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Switzerland
Scholarship Guide: Studying in Switzerland
SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDY IN SWITZERLAND
SWISS GOVERNMENT EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FOREIGN SCHOLARS AND ARTISTS
The Swiss confederation awards governemnet excellence scholarships to international students to promote international exchange and research. Two scholarships are offered, research and art scholarships, for students seeking postgraduate degrees. Receipients are selected by the awarding body, the Federal commission for scholarships for foreign students.
ELIGIBILITY: Research scholarships are open to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree as a minimum) who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at doctoral or post-doctoral level. Art scholarships are open to art students wishing to pursue an initial master’s degree in Switzerland. For full eligibility requirements, click here. AWARD: The award varies depending on the scholarship. DEADLINE: The deadline varies depending on the scholarship. Learn more here.
EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP & OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM
ETH Zurich offers an excellence scholarship & opportunity program to excellent master’s students, offering cost waivers as well as specific supervision.
ELIGIBILITY: This scholarship is open to excellent students both from the ETH and from other universities (national and international) wishing to pursue their master’s degree at ETH Zurich. The prerequisite is a very good result in their bachelor’s. Students must belong to the top 10 percent of their bachelor’s program. AWARD: Recipients will be awarded living and study expenses (CHF 11,000 per semester) as well as a tuition fee waiver. The scholarship begins when the student commences his or her master’s degree and is awarded for the regular duration of the master’s program (three or four semesters). It is awarded independently of the scholarship holder’s financial situation. DEADLINE: December. Learn more here.
IMD offers a variety of merit and need-based MBA scholarships. Applicants may apply to several simultaneously, however, only one scholarship can be awarded per candidate. Scholarships are granted subject to nomination by the scholarship selection committee, acceptance into the program and confirmation of your intention to participate in the program by paying the advance deposit.
ELIGIBILITY: These scholarships are open to international students from developing countries who have good academic results. AWARD: A range of scholarships are offered every year that total up to CHF 85,000. DEADLINE: Rolling deadlines depending on the scholarship. Learn more here.
EXPFL EXCELLNCE SCHOLARSHIPS
EPFL offers a limited number of fellowships at the master’s level to students with outstanding academic records. Some of these fellowships are financed by EPFL directly and others through partnerships with foundations or companies.
ELIGIBILITY: These scholarships are open to international students who have been accepted in Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne. AWARD: Recipients will be awarded CHF 16,000 per academic year (split into monthly payments), CHF 32,000 for a 2 years master’s (120 credits), and CHF 24,000 for a 1.5 year master’s (90 credits) including reservation of a room in students accomodation. Fellowships for international applications include CHF 10,000 (split into 2 payments) and a certificate of excellence for the results obtained during their bachelor’s. DEADLINE: April 15 or December 15.
The Graduate Institute has decided to support refugees in Switzerland holding a B or F permit and wishing to pursue their studies by offering them a full annual scholarship.
ELIGIBILITY: Applicants should have been granted a Swiss Refugee status (Permit B) or have a Provisional Admission for Foreigners status (Permit F). Applicants must also provide a letter from the Swiss Government confirming refugee status or provisional admission in Switzerland. AWARD: A full annual scholarship amounting to CHF 20,000 to cover living expenses, with the possibility of a tuition fee reduction depending on the candidate’s financial means. DEADLINE: 15 January 2020.
ETH Zurich supports excellent Master’s students with two scholarship programs. The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Program (ESOP) supports students with a scholarship, mentorship and a network of the ETH Foundation. The scholarship covers the full study and living costs during the Master’s degree course. The ETH-D Scholarship contains a partial stipend as well as additional offers by the Department (assistantship or additional scholarship). There is only one application process for both Master scholarship programs.
ELIGIBILITY: The scholarship programs are open to excellent students wanting to pursue their Master’s degree at ETH Zurich. Applicants must have great results in the Bachelor’s degree program (top 10% of the Bachelor’s degree program = grade A. AWARD: The Excellence Scholarship/ESOP consists of a grant covering living and study expenses (CHF 12,000 per semester) as well as a tuition fee waiver. The ETH-D Scholarship consists of a partial stipend for living and study expenses (CHF 7,500 per semester) as well as a tuition fee waiver. The department will additionally provide a scholarship of CHF 3’000 per semester or offer an assistantship DEADLINE: 15 December 2020.
UNIL MASTER’S GRANTS
University of Lausanne offers scholarships for excellence that are exclusively for students who have graduated from a foreign university and want to pursue their master’s degree in UNIL.
ELIGIBILITY: These scholarships are open to international students. AWARD: Recipients will be awarded CHF 1,600 per month for the complete duration of the master’s. The scholarship is granted for the minimum statutory period of the program chosen by the student. DEADLINE: November. Learn more here.
GRADUATE INSTITUTE: GENEVA, FINANCIAL AID
The Graduate Institute strives to attract talented scholars from around the world, regardless of origin and financial ability. They invest over CHF 2 million each year to support our students throughout their studies, thanks to their donors and solidarity fund.
ELIGIBILITY: The Financial Aid Committee evaluates the following criteria: documented financial need and academic achievement. AWARD: A student might be awarded one type of aid or a combination of different types of support: partial scholarship (CHF 10,000 per year), full scholarship (CHF 20,000 per year) or tuition reduction. DEADLINE: Apply for financial aid during your application for admission, in the Early Bird (15 November) or regular round (15 January).
Excellence Scholarships are granted to foreign students enrolled in Bachelor studies at the University of St. Gallen on the basis of merit. These grants are awarded yearly to students in the Assessment Year, which will be paid out over a period of three years.
ELIGIBILITY: Foreign students with internationally recognized and relevant educational qualifications and certificates who have to have passed the internal admission test of the University of St. Gallen. AWARD: At present, a grantee receives an annual sum of CHF 6 258 (this corresponds to a scholarship of CHF 18k,74). DEADLINE: July.
EXCELLENCE MASTER’S SCHOLARSHIPS
The Faculty of Science at the University of Geneva has an internationally top ranked science department and offers students an excellence fellowship to pursue a Master of Science.
ELIGIBILITY: These scholarships are open to international students. AWARD: Recipients will be awarded CHF 10,000 – CHF 15,000 per year (no teaching duties); the award lasts for one year and can be extended for the regular duration of the chosen master’s program (three or four semesters) provided the applicant is academically successful at the end of his/her first semester of study. DEADLINE: March. Learn more here.
ALFRED WERNER MASTER’S STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
This scholarship targets students from foreign countries in the top 10% of their undergraduate programs. The goal of the program is to support talented students to perform their MSc studies in Switzerland.
ELIGIBILITY: Candidates must apply for admission to a M.Sc. program at a Swiss University or a Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (see Foundation website for contacts), and, at the same time ask for the support of the institution for an Alfred Werner Scholarship. AWARD: CHF 30,000. DEADLINE: The Foundation expects to receive the nominations of the different institutions by mid-April.
MEDICUS STUDENT EXCHANGE SCHOLARSHIP
The Medicus Student Exchange Scholarship program provides partial financial support for U.S. Residents at the junior, senior or graduate college level who have been accepted to study at a Swiss University or Federal Institute of Technology. The full amount of these grants is paid directly to the university upon proof of registration.
ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be U.S. Residents who are permanently domiciled in the U.S. They have been accepted to a Swiss University or to a Federal Institute of Technology and will study full-time at undergraduate (college junior or senior) or graduate school level. AWARD: Partial financial support. DEADLINE: 31 March 2021.
