Last Updated on February 3, 2022
Are you searching for scholarships to study abroad in Switzerland? To help you in your search, we have compiled a list of Free Scholarships in Switzerland for international students.
Free Scholarships in Switzerland are offered by the Swiss government and many higher institutions alongside grants, awards, and bursaries to international students in a bid to help them to finance their education.
There are application processes individual applicants must follow in order to forestall their scholarships. It is also necessary to note the deadlines and apply before the closure so as not to be rejected. Also, there are limited Switzerland scholarships.
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Why Study in Switzerland?
With several top-ranked universities, the Swiss higher education system offers students the opportunity to take their education and future careers further!
Want to know more about what makes Switzerland one of the best places to study abroad? Check out our top-ten list here!
1. People as Diverse as the Geography
Consisting of 26 federal states with four national languages, it’s no wonder the Swiss population is amongst the most diverse in Europe. International students can therefore experience Switzerland in the way that suits them best. Whether it’s around the Swiss Alps or the central plateau, in a large city or somewhere more rural, there’s something for everyone!
2. The Scenic Route
Because of its rich diversity, international students studying abroad in Switzerland will never grow tired of exploring their new home. Luckily, there’s another group of people who love to set out and explore Switzerland’s natural beauty: the Swiss themselves. You can join the local population on one of the countless trains, boats, or busses for a tour through one of the world’s most beautiful countries. This popular Swiss pastime is perfect for any student looking for something exciting, relaxing, or even romantic.
3. The Alps
Spanning across eight different countries, the Alps are truly a sight to behold. No study abroad in Switzerland would be complete without a trip to the Swiss Alps. Not only can you experience top-notch skiing and other winter sports, you can also immerse into a central component of the Swiss national identity. Appreciating the folk art, the alphorn, and yodeling are essential to understanding how the Swiss Alps have influenced the culture at large.
4. Adventure Sports
If you love sports, you’re in luck, and if not, you might learn to love them! Many international students report that one of their favorite pastimes while living and studying abroad in Switzerland has been participating in one of the numerous adventure sports. Even if you live in a metropolitan city, the opportunity to go hiking, skiing, or biking is never far away. If you’re ready to take it to the next level, however, then test your skills at rock climbing, glacier trekking, or canyoning!
5. High Class Cities
If you tried your luck at sports, but they still aren’t your thing—no worries! Switzerland is home to some of the world’s most beautiful and sophisticated urban centers. Whether it’s having a glass of wine at a trendy new hot spot or attending the opening of a new art exhibition, the metropolitan life is at its finest in Switzerland’s big cities. Walk the picturesque streets of Zurich’s old town or visit the United Nations’ European headquarters at the Palace of Nations in Geneva. You will fall in love no matter in which city you decide to settle.
6. An International Network
According to Studying in Switzerland, nearly 25% of the student population in Switzerland is comprised of international students. That’s great news for a student who has newly arrived in Switzerland, as meeting other international students will be the quickest way to make friends and grow both your social and professional network. It’s also the perfect way to open your mind to new customs and traditions and even learn a new language!
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7. The Rest of Europe at Your Doorstep
Now that you’ve made some new friends and explored what Switzerland has to offer, it’s time to venture out and see the rest of Europe. Switzerland borders five other European countries and is well connected to all of them! Well-connected and efficient, Switzerland’s transportation system is ready to make your dream weekend getaway into a reality. So, cross the border into Germany and check out the Black Forest, or make your way south into Italy and visit one of the world’s biggest fashion capitals, Milan.
8. Efficiency is Key
The success of the Swiss transportation network is made possible by the Swiss’ penchant for efficiency. It will come as a huge sigh of relief for students who have suffered through massive delays on New York’s or London’s metro that the trains run on a regular, timely fashion. But efficiency is key elsewhere as well. Official documents are issued on time and the universities are well-organized, meaning less hassle when it comes to migration paperwork and school registration.
9. A Safe Place to Live
Being one of the safest countries in the world, students can lay to rest any concern they have about their safety while studying abroad. Violent crime is almost non-existent and the risk of petty crimes, such as pickpocketing, are very low compared to other countries. Therefore, international students can feel safe exploring Switzerland while just exercising a normal amount of discretion.
10. A Quality Higher Education
Most important for any student considering a study abroad experience is the reputation of any possible university. Look no further than Switzerland’s top-class higher education system. Offering an innovative environment for students and researchers to express their autonomy while receiving a quality, global-minded education, Swiss universities emphasize quality.
Free Scholarships in Switzerland for International Students
The following are some of the free scholarships available in Switzerland and the required information necessary for their application.
Swiss Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students
Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. The research scholarship is available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree as a minimum) who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at doctoral or post-doctoral level. The scholarship covers a monthly payment, exemption of tuition fees, health insurance, air fare, housing allowance, etc.
ETH Excellence Scholarships
ETH Zurich supports excellent students both from the ETH and from other universities (national and international) wishing to pursue a Master’s degree at ETH with two scholarship programmes: the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) which covers the full study and living costs of the students and the Master Scholarship Programme (MSP) wherein students receive a partial stipend and the offer of an assistantship.
University of Lausanne Master’s Grants for Foreign Students
The University of Lausanne in Switzerland offers scholarships to international students who wishes to pursue a Masters Degree at the University through the UNIL Master’s Grants. The amount of the grant is CHF 1,600.- per month from 15 September to 15 July, for a duration not exceeding the regulation minimum period of the programme.
EPFL Excellence Fellowships
Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) offers a limited number of fellowships at the Master level to students with outstanding academic records. Anyone applying to an EPFL Master’s Program is eligible. For external applicants, each fellowship consists of a financial package of CHF 16,000 per academic year plus reservation of a room in students accommodation.
Graduate Institute Geneva Scholarships
The Institute invests considerable resources in financial aid, with the goal of attracting talented scholars from around the world, regardless of origin and financial ability. While other institutions generally offer only tuition reduction, the Institute also provides a large number of scholarships of CHF 20,000 each. Financial aid may take the following forms: a full scholarship in the amount of CHF 20,000; a partial scholarship in the amount of CHF 10,000; A merit scholarship awarded on the basis of academic excellence; it may be associated with a paid position as a teaching assistant or with need-based tuition reduction. An annual tuition fee of CHF 1,000 is charged in all cases.
University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships.
The University of Geneva Faculty of Science, in collaboration with several sponsors, has established an Excellence Fellowship Program to support outstanding and highly motivated candidates who intend to pursue a Master of Science in any of the disciplines covered by the Faculty. The Excellence Fellowship consists of a grant amounting to CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 per year.
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Scholarships
The Geneva Academy offers partial and full scholarships for its LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights (LLM) and Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law (M TJ). Full scholarships cover tuition fees and living expenses in Geneva for 10 months. Partial scholarships cover tuition fees.
IMD MBA Scholarships
IMD offers a number of scholarship programs for international students from different countries and backgrounds. Each scholarship program awards around CHF 25,000-50,000.