Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate admission to Franklin University Switzerland is selective, competitive and based primarily on the following:

• High School Record
• Personal Recommendations
• SAT I or ACT Scores (Optional)

By the time you start your application, you are expected to have completed a solid university preparatory program. We recommend a program that includes four years of English grammar, composition and literature; three years of a foreign language; three years of history; three years of mathematics, and two years of science. Course work in areas such as art, computer science, and music is also recommended.

*Transparency is key to all academic work; cheating and plagiarism – claiming ideas and works that are not your own – violate this principle, and thus represent serious academic offenses; this includes poor citation practices, over-paraphrasing, and inappropriate use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Such actions are not only unfair to other students applying to Franklin University Switzerland, but the Franklin community at large, and detract from effective learning. Students found to have falsified application information will be subject to penalties up to and including denial of admission, withdrawal of an admission offer, registration cancellation, expulsion or revocation of a Franklin University Switzerland degree.

Advanced Standing

You may be granted advanced standing at Franklin for college-level study successfully completed during secondary school. The following examinations or diplomas are considered for advanced standing credit:

• College Board Advanced Placement (AP)®
• International Baccalaureate®
• French Baccalaureate
• German Abitur
• Swiss Maturità
• Italian Maturità
• British ‘A’ Levels

The applicability of credits towards major requirements is determined by the Registrar in consultation with relevant Division Chairs. For additional information please review the information in the Academic Catalog. 

Are you ready to start your academic journey to Lugano? Our application process is simple and straightforward. Submit your information, send us your supporting documents, and you’ll receive your admission decision through our rolling cycle.

Applying early is encouraged for priority admission and access to scholarships (see also 'Early Action' below).

Submitting Your Application

You can apply through Franklin University Switzerland’s own online application portal or using the The Common Application*.

To complete your application for the bachelor of arts program at Franklin you need to submit the following:

• A completed application form and payment of a non-refundable application fee of CHF 90 or USD 90*. To pay by credit card or for more information on ways to pay, please see Payment Options
• A personal statement.
• High School Record (Official transcripts): Any transcript deemed invalid will need to be proven official by the relevant governing body. 
• A Final High School Diploma or the recognized equivalent (credential leading to university studies in the country where the student completed his/her secondary education). This is required from all applicants (including Title IV borrowers) who must submit official transcripts.
• One letter of personal and academic evaluation. For example, students typically provide letters from a principal, headmaster, counselor or teacher of their choice.
• (Optional) US applicants may submit official test results of the SAT (Franklin’s code is 0922) or the ACT (Franklin’s code is 5223), forwarded to the Franklin University Switzerland Office of Admissions. If scores are submitted they will be taken into account in the evaluation process. 
• Non-U.S. applicants for whom English is not a first language are required to submit their scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL code 0922) or another internationally recognized test of English language proficiency, e.g. the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET). We require a score of 90 on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), a score of 6.5 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or a score of 110 on the DET (Duolingo English Test). 

* The application fee is waived if you submit your application by November 15 (extended deadline) for Spring Semester applicants, and December 1 for Fall Semester applicants (should you enroll). If you apply using the CommonApp, you will have to pay our fee directly through the CommonApp. 

Additionally, if you submit a Fall Semester application by December 1, you may qualify for a $1,000 reduction in your university costs to help with transportation costs to Lugano, depending on residency. Please contact us for more information.

Although it is not required for admission, we encourage you to meet us for an interview if possible. Interviews can be scheduled by contacting our Admissions Team.

Apply for Admission

Fall Semester

• Freshman Early Action Priority Deadline: December 1 – Open for Applications: 
  Apply Now
• Application Fee Waiver Deadline: December 1
• Study Abroad and Regular Freshman Admissions: June 15
• Transfer Admissions Deadline: June 15

Spring Semester

• Freshman, Transfer and Study Abroad Admissions Priority Deadline: November 1 – Open for Applications: 
  Apply Now
• Application Fee Waiver Deadline: November 15
• Regular Freshman, Transfer and Study Abroad Admissions – November 15

The Franklin application fee is waived for students who submit a complete application by November 15 for the Spring semester or by December 1 for the Fall semester (should you enroll). CommonApp applicants who submit a complete application by November 15 for the Spring semester or by December 1 for the Fall semester will have the CommonApp application fee refunded, should they decide to enroll.

If you have a strong high school record and are certain that Franklin is your first choice, you may qualify for admission under the Early Action plan. The application and all supporting documentation must be submitted by December 1. The Admissions Committee will notify you of the decision by January 15. The Early Action plan is non-binding. Students who apply by priority deadline tend to have a higher chance of being admitted and be considered for a possible scholarship.

All applicants to Franklin University Switzerland are encouraged to arrange an interview as part of the admission process. Throughout the fall and spring, our Admissions representatives travel extensively and are available to meet with students throughout the US, South America, Europe and Asia. Phone or virtual interviews can also be arranged.

If you are admitted to Franklin University Switzerland, a non-refundable enrollment confirmation deposit of CHF500 or USD500 is required by May 1 for the Fall Semester and December 1 for the Spring Semester. To pay by credit card or for more information on ways to pay, please see Payment Options.

If you are admitted to Franklin and wish to travel, work, or pursue other personal plans in the year following graduation from high school, you may postpone entrance to the university. You may defer admission for a full year or enter in the Spring term. A written request for deferred admission must accompany the enrollment deposit of CHF500 or USD500 by May 1.

If you are studying at another institution and wish to transfer to Franklin, you can transfer up to a maximum of 60 credit hours towards the BA degree. The applicability of credits towards major requirements is determined by the Registrar in consultation with relevant academic departments. For more information on transferring to Franklin University Switzerland from another university, see Transfer.

Franklin University Switzerland does not discriminate in its admissions and financial aid policies and practices on the basis of factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, age, color, religion or regional origin.

Apply for Admission