swissuniversities, the rectors’ conference, represents all Swiss academic universities, universities of applied sciences and arts and universities of teacher education in international organizations and conferences (European University Association, Academic Cooperation Association,  and at international education fairs (APAIE, NAFSA, EAIE). An annual meeting is organized with the German HRK and the Austrian uniko.

The rectors' conference engages in a variety of international relations, supporting also specific initiatives (UAS4Europe). Key areas comprise cooperation with foreign rectors' conferences, as well as international coordination of higher education reform implementation or supporting student and researcher mobility.

swissuniversities supports and manages several initatives and programmes aiming at internationalising Swiss higher education and enhancing researcher mobility (Euraxess). Furthermore, it coordinates the swissuniversities Development and Cooperation Network SUDAC, a programme that intends to enhance cooperation among Swiss higher education institutions on development cooperation issues.

swissuniversities, furthermore, engages in finding solutions for an 'adapted access to higher education' for refugee students and is a member of the 'Scholars at Risk' network.

swissuniversities administers the foreign government scholarships of 30 countries on behalf of the Swiss Confederation. These scholarships support Swiss students, researchers and artists in their outgoing mobility.