University of Lausanne Master’s Grants (Switzerland)

The University of Lausanne Master’s Grants pay international students CHF 1,600 per month for the entire master’s, plus tuition exemption, on the Lake Geneva campus next to EPFL. Around ten grants go each year to applicants whose foreign bachelor’s results stand out and who could not otherwise afford Swiss study.

The application is a standalone dossier submitted by November 1 for the following September, judged by a university commission alongside regular admission. For students targeting Switzerland without Swiss-level savings, this is one of the few genuinely need-aware full-stipend routes.

• International students holding a foreign bachelor's degree, applying to a master's at the University of Lausanne.
• The foreign degree must be recognized as equivalent by UNIL and distinguish itself by its quality (top-tier results expected).
• Applicants must not have been previously enrolled at UNIL and must not already hold a master's.
• All nationalities compete; the grant explicitly targets students who could not study in Switzerland without support.
• Language per program: French for most master's, with a set of English-taught options (proof at B2 to C1 by track).
• Commitment to full-time study in Lausanne for the program's duration.

• CHF 1,600 every month from September through the master's standard duration, one of Europe's most generous university stipends.
• Exemption from the standard tuition, leaving only a small semester fee of around CHF 80.
• Study on the Lake Geneva campus shared with EPFL, in one of Europe's strongest research ecosystems.
• Around 10 grants awarded annually, so real but winnable competition.
• Access to UNIL strengths from HEC Lausanne to life sciences, sport sciences and criminology.
• Swiss residence during studies with the quality of life that entails.

• UNIL Master's Grant application form from the university's grants page.
• Bachelor's transcripts and diploma with certified translations where needed.
• Detailed CV and a motivation letter explaining need and fit.
• Two reference letters (academic).
• Language evidence per your chosen program (French or English).
• Copy of passport and any program-specific attachments.

• Choose an eligible UNIL master's program and confirm its language requirement early.
• Download and complete the Master's Grant dossier from the UNIL website.
• Submit the complete application by November 1, 2026 for studies starting September 2027.
• The university's selection commission shortlists and decides by spring.
• Winners receive the grant decision along with admission processing.
• Unsuccessful candidates can still pursue regular admission, since the grant application runs alongside it.