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International studies
Information for international students
Exchange students

Exchange students

Students from partner universities are invited to spend an exchange semester or an entire academic year studying at University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons.

Free-mover students whose home universities do not have an exchange agreement with University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons are also welcome to study with us. Free movers pay tuition fees of CHF 1550 per semester.

Blog of the International Office

Get first-hand information from our students and the staff of the International Office. In our blog, you will find articles about the exchange semester, life in Chur, Switzerland and much more.

Application info

Application deadline

Fall semester 2024: 
Nomination deadline: 5 May 2024
Application deadline: 15 May 2024              

Spring semester 2025:
Nomination deadline: 15 November 2024
Application deadline: 30 November 2024

Step 1 - Nomination
Partner universities nominate students by email international.office@fhgr.ch and provide the following information:

  • name of student
  • study programme at University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons
  • e-mail
  • age
  • nationality

Step 2 - Application
Students e-mail their application documents to: international.office@fhgr.ch

Step 3 – Next steps

  • University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons reviews the application dossier, gives feedback about the provisional learning agreement and sends students an official letter of acceptance.
  • Students are sent information about housing and are requested to send several documents for their visa and residence permit application.
  • Students are allocated a Swiss “buddy” to help them with any questions about living and studying in Chur.
  • The International Office sends information about the mandatory “welcome days” which take place two days before the start of the semester.

Courses for incoming students

The University of Applied of the Grisons teaches Tourism at bachelor and master level in English. There are also several General Management courses taught in English at Master’s level.

In addition, we offer Media and Digital Business students the English-taught Creative Media and Digital Innovation-programme, which is available in the Autumn semester. 

All other study programmes are taught in German.

Course selection
 

English-taught programmes

Bachelor

Master

German-taught programmes

Bachelor

Master

* Some modules are taught in English

Language requirements

For study programmes taught in English, the required minimum language level is B2. For programmes taught in German, the required language level is C1.

EU/EFTA nationals can either provide a language diploma or their language tutor can confirm their level using a language assessment form.

Non-EU nationals are required to submit an official language diploma for visa application purposes. The following language diplomas are recognised:

  • English: IELTS/TOEFL/FCE/CAE/BEC Vantage/BEC Higher
  • German: DSH Level 3/Goethe-Zertifikat C1

Semester dates

Autumn semester: 18 September 2023 to 9 February 2024
(Creative Media & Digital Innovation programme starts on 11/09/23)
Spring semester: 19 February to 6 July 2024
Mandatory welcome days: 2 days before the semester starts.

Please find the detailed semester dates in our academic calendar.

Mobility grants

Exchange students from University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons’s European Erasmus+ partner universities are given a mobility grant funded by the Swiss-European Mobility Programme.
This project is financially supported by Movetia. Movetia promotes exchange, mobility and cooperation within the fields of education, training and youth work – in Switzerland, Europe and worldwide. 

DK, FI, IS, IE, LI, LU, NO, SE, UK = CHF 1900 per semester

AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, EE, ES, FR, GR, HR, HU, IT, LT, LV, MK, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, RS, SI, SK, TR = CHF 2200 per semester

SEMP worldwide partner = CHF 2500 per semester

Exchange students from partner universities outside of the European Union are provided with a mobility grant funded by the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons. For the academic year 2023/24 this amount is CHF 1000.

As part of the initiative to make Exchange and Mobility greener, a «Green Travel Top-Up» of CHF 100 is now available to students who travel to and from their destination using a means of transport generating lower CO2 emissions than the plane. Movetia’s Greener Mobility kit gives students helpful tips and links for sustainable travel.

Franziska Saurer
International Student
Katarina Rechtsteiner
International Student
Ezra Kojke
International Student
Myrthe Schäpkens auf einer Bank in Winterlandschaft
Myrthe Schäpkens
International Student
International Students Testimonial Hernandes Bras Victoria
Victoria Hernandes Bras
International Student
Virtual Tour UAS Grisons
Degree students

Degree students

International degree-seeking students can complete their entire bachelor’s or master’s studies at University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons.

University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons teaches Tourism in English at bachelor's and master's level. All other degree programmes at University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons are taught in German.

To find out about the specific admission requirements, prospective students should refer to the respective web page of the study programme. Applicants with foreign university entrance qualifications should contact the admissions team of the respective study programme for advice about recognition.

The international office offers advice on non-academic issues.

Visa and residence permit

Visa and residence permit

Visa

Who needs a student visa?

Citizens of EU and EFTA member states do not require a visa to enter Switzerland. 

Non-EU/EFTA citizens are required to have a national “D” visa to enter and study in Switzerland.

Non-EU/EFTA citizens, who already have a valid Swiss residence permit for purposes other than studying, are not required to have a student visa, but must send a copy of their  residence permit to the International Office prior to the start of their studies.

Which documents are needed and what is the visa process like?

The visa procedure for Switzerland is initiated upon receipt CHF 4’550 (enrolment fee CHF 1’550 and security deposit CHF 3’000). The following documents must be sent to the International Office:

  • Proof of sufficient financial means to cover living expenses in Switzerland: Bank statement of the previous 6 months showing at least CHF 17’000 in a bank account recognized by FINMA (Swiss or a foreign bank domiciled in Switzerland)
  • Alternatively, if you do not have access to a FINMA-authorised bank, you can submit a bank statement from a large, internationally active bank, which is recognized by the central supervisory authority in your home country.   
  • For those who have relatives in Switzerland who will be sponsoring you during your studies: An alternative is to submit a so-called “declaration of sponsporship”.  
  • Proof of health insurance: As a prospective student in Switzerland, you are obliged to have a health insurance policy that covers illness and accidents throughout Switzerland.
  • English-taught study programmes: If the prospective student’s native language is not English, the student has to provide either IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge diplomas at level B2. 
  • German-taught study programmes: If the prospective student’s native language is not German, the student must submit a B2-level German Diploma (DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat).

Upon receipt of the required documents the International Office will forward your visa application to the migration authorities in Chur. The Swiss immigration authorities will charge a visa processing fee of approx. CHF 100.

At the same time, you will need to submit your visa application in person at the Swiss embassy or consulate general at your place of residence (at least 3 months before you plan to enter Switzerland). The Swiss embassy/consulate general will charge a visa processing fee of approx. CHF 100.

Once you have submitted your part of the application, it will be forwarded to the authorities in Switzerland for approval. This process usually takes several weeks. Once the "Visa Authorisation Letter" from Chur has arrived at the International Office, it will be forwarded to you. This document allows you to go back to the Swiss embassy/consulate general to have the visa printed in your passport.

Where can I live? 

Please be aware that non-EU/EFTA citizens with an L permit for study purposes will have to live in the canton Grisons during their studies. On our website you will find helpful information about the housing situation in and around Chur: Housing options - University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons (fhgr.ch)

Residence permit

All international students are required to have a residence permit for the duration of their studies in Switzerland. 

The International Office contacts students prior to their arrival in Switzerland to request supporting documents and applies for the residence permit on their behalf (EU/EFTA students living outside of canton Grisons are responsible for this process themselves). Students will receive a short-term residence permit “L”. Students are responsible for the annual renewal of the residence permit themselves.

Once the application has been processed by the migration authorities, you will be invited to register your biometric data at the passport centre. The residence permit will then be issued in credit card format. The Swiss cantonal immigration authorities will charge a residence permit processing fee of approx. CHF 180.

If you already have a valid Swiss residence permit, please send an electronic copy to: international.office@fhgr.ch.

Accomodation

Accomodation

The International Office supports foreign students in finding accommodation. There are a limited number of rooms available at the students residence Konvikt. For further information and other accommodation options, please visit our website.

Insurance

Insurance

Health and accident insurance

It is compulsory for all residents in Switzerland to have basic health and accident insurance coverage according to the Swiss KVG Health Insurance Act.

Students can request University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons to set up an insurance policy on their behalf or can find their own Swiss health insurance company. To compare monthly premiums and different insurance companies, students can refer to the following websites:

Foreign students who have a foreign health insurance policy that meets the same Swiss basic legal KVG requirements may be eligible for exemption.

Residents of EU/EFTA countries who have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) must submit a copy of their valid EHIC card when applying for exemption. Students with private insurance providers must give details of their policy and an exemption form signed by the foreign insurance company. The application for exemption is evaluated by local municipal authorities on arrival in Switzerland and is not guaranteed.

There are private insurance companies offering cheaper insurance packages for international students. Most of those insurance companies are not recognised in the canton of Graubünden. The insurance company SWISSCARE offers a student pass insurance package, which is currently recognised in the canton of Graubünden.

 

Personal liability insurance

If you cause damage or loss to a third party (intentionally or unwittingly) you can be held liable for compensation claims.

It is therefore strongly recommended that students take out personal liability insurance.

What is personal liability insurance and how does it work? Students should refer to the website ch.ch to get further information about it.

The comparison website comparis.ch offers quotes for personal liability insurance.

 

Living and Working

Living and Working

Living Costs

Students should calculate approximately CHF 2000 per month for living costs. This estimated range depends on the lifestyle of the student.

For a more detailed estimate of living costs students can refer to the website (in German, French or Italian): budgetberatung.ch

 

Working in Switzerland

Foreign students may work a maximum of 15 hours per week during the semester and full-time during semester holidays. 

Non-EU/EFTA students are only allowed to working 6 months after the beginning of their studies. 

Before students are allowed to work, the employer must apply for a work permit and the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons must confirm that studies will not be impacted due to the employment and the visa duration will not be prolonged. Students must fulfil the academic requirements accordingly.

Contact

Contact

University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons
International Office
Comercialstrasse 24
(Office F0.02)
7000 Chur

international@fhgr.ch

Opening hours International Office

Monday to Friday: 8.15 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.
Afternoons: by appointment