Fully Funded Scholarships in Switzerland for International Students 2025-2026

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships offer a prestigious and fully funded opportunity for international students, researchers, and postdoctoral scholars to pursue advanced studies and research in Switzerland. Administered by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), these scholarships support academic excellence and international exchange by providing funding at Switzerland’s leading public institutions, including ETH Zurich, EPFL, and the University of Geneva. With generous financial coverage and world-class academic infrastructure, this program is ideal for highly qualified individuals aiming to contribute to global research and innovation.

Features:

• Fully funded scholarships awarded by the Swiss government.

• Open to international students, PhD candidates, postdocs, and researchers.

• Available at all public Swiss universities including ETH Zurich and EPFL.

• Covers monthly stipend of CHF 1,920 for living expenses.

• Includes full tuition fee waiver at host institutions.

• Provides health insurance coverage during the stay.

• Accommodation allowance included in the scholarship package.

• Covers return airfare after completion of the program.

• Valid for one year, with possible renewal for PhD students.

• Requires strong academic background and research proposal.

The ETH Zurich Scholarship 2025-2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for academically outstanding students from around the world to pursue a fully funded master’s degree at ETH Zurich, one of Europe’s most prestigious universities. Through two main scholarship programs — the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) and the ETH-D Scholarship — ETH Zurich provides financial support to top-performing students who rank in the top 10% of their bachelor’s program. These scholarships not only waive tuition fees but also provide generous stipends to cover living and study expenses in Switzerland. With a focus on innovation, research excellence, and global impact, ETH Zurich supports future leaders in science, engineering, technology, and more by offering access to world-class faculty, research facilities, and collaborative academic environments. If you are a highly motivated student with a strong academic record and clear research goals, this scholarship could be your gateway to one of the finest educational experiences in the world.

Features :

• Fully funded scholarship for international and domestic master’s students.

• Covers CHF 12,000 per semester under the ESOP program.

• Includes full tuition fee waiver for both ESOP and ETH-D scholarships.

• ETH-D Scholarship offers CHF 7,500 stipend plus CHF 3,000 assistantship per semester.

• Available for all English-taught master’s programs at ETH Zurich.

• Requires applicants to be in the top 10% of their undergraduate class.

• Includes support for 3 to 4 semesters (full program duration).

• Pre-proposal for master’s thesis is mandatory and must follow scientific writing standards.

• Two letters of reference are required, even if not typically needed for admission.

The EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2025–2026 are prestigious, fully funded scholarships for international students who wish to pursue a master’s degree at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. Known as one of Europe’s top universities for science, engineering, and technology, EPFL offers this highly competitive fellowship to students with exceptional academic achievements from all over the world. The fellowship not only provides financial support—up to CHF 10,000 per semester—but also opens doors to advanced research opportunities, international networks, and access to EPFL’s world-class faculty and infrastructure. Whether your background is in computer science, life sciences, architecture, engineering, or any other EPFL-taught program, this fellowship provides the support needed to thrive in one of the most innovation-driven environments in Europe.

Features:

• Fully funded master’s fellowship for international students.

• Covers CHF 10,000 per semester for living and study expenses.

• Maximum duration of four semesters (three for 90-credit programs).

• Includes reservation assistance for student housing.

• Offers a certificate of excellence upon graduation.

• Open to applicants from all countries and disciplines offered at EPFL.

• Requires a strong academic background and bachelor’s degree.

• Application deadlines: March 31 and December 15 each year.

• Must submit three letters of academic recommendation.

• All documents must be submitted in English, French, German, or Italian.

The University of Geneva Excellence Masters Fellowships 2025–2026 offer fully funded financial support to outstanding international students who wish to pursue a Master of Science degree in Switzerland. Hosted by the prestigious Faculty of Science, these fellowships are awarded based on academic excellence and motivation, regardless of nationality or home university. With funding between CHF 10,000 and CHF 15,000 per year, the fellowship allows high-performing students to focus entirely on their studies in a globally recognized academic environment. The Master's programs at the University of Geneva serve as strong foundations for careers in research, industry, education, and public service, and many of them are taught in English or in both English and French.

Features:

• Fully funded fellowship offering CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 per year.

• Awarded for one year and renewable for the full Master’s duration.

• Available for all scientific Master’s programs at the Faculty of Science.

• Open to students from all countries and universities.

• Requires outstanding academic record and strong motivation.

• Master’s programs taught in English or English and French.

• No teaching duties required for fellowship holders.

• Application deadline is February 28, 2025.

• Applicants must submit one complete PDF file with all required documents.

• Reference letters and language proficiency scores can strengthen the application.

The University of Lausanne Scholarship, also known as the UNIL Master’s Grant, offers a fully funded opportunity for international students with outstanding academic records to pursue a Master’s degree in Switzerland. Awarded on a merit basis to students from foreign universities who have never been enrolled at UNIL, this scholarship provides monthly financial support of CHF 1,600 for the duration of the Master's program (typically 1.5 to 2 years). In addition to financial aid, recipients benefit from exemption of tuition fees (except a minimal semester charge), access to world-class education, and the chance to study in one of Europe’s most scenic and research-driven universities. With only about ten scholarships awarded annually, the competition is high, but so are the rewards — making it an ideal opportunity for highly motivated students looking to excel in their academic journey in Switzerland.

Features:

• Fully funded scholarship of CHF 1,600 per month.

• Awarded for the entire duration of the Master’s program (1.5 to 2 years).

• Open to students from all countries with foreign bachelor’s degrees.

• No prior registration at UNIL is allowed.

• Master’s programs taught in English or French.

• Covers tuition fee exemption (except CHF 80 per semester).

• Requires academic excellence and motivation.

• Language proficiency of at least B2 in English or French required.

• Only 10 scholarships are awarded annually.

• Application deadline is November 1, 2025 and must be submitted by post.

The IMD MBA Scholarships 2025-2026 offer outstanding international candidates the chance to pursue a world-class MBA program at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland, with generous financial support of up to CHF 85,000. Designed to recognize merit, leadership potential, diversity, and financial need, these scholarships support students from all backgrounds, helping them join a top-ranked one-year MBA that focuses on leadership, innovation, and global business challenges. With multiple scholarships awarded throughout the admissions cycle, IMD provides opportunities for high-achieving professionals to advance their careers, gain international exposure, and build a powerful global network. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, future leader, or a woman in business, the IMD MBA scholarships offer the platform to make your mark on the global business stage.

Features:

• Scholarships worth up to CHF 85,000 available.

• Open to international applicants from all countries.

• Covers tuition and living costs partially or fully.

• Includes merit-based, need-based, women-specific, and diversity scholarships.

• Requires a bachelor’s degree and minimum 3 years of work experience.

• GMAT/GRE and English language test scores required.

• Applications accepted throughout 2025, with multiple deadlines.

• Includes prestigious awards like the CO-RO, Staton, and Forté Women Scholarships.

• Requires two professional recommendation letters.

• Application includes a CHF 200 non-refundable fee.

Exciting news for aspiring human rights and law professionals! Applications are now open for the Geneva Academy Scholarship 2025-2026. In this article, we outline the scholarship’s benefits, eligibility, and the complete step-by-step application process.

The Geneva Academy Scholarship is a fully funded master’s program for international students, covering tuition fees and living expenses in Geneva. Full scholarships are reserved for citizens of non-Western countries.

These scholarships support students pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights at the Geneva Academy, Switzerland — one of Europe’s most innovative and academically rigorous programs in international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights.

This one-year postgraduate degree offers advanced, practical training in IHL, international human rights law, international refugee law, international criminal law, and their interconnections. Students can tailor their learning through core courses in public international law and specialized electives in areas such as the conduct of hostilities, enforced disappearances, and Islamic law of armed conflict.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Master’s

• Host Institution: Geneva Academy

• Location: Switzerland

• Fields of Study: International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law, International Law, International Refugee Law, International Criminal Law

• Program Duration: 1 year

• Application Period:

  • Opens: 4 November

  • Closes: 15 January (including scholarship applications)