DOUBLING OF TUITIONS FEES?
A desaster.
The austerity measures planned by the federal government are hitting students and the academic world hard. They will lead to massive budget cuts in higher education and research, as well as a doubling of tuition fees. This jeopardizes the quality of education and equal opportunities in the Swiss education system.
As the national umbrella organisation of Swiss student bodies, which represents the interests of over 140,000 students,VSS is calling for action to maintain a fair and publicly funded higher education system.
Sign our petition against austerity measures
in education and show your support for a
strong and fair education system.
Let’s take to the streets together on 1 October 2025 for the demonstration in Bern
The VSS is organizing a national demonstration on Wednesday 1 October 2025 at 5 p.m. on the Bundesplatz in Bern, with speeches and the official handover of the petition to political decision-makers. We cordially invite you and your organization to join us and send a strong message of solidarity. Your presence counts—for education, for young people, for our future.
In March 2024, the Federal Council commissioned a group of experts to analyze the federal government’s finances and propose measures to reduce federal spending. This report (the “Gaillard Report”) served as the basis for an austerity program to be implemented from 2026–2027.
The Federal Council justifies this program with the need to reduce spending and consolidate the federal budget in accordance with the debt brake requirements.
The 2027 austerity program plans significant budget cuts in several areas, including education and research, which jeopardizes the quality of higher education and increases costs for students. Since its publication, several players in the education sector, including the VSS, have expressed their opposition and launched mobilization initiatives.
The program includes more than 60 cost-cutting measures in various areas (list not exhaustive):
- International cooperation
- Social security
- Federal administration
- Culture
- Sports
- Roads and traffic
- Climate, energy, and the environment
- Agriculture
- Tourism
- Education and research
Overview of measures affecting students
- Increase of student contributions to the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH): The federal government’s contribution to the ETH will be reduced by CHF 78 million starting in 2027, which will lead to a doubling of tuition fees for students at EPFL and ETHZ.
- Increase of student contributions to cantonal universities: The federal government’s contribution to universities and colleges will be reduced by CHF 120 million from 2027, which will lead to a doubling of tuition fees for students.
- Cancellation of contributions for university projects: Federal contributions for collaborative university projects will be canceled, limiting students’ access to certain federally funded projects.
- Cuts in subsidies for extracurricular activities for children and young people: Federal subsidies for extracurricular activities will be cut by 10%, which will limit the range of activities available to students and young people.
An increase in tuition fees exacerbates social inequalities, as students are rather selected based on their financial background than on their abilities and achievements. Education thus becomes a luxury good instead of a fundamental right.
In Switzerland, social background continues to play a decisive role in access to higher education. 50% of students come from families in which at least one parent has a university degree (FSO, 2024).
The scholarship system already needs to be revised in many areas, and the system is currently not equipped to handle an increase in tuition fees. While more and more cantons are not fully utilizing their budgets, potential scholarship recipients are being rejected even though the cost of living continues to rise. Financial support remains too low and unevenly distributed, especially for foreign students.
26% of students have applied for scholarships/loans, but only 42% of these applications have been granted, and this aid accounts for only 4% of their average income (BFS, 2024).
An increase in tuition fees would further exacerbate this already high burden. In order to cover the additional costs, many students would be forced to increase their working hours—at the expense of study time and quality.
72% of students are in paid employment, 61% of whom work more than 40% of full-time hours, which already severely limits the time available for their studies (FSO, 2024).
Rising tuition fees prolong the duration of studies and weaken the economy by delaying the entry into the labor market. Students remain dependent on government support or university infrastructure for longer, which means they pay lower taxes and social security contributions for a longer period of time. In addition, the existing shortage of qualified employees is exacerbated, particularly in the fields of education, IT, health, and engineering.
In Switzerland, the average length of study is 5.7 years (FSO, 2024). Each additional year delays entry into the labor market and weakens the economy.
Die geplanten Sparmassnahmen gefährden die Qualität von Bildung und Forschung. Sie könnten zu einer Abwanderung von Talenten und Studierenden führen und damit langfristig die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Schweiz schwächen. In einem Land ohne natürliche Ressourcen bleibt Bildung der wichtigste Motor für Innovation, technologischen Fortschritt und Wirtschaftswachstum.
In 2024, Switzerland ranks 7th worldwide in terms of patent applications with 9,966 registered patents (EPA, 2024), placing it ahead of all other countries in relation to its population and size. These innovations are the result of knowledge production at Swiss universities, which are responsible for the majority of fundamental research.
To combat the federal government’s austerity measures, the VSS has been running a national campaign since the end of 2024. It unites and mobilizes students from all over Switzerland, informs the public, and attempts to influence political decision-makers.
The activities include:
- Creation of a task force responsible for the organization and general coordination of the campaign.
- Verfassen und Veröffentlichen eines Positionspapiers und verschiedener Informationsdokumente.
- Launch of a petition that has already been signed by almost 35,000 people.
- National poster campaign at all Swiss universities and higher education institutions.
- Online campaign and social media campaign.
- Participation in the consultation process.
- Release of press releases after each important milestone.
- Collaboration with various political parties, youth organizations, and interest groups.
- Contact and discussions with political decision-makers, particularly during parliamentary sessions.
- Sending of an open letter to Federal President Karin Keller-Sutter and Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin.
- Organization of a national demonstration on 1 October 2025 on the Bundesplatz in Bern with the handover of the petition.
How can you get involved?
You can support the campaign by signing the petition and sharing the initiative on social media and within your community. Contact your national and state legislators to express your concerns.
And above all: come to the demonstration in Bern on October 1 at 5 p.m.! Let’s raise our voices together and stand up for a strong and fair education system!
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