Switzerland is famous for its awe-inspiring mountain views, gourmet cheese and chocolate, and scenic cable car rides through the Alps. Beyond its landscapes, Switzerland is also known for high-quality higher education and comparatively moderate public-university tuition fees, although living costs can be high. International students may reduce their study costs through scholarships offered by the Swiss government, universities, foundations, and other organizations.
Education is highly valued in the country, and attracting talented students from around the world supports research, innovation, and international exchange. Switzerland has a top-notch education system, so many students look for ways to study there with financial support. In this article, we have listed scholarship opportunities in Switzerland and a few external awards that may help eligible students fund their studies.
Top Scholarships in Switzerland for International Students
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships | Swiss Government | Research fellowships, Ph.D., first art Master’s | CHF 2,450 per month, one-time housing allowance, and health insurance for non-EU/EFTA scholarship holders |
| Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) | ETH Zürich | Master’s | CHF 12,000 per semester for living and study expenses, plus tuition fee waiver |
| Alfred Werner Masters Scholarships | External | Master’s in Chemistry or Biochemistry | One-time contribution of CHF 30,000 for a two-year Master’s program |
| Excellence Scholarships of the University of St. Gallen | University of St. Gallen | Bachelor’s | Current Bachelor’s tuition fees for six semesters |
| UBS Center Scholarships | Zurich University’s Graduate School of Economics | Ph.D. | Full scholarship covering living expenses and all fees, plus CHF 5,000 in research funds |
| University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships | University of Geneva | Master’s | CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 per year |
| Friedrich Naumann Foundation Scholarship for European Students | External | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | Varies by funding category; fellows receive a study-cost allowance of €300 per month |
| IMD Master of Business Administration Scholarship | Institute for Management Development | MBA | Several MBA scholarships and bursaries are available, including awards from CHF 30,000 to CHF 50,000 and selected full-funding awards |
| ETH Scholarship | ETH Zürich | Bachelor’s, Master’s | Subsidiary need-based support |
| University of Lausanne Master’s Grants | University of Lausanne | Master’s | CHF 1,600 per month for 10 months per year, plus exemption from fixed registration fees except CHF 80 per semester |
| Geneva Graduate Institute Refugee Scholarship | Geneva Graduate Institute | Master’s, Ph.D. | Annual scholarship of CHF 20,000 for living expenses, with possible tuition fee reduction |
| Ernst Göhner Scholarships | External | Bachelor’s, Master’s | CHF 1,650 per month for up to six semesters, depending on the scholarship track |
| Swiss Study Foundation Scholarships | External | Admitted Swiss Study Foundation members | CHF 20,000 for one- to two-year study or research abroad; CHF 5,000 and CHF 500 grants for shorter stays |
1. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: CHF 2,450 per month, a one-time housing allowance, health insurance for non-EU/EFTA scholarship holders, and other benefits depending on the scholarship type
- Eligible Degree/s: Research fellowships, Ph.D., and first art Master’s degrees
- Meet the Swiss Government Excellence Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys including Mariano from Argentina and Katyayani from India
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is one of the best scholarships in Switzerland for international students. It is granted by the Swiss Confederation and offered through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS). The scholarship is awarded to selected international postgraduate researchers and artists to encourage international exchange and research cooperation. The main categories are research scholarships and art scholarships. Research scholarships support research fellows and doctoral researchers in Switzerland. Applicants must secure support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss university, university of applied sciences, federal institute of technology, or recognized research institute.
Art scholarships are for highly talented art students who want to pursue their first master’s degree at a Swiss university of the arts or conservatory. However, this scholarship is available only to applicants from a limited number of countries, so applicants should check availability for their country before preparing an application. Qualified applicants must meet the FCS degree, age, academic, research, or artistic requirements. The success of an application depends on the applicant’s profile, research project or art portfolio, and the potential for future cooperation.
If you pass the preliminary selection, your application will be shortlisted. Applications are then evaluated by the FCS according to the candidate profile, the quality of the research project or artistic work, and the potential for future cooperation.
Here is what Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Scholars Say:
“The scholarship provided me with a monthly living allowance of 3,500 CHF, a one-time housing deposit allowance of 300 CHF, a half-fare travel card valid for one year, coverage for my return flight to my home country, and comprehensive health insurance.”
Debabrata Dutta
“Since the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship did not require a standardized test (i.e., English proficiency), my preparation was focused more on academic communication than formal testing.”
Greta Mazzaggio
“The Swiss Excellence Scholarship is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of just 10–15%.”
Nargiz Hajiyeva
“As part of the formal application process, I had to translate all my academic degrees and transcripts from Spanish into French using an official sworn translator, which required time, money, and coordination.”
Mariano Villalba
2. Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: CHF 12,000 per semester and a tuition fee waiver
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
ETH Zürich is a public university in Zürich, Switzerland, that offers the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme to applicants pursuing a master’s degree at ETH. The scholarship is offered for the regular duration of the master’s program, usually three or four semesters. It covers living and study expenses of CHF 12,000 per semester, provides a tuition fee waiver, and includes access to the ESOP network. Applicants are expected to have a very strong academic record.
To apply for this Switzerland scholarship, submit the required ESOP application documents, including the master’s thesis pre-proposal and references when required by the program. Applications are assessed by the admissions committees of the respective master’s programs, and the final award decision is made by ETH Zürich.
3. Alfred Werner Masters Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: One-time contribution of CHF 30,000 for a two-year Master’s program
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s in Chemistry or Biochemistry
The Alfred Werner Masters Scholarships are granted by the Alfred Werner Fund of the Swiss Chemical Society Foundation. They support exceptional international students in the top 10% of their undergraduate programs who intend to pursue a master’s degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry at a Swiss university or federal institute of technology. The foundation offers up to 12 scholarships of CHF 30,000 as a one-time contribution toward the cost of a two-year master’s program.
Applicants must apply for admission to an eligible master’s program at a Swiss university or federal institute of technology and ask that institution to support them for the Alfred Werner Scholarship. Direct applications from candidates to the foundation are not accepted, and candidates are encouraged to start early because the university admission and selection process can take time.
4. Excellence Scholarships of the University of St. Gallen
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Current Bachelor’s tuition fees for six semesters
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
The Excellence Scholarship, one of the best scholarships in Switzerland for international students, is a merit-based scholarship given to students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at the University of St. Gallen. The scholarship amount corresponds to the current tuition fees at the bachelor’s level for a total of six semesters. Enrolled students with outstanding academic performance in the HSG Assessment Year are identified by the Advice Center for Study Funding and invited to apply. An application without an invitation from the university is not possible.
The University of St. Gallen also offers the HSG Best Talents Programme for outstanding and engaged bachelor’s graduates from EU/EFTA countries, as well as holders of a Swiss C permit, who want to pursue a master’s degree at HSG. Selected students receive financial support, coverage of tuition fees, contributions to living expenses, and access to a personal development program.
5. UBS Center Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Full scholarship covering living expenses and all fees, plus CHF 5,000 in research funds
- Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D.
The UBS Center Scholarships are merit-based scholarships in Switzerland for outstanding Ph.D. students at the Graduate School of Economics at the University of Zurich. The scholarship supports doctoral studies and covers living expenses and all fees. Each scholarship holder also receives CHF 5,000 in research funds.
The current program focuses mainly on students in higher years of the Ph.D. program, especially students who are in their third year and would receive funding at the start of their fourth year. Students in their second and fourth years may also be eligible. Preference may be given to students whose research plans include areas of interest to the UBS Center of Economics in Society, but applications from all areas of economics are welcomed.
6. University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 per year
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
The University of Geneva is a public university located in Geneva and is recognized as a leading research institution in Switzerland. The Faculty of Science offers an Excellence Fellowship program for outstanding and highly motivated students interested in pursuing a Master of Science degree in one of the disciplines covered by the Faculty of Science.
Students may apply regardless of their home university, as long as they meet the admission criteria for the master’s program of their choice and are selected based on the fellowship application file. Each master’s program has its own academic requirements, so applicants should review the official program and admissions pages before applying.
Successful candidates receive a grant of CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 per year. The fellowship is awarded for one year and may be extended for the regular duration of the chosen master’s program, usually three or four semesters, provided the student remains academically successful. Required documents include a passport or national identity card, curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, a motivation letter, and two reference letters.
7. Friedrich Naumann Foundation Scholarship for European Students
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Varies by funding category; all fellows receive a study-cost allowance of €300 per month
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom offers scholarships for students and doctoral candidates. This is an external scholarship from a German foundation, so it is not a Switzerland-specific university scholarship. However, eligible students may be able to receive support for study-related stays abroad, including stays of up to 12 months, depending on the case and available resources.
Citizens of EU member states may apply for basic funding or doctoral funding under the foundation’s rules. Applicants should note that German-language ability is important because application documents and selection interviews are generally in German, and knowledge of German at least at B2 level is required for participation in the foundation’s support program.
The scholarship amount depends on the funding category. All fellows receive a study-cost allowance of €300 per month. Other funding, including basic funding, doctoral funding, health insurance support, and study-abroad support, is assessed according to the foundation’s rules.
8. IMD Master of Business Administration Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Multiple awards are available, including CHF 30,000, CHF 40,000, CHF 50,000, and selected full-funding scholarships
- Eligible Degree/s: MBA
The Institute for Management Development is a Swiss academic institution that offers scholarships and bursaries for students pursuing its Master of Business Administration program. Students from around the world who show strong academic or professional performance and leadership potential may be considered for funding.
IMD offers several MBA scholarships, including merit scholarships, diversity-focused scholarships, women-focused scholarships, and need-based bursaries. To apply, candidates generally complete the scholarship application in the program section of the MBA application form. For need-based bursaries, candidates must demonstrate financial need, and IMD considers academic results, reference letters, and career progression.
Scholarship values vary by award. Current awards include scholarships of CHF 30,000, CHF 40,000, CHF 50,000, and selected full-funding scholarships. Applicants should review IMD’s official scholarship list and deadlines, as some awards are available throughout 2026 until allocated, while others have specific deadlines.
9. ETH Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Subsidiary need-based support; amount depends on financial circumstances and available funds
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s
ETH Zürich offers social scholarships for bachelor’s and master’s students as well as merit-based excellence scholarships for master’s students. Social scholarships are need-based and are designed as subsidiary funding. They do not cover full living and study costs, so students and their families remain primarily responsible for financing their studies.
International bachelor’s students may apply after successfully passing the first-year examinations in all parts. Master’s students without an ETH bachelor’s degree may apply after completing at least 40 ECTS credits in the preceding master’s study year. Applicants must provide official documents showing their financial circumstances.
If you qualify for ETH need-based support, your living and study costs may be subsidized by the university. However, funds are limited and do not cover the full cost of studying and living in Switzerland. Applicants should consult the official ETH scholarship page and application window for the relevant academic year.
10. University of Lausanne Master’s Grants
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: CHF 1,600 per month for 10 months per year, plus exemption from fixed registration fees except CHF 80 per semester
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
The University of Lausanne offers Master’s Grants to exceptional students who graduated from foreign universities and whose academic results are of a very high level. Around 10 grants are awarded each year.
To be eligible, the student must have obtained a foreign university degree considered equivalent to a bachelor’s degree at UNIL before the start of the master’s program. Applicants must have outstanding academic results, must not have previously been registered at UNIL, and must meet the language level required for the chosen master’s program. Some master’s programs are excluded from this scholarship, so applicants should check the official list before applying.
The grant is CHF 1,600 per month from September 15 to July 15, or 10 months per year, for the minimum statutory duration of the master’s program. Scholarship recipients are exempt from fixed registration fees for courses, except for CHF 80 per semester. A CHF 200 administration fee is required as part of the application process.
11. Geneva Graduate Institute Refugee Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Annual scholarship of CHF 20,000 for living expenses, with the possibility of a tuition fee reduction
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D.
The Geneva Graduate Institute offers a Refugee Scholarship for refugees in Switzerland who wish to pursue their studies. The scholarship supports candidates applying to master’s or Ph.D. programs at the Institute.
Applicants should have Swiss refugee status with a B permit or provisional admission for foreigners with an F permit, be resident in Switzerland, and be accepted into one of the study programs at the Institute. Priority is given to candidates who meet these criteria. If the Institute is unable to find a candidate, the search may be expanded to people who have been, or currently are, refugees in a country other than Switzerland.
Scholars may receive an annual scholarship of CHF 20,000 to cover living expenses, with the possibility of a tuition fee reduction depending on financial need. The scholarship may be renewed based on a documented application.
12. Ernst Göhner Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: CHF 1,650 per month for up to six semesters, depending on the scholarship track
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The Ernst Göhner Scholarships are offered by the Swiss Study Foundation in cooperation with the Ernst Göhner Foundation. Different tracks support students in several fields, including sciences, humanities, social sciences, and the arts.
The Ernst Göhner Scholarships in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences are excellence scholarships for financially needy students who have already been admitted to the Swiss Study Foundation’s support program. The scholarship provides CHF 1,650 per month, and the maximum funding period is six semesters.
The Ernst Göhner Scholarships for Artists in Training support excellent students in art and design, excluding architecture. Applicants must meet the Swiss Study Foundation’s admission criteria and be willing to participate actively in its support program. For this track, the scholarship also provides CHF 1,650 per month, with a maximum funding period of six semesters.
13. Swiss Study Foundation Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: CHF 20,000 for one- to two-year study or research abroad; CHF 5,000 and CHF 500 grants for shorter stays
- Eligible Degree/s: Admitted Swiss Study Foundation members
The Swiss Study Foundation offers scholarships to students who have successfully passed the selection process for admission to the foundation. Only a fraction of Swiss Study Foundation students receive financial support, and financial need alone is not enough for admission to the program.
The Annual Scholarship of the Swiss Study Foundation supports one- to two-year studies abroad or longer research stays abroad. It is funded through SERI’s ERI Dispatch. The annual scholarship amount is CHF 20,000. The foundation also awards CHF 5,000 grants and CHF 500 subsidies for shorter study stays, conference visits, or library stays abroad.
Students interested in these Switzerland-related scholarship opportunities should first review the Swiss Study Foundation’s participation requirements and current scholarship programs. Some opportunities are awarded internally, while others have separate public calls.
We hope that this article on scholarships in Switzerland was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
