University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowship (Switzerland)

The University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowship rewards outstanding international students joining a Master of Science at the Faculty of Science in Geneva, Switzerland. Fellows receive CHF 10,000 to 15,000 per year with no teaching duties, renewable for the full length of the master’s when first-semester results are strong.

Eligible fields include astronomy, biology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, pharmaceutical sciences and environmental sciences, taught in one of the world’s great scientific cities. Candidates should belong to the top 10 percent of their bachelor’s cohort. The application, submitted as a single PDF, is due by February 28, 2027 for the September 2027 intake.

• Outstanding students from any university worldwide who intend to pursue a Master of Science at the University of Geneva's Faculty of Science.
• Disciplines span astronomy, biology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, pharmaceutical sciences, earth and environmental sciences.
• Bachelor's degree completed, or expected within about six months of the application, in a relevant field.
• Belonging to the top of your cohort (roughly the best 10 percent of your bachelor's programme) is the key selection signal.
• You must also meet the admission criteria of the specific master's programme you choose.
• French is not a formal requirement for the Faculty of Science; programmes run in English or in English and French.
• Students who have already started a master's at the Faculty of Science cannot apply.

• Grant of CHF 10,000 to 15,000 per year with no teaching or assistantship duties attached.
• Awarded for one year and extended for the standard length of the chosen programme (three or four semesters) if your first-semester results are strong.
• Study in a faculty hosting Swiss National Centres of Competence in Research and many European projects, with genuine research-track training.
• Geneva's international organizations (UN, WHO, CERN nearby) create unusual internship and career openings for scientists.
• The fellowship is purely merit-based and open to every nationality.
• Note: Geneva is expensive, so treat the grant as a strong contribution rather than a full cost-of-living package.

• One single PDF file containing the entire application, submitted through the online platform.
• Scan of your passport or national identity card.
• Curriculum vitae of at most two pages.
• Complete bachelor's transcript with all grades.
• Motivation letter describing your scientific interests and why you want this master's at Geneva.
• If possible, two reference letters from professors, ideally emailed by them directly to the Faculty's fellowship address.
• Any extra evidence such as GRE or TOEFL results strengthens the file.

• Choose your Master of Science programme from the Faculty of Science catalogue and check its admission requirements.
• Complete the university enrollment procedure with the Admissions Office as described on their site; the fellowship does not replace admission.
• Register on the fellowship's online application platform, which opens at the beginning of January each year, and use the personal link emailed to you to submit the single-PDF application.
• Submit everything by February 28, 2027 for programmes starting September 2027; incomplete files are not considered.
• Ask your two referees early and prefer direct email submission of their letters to the Faculty.
• Decisions are based entirely on the submitted dossier, so invest in a precise, well-structured motivation letter.