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Scholarship in Switzerland: All you need to know
Getting a scholarship to study in Switzerland is now easier than ever! We explain the whole process in this blog.
Switzerland is a country with one of the highest costs of living in the world, so if you wish to complete your academic record in this destination, it’s advisable to apply for one of the numerous scholarships to study in Switzerland. Some of these grants are provided by the Swiss government’s Ministry of Education, others by universities and private institutions. Each scholarship programme has its own requirements and targets specific groups of students.
Throughout this post, we‘ll clear up your doubts about which scholarship is the most suitable for you, depending on your country of origin, age, financial situation and the type of studies you want to do. Many of these programmes provide full or partial payment of tuition fees and also include support for accommodation, transport and meals.
The best scholarships to study in Switzerland
The country is known for its high quality of life, the beauty of its alpine landscapes, its watch-making industry and its delicious Swiss chocolates. It’s a place with charming cities such as Bern, Fribourg, Basel and Lucerne, where you’ll always have activities to do and destinations to discover. If you’re travelling at the start of an academic year, you’ll need to know what luggage to take with you to protect you from the cold winters, we recommend you read our blog on: What to pack for Switzerland: List of essencials.
In addition to what Switzerland has to offer as a tourist destination, it also has the most prestigious universities in Europe and the most technologically advanced classrooms for research. That’s why adding your time at a Swiss institution to your CV is a great opportunity for your professional future. We invite you to discover the five best scholarships to study in Switzerland.
1. Swiss Government ExcellenceScholarships
Since 1941, the Swiss government has been promoting cultural exchange in the country’s classrooms and research work with these grants to attract international students. They’re administered by the Federal Foreign Students’ Scholarship Commission (FCS) and are aimed at young researchers and top artists. If you want to do a PhD, pay attention to their requirements:
- General requirements: You must have a previous degree that allows you to access the requested studies, present a research project or artistic portfolio approved by a Swiss institution and the required language level.
- Coverage and benefits:Includes tuition waiver, a monthly stipend of approximately 2,000 CHF ($2,100 US), health insurance and transportation costs.
- Type of studies offered: Undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorates.
- Aimed at: International students of high academic and artistic achievement, with no specific age restriction.
- Form: Visit the official FSC website (www.sbfi.admin.ch).
- Opening date: September.
- Closing date: December.
2. ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme
Founded by ETH Zurich in 2007, it has helped hundreds of young people to pursue a Master’s degree at the country’s leading universities. It’s one of the scholarships to study in Switzerland that covers full tuition fees plus a monthly allowance. The main requirement is that you have one of the highest grades on your academic transcript. Read on for more features about this scholarship:
- General requirements: Have an excellent academic record, demonstrate motivation through a letter and be admitted to a Master’s programme at ETH Zurich.
- Coverage and benefits: Fully covers tuition fees and provides a monthly stipend of 1,840 CHF ($1,920 US) for living expenses.
- Type of studies offered: Only master’s degrees.
- Aimed at: International students with excellent academic performance.
- Application form: Application via the ETH Zurich admissions portal on the official ETH Zurich website (www.ethz.ch.)
- Opening date: Opens in November.
- Closing date: End of December.
3. UNIL Master’s Grants (University of Lausanne)
The University of Lausanne, consisting of seven faculties, is known for its research references and for having an international atmosphere on its campus. Located in a privileged setting on the shores of Lake Geneva, studying here is an inspiring experience. In 2006, it launched this scholarship programme to study in Switzerland with the aim of promoting cultural exchange among its students. If you want to study a master’s degree here, read on to find out more about the requirements:
- General requirements: Hold a bachelor’s degree, demonstrate a high academic level and meet the specific requirements of the chosen master’s programme.
- Coverage and benefits: Includes a monthly stipend of 1,610 CHF ($1,680 US), but doesn’t cover tuition fees.
- Type of studies offered: Only master’s degrees.
- Aimed at: International students with high academic performance and motivation.
- Application form: Send your application via the official university website (www.unil.ch).
- Opening date: Usually opens in October.
- Closing date:Early December.
4. Undergraduate University Scholarships at the University of Geneva
The University of Geneva is a pioneer in research with remarkable discoveries in genetics and earth sciences. It consists of eight faculties and its professors include numerous Nobel laureates in medicine, chemistry and peace. Since 2010, it has been supporting international young people who wish to begin their studies in Switzerland with a Bachelor’s degree in Switzerland with these scholarships. Want to know more?
- General requirements: Have completed secondary education with outstanding grades, demonstrate interest in a degree programme offered by the university and meet the admission requirements.
- Coverage and benefits: They offer a significant reduction in tuition fees and an annual stipend of approximately 9,600 CHF ($10,300 US) for living expenses.
- Type of studies offered: Undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorates.
- Aimed at: International students with a high academic performance and between 17 and 25 years of age.
- Form: Complete the application form available on the university website (www.unige.ch).
- Closing date: March.
- Closing date: June.
5. EPFL Scholarships for Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)
The Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne is a leading university of science and technology, where the best engineers and scientists are trained. Since 2005, they’ve been supporting many young people who’re highly motivated to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at this prestigious institution with this scholarship programme to study in Switzerland. If you want to specialise in these areas, this university is the best in its field:
- General requirements: You must have been admitted to a bachelor’s or master’s programme at EPFL, submit a personal essay and meet the academic excellence requirements.
- Coverage and benefits: Tuition waiver, a monthly stipend of approximately 1,600 CHF ($1,730 US) and housing allowance.
- Type of studies offered: Undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorates.
- Aimed at: International students of high academic achievement without restriction of nationality.
- Application form: Apply via the EPFL admissions portal (www.epfl.ch).
- Opening date: February.
- Closing date: May.
Tips on how to get a scholarship in Switzerland
If you apply for one of the scholarships to study in Switzerland in a strategic way, you may increase your chances of getting it. Details such as showing an interest in the country’s culture or adding academic achievements to your application can make you stand out from other candidates. Getting into one of the most competitive and prestigious education systems in the world is difficult, but not impossible.
We recommend that you sign up for the holafly eSIM so that you can stay connected at any time and check your online application in the country. Now, here are some tips that can help you achieve your dream:
- Research the specific language requirements: A highly valued detail for scholarships in Switzerland is that you have a language certificate for the programme you’re applying for: English, French, German or Italian. Certificates can be recognised qualifications such as TOEFL, IELTS or DELF.
- Highlight your academic excellence and extracurricular achievements: In addition to your academic record, highlight your participation in research projects or awards related to your field of study.
- Tailor your application to the Swiss programme of interest: Don’t generalise this letter, but adapt it to the institution you’re applying to. Demonstrate how you’ll contribute to their academic environment.
- Ask for references from well-known academics: Ask for recommendations from professors or researchers who have links to Swiss institutions of interest to you.
- Take advantage of Swiss embassy resources: Many embassies offer free scholarship resources that can help you.
- Participate in Swiss seminars and academic events: Attend conferences or webinars organised by Swiss universities or organisations. It’s a way to establish important contacts.
- Demonstrate your adaptability to a multicultural environment: Switzerland is a multicultural country with four official languages, demonstrate your ability to adapt to different cultures and languages.
Top universities to study in Switzerland
Switzerland offers you an innovative framework to advance in your studies, in addition to the aid you can receive with the scholarships we have seen in the previous section, developing a whole academic year in a Swiss university is a highlight in your future professional career.
Below is a selection of the best universities in Switzerland, along with some of the most recommended courses you can study at each of them. This information will help you choose the institution and programme that best suits your goals. Which is your favourite university?
| University | Outstanding degrees | Features |
|---|---|---|
| ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Economics) | Mechanical Engineering, Sciences | Ranked among the world’s top universities in engineering and technology. |
| University of Geneva | Law, International Relations, Natural Sciences | Recognised for its research focus and multicultural environment. |
| University of Lausanne | Business Administration, Life Sciences, Psychology | It stands out for its sustainability and interdisciplinary collaboration. |
| EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) | Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Bioengineering | A world leader in innovation and technological advances and engineering. |
| University of Basel | Medicine, Molecular Biology, History of Art | Switzerland’s oldest university, with great prestige in the humanities and sciences. |
| University of St. Gallen (HSG) | Economics, Finance, Political Science | It’s one of the best in Europe for business and economics studies. |
Frequently Asked Questions about scholarships to study in Switzerland
One of the most comprehensive scholarships to study in Switzerland is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship. It offers tuition waivers, a monthly stipend of 1892,44 CHF ($2,100, US) health insurance and transportation coverage.
Yes, programmes such as the University of Geneva University Scholarships and the EPFL Scholarships are available for undergraduate students. These scholarships can cover tuition fees and provide financial support for living expenses.
Frequent requirements for scholarship programmes include: an excellent academic record, proficiency in the programme language (English, German, French or Italian), previous admission to a Swiss university and letters of recommendation. For PhD students, some may also request a research project or personal essay.
Most calls for applications open between September and February, depending on the scholarship and the institution. It’s important that you check the specific dates of each programme to be aware of any changes.
Yes, many scholarships to study in Switzerland also allow for part-time work, as long as immigration regulations are met and the hours don’t interfere with academic performance. However, there are some programmes that require exclusive dedication and don’t allow for additional work.
One piece of advice is to personalise your application by studying the university you’re applying to very carefully. Make it clear that your academic goals are aligned with the programme they offer. It also incorporates any relevant merits.
