About
Academic
Admissions
Student Affairs
Campus Life
About
Academic
Student Affairs
Campus Life

Admissions

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.

Overview

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. However, 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 take into account 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 potentials.

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.

Upcoming Intakes

Spring Term 2024
Registration Week:
April 15-19, 2024

Term Start:
April 22, 2024
Fall Term 2024
Registration Week:
September 18-22, 2024

Term Start:
September 25, 2024
Winter Term 2025
Registration Week:
6-10 January 2025

Term Start:
13 January 2025
Spring Term 2024
Registration Week:
April 15-19, 2024

Term Start:
April 22, 2024
Fall Term 2024
Registration Week:
September 18-22, 2024

Term Start:
September 25, 2024
Winter Term 2024
Registration Week:
6-10 January 2025

Term Start:
13 January 2025

Application Deadlines

AUS operates on a rolling admissions basis. Therefore, it is required that the complete application, all the necessary documents, and the applicable fees must be received by the AUS Admissions Office a minimum of ten weeks before the start of the term.
Spring Term 2024
January 15, 2024 for international candidates who require a visa to study in Switzerland

February 15, 2024 for CH/EU/EFTA candidates
Fall Term 2024
June 15, 2024 for international candidates who require a visa to study in Switzerland

July 15, 2024 for CH/EU/EFTA candidates
Winter Term 2025
October 15, 2024 for international candidates who require a visa to study in Switzerland

November 15, 2024 for CH/EU/EFTA candidates

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 time or at a different institution. Credit can be used from a previously uncompleted or completed award. The credit that is transferred can be used, where appropriate, to build towards an award at a higher level or stage.

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 for admissions 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.
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 time or at a different institution. Credit can be used from a previously uncompleted or completed award. The credit that is transferred can be used, where appropriate, to build towards an award at a higher level or stage.

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 for admissions 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.

Funding your Studies

Eligibility Requirements

1) A Swiss Maturity Certificate (Maturität, Matura) or, A Swiss Professional Maturity Certificate (Maturité professionnelle) with “Passerelle” or, A Swiss Specialized Maturity (Maturité spécialisée) recognized throughout Switzerland with “Passerelle” or, 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 Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (ETS No. 165).
2) Evidence of sufficient English language proficiency. For further details about English proficiency requirements, please access the 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.
1) A Bachelor's degree from a university or other higher education institution or an equivalent foreign higher education institution recognized or accredited in the country of origin.

2) Evidence of sufficient English language proficiency. For further details about English proficiency requirements, please access the Admission Policy.

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

Application Process

Prospective candidates that meet AUS’s eligibility requirements are invited to submit:
1
The completed and signed AUS application form.
2
A copy of the valid passport.
3
A copy of the Swiss residence permit, if applicable.
4
Six passport-size photographs.
5
The official sealed records (transcripts, diplomas, certificates) of the secondary school or university-level institution completed;
6
Two letters of recommendation from instructors or employers familiar with the applicant’s past performance;
7
Motivation letter - An autobiographical essay of approximately 500 words reflecting the applicant’s individual development, educational and career goals, and motivation in seeking admission to AUS;
8
Curriculum Vitae/Résumé - A brief written account of the applicant’s personal details, education, career, and qualifications;
9
Proof of English Proficiency is required of all applicants whose native language is not English and whose primary language of instruction in secondary education was not English; in the case of the students whose primary language of instruction in secondary education was English, a Medium of Instruction proof will be included as part of the application;
10
Evidence of sufficient financial means and/or sponsor letter and the bank statement.
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 for admissions the documents required for the credit transfer procedure.

In case any of the documents be 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.

As part of their application with AUS, prospective students will take part in an interview which will assess their ability to express their personal experiences and opinions, their creativity and originality in solving complex subjects, which cannot be assessed through grades and test performances. The interview will take place by video conference via Zoom or Google Meet.

Tuition and Fees

Upon notification of acceptance, AUS will provide prospective students with an official ‘Certification of Studies’, which is necessary in many countries for student visa requests. Prior to starting the visa application procedure, the Admission 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.

Note that fees are reviewed from time to time and may change from those listed below. The Institution reserves the right to make such alterations and amendments as necessary. Tuition and Fees include campus facilities, field trips and industrial visits. All prices are in Swiss Francs (CHF).

On-Campus Programs

Application Fee: CHF 250.-
(due before we review the application documents)
How to pay?→
Admission Fee: CHF 1,500.-
(due when you have been accepted to the program)

Additional Fees

Students should expect various additional expenses that are not covered by their tuition fees.
Please be advised that you will need to account for these separately.

Additional expenses may include:
  • Accommodation
  • Books and e-books
  • Cantonal and communal registration fees
  • Capstone fee
  • Course materials
  • Health insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Retake examinations
  • Social activities/trips
  • Transportation
  • Tutoring
Fees for administrative services →

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.