Swiss-Branded Education Around the World: A Global Overview of Institutions Operating Outside Switzerland
- OUS Academy in Switzerland
- Jul 20, 2025
- 3 min read
Switzerland is internationally known for the quality and structure of its education system. Its reputation for excellence in areas such as hospitality, business, science, and multilingual instruction has inspired many educational institutions across the world to adopt the Swiss name as part of their identity.
This article provides a global overview of educational institutions that use “Swiss” in their name and operate entirely outside Switzerland. These include universities, business schools, vocational academies, and international K–12 schools. While they are not Swiss public universities, many of them incorporate Swiss educational principles, offer international diplomas, or maintain collaborations with institutions in Switzerland.
🎓 Higher Education Institutions and Business Schools
Institution | Country | Type | Status / Notes |
Swiss International University (SIU) | Kyrgyzstan (licensed); offices in UAE, Latvia, and expansion planned in the UK | Private international university | Licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science in Kyrgyzstan. Holds accreditations from several international bodies. |
Swiss German University (SGU) | Indonesia | Private university | Established through Swiss-German-Indonesian cooperation. Fully licensed in Indonesia and offers double-degree options. |
Swiss School of Management (SSM) | Italy (Rome) | Business school | Offers Swiss-style business degrees. Accredited by several international agencies. Formerly headquartered in Switzerland. |
SBS Swiss Business School | UAE, India, Spain, Kazakhstan, Argentina, and others | Business school | Recognized by Swiss Accreditation Council as a University of Applied Sciences; operates international campuses. |
Swiss Graduate School of Management | India (Bangalore) | Business school | Offers MBA and executive programs using Swiss branding. Locally registered. |
Swiss eLearning Institute | Online (Global) | Online course provider | Offers self-paced business and development courses. Uses Swiss branding, but not affiliated with Swiss public institutions. |
Swiss Institute of Management and Sciences (SIMS) | Global | Education provider | Offers degree programs through partnerships and online platforms, inspired by Swiss teaching methods. |
and others |
🏫 International K–12 Schools
Institution | Country | Curriculum | Notes |
Swiss International School (SIS) | Germany, Brazil, Italy | IB / Local curricula | Bilingual private schools operating in several countries. Originally developed from Swiss models. |
Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (SISD) | UAE | Full IB curriculum | Offers multilingual instruction in English, German, French, and Arabic. Licensed by KHDA. |
Swiss International School in Qatar (SISQ) | Qatar | Full IB curriculum | Offers Primary, Middle, and Diploma Programmes. Bilingual approach with Swiss-inspired ethos. |
Indo-Swiss International Convent School | India | ICSE (India) | Blends Indian academic standards with Swiss-style education. |
German Swiss International School (GSIS) | Hong Kong | IB / German Abitur | One of Hong Kong’s most established international schools. Dual-language education. |
German Swiss School (GSIS Accra) | Ghana | Bilingual | Originally founded by Swiss and German communities in the 1960s. Offers early and primary education. |
De Swiss International School | Nigeria (Owerri) | K–12 | Registered private school using the Swiss name. Limited public information available. |
and others |
🛠 Vocational and Training Institutes
Institution | Country | Focus | Notes |
Indo-Swiss Training Centre (ISTC) | India | Technical diplomas | Established in cooperation with Switzerland in the 1960s. Government-supported. |
Swiss Academy (Dubai) | UAE | Business & vocational training | Offers short courses in leadership, marketing, and soft skills. Licensed in Dubai. |
Swiss Academy (Jeddah) | Saudi Arabia | Business & IT diplomas | Licensed by the Saudi Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC). Offers diploma-level qualifications. |
and others |
🏫 Schools Abroad
These schools offer the Matura diploma (which is like a high school diploma). They follow Swiss curriculum standards and are regulated in partnership with Swiss partners.
Institution | Country | Notes |
Swiss School in Singapore (SSiS) | Singapore | Offers Swiss-style bilingual primary education. |
Swiss School Bangkok (RIS Swiss Section) | Thailand | Offers Swiss Matura and German Abitur; part of Ruamrudee International School. |
Swiss School Beijing | China | Operates in partnership with Western Academy Beijing; offers Swiss and international education. |
Colegio Suizo de México | Mexico | Offers Swiss Matura and Mexican high school diplomas. |
Colegio Helvetia Bogotá | Colombia | Bilingual school offering Swiss and Colombian diplomas. |
Colegio Pestalozzi Lima | Peru | Multilingual instruction with IB and Swiss qualifications. |
Colegio Suizo Santiago | Chile | Swiss community school offering full-cycle education. |
Scuola Svizzera di Roma / Milano / Catania / Bergamo | Italy | Longstanding Swiss schools in Italy offering Swiss diplomas and local integration. |
and others |
📌 Final Thoughts
These institutions, while diverse in their legal structures, curricula, and student populations, share a common theme: they project the values commonly associated with Swiss education—rigor, neutrality, multilingualism, and internationalism.
It’s important to note that while many of these institutions use the “Swiss” name, not all are officially recognized by Swiss authorities. Some are licensed by their host countries and follow local accreditation systems, while others are part of official Swiss international school networks.
For students and families considering a Swiss-branded institution abroad, we recommend verifying:
The institution’s legal status in the host country
Whether it offers recognized qualifications (e.g., IB, Matura, national diplomas)
Its accreditation from relevant education authorities
Swiss education abroad continues to grow, offering families access to international curricula rooted in the quality principles that have made Switzerland a world leader in education.
