Unil Master’s Scholarship

About the opportunity

The Unil Master’s Scholarship is awarded to international students who hold a foreign university degree recognized as equivalent to a Swiss bachelor’s degree. The scholarship is granted for the minimum statutory period of the chosen Master’s programme and provides a monthly stipend of CHF 1,600. Recipients are also exempt from standard course registration fees, though semester fees of CHF 80 remain payable. The scholarship does not cover the full cost of living in Switzerland, and recipients are encouraged to have personal financial resources. UNIL guarantees accommodation with the Student Housing Foundation of Lausanne (FMEL) for scholarship holders. The application for the scholarship also serves as the application for admission to the Master’s programme.

Funding and benefits

• Monthly stipend of CHF 1,600
• Exemption from standard course registration fees (semester fees of CHF 80 remain payable)
• Guaranteed accommodation with the Student Housing Foundation of Lausanne (FMEL)

Who can apply?

• Hold a foreign university degree recognized as equivalent to a Swiss university bachelor before starting the Master's programme
• Achieved outstanding academic results
• Minimum language level of C1 (French for French-taught programmes, English for English-taught programmes)
• Not currently enrolled at UNIL
• Paid the administrative fee of CHF 200

Required documents

• Curriculum vitae (CV) with photo
• Covering letter (1-2 pages)
• Copy of university diploma(s) and official transcripts with authenticated translation if not in French, German, English, or Italian
• Description of the programme for the last semester/year of the bachelor's degree (if not yet obtained)
• Official language certificate (if required)
• Copy of secondary school leaving diploma with authenticated translation if not in French, German, English, or Italian
• Copy of passport
• Proof of payment of the CHF 200 administrative fee
• Two letters of recommendation (sent directly by authors)
• Certified true copies of academic documents (only for applicants from states that have not ratified the Lisbon Convention)

When to apply

• Applications open in September for the following academic year
• Annual deadline: November 1

How to apply

• Read all information, including FAQ and general conditions
• Prepare a single PDF file containing all required documents
• Submit the online registration and upload the PDF file
• Ensure two letters of recommendation are sent directly by the authors to mastergrants@unil.ch
• If applicable, send certified true copies of academic documents by post to the Social Affairs and Student Mobility Service (SASME)

Additional information

• The scholarship is not available for certain programmes, including Medicine, Sciences and Practices of Education, Law (with specific exceptions), Physical Education and Sport Didactics, Health Sciences, Sustainable Management & Technology, Human Taphonomy, and all MAS programmes.
• Decisions are made by a Selection Board and may not be appealed.
• Applicants from countries subject to visa restrictions should verify requirements with the Swiss embassy or consulate.
• Administrative fees are non-refundable.