This article details the Top 10 Scholarships in Switzerland for International Students. Are you aware that Switzerland offers relatively affordable tuition fees for its universities compared to other European countries?
You can enroll in a Swiss university for as little as $1,500 per year, making it a popular choice for international students seeking education in Europe.
Additionally, Swiss scholarships are available for international students to assist with tuition fees and living expenses.
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Below is a list of Swiss Government Scholarships for International Students:
1. Swiss Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students
The Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships yearly to encourage international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and more than 180 other countries. This scholarship is available to post-graduate researchers in any field, who hold a minimum master’s degree and plan to pursue research or further studies at the doctoral or post-doctoral level in Switzerland.
The scholarship provides a monthly payment, exemption from tuition fees, health insurance, airfare, housing allowance, and other benefits.
Here is a list of Swiss Universities that offer Scholarships for International Students:
2. ETH Excellence Scholarships
ETH Zurich offers two scholarship programs to outstanding students who want to pursue a Master’s degree at ETH, whether from the university or other national and international institutions.
These programs are the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP), which covers all the study and living expenses, and the Master Scholarship Programme (MSP), which provides a partial stipend and the opportunity to work as an assistant.
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3. University of Lausanne Master’s Grants for Foreign Students
International students pursuing a Master’s Degree at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland can apply for the UNIL Master’s Grants. The scholarship offers a monthly amount of CHF 1,600 from September 15th to July 15th, for the duration of the program’s minimum period.
4. EPFL Excellence Fellowships
EPFL offers select fellowships to students with exceptional academic records applying to a Master’s Program. These fellowships are open to all applicants. For external candidates, each fellowship includes a financial award of CHF 16,000 per academic year and a reserved room in student housing.

5. Graduate Institute Geneva Scholarships
The Institute is committed to providing financial assistance to attract exceptional scholars worldwide, regardless of their financial background. The financial aid offered can come in different forms, including a full scholarship worth CHF 20,000, a partial scholarship worth CHF 10,000, a reduction in tuition fees, or a research/teaching assistantship.
Additionally, highly ranked Ph.D. students may receive a 4-year package that includes 2 years of full scholarship and 2 years of teaching assistantship.
6. University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships
The Faculty of Science at the University of Geneva has partnered with various sponsors to create the Excellence Fellowship Program. This initiative aims to assist exceptional and driven applicants who plan to pursue a Master of Science degree in any subject the faculty offers. Recipients of the Excellence Fellowship will receive a grant from CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 annually.
7. IMD MBA Scholarships
IMD provides scholarship programs ranging from CHF 25,000-50,000 for international students of diverse backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to get a full scholarship in Switzerland for international students?
The application process for a Swiss government scholarship is free of charge. The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students offers Swiss government scholarships exclusively via Switzerland’s official diplomatic representations in the applicants’ countries of origin.
Does Switzerland offer scholarships for international students?
You can enroll at a Swiss University for as low as $1,500 a year. This makes Switzerland one of the top choices for international students pursuing studies in Europe. Moreover, Swiss scholarships for international students are available to help with tuition fees and living costs.
How do I get a fully funded scholarship in Switzerland?
The awarding body selects recipients, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS). The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are aimed at young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree or Ph.D. and at foreign artists holding a bachelor’s degree.
Which scholarship is fully funded in Switzerland without IELTS?
Some examples include; Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Swiss Confederation to foreign students for graduate studies at Swiss universities. They do not require an IELTS score, but students must have a good academic record and be highly motivated.
How much CGPA is required for a scholarship in Switzerland?
Students with a 3.5 or equivalent GPA are eligible for this scholarship. This is for all bachelor programs, with participation in the Honors Program.