International students with outstanding academic records can apply for the University of Lausanne (UNIL) Master’s Scholarship 2027/2028 in Switzerland. The scholarship is designed for students who have graduated from a foreign university and want to pursue an eligible master’s degree at UNIL.
Around 10 excellence scholarships are awarded each year. Successful recipients receive CHF 1,600 per month for the minimum statutory period of their master’s programme.
The opportunity provides substantial financial support for international students seeking to study in Switzerland. However, applicants should note that the award is not a fully funded scholarship, as the monthly amount does not cover the full cost of living in Switzerland.
What Does the UNIL Master’s Scholarship Cover?
The UNIL Master’s Scholarship provides selected international students with a monthly grant of CHF 1,600 for the minimum statutory duration of their master’s programme.
In addition to the monthly financial support, scholarship recipients are exempt from standard course registration fees. However, they must still pay the CHF 80 semester fees.
The university specifically advises applicants to consider the cost of living in Switzerland before applying because the scholarship does not cover all living expenses.
Students should therefore have adequate financial resources to meet costs not covered by the scholarship.
Who Can Apply for the Scholarship?
The scholarship is intended exclusively for students who have graduated from a foreign university and have demonstrated outstanding academic performance.
Applicants must meet several eligibility requirements.
Candidates must:
- Hold a foreign university degree recognized as equivalent to a Swiss university bachelor’s degree before starting the master’s programme.
- Have achieved outstanding academic results during their previous studies.
- Meet the required C1 language level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- Demonstrate C1 French proficiency for programmes taught in French.
- Demonstrate C1 English proficiency for programmes taught in English.
- Not currently be enrolled at the University of Lausanne.
- Pay the required CHF 200 administrative fee.
Applicants should carefully check the language requirements of their selected master’s programme because requirements can vary depending on the programme.
Which Master’s Programmes Are Eligible?
The University of Lausanne offers a wide range of master’s degrees across its faculties, but not every programme is eligible for the Master’s Scholarship.
The scholarship cannot be used for the following programmes:
- Master’s programmes from the School of Medicine
- Master in Sciences and Practices of Education
- Master of Law, except International and Comparative Law, Legal Theory, and International Tax Law and Policy
- Master of Science in Physical Education and Sport Didactics
- Master of Science in Health Sciences
- Master of Science in Sustainable Management & Technology
- Master of Science in Human Taphonomy
- All MAS programmes and other third-cycle/further education programmes
Additional admission conditions apply to applicants interested in master’s programmes in Finance, Psychology, Arts, or Nursing.
Prospective applicants should therefore carefully review the admission requirements for their intended programme before submitting an application.
How to Apply for the UNIL Master’s Scholarship
The application process requires applicants to prepare their documents carefully and follow the university’s submission requirements.
Applicants must prepare their application as a single PDF file containing the required documents.
The online application must then be completed and submitted by the deadline.
Two recommendation letters are also required. These must be written by teachers familiar with the applicant’s previous or current studies or by an employer.
The recommendation letters must be sent directly by the authors using professional email addresses. They must be submitted after the applicant has completed the online registration.
Some applicants must also submit certified true copies of their academic documents by post. This applies to candidates whose diplomas were obtained in a state that has not ratified the Lisbon Convention.
Important Application Deadline
The application deadline for the 2027/2028 academic year is 1 November 2026.
The online application is currently open, and applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their documents well before the deadline.
The university states that incomplete applications will not be considered. Missing documents, incomplete PDF files, missing recommendation letters, or required certified copies can result in an application being rejected.
An important advantage of the process is that the scholarship application also serves as the application for the selected master’s programme. Applicants therefore do not need to submit a separate application to the Admissions Office for the master’s degree.
UNIL Scholarship Selection Timeline
Following the 1 November 2026 deadline, applications will go through several stages.
From November to December, the Social Affairs and Student Mobility Service and Admissions Office process applications.
Between December and January, applicants whose files are incomplete or who have not been accepted by the Admissions Office may be informed that their scholarship application has been unsuccessful.
From January to February, complete applications are transferred to the relevant faculties to assess eligibility for the selected master’s programmes.
In February and March, applicants who are not accepted by their faculty are informed.
In March, the Master’s Scholarship Selection Board makes the final scholarship selections.
Applicants are expected to receive notification of the Selection Board’s decision in early April.
The university notes that scholarship decisions cannot be appealed.
Why International Students Should Consider UNIL
The University of Lausanne provides international students with the opportunity to pursue graduate-level education in Switzerland while receiving significant monthly financial support.
For academically outstanding graduates, the scholarship can reduce some of the financial burden associated with studying abroad and provide access to a leading Swiss university.
However, applicants should approach the opportunity with realistic financial planning. The CHF 1,600 monthly scholarship is not full funding, and students must budget for living costs and other expenses that are not covered.
Interested candidates should review their preferred master’s programme, verify eligibility, prepare the required documentation, secure recommendation letters, and submit the online application before the 1 November 2026 deadline.
