University of Lausanne Scholarships 2026 | Fully Funded Masters in Switzerland for International Students

 

Introduction — Study in Switzerland & University of Lausanne

Switzerland is world-renowned for its high-quality higher education, excellent research infrastructure and safe, multicultural campuses. Nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva, the University of Lausanne (UNIL) combines centuries of academic tradition with modern, international research and teaching. The UNIL Master’s Grants / Excellence Scholarships 2026 are competitive awards designed to attract the brightest international graduates. Each year UNIL selects only a small number of outstanding candidates and provides a generous monthly allowance plus tuition fee exemptions so talented students from across the globe can pursue a Master’s degree in Switzerland at a top European university. This post covers eligibility, benefits, fields available, required documents, language rules, deadlines and the official application link so you can apply confidently.

Quick Search Snapshot — UNIL Master’s Scholarships 2026

unil.ch › international › unilmastersgrant

UNIL Master’s Grants 2026 — Merit-based scholarships for international students. Monthly stipend CHF 1,600 (10 months), exemption from registration fees. Deadline: 1 November 2025. Apply online: official UNIL scholarship portal.

Host Country • City • University — Study in Switzerland

Host Country: Switzerland
City: Lausanne (Lake Geneva region) — excellent student life, public transport and international community.
University: Université de Lausanne (UNIL) — highly ranked European research university with diverse Master’s programmes.

Eligibility Criteria for Admission & UNIL Master’s Scholarships

• International applicants (non-Swiss) holding a foreign Bachelor’s degree equivalent to a Swiss 180 ECTS Bachelor.
• Graduated from a foreign university with excellent academic results (merit-based selection).
• Must not be already registered at UNIL for the same level of study.
• Meet the specific entry requirements of the chosen Master’s programme (prerequisite courses, portfolios where applicable).
• Demonstrate required language proficiency (see language section below).
• Submit a complete application including all documents before the deadline.

Scholarship Benefits — Fully Funded Master’s Support

• Monthly stipend: CHF 1,600 per month for 10 months each academic year (usually from 15 Sept to 15 July) — helps cover living costs in Lausanne.
• Tuition exemption: Exemption from fixed registration fees (except a small CHF 80 per semester administration fee).
• Duration: Award covers the statutory minimum duration of the chosen Master’s (typically 1.5 or 2 years depending on programme).
• Limited awards: Approximately 8–12 scholarships awarded annually — highly competitive.

Note: the stipend is generous but not a full cost-of-living cover for Switzerland — plan additional funds for housing, health insurance and travel.

Available Fields to Study Under This Scholarship — All Eligible Master’s Programmes

The UNIL Master’s Grants are valid for the majority of Master’s programmes offered by the university. Typical eligible faculties and fields include:

• Faculty of Biology and Medicine — selected Master’s tracks (check exclusions).
• Faculty of Geosciences and Environment — environmental sciences, geography, earth systems.
• Faculty of Business and Economics (HEC Lausanne) — selective Master’s tracks (check programme-specific eligibility).
• Faculty of Arts — literature, languages, history, cultural studies.
• Faculty of Social and Political Sciences — political science, international relations, sociology.
• Faculty of Law — some Master’s tracks (note: some law programmes may be excluded).
• Faculty of Theology — selected postgraduate Master’s programmes.
• Interdisciplinary / Specialized Masters — data science, public health, communication, psychology (confirm eligibility per programme).

Important: Certain programmes are commonly excluded (for example: Medicine, some Education and specific Law tracks). Always verify the eligibility of your chosen Master’s on the official UNIL programme list before applying.

Documents Required — Apply for UNIL & Scholarship

• Completed online application form (scholarship + Master’s programme).
• Certified copy of Bachelor’s degree certificate (and translations if not in English/French).
• Official academic transcripts (all years/semesters).
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) — academic & professional highlights.
• Motivation letter / statement of purpose explaining why you qualify for the UNIL Master’s Grant.
• Two or more academic references / letters of recommendation.
• Proof of language proficiency (see language requirements below).
• Copy of passport or ID, and any additional programme-specific materials (portfolio, writing samples, etc.).
• Payment proof of administrative fee if required by UNIL application portal.

English / Language Requirements — C1 level or Equivalent

Language requirements depend on the Master’s programme language (French or English). Typical rules:

• If the programme is taught in English: applicants usually need a recognized English test (e.g., IELTS Academic 6.5+ with no band below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 90+), or an equivalent proof of proficiency as specified by the programme.
• If the programme is taught in French: a C1 level in French is commonly required (e.g., DALF C1, TCF/TEF thresholds as stated by the faculty).
• Exemptions: Some applicants are exempt from language tests if they hold a degree from a programme taught entirely in the required language (e.g., a Bachelor taught fully in English may waive the English test). Specific exemptions vary by programme — check the UNIL programme pages.
• Submit certified test certificates or official letters proving the language of instruction of your previous degree when asking for an exemption.

How to Apply — Step-by-Step & Deadlines

Application period (2026 intake): The online scholarship application typically opens in September 2025 and the deadline is 1 November 2025 for entry in the 2026/2027 academic year. There is usually a single annual round — make sure to apply before the cut-off.

1. Check eligibility: Confirm your chosen Master’s programme is eligible for the UNIL Master’s Grant (some programmes excluded).
2. Prepare documents: Gather transcripts, degree certificates, references, CV, motivation letter, language proof and ID.
3. Apply online: Complete the online scholarship + Master’s application on the official UNIL portal (your scholarship application usually also serves as the programme application).
4. Pay administrative fee: If required by UNIL, pay the small application/admin fees and attach payment proof.
5. Track application: UNIL informs candidates of incomplete files (Dec–Jan) and shortlisted decisions later (notifications often in March–April for successful candidates).

Apply Now — Official UNIL Scholarship Page

Tip: Save early copies of all documents as PDF and ensure translations are certified where required. Late or incomplete applications are typically not considered.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Am I eligible if I already live in Switzerland?

A1: The UNIL Master’s Grants target candidates who graduated from a foreign university (non-Swiss) and are not already registered at UNIL. Residency in Switzerland alone does not guarantee eligibility; focus on degree origin and registration status.

Q2: Is the CHF 1,600/month a full scholarship?

A2: No — the monthly stipend (CHF 1,600 for 10 months) plus tuition fee exemption helps significantly, but it is not meant to fully cover all living costs in Lausanne. Budget additional funds for housing and health insurance.

Q3: Can I apply for multiple Master’s programmes with the same scholarship application?

A3: Typically you choose a specific Master’s programme in the application; consult the UNIL portal or faculty pages if you plan to apply to more than one programme (rules may vary).

Q4: What language test scores are accepted and are there waivers?

A4: UNIL accepts standard tests (IELTS, TOEFL for English; DALF/TCF/TEF for French) at levels set by each programme (usually C1 for French or equivalent for English). Waivers may be granted if your previous degree was taught fully in the language required — submit official proof with your application.

Q5: When will I be notified if I get the scholarship?

A5: Notification timelines vary but successful candidates are often informed by early April for the following academic year. UNIL may notify incomplete applications earlier (Dec–Jan) and shortlisted/selection results later (Feb–Apr).

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Find Official Info — Quick Link Preview

fmpsrv03prd.unil.ch › mastergrants_2024 › application

Apply for UNIL Master’s Grants 2026 — Online application portal for the scholarship and Master’s programme. Deadline: 1 Nov 2025. Prepare transcripts, CV, motivation letter and language proof.

Sources & confirmation: Scholarship details (stipend, duration, deadline timing and application process) are published on UNIL’s official scholarship pages and corroborated by recognized scholarship portals and university-info aggregators. For the latest official guidance and the exact application portal always visit UNIL’s official pages (linked in the Apply Now button).