Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
🇨🇭 Switzerland
PhD
- Monthly allowance (CHF 1,920)
- Tuition fee exemption
- Health insurance
Deadline: November (varies by country)
🇨🇭
Europe
Scholarships in Switzerland for International Students
1 verified scholarships · 1 fully funded · Including Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Switzerland is a top study destination renowned for its centuries-old academic traditions, affordable tuition programs, and rich cultural diversity. We've compiled 1 scholarship opportunities — including 1 fully funded programs — to help international students fund their education in Switzerland in 2026.
1
Total Scholarships
1
Fully Funded
1
Degree Levels
1
Open to All Nations
All Scholarships in Switzerland
Why Study in Switzerland?
Switzerland punches dramatically above its weight in higher education: ETH Zurich consistently ranks in the global top 10, EPFL in the global top 20, and 9 of the country's 12 cantonal universities sit in the global top 200. Tuition at public universities is remarkably low even by European standards (CHF 700–1,500/semester), and the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships fund PhD and postdoctoral researchers from over 180 countries. The country combines world-leading research infrastructure (CERN, IBM Zurich, EPFL labs) with strong industrial R&D, particularly in pharma, finance, and machine learning.
Top Universities in Switzerland for International Students
These universities anchor the country's scholarship pipeline and are routinely the destination institutions for the funded programmes listed above.
ETH Zurich
Zurich
Engineering, computer science, mathematics (global top 10)
EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)
Lausanne
Engineering, life sciences, AI
University of Zurich
Zurich
Medicine, finance, humanities
University of Geneva
Geneva
International relations, law, life sciences
University of Bern
Bern
Medicine, astronomy, climate science
University of Basel
Basel
Pharmaceutical sciences, history, philosophy
University of Lausanne
Lausanne
Earth sciences, criminology, business
University of St. Gallen (HSG)
St. Gallen
Business, economics, finance
Tuition and Cost of Living in Switzerland
Fully funded scholarships normally cover both tuition and a monthly living allowance, but knowing the underlying costs helps you choose between full and partial funding offers.
Annual Tuition (Self-Funded Rate)
- Undergraduate
- CHF 1,400–3,300 per year
- Master's
- CHF 1,400–3,300 per year
- PhD
- Salaried positions (~CHF 50,000–80,000/year gross)
Lausanne and Geneva universities slightly more expensive for non-EU. ETH and EPFL doctoral candidates are paid employees.
Monthly Living Budget (CHF1,700–CHF2,700)
- Rent
- CHF 700–1,500 (student housing; Zurich and Geneva most expensive in Europe)
- Food
- CHF 400–600
- Transport
- CHF 80–200 (regional/half-fare cards essential)
Switzerland is among the most expensive countries globally. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships pay CHF 1,920/month, which is sufficient with university housing.
Student Visa, Work Rights, and Post-Study Pathway
Visa rules and post-graduation work rights vary dramatically between destinations — for many applicants they matter as much as the scholarship itself.
National D Visa for Studies
- Visa Fee
- CHF 88
- Processing Time
- 8–12 weeks
- Financial Proof Required
- CHF 21,000/year (proof in Swiss bank account or supervisor's confirmation for funded researchers)
- Health Insurance
- Mandatory Swiss health insurance within 3 months of arrival; ~CHF 90–250/month depending on plan and canton
- Work While Studying
- 15 hours/week during term, full-time during breaks (after 6 months in Switzerland for non-EU)
Post-Study Work Rights
6 months residence permit after graduation to find skilled work in Switzerland. Switching to a B work permit is possible with employer sponsorship; non-EU labour quotas apply but are routinely met for graduates of Swiss universities.
English Language Requirements
For English-taught programmes: IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL iBT 90–100. German-taught programmes require TestDaF or Goethe C1; French-taught DELF B2 or DALF C1; Italian-taught CILS B2+. ETH Zurich uniquely accepts a wider range of English certifications.
Application Timeline for Switzerland Scholarships
Most scholarship deadlines are 8–14 months before the programme start date. Backwards-plan from your target intake to avoid missing key dates.
- 1
12–15 months before
Identify federal vs. cantonal universities; check eligible-country list for FCS scholarships.
- 2
10–12 months before
Take IELTS/TOEFL/TestDaF; secure transcripts.
- 3
8–10 months before
Apply to programmes (ETH and EPFL deadlines December for autumn intake; others typically January–April).
- 4
6–8 months before
Apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships through your country's Swiss Embassy (deadlines vary August–November).
- 5
3–5 months before
Receive admission, apply for D visa, arrange Swiss health insurance and accommodation.
How to Win a Scholarship in Switzerland
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships and applications go through your country's Swiss Embassy (not the university). Deadlines vary by country — typically August to November. The scholarship requires a Swiss university supervisor's confirmation of acceptance, so contact prospective supervisors 12+ months in advance. ETH Zurich, EPFL, and University of Zurich run their own substantial Master's scholarships (ETH Excellence Scholarship, EPFL Excellence Scholarships) with separate competitive processes. Awareness of the federal scholarship is limited in many countries; embassies are often eager to receive strong applications.
Switzerland Scholarships at a Glance
- ETH Zurich and EPFL are consistently among the world's top 20 engineering universities.
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships pay CHF 1,920/month plus tuition + insurance + airfare.
- PhD candidates at ETH and EPFL are salaried employees with the highest stipends in Europe.
- Public university tuition in Switzerland is among the lowest in Western Europe despite high living costs.
Scholarships in Switzerland by Student Nationality
Find scholarships in Switzerland tailored to students from your home country. Select your nationality to see specific opportunities and eligibility requirements.
🇵🇰 Pakistani Students 🇮🇳 Indian Students 🇳🇬 Nigerian Students 🇧🇩 Bangladeshi Students 🇰🇪 Kenyan Students 🇬🇭 Ghanaian Students 🇵🇭 Filipino Students 🇪🇬 Egyptian Students 🇪🇹 Ethiopian Students 🇳🇵 Nepali Students 🇻🇳 Vietnamese Students 🇮🇩 Indonesian Students 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan Students 🇹🇿 Tanzanian Students 🇺🇬 Ugandan Students
Explore Other Study Destinations
Considering other countries? Browse scholarships in these popular study destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in Switzerland
Yes, Switzerland offers several fully funded scholarships that cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and sometimes even travel costs. Government-sponsored programs and university-specific awards provide comprehensive funding for international students at all degree levels.
Competition varies by program. Prestigious government scholarships tend to be highly competitive with acceptance rates under 5%, while university-specific funding and partial scholarships are more accessible. Starting your application early and maintaining strong academic credentials significantly improves your chances.
Most English-taught programs require IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100) scores. Many European universities also offer programs in the local language, with preparatory language courses included in some scholarship packages.
Start researching and preparing at least 12–18 months before your intended start date. Most scholarship deadlines fall between October and March for programs starting the following September. Early preparation gives you time to gather recommendation letters, write strong personal statements, and take standardized tests.
Most student visa categories in Switzerland allow part-time work during term time (typically 15–20 hours per week) and full-time work during holidays. However, many fully funded scholarships provide sufficient living allowances, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies.
TheScholarSphere currently lists 1 scholarship programs in Switzerland for the 2026 academic year, ranging from fully funded government scholarships to partial university grants. New opportunities are added regularly, so subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
Scholarship Alerts
Never Miss a Scholarship Deadline
Get curated scholarship opportunities, application tips, and deadline reminders delivered straight to your inbox every week.
Verified scholarships only
Weekly updates
Unsubscribe anytime