Finishing secondary school
Build a shortlist around the actual qualification requirements. Do not budget for a generic Swiss foundation year on the assumption that it creates eligibility at every public university.
UNDERSTANDING UNIVERSITY ENTRY
Swiss university admission with a Saudi national diploma
With a Saudi national certificate, some Swiss universities require a completed university degree; others offer an entrance-exam route. We review your child’s studies and goals to identify suitable universities and explain the steps needed.
Discuss my child’s options
A personal conversation with an admissions counselor.
Selected public university routes · 2026/27
The key entry requirements
School subjects · final three years
- First language
- Native-language subject.
- Second language
- A separate language subject.
- Mathematics
- Required in the school curriculum.
- Biology, chemistry or physics
- At least one natural-science subject.
- Geography, history or economics/law
- A humanities or social-science subject.
- Sixth subject
- Another language, natural science or humanities subject; computer science or philosophy is also eligible here.
Grades & admission routes
University of Geneva
Completed university degreeA recognised degree from a programme lasting at least 3 years. The school certificate alone does not meet this requirement.
ETH Zurich
Reduced or full entrance examThe reduced exam requires the national certificate and admission to the same subject at a recognised university in Saudi Arabia. Otherwise, the full exam applies.
EPFL
Entrance examThe national certificate allows an application through the exam route. EPFL assesses the curriculum to determine the full or reduced exam.
What this means for your childFor Geneva, even excellent school grades do not replace the completed university degree. ETH and EPFL offer separate entrance-exam routes.
See the full university requirementsHOW SWISSADMISSIONS HELPS
Which universities could your child aim for?
You do not have to work through every university’s rules alone. We turn your child’s school record and study plans into a clear way forward.
Discuss my child’s optionsCheck the academic fit
We assess the diploma, subjects and grades against the requirements of the intended programmes.
Identify suitable universities
We build a shortlist around your child’s academic profile, interests and preferred teaching language.
Plan the next steps
We prepare the application with you. If something is missing, we explain the accepted alternatives and preparation options.
A closer look at the requirements
Explore the detail below, or let us review how it applies to your child.
Compare university requirements · 2026/27
The Saudi national certificate is listed by swissuniversities as Thawjihiya Amma, or General Secondary Education Certificate. For families planning a Swiss Bachelor, the central issue is the entry route: several universities require a completed university degree, while ETH Zurich and EPFL publish separate examination routes.
| University | What to check |
|---|---|
| University of Geneva | A university degree from a programme of at least three years is required; the school certificate alone is insufficient. University and programme recognition, language and faculty conditions also apply. Official requirements |
| ETH Zurich | Certificate plus admission to the intended subject at a recognised university in Saudi Arabia, plus the reduced ETH examination; otherwise the comprehensive examination. ETH assesses the complete application. German requirements also apply. Official requirements |
| EPFL | National certificates from countries outside the EU/EFTA/UK fall within the eligible examination category. EPFL determines the full or reduced exam after assessing the curriculum. Swiss nationality or prior Swiss residence is not a prerequisite for these national diplomas. Official requirements |
Examples concern public-university Bachelor entry in 2026/27; recheck the intake, programme and language rules. Private universities, hospitality schools and universities of applied sciences (HES/FH) set their own requirements.
Considering an applied university, business or hospitality school?
Applied universities (HES/FH), private and hospitality schools have their own entry requirements, which may include practical experience. We assess your child’s record to identify suitable options across these institutions.
What can your family do next?
Already completing a Bachelor
A completed recognised degree changes the assessment. Decide whether the aim is a new Bachelor or a Master; Master admission follows separate subject and academic requirements.
Considering ETH Zurich
Ask whether the Saudi admission evidence covers the same intended subject. Keep comprehensive-exam planning separate if the reduced-exam conditions cannot be established.
Documents and common questions
Have these documents ready
- Saudi secondary certificate and original track information.
- Transcripts for the final three school years, with grading explanations.
- University admission evidence for ETH, or completed degree and university transcripts as applicable.
- Required language certificates and institution-compliant translations.
Questions parents ask
Is ECUS the standard route after a Saudi certificate?
No. The 2026/27 Geneva entry requires a university degree. ECUS should only be planned where the receiving university explicitly prescribes it for the applicant’s qualification.
Will one university year be enough?
It is not equivalent to the completed degree specified in the Geneva country entry. Ask the institution to assess any previous studies without assuming either eligibility or credit transfer.
Sources and scope
This page concerns the Saudi national General Secondary Education Certificate, listed as Thawjihiya Amma. The university examples refer to the published 2026/27 admission conditions.
These references cover the stated academic year. Check the rules for your intended intake when they are published. Meeting an academic threshold does not guarantee a place.
PERSONAL ADMISSIONS SUPPORT
Let’s review your child’s options
Tell us about their school background and what they want to study. We will help clarify the entry requirements, identify suitable universities and organise the application.