International School Admissions in Zurich: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

Quick answer: how do international school admissions work in Zurich? Apply 9 to 12 months ahead, because popular grades at schools such as ZIS, ICS and International School Zurich North fill early. Send reports from two years, a passport and any learning support records, expect an interview or assessment, and budget roughly CHF 25,000 to 40,000 a year.

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Zurich is one of the most competitive places in Europe to find an international school place. Banks, insurers, technology firms and research institutes bring a steady flow of families, and the number of English-medium places has not kept pace. Understanding international school admissions in Zurich early, and applying with a clear plan, is often the difference between a place in September and a year on a waiting list.

This guide explains how the process works, the Swiss rules that affect younger children, and how five schools with verified profiles on International School Advisor handle entry.

Where the schools are

Zurich's international schools are spread around the lake and the northern suburbs. Zurich International School is in Wädenswil on the left bank of the lake, with other campuses in the region. Inter-Community School is in Zumikon, on the right bank. International School Zurich North is in Wallisellen, close to the airport and the northern business parks. SIS Swiss International School has a campus in Wollishofen, between the city and the lake, and Academia International School is in Zurich Oerlikon.

Switzerland's public transport is excellent, and many older students travel independently by train or tram. For younger children, school buses are common, but some schools only run routes along certain corridors, which can affect where you choose to live.

Curricula and pathways

IB: ZIS, ICS and International School Zurich North offer IB programmes, with the Diploma in the final two years.
Cambridge and A Levels: Academia International School offers Cambridge programmes up to International A Level alongside the IB.
Bilingual German-English: SIS Swiss International School and other bilingual schools follow programmes in both languages and can lead to the Swiss Matura as well as international qualifications.
Local public school: free, in German, and an option many families use for younger children, especially if they plan to stay.

Five schools and their admissions approach

Zurich International School (ZIS)

ZIS teaches more than 1,200 students in English, with German taught alongside, and offers the IB. As one of the largest international schools in the region, it handles a high volume of applications throughout the year. Ask about priority for siblings and corporate partners, and about how the waiting list works in your child's grade.

Inter-Community School (ICS)

ICS is an IB World School established in 1960, offering personalised education for students aged 18 months to 18 years, including a bilingual diploma option. Its long history and full age range make it a common first choice for families with children of different ages who want to keep siblings together.

International School Zurich North

International School Zurich North, in Wallisellen, offers the IB and is part of a larger international group that shares expertise across its schools. It is well placed for families working near the airport or in the northern business districts, and it is rated 4.8 by families on ISA.

SIS Swiss International School Zurich-Wollishofen

SIS Wollishofen offers a bilingual German-English kindergarten and primary school in two buildings next to a park by the lake. For families who want children to learn German properly while keeping English, it is one of the most accessible options in the city, and the bilingual route keeps the Swiss system open later.

Academia International School Zurich

Academia's Zurich campus teaches from Lower Secondary to International A Level, with Cambridge and IB programmes, on a growing campus of more than 100 students. With 16 reviews on ISA, it is one of the more reviewed schools in Zurich. Its smaller size can mean shorter waiting times for secondary entry.

The admissions process step by step

Step 1, early contact (9 to 12 months ahead): contact schools as soon as your move is likely, even before it is confirmed. Many schools let you apply and join the waiting list early.
Step 2, application: submit the form, pay the non-refundable application fee and send reports from the last two years, passport copies, any learning support records and a teacher reference.
Step 3, assessment: expect an interview, an English assessment for older children and sometimes a school visit or online meeting.
Step 4, offer: confirm the place by paying the enrolment or capital fee, which can be several thousand francs and is often non-refundable.
Step 5, waiting list: if no place is available, stay in regular contact. Places open often in Zurich because of corporate moves.

The hard rule for younger children: in the canton of Zurich, children who turn four by 31 July start two years of compulsory kindergarten in August of the same year. International schools often use different cut-off dates, so the same child may be placed in different grades in the public and international systems.

Indicative tuition at Zurich's international schools runs roughly from CHF 25,000 to 40,000 a year, plus application, enrolment, bus and lunch fees.

Practical advice

Ask your employer about corporate places. Some companies reserve places or pay debentures at specific schools. This can move you up a waiting list and change which school is realistic.

Apply to more than one school. Given waiting lists, applying to two or three schools on different sides of the lake is common and sensible, even though it means paying several application fees.

Consider the local kindergarten. For a four or five year old, the free public kindergarten can be an excellent start, with German learned quickly through play, while you wait for an international place for primary.

Sort out the paperwork early. Schools usually confirm a place once they have your residence details, and some ask for proof of address in the canton. Keep certified translations of reports in English or German and your child's vaccination record ready, because waiting for documents can cost you a place when a school calls with an offer at short notice.

Plan for German either way. Even at an English-medium school, German is part of daily life in Zurich. Ask how many hours of German each school teaches and whether it offers beginner groups, because children who learn German early settle faster outside school too.

Compare schools on our Zurich ranking

Our ranking of the best schools in Zurich lets you compare reviews, curricula and profile details and contact several schools at once.

More guides to schools in Zurich

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply to an international school in Zurich?

Apply as early as possible, ideally 9 to 12 months before your start date. The larger schools accept applications all year, but popular grades fill quickly and many keep waiting lists. Families relocating with an employer should ask HR whether the company holds reserved or corporate places, which can make a big difference.

At what age do children start school in Zurich?

In the canton of Zurich, children who turn four by 31 July start two years of compulsory kindergarten in August of that year, followed by primary school. International schools often use different age cut-offs, so a child may be placed in a different grade at an international school than in the local public system.

How much do international schools in Zurich cost?

Indicative tuition runs roughly from CHF 25,000 to CHF 40,000 a year, with the IB Diploma years at the top. On top of tuition, many schools charge an application fee, a one-off enrolment or capital fee that can be several thousand francs, buses and lunch. Some employers cover part or all of these costs.