Swiss UNIL Master Scholarships 2027 at University of Lausanne Open – 2 Step Application Method

The University of Lausanne has opened its UNIL Master’s Grants 2027–2028 for high-achieving international students seeking a master’s degree in Switzerland. Around 10 candidates will receive CHF 1,600 per month, along with exemption from most university registration fees.

You should, however, budget carefully before applying. UNIL describes this as an excellence grant rather than a completely funded scholarship because CHF 1,600 may not cover every living expense in Switzerland.

What Does the UNIL Master’s Grant Cover?

Successful applicants receive CHF 1,600 per month from 15 September to 15 July, providing 10 monthly payments during each academic year.

Funding continues for the minimum official duration of the selected master’s programme, normally three or four semesters. A student completing a two-year programme could therefore receive up to CHF 32,000, provided the scholarship continues after the first year.

Recipients are exempt from the regular fixed course-registration fees but must still pay a CHF 80 fee each semester. The award does not separately promise airfare, accommodation, health insurance or visa expenses. Applicants should therefore not treat it as an all-expenses-paid scholarship.

Can You Apply for the UNIL Scholarship?

You can apply if you have completed—or will complete before enrolment—a degree from a university outside Switzerland that UNIL considers equivalent to a Swiss bachelor’s degree.

Applicants must:

• Hold an eligible foreign university qualification;
• Have an outstanding academic record;
• Meet the admission conditions of the selected UNIL master’s programme;
• Demonstrate at least C1 proficiency in French or English, depending on the programme’s teaching language;
• Not have previously been registered at UNIL under circumstances excluded by the grant rules; and
• Pay the non-refundable CHF 200 administrative fee.

Final-year bachelor’s students may apply without possessing their final certificate at the application stage, but they must obtain the qualifying degree before beginning the master’s programme.

Applicants who already hold a master’s degree are not automatically excluded, although UNIL may give priority to candidates seeking their first master’s qualification.

Is There an Age Limit to Apply for UNIL Scholarship 2027-2028?

No minimum or maximum age limit is stated in the published eligibility criteria for the UNIL Master’s Grants. Selection is based on academic excellence, admission eligibility and the overall quality of the application. Professional experience is also not a universal requirement, although an individual master’s programme may impose additional conditions.

Which UNIL Master’s Programmes Are Excluded?

The scholarship can support most master’s degrees offered by the University of Lausanne, but it is unavailable for:

• Master’s programmes offered by the School of Medicine;
• Master in Sciences and Practices of Education;
• Most Master of Law programmes;
• Master of Science in Physical Education and Sport Didactics;
• Master of Science in Health Sciences;
• Master of Science in Sustainable Management and Technology;
• Master of Science in Human Taphonomy; and
• MAS and other continuing-education programmes.

The Law specializations in International and Comparative Law, Legal Theory, and International Tax Law and Policy remain eligible exceptions. Applicants interested in Finance, Psychology, Arts or Nursing should check the programme-specific admission conditions before applying.

You can examine the available degrees through the official UNIL master’s programme catalogue.

Documents Required for the UNIL Scholarship Application

Applicants should prepare:

• An updated CV with a photograph;
• A motivation letter of one or two pages;
• Bachelor’s degree certificate and complete university transcripts;
• A final-year study plan if the bachelor’s degree is incomplete;
• Certified translations where required;
• A relevant English or French language certificate;
• Upper-secondary school certificate;
• Passport copy;
• Proof of payment of the CHF 200 administrative fee; and
• Two academic recommendation letters.

The referees must send their recommendation letters directly to UNIL from professional email addresses by the application deadline. Applicants should follow the current document order and submission instructions published on the official scholarship page.

How to Apply for the UNIL Master’s Grants?

First, visit the official UNIL Master’s Grants webpage. Check whether your intended master’s programme is eligible and confirm its academic and language requirements.

Next, complete the application through the official UNIL Master’s Grant application portal. Upload the complete application file in the format and order requested by the university.

Your scholarship submission also serves as your application for admission to the selected master’s programme. You should therefore not submit a separate standard admission application for the same programme.

UNIL will first assess whether you qualify academically for the selected degree. Eligible applications will then proceed to the scholarship selection stage, with final decisions expected in early April 2027.

Application Deadline

The last date to apply for the University of Lausanne UNIL Master’s Grants 2027–2028 is 1 November 2026. The online application and required recommendation letters must reach UNIL by this deadline.