USES and SUPSI: semester fees for students will increase (cross-border guide)

Context

USI and SUPSI: semester fees for students will increase

The University of Italian Switzerland (USI) and the Professional University School of Italian Switzerland (SUPSI) have announced that they will increase semester fees for students starting from the academic year 2027/2028. The increase is linked to the reduction in public support from the Confederation.

In a nutshell

• USI and SUPSI will increase semester fees for students. - The new rates will come into effect from the academic year 2027/2028. - The increase is linked to the reduction in public support from the Confederation.

Key facts

• What: Increase in half-yearly taxes. - When: From 2027/2028. - Where: USI and SUPSI. - Who: Students. - Amount: CHF 5,000 per semester for USI and CHF 1,000 for students residing in Switzerland and CHF 2,000 for non-residents for SUPSI.

The USI will increase the fee by CHF 5,000 per semester for new enrollments, while the reduced fee of CHF 2,000 per semester will continue to apply to Swiss students and certain categories of foreign students. This means that new students enrolled in USI will have to pay CHF 5,000 per semester, while Swiss students and those who meet certain conditions will be able to continue to pay the reduced fee of CHF 2,000 per semester.

SUPSI will increase semester fees for the first time in 15 years and the fee will be CHF 1,000 for students

Operational details

The increase in semester fees for the University of Italian Switzerland (USI) and the Professional University School of Italian Switzerland (SUPSI) will have a significant impact on students. Students who are already enrolled in the two universities will not be affected by the increase, but those who enrol from 2027/2028 will have to pay the new fees.

The increase is linked to the reduction in public support from the Confederation, which responds to the political will to increase the contribution of students to the costs of studies and to increase fees for foreign students. The decision was taken to ensure the financial sustainability of the two universities.

According to current legislation, the contribution of students to the costs of studies will increase by CHF 200 for USI and CHF 250 for SUPSI starting from 2027/2028. This means that students will have to pay a total of CHF 2,500 for USI and CHF3,000 for SUPSI for the semester.

This increase will be applied to all students who will enroll in the two universities starting from 2027/2028, regardless of their place of origin. Students who are already enrolled in the two universities will not be affected by the increase, but will still have to pay the current fees.

SUPSI, based in Lugano, is one of the largest and most important universities in Italian Switzerland, with a strong presence nationally and internationally. The USI, based in Lugano

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Key points

Have you been impressed by the increase in semester fees for the University of Italian Switzerland (USI) and the Professional University School of Lausanne (SUPSI)? Here's what to do.

Check your subscriptions

See if you've been impacted by the semi-annual tax increase. If you are enrolled in USI or SUPSI, please check your enrollments and see if you have been affected by the increase. According to official information, the semester fees will increase by 300 Swiss francs (CHF) FOR USI students and 250 CHF for SUPSI students starting from the winter semester 2023-2024.

Consider enrolling in another university

If you've been hit, consider enrolling in another university. For example, if you are a student from Freiburg, you might consider enrolling in the University of Freiburg, which has not increased semester fees. If you're a student from Lausanne, you might consider enrolling at the University of Lausanne, which has increased semester fees by just CHF 100.

Consider changing curricula or transferring to another university

If you are already enrolled, consider changing your course of study or transferring to another university. For example, if you are a student of economics at USI, YOU might consider changing your degree program to political science. If you're an engineering student at the University of Lausanne, you might consider moving

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Source: tio.ch