Where I work all undergrad programs are in French, but many of the specialized upper-year classes are taught in English. I don't think there are any public universities where you can do a bachelor's degree in English language only.
At Uni zrh, Undergraduate courses are in German with few exceptions. A fair number of master’s and phd level courses are in English, but it’s largely at the discretion of the instructor. In 11 Years, my husband has had one PhD student write his dissertation in German. Almost everyone chooses English, and I think Master Theses are also written mostly in English as well.
You have to dig around. There are few places offering international recognised Bachelors course taught in English. A Chinese friend of mine did her BA and MA in International Business - possibly at the FHNW? I can't remember - sorry.
He is only 15, in the middle of GCSEs- so only a vague question at this stage. He is entitled to Swiss nationality (as well as Irish and of course, UK) - and we were just chatting. He is choosing all sciences for A'Levels.
Private universities in Switzerland offer bachelors and masters in English.
The ones with canton name in their name + EPFL + ETHZ are 100% local language in the first year, and a few courses in English for 2nd in 3rd year to make students proficient in English.
...or because the professor doesn't speak the local language.
But seriously, I know one prof who arrived here to work at a state university and was told that within X number of years they'd have to teach their undergrad class in French but they still teach in English 16 years later. (And no, they're not a native anglophone, they just aren't interested in learning French.)
Not true. Some studies at HSG (Hochschule St.Gallen) can be done entirely in English in the first year already. IIRC economics, perhaps others as well.
My son's BS in CS at UBE was supposed in German, but in reality it ended up being in English!
- I'd say that at least 80% of the material was in English
- Two of the presenters were foreigners and their accent was so difficult that the class asked them to speak English instead
- The assistant assigned to by son for his project could not speak a world of German so his thesis work was in English.
My daughter is doing an apprenticeship and all though the material and presentation is in German, the prevalence of English was so widespread that the principle banned them for using it during breaks because she was concerned about the declining quality of their German!
But I think Bern is a bit special because in both case in addition to foreigners there are several Swiss French speakers in the classes as well.
But students are expected to graduate with knowledge on 2 foreign languages. So, if someone arrives with English, a 2nd language is needed by the end of 1st year, and a third one by end of 3rd year. I guess bilinguals and trilinguals should have a great time in HSG because they have the checkmark before starting the studies. Someone arriving with English only will have to work a lot harder than the rest.
Swiss universities assume the Swiss Matura, they're not tailored to foreign students. I'm not really up to date but 3(+) languages are probably still the norm so nobody will start from scratch. You wanna study here you better adapt (as Jackie's grandson will be well aware).
Apparently HSG isn't the only one, there are probably quite a few more [clarifications mine]:
I know of two sisters, one went to University in the UK, the other here. When the one here visited her sister halfway though the year she enjoyed it so much, she dropped out of CH university and started a fresh in a UK one, the following year.
Although there may be some niche areas where some kids will not notice a difference, perhaps computer science, I think in general it is a very different experience.
In the UK, good or bad a huge percent of kids now attend Universities, I read some 50%. in Switzerland it is far smaller number... your average Swiss student is super studious compared to their UK counterpart.
Don't get me wrong, academically I suspect they are similar [for some courses, the UK obviously offers far more, how can say, less academic courses]. But extra curricular activities are beyond comparison. Its far more fun being a student in the UK then it is here.
The British University system is vast. So many Unis, so many course options. I don’t understand why he’d choose Swjtzerland instead if he doesn’t speak the language.
Of course, tuition fees here are much lower, but you wouldn’t get a loan, and cost of living is way higher and you wouldn’t get a loan. U.K. tuition fees are high, but in 10 years I’ve paid about £200 back.
If you go to below page and set the Language settings in the left bottom to English only (apply filter), it will list all degrees taught in English. There are only a handful at Bachelor level, but there is a wider selection at Masters level :