Scholarships in Switzerland

Studying in Switzerland with a scholarship

Switzerland is home to internationally recognised universities and research institutions, including ETH Zurich, EPFL and several major cantonal universities. For international students, the country can offer excellent academic and research opportunities, but the cost of living is relatively high and scholarship coverage varies considerably.

One useful thing to understand is that tuition fees in Switzerland are not the same at every university. Some public universities charge relatively modest fees, while others charge international students significantly more.

For the 2026/27 academic year, for example, foreign students at the University of Geneva pay CHF 435 per semester, while the University of Bern charges CHF 2,550. ETH Zurich and EPFL currently charge foreign students CHF 2,190 per semester. These figures can change, so applicants should always check the university’s own fee page before applying.

This means Switzerland should not simply be described as either “cheap” or “expensive.” The actual cost depends heavily on the institution, programme and city.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

One of the best-known funding routes for international applicants is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

These scholarships are awarded by the Swiss Confederation through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students. For the 2027/28 academic year, the programme is open to applicants from 183 countries.

However, students should understand who these scholarships are actually designed for.

The main government scholarships are primarily intended for early-career researchers who have already completed a master’s degree. They are not general bachelor’s or ordinary taught master’s scholarships.

Research applicants normally need to identify an academic supervisor at a recognised Swiss institution who is willing to support the proposed project. Applications without the required academic supervision are not considered.

This is important because finding the right supervisor can take time. Applicants should not wait until the scholarship deadline before beginning that process.

What the government scholarship currently provides

For the 2027/28 cycle, research and doctoral scholarship recipients receive CHF 2,450 per month toward basic living expenses. The amount was increased beginning in 2026.

The scholarship is intended to support one person and should not automatically be treated as covering every expense associated with studying in Switzerland.

For example, the Swiss Government states that tuition and semester fees are not automatically covered by the Federal Excellence Scholarship. Depending on the institution, scholarship holders may still need to pay approximately CHF 600 to CHF 2,000 per semester or other applicable charges.

Applicants should therefore calculate the full cost of their proposed study or research period before assuming that the stipend will cover everything.

A major change for 2027/28

Applicants researching older scholarship information online should be careful.

The Swiss Government announced that postdoctoral scholarships will no longer be awarded from the 2027/28 academic year. The government is placing greater emphasis on doctoral-level scholarships while reducing the overall number of funded places.

Older websites may still describe postdoctoral funding as part of the programme, so students should verify the current cycle on the official Swiss Government website rather than relying on previous-year information.

Art scholarships are different

Switzerland also offers government-supported art scholarships, but these are only available to applicants from a limited number of countries.

They are intended for students pursuing an initial master’s degree in an artistic discipline at a Swiss university of the arts or conservatory.

This is one of the few situations where the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship programme can support master’s-level study, but it should not be confused with a general master’s scholarship available across all subjects.

Applicants should check their country-specific eligibility before preparing an application.

Country-specific eligibility matters

The Swiss Government scholarship programme does not have one identical deadline or scholarship type for every nationality.

Applicants need to check the official list for their country of origin to see:

• which scholarship types are available
• whether their nationality is eligible
• the relevant deadline
• any country-specific requirements
• where and how the application should be submitted

For the 2027/28 cycle, applications opened from 20 August 2026, but individual deadlines differ by country.

Do not use another country’s deadline as your own.

Finding an academic supervisor

For research fellowships and PhD scholarships, securing appropriate academic supervision is a central part of the application.

Applicants should look for professors or research group leaders whose work genuinely matches their proposed research topic. The purpose is not simply to obtain a signature. The proposed supervisor should be able to support the research academically and provide an appropriate environment for the project.

A good first contact should usually be concise and professional. It should explain:

• who you are
• your academic background
• your proposed research area
• why the professor’s work is relevant
• what you hope to research
• why you are contacting that particular supervisor

Sending the same generic email to dozens of professors is unlikely to be effective.

Applicants should read the professor’s recent work before making contact.

University scholarships

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is not the only funding route.

Individual universities may provide their own:

• excellence scholarships
• merit awards
• tuition reductions
• master’s scholarships
• doctoral funding
• research assistant positions
• faculty or departmental funding

These awards have their own rules and should be treated separately from the Swiss Government programme.

For example, a student who is not eligible for a Swiss Government scholarship may still qualify for funding offered directly by a university.

This is particularly relevant for students seeking regular bachelor’s or taught master’s funding, since the main Swiss Government research scholarship is not designed for those study levels.

Understanding tuition fees

Swiss tuition fees deserve careful comparison.

According to swissuniversities, international student fees for 2026/27 vary considerably. Examples include:

• University of Basel: CHF 850 per semester
• University of Geneva: CHF 435 per semester
• University of Lausanne: CHF 500 per semester
• University of Zurich: CHF 1,220 for foreign bachelor’s students and CHF 820 for foreign master’s students
• ETH Zurich: CHF 2,190 per semester for foreign students
• EPFL: CHF 2,190 per semester for foreign students
• University of St. Gallen: more than CHF 3,000 per semester for many foreign bachelor’s and master’s students

Additional compulsory fees may also apply.

Students should use these figures for comparison only. The university’s current official fee schedule should always be checked before making financial decisions.

Living expenses require careful planning

Even where tuition is relatively affordable, living in Switzerland can be expensive.

Accommodation, food, transport, insurance and everyday expenses can place significant pressure on a student budget.

A scholarship amount should therefore be evaluated alongside the expected living cost in the city where the university is located.

Students living in Zurich or Geneva, for example, may face different housing conditions and expenses from those studying in a smaller city.

Before accepting an offer, prepare a realistic budget covering:

• tuition and semester fees
• rent and housing deposits
• health insurance
• food
• local transportation
• books and study materials
• residence permit costs
• flights
• emergency expenses

A scholarship that looks generous on paper may still require additional personal funding.

Student visas and residence permits

Visa requirements depend partly on nationality.

Students who are not citizens of the EU or EFTA generally need to contact the responsible Swiss embassy or consulate and, where required, apply for a visa before travelling to Switzerland. The relevant cantonal authorities are involved in approving long-term residence for study.

Applicants normally need evidence such as:

• valid passport
• university admission or enrolment confirmation
• evidence of sufficient financial resources
• information about accommodation
• supporting academic documents
• other documents requested by the responsible Swiss representation

The exact financial evidence and visa documentation can differ by country and canton, so students should follow the checklist issued by the Swiss embassy responsible for their place of residence.

There is no reason to rely on unofficial social-media figures for proof-of-funds requirements when the embassy provides a country-specific checklist.

Admission and scholarships are separate matters

Being selected for funding does not necessarily replace the university admission process.

Applicants should check whether they need to:

1. obtain admission before applying for the scholarship
2. apply for admission and funding separately
3. secure a supervisor first
4. provide proof of an ongoing university application
5. receive university approval after scholarship selection

For research applicants, the relationship between university admission, supervision and scholarship selection can be particularly important.

Follow the procedure given for the specific scholarship rather than assuming that one application covers everything.

Documents research applicants should prepare early

Requirements vary, but applicants for competitive Swiss research funding may need documents such as:

• academic CV
• passport
• bachelor’s and master’s certificates
• academic transcripts
• research proposal
• research timetable
• motivation letter
• recommendation letters
• supervisor support letter
• supervisor CV
• university admission or application evidence where required

The Swiss Government evaluates applications partly on the applicant’s academic profile, the quality and originality of the research project, and the strength of the proposed supervision and potential collaboration.

A research proposal should therefore be treated as one of the main parts of the application, not as a formality.

Be careful with scholarship scams

This is especially important for Switzerland.

The Swiss Government has published a specific warning about fraudulent offers using the name of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

Scammers may contact applicants by email or social media and request payments for supposed visa, insurance or scholarship processing costs.

The official Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship application is free of charge. The Federal Commission specifically advises applicants not to send money in response to fraudulent scholarship offers.

Applicants should verify scholarship information through official Swiss Government, university or recognised institutional websites before providing personal documents or making payments.

What applicants should check before applying

Before beginning a Swiss scholarship application, confirm:

• whether your nationality is eligible
• whether the scholarship supports your study level
• whether it is for a degree or a research stay
• whether a Swiss supervisor is required
• whether university admission is separate
• the exact scholarship value
• whether tuition fees are covered
• whether insurance is included
• whether travel expenses are included
• whether family expenses are covered
• the application deadline for your country
• the required visa and financial evidence

Do not assume that a scholarship described as “fully funded” covers every possible cost.

Read the official award conditions carefully.

Final advice

Switzerland can be an excellent destination for students and researchers, but applicants need to distinguish between government research scholarships and regular university funding.

For doctoral and research applicants, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are particularly important. Bachelor’s and taught master’s applicants should focus more heavily on scholarships offered directly by universities and other institutions.

Take time to compare tuition fees, living costs and the actual scholarship package before applying.

The scholarship opportunities listed below can help you begin your search, but always confirm the latest eligibility requirements, deadlines and funding conditions with the official university or scholarship provider.

Last reviewed: September 10, 2026