University of Zürich
Source: https://employability.uq.edu.au/host/university-z%C3%BCrich Parent: https://employability.uq.edu.au/exchange-funding
Zürich
Switzerland
University of Zürich exchange website
Language of instruction
English
German
The University of Zurich (UZH) is Switzerland’s largest university, counting over 26'000 students. Founded in the year 1833, UZH is Europe’s first university to be established by a democratic political system; today, it is one of the foremost universities in the German-speaking world. With seven faculties that cover over 100 different subject areas, UZH hosts students from all over the world. The university’s strong commitment to the highest standards of scientific knowledge and responsible research are the fundaments of excellence in research and teaching.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Semester | February–July |
| Semester 2 | Autumn Semester | August–January |
View the UZH academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
UZH has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
Campuses
UZH has multiple campuses available for exchange students:
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:\ Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)\ Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:\ Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Last Chance Apps Close: 31 January 2026 for Sem 2, 2026 exchange
Book your Global Experiences Appointment
Report any problems with this web page
Student testimonials
B Science
Semester 1, 2024
Exchange has truly been one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I have learnt so much about the world and myself. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. - Joao - University of Zürich
B Business Management / Commerce
Semester 2, 2022 - Harriet - University of Zürich
B Laws (Honours)
Semester 2, 2022
Full-time study load
24 ECTS credits per semester at UZH is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Host university requirements
GPA\ You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at UZH.
Language\ Students wishing to take courses taught in German will require proof of proficiency in German at about level C1 (according to CEFR) issued by the Goethe Institute or the UQ School of Languages (by a native speaker).
Study Options
You can choose to attend the University of Zurich through either:
- Standard exchange (one or two semesters)\ you will usually be expected to take the majority of courses (60%) within a single faculty. However, please review the numerous course restrictions outlined below
- The Joint UQ Law - UZH LLM Programme (see further details in Additional Academic Matters)
Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
Search the UZH course catalogue
Ensure you search for the correct level of courses - see "Additional Academic Information" below for more detail.
Crosscheck the courses you found in the host course catalogue with the Credit Precedent Database to see if UQ credit has previously been granted. The database should be used as a general guide only. Few courses from each host will be in the database and many course precedents in the database may have expired. Note, the credit precedent database does not replace the host course catalogue. If a course is not listed in the CPD, you can still ask for it to be assessed on your study plan.
Study areas taught in English
Undergraduate
Anthropology
Archaeology
Art history
Biological sciences
Biomedical science
Business administration
Business information systems
Chemistry and biochemistry
Classical languages
Earth and Geographical Sciences
Economics
English
English literature
Finance
French
German
History and ancient history
International relations
Italian
Japanese
Law
Linguistics
Mathematics and statistics
Music
Philosophy
Physics
Psychology
Religion
Russian
Postgraduate
Archaeology
Art history
Biological sciences
Biomedical science
Business administration
Chemistry and biochemistry
Classical languages
Earth and Geographical Sciences
Economics
English
English literature
Film, TV and media
Finance
French
Gender Studies
German
History and ancient history
Law
Linguistics
Mathematics and statistics
Music
Philosophy
Physics
Russian
Spanish
Academic restrictions
Study Load Restrictions\ Students are unable to enrol in a full-time study load in the following disciplines, however, enrolment in one or two courses may be possible:
- Business Information Systems
- Japanese
- Music (Postgraduate Only)
Course Restrictions\ UZH outline multiple restrictions to their various departments. Students must ensure they are abiding by these restrictions when planning their studies.
- Undergraduate students are not permitted to study postgraduate level courses in the Faculty of Arts at UZH.
- Undergraduate students are permitted to study postgraduate level courses in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics at UZH.
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: students must choose all courses from the same level. Cross-level enrolment is not permitted.
- English Department (English Language and Literature): Students who are not enrolled in English Language and Literature at UQ can only take lectures offered by the English Department.
- Department of Biology: Only students who study Biology, Biochemistry or Biomedicine at UQ are allowed to take courses in Biology, Biochemistry or Biomedicine. Also, Block Courses in these subjects are closed to exchange students.
- Department of Psychology: Only students who study Psychology as a major at their home university are allowed to take courses offered by the Department of Psychology.
- Faculty of Law: Students must have completed 4 semesters at their home university before the beginning of their exchange stay at UZH.
- MBA: Students must show proof of an undergraduate degree related to the field of business and/or economics to be eligible.
Additional academic information
Course Numbering
- Faculty of Science, three letters (standing for the study field) are followed by three digits. The first year's modules start with 1, the second years' with 2 and so on. Example: BIO 112
- Faculty of Business, Economics and IT, there are codes which reflect the level of study below:
| Program level | Module codes for Business and Economics | Module codes for Informatics |
| Assessment | AOEC | AINF |
| Bachelor's | BOEC | BINF |
| Master's | MOEC | MINF |
| Master's and MSc QF | MFOEC | - |
Additional Academic Resources\ UZH has online resources to help navigate their academic policies:
- Grading and credit information (PDF, 128.6 KB)
- UZH faculties
- Degree Program information
- German language courses
Joint UQ Law - UZH LLM Programme
The University of Queensland’s School of Law in cooperation with the University of Zurich Law School, offers current UQ students a unique opportunity to complete their UQ law degree and a Swiss LLM degree in a reduced time frame. For more information, please contact exchange@bel.uq.edu.au.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:\ Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)\ Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:\ Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Last Chance Apps Close: 31 January 2026 for Sem 2, 2026 exchange
Book your Global Experiences Appointment
Report any problems with this web page
Accommodation
The Housing Office at UZH provides advice regarding accommodation options for incoming exchange students. The International Relations office provides exchange students with the necessary information about how to access these supports.
Cost of living
According to UZH, exchange students can expect their minimum cost of living in Zurich to come to CHF 1500 per month. The University has established a guide to living expenses at UZH to help students plan their budget.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
The University of Zurich will offer 2 semester stipends amounting toCHF 2,500 each for students coming to UZH during the academic year 2025/26. Recipients will be chosen by the University of Zurich.
The Heyning-Roelli Foundation offers scholarships to exchange students from UZH partner universities with limited financial means.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in a Semester-based Exchange are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
Health insurance is mandatory for anyone staying in Switzerland longer than three months. The compulsory basic health insurance policy covers illness, accidents and maternity.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:\ Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)\ Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:\ Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Last Chance Apps Close: 31 January 2026 for Sem 2, 2026 exchange
Book your Global Experiences Appointment
Report any problems with this web page
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
UZH provides visa and immigration information for incoming exchange students.
Contact the Swiss Embassy for more visa information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:\ Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)\ Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:\ Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Last Chance Apps Close: 31 January 2026 for Sem 2, 2026 exchange