DISCOVER GENEVA

FIND YOUR STUDY PROGRAM IN GENEVA

GENEVA AT A GLANCE

Geneva is a city in Switzerland which lies in the south-west part of the Geneva Lake. Having a population of over 200,000 people in an area of 16 km2, Geneva is considered the second-most-populous city in the country of Switzerland. Currently, around thirty percent of the people living in the city of Geneva are foreigners, originally coming from all around Europe. The official language in the city is French (spoken by more than seventy percent of the population); English is the second-most-common language there. The climate in the city of Geneva is oceanic. Winters are relatively cold while summers are warm and nice. In July and August temperatures usually go up to 27 °C. During January and February, they are between -3 and -1 °C, with snowfalls making the city suitable for skiing. Just like every city in Switzerland, in Geneva, the public transportation network is extremely reliable. The company Transports Publics Genevois is responsible for the bus, tram, as well as the trolleybus transportation within the city of Geneva. In Geneva, there is also a possibility to travel by boat. Both sides of the Geneva Lake are connected via boats. Boats can also be used to travel from Geneva to other cities within the country, such as Lausanne, Nyon, and Yvoire. The fastest and most convenient way to travel both within the country, however, is by train. This way, people living in Geneva can easily travel to and visit some beautiful French cities in no time.

Academic Year

Summer Semester: February – May/June / Winter Semester: August/September – January

Official Language

French

Higher Education Institutions

Population

201741

Living Costs

1200 – 2000 EUR

STUDYING IN GENEVA

Whether one is motivated by excellent education or endless travel opportunities, the city of Geneva will always be the right choice. The city’s ideal location in the heart of Europe combined with its top-level higher education institutions continues to attract many students from all around the world year after year. Founded in 1559, the University of Geneva is the third-biggest university in the whole country and ranks 38 among Europe’s top universities according to the QS World University Rankings. It offers students a wide spectrum of degree courses to choose from. Starting with Business Management through Medicine to Social Sciences, there is something for almost everyone. Currently, the University of Geneva is home to nearly 17,000 students from over 100 nationalities. Around forty percent of all enrolled students are foreigners. Student accommodation is the next most important thing after choosing a university and a degree course to deal with. However, finding a balance between price and quality is sometimes really hard. Students in Geneva can choose between living in a student hall of residence and finding themselves a private accommodation instead. Student dormitories are considered the most convenient and the cheapest option for student accommodation. Normally, living in a student hall in Geneva costs between 850 and 1,150 EUR per month. It depends on the type of room, of course. However, in case one wants to get a room in the student dormitory, it is highly advisable to apply through the chosen university’s website as soon as possible because places are strictly limited. Renting a flat or a single room in a shared apartment in the city is also possible. Usually, prices are between 1,000 and 1,500 EUR for one-bedroom apartments in the city, while a single room might cost around 950 – 1,000 EUR, but it always depends on the property’s location.

GENEVA LIFESTYLE

Student life is not only about attending lectures and passing exams. It is also about gaining life experience, building friendships and creating memories. Every single student needs to have fun and enjoy the time spent, and Geneva is a really beautiful and exciting city that has a lot to offer. There is a very big array of things to do in the city – from visiting unique museums to going to amazing live-music clubs, the opportunities are manifold. The outdoor activities in the city include visiting Bastions Park which is close to several university buildings and therefore it is a popular place for relaxation among many students. During the spring and summer, it is all green and beautiful, while in winter the big outdoor terrace of the Café du Parc des Bastions turns into an ice rink. Geneva’s old town is cozy, beautiful and full with amazing restaurants and coffee shops to spend some time chatting with friends. The most-popular café is La Clemence where both locals and tourists enjoy their coffee in the morning, a delicious snack for lunch, and a good beer in the evening. However, nothing can compare to spending the evening in a nice place with live music. The L’Usine can satisfy every taste. From rock through jazz to reggae, every night the music and the atmosphere is different.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN GENEVA

The city of Geneva is an amazingly beautiful, well-organized and exciting city. But that is not everything. Being the second-most-populous city in Switzerland, Geneva can offer many career opportunities to both skilled workers and graduates. In general, the city of Geneva has an economy which is mainly focused on services, with a very well-established finance sector. In fact, Geneva was ranked as the fifth-most-competitive finance center in Europe for 2017. Therefore, there are many job opportunities for finance graduates in the city. Moreover, there are several world-known international and multinational companies with headquarters based in Geneva, such as Japan Tobacco International, Cargill, Procter & Gamble, as well as Oracle Corporation. All those companies can provide manifold career options in many different fields. Students can also do their internship placements there and gain important knowledge and work experience while they are still at university.