Every autumn, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings evaluates over 2,000 universities worldwide, using a set of indicators including teaching, research, international outlook and industry links.
For the Times Higher Education study, universities were each scored out of a hundred in categories including international outlook and the ability to help industry with innovations and inventions
In the latest edition (as in previous ones), two Swiss universities are ranked relatively high.
The Federal Polytechnic Institute in Zurich (ETH) is ranked in the 11th place, while its sister institution, EPFL in Lausanne, placed in 35th.
What scores did these two universities get?
The ETH received the highest score (97.2) in the 'Research Environment' category, followed by (95.1) in the 'International Outlook', for a 93.1 overall score.
As for EPFL, it got an almost perfect score (99.9) for its 'industry links', 95.4 for its international outlook.
However, its low note in research environment (70.8) brought its total score down to 79.6.
What about other Swiss universities?
They were ranked far below the two polytechnics: the University of Bern in 108th place and University of Basel in the 120th.
What about the other international ranking?
QS World University Rankings place greater emphasis than THE on reputation surveys and fostering an international community.
More than 1,500 institutions were surveyed, and scores were also awarded based on a 100-point system.
In its 2026 edition, the ETH ranks in 7th place, having received 99.7 for the 'Academic Reputation' category and a solid 96.7 overall score.
The EPFL is in 22nd place, with 92.7 points in terms of academic reputation and 90.2 overall.
Here too, there is a considerable gap between the two technical institutes and other Swiss universities: university of Zurich is in the 100th place, Geneva (155), Basel (158), Bern (184) Lausanne (212).
Speaking of top schools, what's the difference between ETH and EPFL?
The former is a research university focusing exclusively on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The EPFL, on the other hand, specialises in natural sciences and engineering.
These are interesting facts about the ETH:
- It was founded in 1855 by the Swiss government to train engineers and scientists.
- Today 18,000 students from over 100 different countries study at ETZ, 3,800 of whom are doctoral students.
- So far, 21 Nobel Prizes have been awarded to researchers who have or had a connection with ETH Zurich.
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