Perched where Lake Geneva meets the Rhône, Geneva is a compact, cosmopolitan city that hosts the UN, the Red Cross and CERN, making it a magnet for anyone drawn to international affairs or science. It is expensive but beautifully situated, with France wrapped around it and the Alps close by. Nearly everyone speaks French, and a huge international community means you'll never feel far from home.

• A global hub for diplomacy, NGOs and science, ideal if that's your field
• French immersion on Lake Geneva, with the Alps and France on the doorstep

Student life centres on the University of Geneva and the Plainpalais district, whose plaza hosts a big flea market and buzzes with bars. Bohemian Carouge, just south, feels almost Italian and is the go-to for evenings out. Summer revolves around the lake, from swimming at the Bains des Pâquis to the costumed Escalade festival in December.

• Spend evenings in Carouge, Geneva's Italianate quarter full of bars and terraces
• Swim and sip coffee at the Bains des Pâquis, the city's beloved lakeside baths
• Ask the Geneva Studcasa group about student nights and the twice-weekly Plainpalais market

Geneva is one of the world's most expensive cities, so budget €1,800–2,600 a month or more, with rent the crushing factor. The standard survival tactic is to shop across the border in France, in Ferney-Voltaire or Annemasse, where groceries cost a fraction of Swiss prices. A student transport pass and home cooking are essential.

• Cross to Ferney-Voltaire or Annemasse in France for far cheaper groceries
• Expect CHF 800–1,300 for a room, the single biggest expense
• Get a unireso season ticket, and a Halbtax card for wider train travel

Housing is Geneva's real challenge, as supply is tight and rents are steep. Many students share flats in the city or, increasingly, live across the border in France and commute in on the Léman Express. Start hunting weeks ahead and be wary of scams asking for deposits before viewings.

• Search Glocals, Homegate and the university housing lists for rooms and WGs
• Consider living in nearby France, where rents are lower and the Léman Express links you in minutes
• Ask the Geneva Studcasa group for leads, and never pay a deposit before seeing a place

The TPG runs trams, buses and trolleybuses across the compact city, and the cross-border Léman Express train network connects Geneva with French suburbs and Lausanne. Yellow Mouettes water taxis putter across the lake, and free public bikes plus a walkable centre round it out. Hotel guests even get a free transit card.

• Ride TPG trams and buses on a unireso pass, and the Léman Express for cross-border trips
• Hop a yellow Mouette water taxi across the lake for the price of a bus ticket
• Borrow a free bike from Genève Roule in the warmer months

The University of Geneva (UNIGE) is a leading research university, especially strong in international relations, law and the sciences, and the Graduate Institute (IHEID) is world-renowned for global affairs. CERN sits just outside the city. Teaching is largely in French, though many Master's programmes run in English. Terms run mid-September to December and February to June.

• UNIGE and the Graduate Institute excel in international relations, law and diplomacy
• Bachelor's teaching is mostly in French, so check whether your courses need the language

Switzerland is in Schengen but not the EU, so your process depends on nationality. EU/EFTA students do not need a visa; you enter freely and then register with your local commune (Gemeinde/commune) within 14 days of arrival to get a residence permit, showing enrolment, funds and insurance.

Non-EU students must apply for a national (D) long-stay visa at a Swiss embassy before travelling, then convert it to a residence permit at the local commune after arrival. You will need your acceptance letter, proof of sufficient funds, accommodation and health insurance. Processing can take eight to twelve weeks, so apply as early as possible. Everyone must sort mandatory Swiss health insurance or get an exemption using EHIC or equivalent cover.

• EU/EFTA: no visa; register with your local commune within 14 days
• Non-EU: apply for a national D visa at a Swiss embassy before arrival
• Bring acceptance letter, proof of funds, housing and insurance
• Sort health insurance early, it is mandatory or needs a formal exemption
• Start non-EU applications 3+ months ahead; processing is slow

Geneva's food leans French, with fondue, lake perch fillets (filets de perche) and the local longeole sausage all featuring strongly. The December Escalade festival brings marzipan-filled chocolate cauldrons and a costumed old-town run. It is a formal, international city, but the lakeside and old town reward slow wandering.

• Order filets de perche by the lake, or a bubbling fondue in the old town
• Climb to the Cathédrale St-Pierre and stroll the medieval old town's squares
• Join the Escalade festivities in December, smashing a chocolate cauldron for luck

The Vieille Ville is the historic old town on the hill. Pâquis is central, multicultural and lively by the lake, Plainpalais is the student and market district, Eaux-Vives is smart and lakeside, and Carouge to the south is the bohemian, café-filled favourite for going out.

• Plainpalais for student life, markets and relative value
• Carouge for its bohemian bars and Mediterranean feel
• Pâquis or Eaux-Vives for a central spot near the lake

Geneva is a gateway to the Alps and France. Chamonix and Mont Blanc are around ninety minutes away, the lovely lakeside town of Annecy is an hour into France, and Lausanne, Montreux and the Lavaux vineyards line the lake by train. Lyon and Zermatt are both within reach for a bigger weekend.

• Take the train or bus to Chamonix for Mont Blanc, about ninety minutes away
• Spend a day in Annecy, France, with its canals and lake, an hour from the city
• Follow the lake to Lausanne, Montreux and the Lavaux vineyard terraces

Geneva's prices demand cross-border discipline, and doing your shopping in France will save you a fortune. Sort a transport pass and a Halbtax card early, start your flat search well ahead, and lean on the huge international community to find your feet. French will smooth every interaction, so brush it up.

• Shop for groceries in neighbouring France to cut your biggest everyday cost
• Buy transport passes and a Halbtax card on arrival to control travel costs
• Brush up your French, even though English is common in international circles