Admissions AUS Business School

The admissions process at the American Institute of Applied Sciences in Switzerland (AUS) works towards a balance between the inclusivity and selectivity principles innate in admissions processes around the world. As such, AUS is meticulous in ensuring that students who are accepted have the skills and capabilities to succeed in its programs.

AUS welcomes applications from motivated individuals of all nationalities and backgrounds who demonstrate the academic potential, personal drive, and professional ambition to thrive in a rigorous, internationally oriented business education environment. With students representing over 40 nationalities and a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:7, AUS offers a learning community where every individual receives the attention and support necessary to reach their full potential.

Whether you are applying for one of our eight Bachelor specializations or nine Master specializations, the admissions team is committed to guiding you through every stage of the process with clarity, transparency, and care. Our rolling admissions policy means you can apply at any time, and our dedicated advisors are available to answer your questions and help you prepare the strongest possible application.

AUS aims to offer an admissions process that is fair, transparent and provides equal opportunity to applicants. Applicants are admitted on the basis of their individual merits, abilities, and aptitudes while meeting established minimum eligibility criteria.

AUS recognizes and acknowledges that not all applicants have equal opportunity to demonstrate their full academic potential and will take into consideration the contexts and circumstances that surround individual applications.

Assessing applicants’ backgrounds is deemed crucial in understanding aptitude differences and, as such, to balance inclusivity and selectivity principles without seeing diversity as a substitute for equality or considered at the expense of it.

AUS’s admissions practices consider its educational partnerships with international institutions and the quality assurance strategy that guides its operations.

AUS endeavors to offer clear advice and guidance to all applicants and stakeholders, such as parents or legal representatives, to enable them to make informed choices and apply to programs that are in line with their personal academic choices, interests, qualifications, prior learnings, and potential.

The admission to programs is subject to availability and eligibility. AUS reserves the right to reject applicants who do not meet the necessary minimum requirements for admission.

Applying to AUS is a straightforward, three-step process designed to be as clear and efficient as possible. From your initial submission to your arrival on campus, our admissions and student recruitment teams are with you at every stage.

Step 1: Submit your application

The first step is to complete and submit the AUS application form along with all required supporting documents. Prospective candidates that meet AUS’s eligibility requirements are invited to submit the following:

In case any of the documents are in a language other than English, international applicants must produce notarized translations in English of all records, at their own expense, prior to submission of the application to AUS.

An application fee of CHF 250 is due before the admissions team reviews the application documents. The application is checked by the Student Recruitment team before being passed to the Admissions Committee for evaluation.

Step 2: Admissions review and interview

Once your application has been received and verified as complete, the Admissions Committee will review your file. As part of the evaluation process, prospective students will take part in an admissions interview conducted by video conference via Zoom or Google Meet. The interview assesses your ability to express your personal experiences and opinions, your creativity and originality in solving complex subjects, and qualities that cannot be assessed through grades and test performances alone.

Following the interview, the Admissions Committee will reach to a decision. Successful applicants will receive an Offer Letter. To confirm your place, you will need to:

• Sign and return the offerletter and student agreement
• Pay the Admissions Fee of CHF 1’500

Upon completion of these steps, the student receives an official Acceptance Letter, which is required to begin the visa application process. AUS will guide you throughout the visa procedure.

Step 3: Visa processing and arrival

Once you have received your Acceptance Letter, the final step is to arrange your student visa and prepare for your arrival in Switzerland. AUS provides full support throughout this process. You will need to book a visa appointment at your nearest Swiss embassy or consulate and prepare the following documents for visa processing:

• Proof of English Proficiency
• Curriculum Vitae / Résumé
• Evidence of sufficient financial means and/or sponsor letter and bank statement
• A copy of the Swiss residence permit, if applicable
• Six passport-size photographs

AUS’s Student Services team will remain in close contact with you during this period, providing any additional documentation you may need and answering questions about your transition to life in Switzerland.

AUS operates on a rolling admissions basis. This means that applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and decisions are communicated promptly, rather than at fixed decision dates. The AUS Admissions Office must receive the complete application, all necessary documents, and applicable fees at least two weeks before the start of the term.

Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to availability and Swiss visa restrictions. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the admissions team directly with any questions about the timing or deadlines. It is highly suggested that international candidates who require a visa to study in Switzerland apply early, as visa processing times can differ significantly depending on your country of residence.

A note on accommodation

AUS business school offers private student accommodation that can support approximately 50 percent of the student body. Places are allocated on a strictly first-come, first-served basis, and demand consistently exceeds availability. Students are therefore strongly encouraged to submit their accommodation request as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

It is worth noting that the Swiss rental market is among the most competitive in Europe. Securing housing in the Lake Geneva region presents a genuine challenge not only for international students but also for Swiss residents and working professionals. Early application is the single most effective step a prospective student can take to secure their preferred living arrangement.

AUS accommodation is situated in a prime location near the campus and the shores of Lake Geneva in La Tour-de-Peilz. Students may choose between private rooms and shared rooms, allowing for flexibility to suit different budgets and preferences. Accommodation is price dat rates slightly below the local market, reflecting AUS’s commitment to making the student experience as accessible and affordable as possible. Full details on room types, pricing, and the application process are available from the Student Services team.

AUS operates three academic terms per year, providing multiple entry points for both Bachelor and Master degree programs. This trimester structure allows students to begin their studies at the time that best suits their personal and professional circumstances, without having to wait for a single annual intake.

AUS maintains clear eligibility standards for admission to its Bachelor and Master degree programs. These requirements are designed to ensure that all admitted students possess the academic foundation and language proficiency necessary to succeed in a rigorous, English-language business education environment.

Bachelor degree programs

Applicants to AUS Bachelor degree programs must hold one of the following qualifications:

- A Swiss Maturity Certificate (Maturität, Matura)

- A Swiss Professional Maturity Certificate (Maturité professionnelle) with “Passerelle”

- A Swiss Specialized Maturity (Maturité spécialisée) recognized throughout Switzerland with “Passerelle”

- In the case of foreign candidates, an upper secondary school-leaving certificate considered equivalent

Candidates that have completed a Swiss Professional or Specialized Maturity need to undergo a complementary examination in order to be eligible for admission into the Bachelor program. Candidates in this situation are kindly invited to refer to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), which is the institution responsible for the examination.

In the case of international applicants, a foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificate must correspond substantially to the Swiss Maturity Certificate in regards to school subjects, number of hours, and length of schooling. The recognition of foreign school-leaving certificates is based on the Recommendations for the assessment of foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificates of the Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS), in alignment with the Conventionon the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (ETS No. 165).

Master degree programs

Applicants to AUS Master degree programs must hold a recognized Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from an accredited institution. Candidates with professional experience in addition to their academic credentials are particularly encouraged to apply, as the Master programs at AUS are designed to build upon both academic knowledge and real-world professional insight.

English language proficiency

Evidence of sufficient English language proficiency is required of all applicants whose native language is not English and whose primary language of instruction in secondary or higher education was not English. For further details about English proficiency requirements, please access the AUS Admission Policy.

Students that wish to pursue a Dual Degree with our educational partner Tiffin University (TU) shall be subjected to the specific TU admission requirements.

Upon successful completion of the admissions review and interview process, accepted applicants will receive an official Offer Letter from AUS. This letter confirms your admission to the program and outlines the next steps required to secure your place.

To confirm your enrollment, you must sign and return the Offer Letter along with the Student Agreement, and pay the Admissions Fee of CHF 1’500. Once these steps are completed, AUS will issue an official Acceptance Letter and a Certification of Studies, which is necessary in many countries for student visa requests.

Prior to starting the visa application procedure, the Admissions Fee and 50% of the first-year tuition and fees are payable. Tuition and fees must be paid in full at the time of Registration.

Upon notification of acceptance, AUS will provide prospective students with all necessary financial documentation. Fees are reviewed periodically and may change from those listed below. Tuition and fees include campus facilities, field trips, and industrial visits. All prices are in Swiss Francs (CHF).

*Book and tech fees are invoiced separately per course.

Additional expenses

Students should expect various additional expenses that are not covered by tuition fees. These should be accounted for separately and may include:

*Costs are based on past students and estimations. Personal expenses are based on your lifestyle preferences.

Refund policy

Paid admission and tuition fees are non-refundable if a student decides to withdraw from AUS. If a student is suspended or dismissed for academic or disciplinary reasons, no refunds will be made.

Credit transfer

The credit transfer system at AUS is based on the principle of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), defined as a process through which previously assessed and certificated learning is considered and, as appropriate, recognized for academic purposes. It can enable a student to transfer credit gained within one program of study to another program of study at the same institution or at a different institution. Should candidates for admissions wish to apply for a credit transfer concomitantly with their admissions application, they are invited to refer to the Credit Transfer Policy and Procedure and include in their application the documents required for the credit transfer procedure. Upon being presented with an Offer Letter from AUS, a student will also be communicated any results of credit transfer assessments, including extensive explanation related to the comparability of the courses transferred and those not transferred.