Details

• Switzerland
• MAWiRe-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

Most of the important preparation steps take place after the first information session at the University of Zurich. During the first two weeks of the semester, two introductory events are offered and it is sufficient to attend one of them. Before arriving in Zurich, the main things I had to take care of were signing my rental contract and finding a room in a shared apartment. It is also helpful to look at the course catalogue in advance and get an overview of which courses are offered during the semester. However, students have one month to decide which courses they actually want to take. This means that during the first weeks, you can attend different classes, listen to the course requirements and content and then make your final decision on site.

2. Accommodation

UZH generally offers the possibility to apply for a place in a student residence. However, the application process can take quite a long time and it may take a while until you receive either an acceptance or a rejection. I would therefore not rely solely on getting a place in a student residence. In my case, I received a rejection only shortly before the start of my stay in Zurich. For this reason, I would strongly recommend also looking for private accommodation early on, especially rooms in shared apartments. There are usually many offers on different online platforms. I wish I had known earlier that receiving a place in a student residence is not guaranteed and that it is important to actively search for accommodation yourself. I was lucky because I knew someone privately who was able to connect me with others, and through this contact I found a room in a shared apartment. It is also worth noting that some student residences offered through UZH are not very centrally located. I would therefore recommend checking the tram connections in advance and trying to find accommodation in a central area with good public transport links.

3. Academic life at host university

UZH is different from WU Vienna in the sense that it does not have one single modern campus. Instead, the university buildings are spread across the city. However, for law students, most classes usually take place either in the main university building or in the building of the Faculty of Law, which are very close to each other and easy to reach by public transport. The Faculty of Law also has its own law library, which is a very good place to study. However, it can get quite crowded, especially during exam periods, so it is useful to reserve a seat in advance or arrive early. In addition, there are several cafeterias and canteens at UZH and ETH, which offer relatively affordable meals compared to regular restaurants in Zurich. One of the best facilities is the university sports programme ASVZ. It offers a wide range of sports activities and many of them are free for students. I would definitely recommend making use of this offer during the semester. Compared to WU, the teaching style at UZH felt more traditional in some courses. Many courses are structured as lectures, but some also include case studies, presentations or class discussions. In several courses, attendance was not compulsory and many materials were provided online. Some lectures were also recorded or made available as podcasts, which was helpful for studying at home. When choosing courses, I would recommend attending the first sessions before making a final decision. This helps to get a better impression of the workload, the lecturer, the assessment method and the general structure of the course. It is also important to check whether the course has compulsory attendance, a written exam, an oral exam, a presentation or a research paper.

5. Every day life in the host country

The city is well connected by tram, bus and S-Bahn and most university buildings can be reached quickly by public transport. Depending on where you live, it may be useful to get a monthly ZVV ticket. If you plan to travel around Switzerland, I would also recommend checking SBB offers such as the Halbtax card or special train tickets. There are many opportunities to meet other exchange students. I would especially recommend attending the introductory events and staying for the Apéros afterwards, as this is a very easy way to get in touch with people at the beginning. ESN Zurich also organises many events throughout the semester, which are usually a good and affordable way to meet other international students. Leisure activities in Zurich can be quite expensive, especially restaurants, bars and clubs. However, there are also cheaper student-friendly options, such as university cafeterias, ESN events or simply spending time at the lake. Areas such as Niederdorf, Langstrasse and Zurich West are popular for going out. One of the best parts of student life in Zurich is ASVZ, the university sports programme. It offers a wide range of sports classes and gyms, many of which are free for students. Classes can usually be booked through the ASVZ app. I would definitely recommend using this offer, as it is a great way to stay active and also meet new people. In addition, Switzerland is perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing or day trips to other cities.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester at UZH was an incredibly memorable experience. I truly fell in love with Zurich and its high quality of life, both in everyday life and as a student city. I especially enjoyed the university routine at UZH, as studying there felt very flexible and allowed me to organise my semester quite independently. Overall, it was a very special time that I would definitely recommend to other students!