Université de Lausanne Masters Scholarships 2025 Switzerland

If you’re a student with a strong academic background seeking to study at one of the most prestigious universities in Switzerland, the UNIL Université de Lausanne Masters Scholarship offers a remarkable opportunity. Specifically designed for international students, this scholarship aims to recognize and support academic excellence by granting scholarships to those who have completed their undergraduate studies at foreign universities. Read on to learn about the benefits, eligibility, and application process for this exciting opportunity.

Benefits of the UNIL Masters Scholarship

The UNIL Masters Scholarship provides several key benefits for successful applicants:

• Monthly stipend: CHF 1,600 per month to help cover living costs throughout the statutory period of the chosen master’s program.
• Tuition fee waiver: Recipients are exempt from fixed registration fees, with the exception of CHF 80 per semester.

What is the UNIL Masters Scholarship?

The UNIL Masters Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship aimed at students with excellent academic results. Each year, the Université de Lausanne awards around ten scholarships to students who have completed their undergraduate studies at foreign universities. This scholarship is specifically for students looking to pursue a master’s degree at UNIL.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the UNIL Masters Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Academic Excellence: Candidates must have graduated with high academic results from a foreign university. There is no specific list of required grades by country, but results should be of a very high standard.
2. Degree Equivalency: Candidates must hold a qualification or degree deemed equivalent to a Swiss university bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS credits). If you meet the academic criteria, the Admissions Office will assess whether your degree is formally recognized.
3. Program Availability: Applicants must apply to an eligible master’s program. Programs excluded from this scholarship include those in medicine, law (except certain specializations), physical education, health sciences, and several others. A full list of eligible programs is available here.
4. No Prior Enrollment at UNIL: Students who are already enrolled in a master’s program at UNIL or are in their preparatory year are not eligible for this scholarship.
5. Age Limit: There is no official age limit to apply for this scholarship. However, candidates from countries with visa restrictions may face challenges if they are older or have already completed a master’s degree, so it’s advisable to check with the Swiss diplomatic mission in your country.
6. Current Students: If you are currently completing your undergraduate degree, you may still apply. However, you will need to submit all current transcripts and provide details about the remaining coursework before graduation.

Application Process

Applying for the UNIL Masters Scholarship is a straightforward but detailed process. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Online Application: https://www.unil.ch/international/en/home/menuinst/etudiants-internationaux/etudiantes-internationaux-reguliers/bourses-master-de-lunil.html
2. Certified Documents: If you are from a country that has not ratified the Lisbon Recognition Convention, you must send certified copies of your university documents in a sealed envelope from your university. These should be sent to UNIL via postal mail by November 1, 2024.
3. Documents Needed: A completed application form, copies of academic transcripts, a description of any remaining coursework (for students still completing their undergraduate degrees), a statement of purpose explaining why you wish to pursue the selected master’s program
4. Visa Considerations: For candidates from countries with visa restrictions, it’s essential to verify the visa application process with your local Swiss consulate or embassy before applying, especially if you are older or have completed another master’s degree.
5. Application Submission: All documents must be submitted online and certified documents (if applicable) must be sent by mail and postmarked by the same date.

Application Timeline and Deadline

The application process follows a structured timeline:

• November 1, 2024: Application deadline for both the scholarship and master’s program.
• November to December 2024: Application review by SASME (Service des affaires sociales et de la mobilité étudiante) and the Admissions Office.
• January to February 2025: Eligible applications are forwarded to the faculties for consideration.
• March 2025: The Selection Board reviews applications and selects scholarship recipients.
• Early April 2025: Applicants are informed of the final decision.