost you approximately 50 Swiss francs. Ride share apps are also a good alternative.
- Train station: The main train station is centrally located. Many tram, bus and train lines run to and from the main station. Follow the signage for your respective bus or tram line. All bus and tram lines have a number and color which identifies them. Should you choose to take a train, follow the signs to your platform.
Accommodation
More information on costs, availability, etc. can be found here: UZHISS housing
Getting around UZH
Where can I find my rooms for lectures?
The classroom-based part of the summer schools will be in the main building of the university, "KOL" and "KO2" (Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich).
Room codes at UZH are generally structured as follows – example: KO2-F-174:
1. Name of building (KO2 = Karl-Schmid-Strasse 4 building)
2. Floor on which the room is based (Floor F)
3. Room number (174)
On the virtual map of UZH you will find sites on the Zurich city map, and in some cases floor plans of buildings as well. You can use the search function too: https://www.plaene.uzh.ch/ (Website in German). The room information for the individual sessions can be found on your summer school program schedules.
Which UZH services can I use?
There is Wi-Fi all over the University of Zurich. If your home university offers eduroam, you can simply use your home university login to connect with eduroam at UZH. Please make sure to check before travelling to Switzerland, if your account is properly activated and ready to use. Your home university will be able to help you in case of any problems with your eduroam access.
If you do not have a university account with eduroam: To connect to the network, you can request a login from the University of Zurich on your first day of the Summer School. For that, you will need to connect to “uzh-guest”, where you will be required to provide a phone number. Please note that you will need to be able to receive text messages in Switzerland to get access to the Wi-Fi at UZH. More information about internet access here.
Here is a list of UZH services:
- Computer rooms: For the academic program it is strongly recommended that you bring your own laptop. But if you need another computer, there are several computer rooms in the main building of the University of Zurich.
- UZH cafeterias: There is one main cafeteria and one café in the UZH main building where you can buy lunch, coffee, and snacks. You will find different meal selections and a buffet for salad and some hot dishes. There are several other cafeterias on the main campus (outside the UZH main building) that are open in summer. More information can be found here: UZH Mensa. We will also give you a “meal discount card” for the main cafeteria (see Fees & Discounts).
- Gym and sports facilities: Access to the gym is not included in the summer school fees and needs to be purchased separately. The UZH shares its sport facilities with the other higher education institutions in the city of Zurich. The university's sports facilities, ASVZ, offers trial memberships for 30 days that give you access to all facilities in the seven locations of the ASVZ. For more information visit the following link and refer to the section "Trial Membership": ASVZ
Life in Zurich
How do I use the public transportation?
On your arrival day (or at the welcome event, at the latest) you will receive a public transport ticket that is valid in central Zurich (zone 110) for the duration of the UZH International Summer Schools. You can use it on all forms of public transport (bus, tram, S-train, boat) within the valid zone. An overview of the public transportation zones of Zurich can be found on the website: Zone Maps.
How can I withdraw money from the bank?
The Swiss franc (CHF, SFr., or Fr.) is the currency of Switzerland. Francs are divided into sub-units called Rappen (1 Swiss franc = 100 Rappen). You can withdraw cash around the clock at any of the ATMs spread across the city. In most places (restaurants, supermarkets, shops, etc.) you can pay by cash, credit or debit card.
Euros are sometimes accepted by larger restaurants and supermarket chains. You will be given change in Swiss francs most of the time.
How do I make my money last as long as possible?
Zurich is a very beautiful and vivid city, but it is also expensive. We thought it might be helpful to give you a few tips on how you can save some money:
- Make sure you bring an umbrella, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a swimsuit, comfortable shoes, sandals, and a wind- and waterproof jacket with you. It is likely that you will need all these things and they may be more expensive to buy here if you forget them at home.
- Bring your student card from your home university with you. Lots of places offer discounts to students and people under the age of 25. As a short-exchange student at the University of Zurich, you will not be receiving a UZH student card.
- Switzerland is a very clean country. Water from most public fountains and from water tabs in hotels, apartments and the University is potable and usually tastes just as nice as the water you buy in supermarkets. If the water is not safe to drink, it will be displayed with a sign. We recommend always carrying a reusable water bottle with you. You will be able to fill it up on the go.
- We recommend buying groceries at one of the local supermarkets. You can find sandwiches, salads and many other things you can take on your trip. For lunch during your regular classes, you can also go to the cafeteria on the UZH City Campus.
- There are many nice restaurants in Zurich, but eating out can get expensive. However, if you wish to experience local restaurants, we have prepared a list with recommendations for you. You can find further places to eat out here.
What are some essential items to bring to Zurich? (packing guide)
We have collected some helpful pointers for a few essential items to bring to Zurich with you:
- Backpack or spacious bag: You will be commuting between UZH and your accommodation quite often. There are storage lockers available at the university buildings, however, they are only meant for daily use and not for long-term storage. The lockers require a separate lock so if you would like to make use of them, make sure to bring a padlock with you.
- Laptop: We do not recommend bringing a smart tablet as some of the software used during the courses might not be compatible.
- eSIM card or extra SIM card: Even with European contracts, the Swiss roaming space is not included in most mobile data plans. Make sure to check before travelling to Zurich so you don't end up stranded without any data.
- Adapter for electric plugs: Switzerland uses type C and type J plugs and the standard electricity supply is 230 volts with a frequency of 50 hertz.
- Student ID from your home university: Make sure to bring your own student ID to benefit from available student discounts.
- Weather appropriate clothing and gear: While the summertime in Switzerland often means warm (and sometimes hot) temperature (25 - 30° C), it can also be quite unpredictable with summer thunderstorms and rainy days. If you plan a trip to the mountains, we strongly recommend bringing warmer clothes as well as temperatures drop rapidly with the elevation gain. It is not common for buildings to have AC (air conditioning) – when temperatures rise above 30° C, it can get very warm inside buildings as well.
- Swim trunks or swimsuit: Zurich is situated on a lake and has several rivers that are clean and safe enough to swim in. After a hot day, a relaxed swim in the cool water is a great day to end the day!