A Guide To Fully Funded Study in Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the world’s best places to earn a degree without debt if you know where to look.

From government scholarships to university fellowships and salaried research roles, there are multiple pathways that can cover tuition, living costs, and even health insurance for qualified international students.

How fully funded study works in Switzerland

There are three main routes to fully funded study opportunities in Switzerland: (1) national scholarships awarded by the federal government, (2) university-run excellence fellowships and grants, and (3) salaried research positions (especially PhD and postdoc roles) where you are an employee with a competitive Swiss salary.

Coverage typically includes tuition waivers or low tuition, a monthly stipend aligned with Swiss living costs, health insurance contributions, and sometimes travel and housing support. For example, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide a monthly allowance of about CHF 1,920 plus insurance and fee waivers for many awardees.

Who qualifies? Strong academics, a clear research or study plan, and language readiness (English is common at master’s/PhD, while some programs also use German, French, or Italian). Most opportunities are open across disciplines—from engineering and natural sciences to social sciences, arts, and policy.

Top fully funded scholarships and programs you can apply to

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Postgraduate)

The flagship national scheme supports master’s research, PhD, postdoc, and artist residencies at Swiss institutions. Awards cover a monthly stipend, insurance, and (often) tuition waivers, plus other benefits. See the official call, eligibility by country, and deadlines here: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

ETH Zurich – Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)

ESOP is one of the most competitive master’s awards in Europe, covering full study costs with a generous living stipend and mentorship opportunities. Check requirements, timelines, and fields here: ETH Zurich ESOP.

EPFL – Excellence Fellowships (Master’s) and Funded PhD Roles

EPFL offers master’s excellence fellowships that include a substantial stipend and housing support, with low tuition at public rates. Details: EPFL Excellence Fellowships. Many EPFL doctoral candidates are hired as assistants (fully salaried positions with benefits); see doctoral pathways and funding norms via the EPFL doctoral pages: EPFL Doctoral School.

University of Geneva – Excellence Master Fellowships

The University of Geneva (notably the Faculty of Science) offers competitive master’s fellowships that can cover most living expenses along with minimal public tuition. Explore current calls and criteria: UNIGE Excellence Master Fellowships.

University of Lausanne (UNIL) – Master’s Grants

UNIL awards grants that include a monthly stipend and tuition exemptions for select master’s programs. See eligibility, supported fields, and deadlines: UNIL Master’s Grants.

Graduate Institute Geneva (IHEID) – Excellence and Financial Aid

For students in international affairs, development, law, and related fields, the Graduate Institute offers full and partial scholarships that can include tuition and living support. Review funding options here: Graduate Institute Financial Aid.

Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) – Doctoral and Postdoctoral Funding

Postdoc.Mobility: funds research stays for postdocs, including living allowance and mobility costs.
Swiss Postdoctoral Fellowships: support postdocs at Swiss institutions with competitive salaries.
Doc.CH: doctoral funding in the humanities and social sciences hosted at Swiss universities.

Life Science Zurich Graduate School (UZH & ETH Zurich)

Highly selective PhD programs spanning biology and medicine, offering paid positions with Swiss-level salaries and benefits. Learn more: Life Science Zurich Graduate School.

Biozentrum Basel – PhD Fellowships

Structured PhD fellowships with full funding, cutting-edge facilities, and broad lab rotations before lab matching. See the current call: Biozentrum PhD Fellowships.

CERN Student Programmes (Geneva)

While not a Swiss university, CERN is a major research center in Geneva offering well-funded studentships (including doctoral and technical studentships) that pay competitive monthly allowances. Check open programmes: CERN Students & Graduates.

Eligibility and selection essentials

Academic excellence: Most awards target top-tier GPAs and class ranks; strong quantitative or methodological skills help.
Research fit: A focused proposal aligned with the host’s strengths—plus a willing supervisor for research tracks—significantly boosts your odds.
Language: English is common for master’s/PhD; some programs require German, French, or Italian. Provide valid test scores if asked.
Eligibility nuances: The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships may include age or time-since-degree limits; previous holders typically can’t reapply.
Documentation quality: Crisp, evidence-backed statements of purpose; two to three strong academic references; and polished CVs are essential.

Application timeline and key steps

12 months out: Map your targets and contact potential supervisors (especially for research degrees). Request informal feedback on fit.
8–10 months out: Draft your research plan or study motivation. Book language tests early.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: Calls usually open Aug–Nov (deadlines vary by country via the Swiss embassy/consulate). Build in time for notarized documents.
University fellowships: ETH ESOP often has December deadlines for the following fall; EPFL master’s fellowship windows typically fall between November–April. Always confirm dates on official pages.
PhD/postdoc roles: Advertised year-round. Set alerts on university job portals and SNSF pages; apply as positions appear.

Documents that win awards

Research proposal or study plan: State a clear problem, why it matters, what’s novel, your methods, and anticipated impact.
Supervisor alignment: Reference labs or faculty by name and explain fit; include any prior email exchanges or tentative supervision agreements.
Evidence of excellence: Include publications/preprints, conference talks, portfolios (arts), or competitive internships.
Tailored motivation: Show why Switzerland—and that specific institution—uniquely enables your goals (facilities, labs, clinics, data access, international organizations).
Practical readiness: Note visa timelines, housing plans, and language-learning commitments to demonstrate feasibility.

Budgeting and life in Switzerland

Expect monthly living costs around CHF 1,600–2,500 depending on city (Zurich and Geneva at the top end; Lausanne, Basel, and Bern slightly lower). Most fully funded study opportunities in Switzerland include stipends that comfortably cover student living when budgeted well.

Health insurance is mandatory; many scholarships cover or subsidize it. Student housing cooperatives and university residences can reduce rent; apply early. Public transport is excellent—consider half-fare travel cards for savings. Part-time work may be allowed, but always check your residence permit rules.

Strategy: boost your odds

Start early and prioritize fit: Shortlist 4–6 programs where your profile strongly matches the selection criteria.
Make contact: A brief, well-researched email to potential supervisors (with a 1–2 page proposal and CV) often leads to guidance or an invitation to apply.
Polish relentlessly: Have mentors critique your proposal and letter; revise for clarity and impact.
Diversify your bets: Apply to both scholarships and salaried research positions to maximize fully funded options.
Be deadline-driven: Switzerland is punctual—your application should be, too. Submit early to avoid technical hiccups.

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Final take

Between national awards, university fellowships, and salaried research roles, fully funded study opportunities in Switzerland are within reach for well-prepared applicants. Use the resources above, start early, and tailor every application—your Swiss academic journey could be fully covered sooner than you think.