Best Student Loans in Switzerland

Compare the best options on the market and choose the one which best adapts to your day-to-day needs.

Further Below: Our Guide To Student Loans in Switzerland, Everything you need to know.


Our Rating: 9.5/10

  • Friendly interest rates with short-term fluctuations
  • Unlimited contract terms
  • Long repayment periods of 7 years or longer
  • Attractive repayment conditions
  • Loans of up to CHF 50,000
  • Loans granted within the first 48 hours 
  • Less stringent eligibility criteria
  • Fixed rates on long term loans

UBS Group AG


Our Rating: 9.2/10

  • Top loan conditions
  • Attractive interest rates
  • Repayment period of 7 years for long-term loans
  • Get up to CHF 20,000 on the first application
  • Fast online application
  • Fast concession (in 15 minutes with online application)

Our Rating: 8.9/10

  • Get a loan of up to CHF 50,000
  • Low interest rates of 5.8% p.a.
  • Flexible repayment term of up to 5 years
  • Excellent loan conditions
  • Fast application process
  • Fast concessions
  • Given for any purpose

Cooperative Rabobank AU


Student Loans in Switzerland, All You Need To Know:

Are you looking for a loan to finance your degree or further your studies? There are many student credits in Switzerland and sorting them might be a hassle for you.

That’s where we come in. We marshal the best student loans available in terms of their conditions, and those which are most consistent with your financial situation.

Quick Summary

What you should know about student credits:

  • Student loans are paid back after finishing your studies
  • Most lenders require loanees to start repaying the loans 6 months after finishing their studies
  • Student loans are good debts because of their friendly terms and conditions
  • Terms and conditions of student loans vary with entities and cantons
  • Generally, student loans are repaid in 5-10 years
  • Student loan providers are either government agencies or private entities
  • Student loans can be applied by the parent when the beneficiary is a minor

Types of student loans we can apply for

Students face many challenges in raising funds to cater for their tuition fees and any other related costs. Some credits finance us with tuition fees and others cover any costs related to our studies. Depending on your financial situation, take a quick read to find out the most suitable student credit for you.

  1. Finance an undergraduate degree. There are two loan types for this category:
    • Loans that are designed to finance only the costs of tuition. Presenting the tuition itself as proof, we will be granted the total cost (or a percentage) of this, depending on the entity.
    • Loans that cover all expenses related to studies such as tuition, material, transportation, or even hostel rent.
  2. Scholarship advances: Students receiving scholarships apply for scholarship advances because they receive the scholarship funds after the beginning of the course. The loan is repaid after the scholarship funds arrive. 
  3. Postgraduate studies: Such as a master’s degree, a postgraduate diploma, or a doctorate. Depending on the applicant’s preferences or the lender’s conditions, the loan can be used to either finance the tuition fees alone or incorporate other costs related to studies.
  4. Studies abroad: For whichever level of studies or course you’re going to pursue, the provider will give you the funds from the beginning of the term so you can refund them once the scholarship funds arrive.
  5. Specialized or short courses: Such as a middle or higher grade training cycle, computer classes, etc.
  6. Financing of laptops: Both banks and big brands offer special offers for the purchase of laptops in installments with more advantageous conditions.

Student loans are designed to cater to the needs of students. It’s noteworthy that the services, terms, and conditions vary with entities. Hence, take time to do personal research or consult with the entity.

Financing linked to the educational center

Many institutions of higher learning in modern Switzerland are linked to student loan providers. Likewise, many borrowers choose student loans linked to the institution over other generic options since this type of financing is designed to cater for your course’s specific needs and cover many other related expenses.

Hence, you might find a better financing option for your studies than a bank loan if you consult with your school beforehand. Be sure to go through the terms and conditions of the loan thoroughly to ensure that the credit best suits you.

Are student loans cheaper?

Student loans are generally cheaper than personal loans for any purpose. While personal and student loans in Switzerland tend to have almost the same interest rates, student credits are preferable because of their favorable terms and conditions, including their repayment periods.

Personal loan average interest rates – between 3.5% and 9.8%

Student loan average interest rates – between 4.5% and 9.9%

Student loans tend to have longer repayment terms of up to 7 years, while most personal loans are repaid in one month, among other attractive conditions.

Characteristics of student credits

While student loans come with good conditions such as low interest rates and long repayment period, it’s important to look at all aspects before contracting one:

  1. Interest: if you’re lucky enough, you might end up with a loan with a 0% interest rate. A good student loan should not be expensive to ensure you have a seamless repayment process. 
  2. Commission: reading through the contract details of the loan will help you know whether it has commission fees.
  3. Many lenders will require repayment after the course of your study. If intending to make repayments before the agreed time, you might face early repayment charges which are normally 0.5-1%. 
  4. Binding. Student loans may also include tying, where the type of the borrower’s profile determines the type of products they receive. The borrower’s current account and a card mainly come into play. 
  5. Taking a detailed read through the contract documents will prepare you for any charges and fees to make in the future. 
  6. Endorsements and guarantees: student loans mainly involve guarantors since most applicants are minors and unemployed.

Requirements to be able to apply for a loan as a student

Student loans are granted by cantons in Switzerland. While eligibility criteria might differ with cantons, below are some of the most common requirements you’ll need to meet to qualify for this loan type:

  • Be of legal age. Student loans require applicants to be aged 18 years and above. If the applicant is a minor, the parent will apply on their behalf. Some entities also have a maximum age limit beyond which the funds will not be granted.
  • Most entities grant loans to applicants without income because these loans are repaid after the applicant completes their studies.
  • Demonstrate your ability to repay the loan. The entity will check the applicant’s employment status before granting the loan.
  • Have a source of income. Generally, they will ask us to have an income that allows us to pay the quotas of the credit without problems. However, there are several exceptions:
  • If the applicant does not have income, the parent/guardian will be asked to step in as the guarantor.
  • If we apply for a scholarship advance: in this case, no income (or collateral) will be required, since when we receive the scholarship money, it will be transferred directly to repay the loan.
  • Be a Swiss resident. International students and refugees with a legal form of identity are also eligible for this loan type.

Be sure to consult with the entity to know the set eligibility criteria and whether they are achievable for you.

Can I get a student loan if I don’t work?

Getting a student loan without working is possible with some entities in Switzerland. Some entities only provide financing to applicants who demonstrate their ability to assume repayment. Most entities that finance applicants without income require guarantors with a stable source of income. 

In the case of scholarship advances, as it is necessary to provide proof of the award of this aid, it is easier for the student himself (even if he does not work) to hire him without a guarantee.

There are study credits that can be paid later

These are common types of student loans in Switzerland. Some entities will have a grace period of between 1 and 5 years where the applicant goes without repaying the loan without attracting any penalties. By the end of the grace period, most students will have finished their studies and have a source of income.

About this page, our methodology

About this page: we are passionate about helping you to get the best financial product that’s consistent with your financial situation. We, therefore, marshal the best available information about consumer credits and how to compare the options so you may end up with the most attractive offer at the moment.

Source: the information regarding the main characteristics of loans in Switzerland and their current regulation comes from the World Bank statistics and the Swiss Consumer Credit Act, among other reference portals.

Methodology: The data relating to the conditions of these products (amount, term, interest, etc.) have been obtained through online research and consultation of the official statistics of the aforementioned reference sources.

About Us: FUNDGECKO is an online comparator website specializing in personal finance and home economics products. We help our users not only compare the available financial products in the market but also provide rich information that will shorten the decision-making process and help them end up with the best offer.

Note: the services we offer are totally free for the user, as FUNDGECKO obtains its income from advertising and its featured products.

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