Top Scholarships for Switzerland 2026

Switzerland offers targeted scholarships for international students, but you need to know where to look. The Swiss government runs the ESKAS (Excellence Scholarships) program for postgraduate students from over 180 countries. ETH Zurich awards the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP), covering full tuition plus CHF 12,000 per semester in living costs. EPFL provides similar grants for master’s students. Beyond these, individual universities, cantons, and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) fund research at every level. This guide lists every major funding source for 2026, with deadlines, amounts, and eligibility.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (ESKAS)

The ESKAS program is Switzerland’s flagship scholarship for international students. It is funded by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and administered through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).

What ESKAS Covers

Benefit	Amount
Monthly stipend	CHF 1,920 (research/PhD) or CHF 1,920 (postdoctoral)
Tuition waiver	Full tuition at host university
Health insurance	Covered (CHF contribution for mandatory insurance)
Housing allowance	CHF 300/month
Travel grant	One return flight (economy class)

Eligibility

• Nationality: Citizens of over 180 countries (check the FCS country list). Swiss nationals and dual citizens are excluded.
• Degree level: PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and in some cases master’s students (varies by country).
• Age limit: Born after January 1, 1991 for research scholarships. No strict age limit for postdoctoral fellowships, but candidates under 35 are preferred.
• Academic record: Minimum GPA equivalent to a Swiss 5.0 (out of 6.0). Strong research proposal required.
• Language: Proficiency in the language of instruction (German, French, Italian, or English, depending on the program).

Application Process

1. Contact the Swiss embassy or consulate in your home country to obtain the application form.
2. Secure a preliminary acceptance from a Swiss university professor or department.
3. Submit your application through the embassy (not directly to the university).
4. The FCS reviews applications and announces results between February and May.

Deadline: Varies by country, typically August–November for the following academic year. Check your local Swiss embassy for exact dates. Late applications are not accepted.

ETH Zurich Scholarships

ETH Zurich, ranked among the world’s top 10 universities, offers several competitive scholarships for master’s and doctoral students.

Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)

The ESOP is ETH’s most competitive award for master’s students. It covers:

• Full tuition waiver (CHF 730/semester)
• Living grant: CHF 12,000 per semester (CHF 24,000/year)
• Total value: Approximately CHF 25,500 per year

Eligibility: Top 10% of your graduating class. Any nationality. All ETH master’s programs qualify. Selection is based on academic performance, a personal essay, and recommendation letters.

Deadline: December 15 (for the following autumn semester). Apply through the ETH online admission portal — the scholarship application is integrated into the admission process.

Master Scholarship Programme (MSP)

A partial scholarship covering CHF 6,000 per semester in living costs plus tuition waiver. Less competitive than ESOP. Available to all admitted master’s students with strong academic records.

ETH Zurich Doctoral Fellowships

All PhD positions at ETH Zurich are funded. Doctoral students receive a salary of CHF 50,000–55,000 per year (gross). This is not a scholarship but an employment contract with full social security benefits. Tuition is waived. There is no separate application — funding comes with the PhD position.

Pioneer Fellowships

For ETH graduates with entrepreneurial projects. Awards up to CHF 150,000 over 18 months. Open to recent graduates (within 2 years) developing technology startups based on ETH research.

EPFL Scholarships

EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) matches ETH Zurich in research output and offers comparable funding packages.

EPFL Excellence Fellowships

• Amount: CHF 16,000 per year (stipend) + tuition waiver (CHF 780/semester)
• Duration: Full master’s program (typically 2 years)
• Eligibility: Top 10% of class. All nationalities. Automatic consideration upon admission — no separate application needed.
• Selection: Based on academic record, institution ranking, and reference letters.

EPFL PhD Positions

Like ETH, all EPFL doctoral positions are salaried. PhD students earn CHF 52,000–56,000 per year (gross). Full social benefits included. Apply directly to EPFL doctoral programs or individual lab positions.

WISH Foundation Grants

For women in STEM at EPFL. Covers CHF 16,000/year plus mentoring. Aimed at increasing female representation in engineering and computer science master’s programs.

University-Specific Scholarships

Each Swiss university operates its own scholarship programs. Here are the most significant awards at major institutions.

University of Zurich (UZH)

Scholarship	Amount (CHF/year)	Level	Notes
UZH Scholarships for International Students	Up to 18,000	Master’s	Merit-based; limited to specific programs
UZH Semester Scholarships	Up to 4,000	All levels	Need-based; Swiss and international students
Forschungskredit (Research Grants)	Varies	PhD, Postdoc	Project-based funding for research

University of Bern (UniBE)

Scholarship	Amount (CHF/year)	Level	Notes
UniBE International Scholarships	Up to 15,000	Master’s	Academic merit; specific faculties
UniBE Mobility Grants	3,000–6,000	All levels	For exchange students

University of Basel (UniBS)

Scholarship	Amount (CHF/year)	Level	Notes
Basel Excellence Scholarships	Up to 20,000	Master’s	Merit-based; natural sciences and humanities
Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft (FAG)	Varies	All levels	Need-based grants by private foundation

University of Geneva (UNIGE)

Scholarship	Amount (CHF/year)	Level	Notes
UNIGE Excellence Masters Fellowships	10,000–15,000	Master’s	Top candidates from partner institutions
Faculty-Specific Awards	Varies	Master’s, PhD	Check individual faculty pages

University of St. Gallen (HSG)

Scholarship	Amount (CHF/year)	Level	Notes
HSG Talent Scholarships	Up to 30,000	Master’s	Academic and leadership potential
HSG International Student Grants	5,000–15,000	All levels	Combined merit and need assessment

Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)

The SNSF is Switzerland’s primary research funding body. It does not directly fund tuition but finances research projects that employ graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

Key SNSF Funding Instruments

Program	Target	Funding	Duration
Doc.CH	PhD students in humanities/social sciences	Salary (CHF 47,000–50,000/year)	Up to 4 years
Ambizione	Early-career researchers (postdoc)	Salary + research budget	Up to 4 years
PRIMA	Women researchers	Full salary + team funding	Up to 5 years
Postdoc.Mobility	Swiss postdocs going abroad	Salary + travel	Up to 2 years
Project Funding	Professors and research groups	PhD/postdoc salaries + equipment	Up to 4 years

SNSF-funded PhD positions advertise on university job boards and on the SNSF website. These positions are salaried (CHF 47,000–55,000/year) and include full social security. The funding comes to the professor, who then hires the student.

Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen) Scholarships

Switzerland’s nine universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen, FH) also offer scholarships, though these are less publicized than university awards.

Institution	Scholarship	Amount (CHF/year)	Notes
ZHAW (Zurich)	ZHAW Foundation Grants	Up to 10,000	Need-based; applied sciences and health
FHNW (Northwestern)	FHNW Scholarships	Up to 8,000	Merit and need; engineering and business focus
HES-SO (Western Switzerland)	HES-SO Mobility Grants	3,000–6,000	For exchange and incoming students
BFH (Bern)	BFH Support Fund	Up to 5,000	Emergency and need-based aid
HSLU (Lucerne)	HSLU Foundation Support	Up to 6,000	Design, music, and IT students

FH scholarships are smaller than ETH or EPFL awards but face less competition. Many go unclaimed because students do not apply. Check your FH’s financial aid office directly — they often have emergency funds and one-time grants available throughout the year.

Student Loans in Switzerland

Switzerland does not have a federal student loan system like the UK (Student Loans Company) or the USA (FAFSA). Financing options for loans are limited to three main sources.

• Cantonal student loans (Ausbildungsdarlehen): Available to Swiss residents and some EU/EFTA nationals. Interest rates are low (0–2%). Repayment begins after graduation. Maximum amounts vary by canton (CHF 10,000–30,000/year). Apply through the same office as cantonal scholarships.
• University hardship funds: Most universities maintain an emergency fund for students facing unexpected financial difficulties. These are typically one-time grants of CHF 1,000–5,000, not loans. Apply through the student advisory service (Studienberatung).
• Private bank loans: UBS and other banks offer student credit lines. Interest rates are higher (3–5%). Approval requires a Swiss guarantor or proof of future income. Not recommended unless other options are exhausted.

International students have fewer loan options in Switzerland. The best strategy is to secure scholarships and part-time work first, then explore your home country’s student financing programs. German students can use BAföG (Auslands-BAföG) to partially fund studies in Switzerland. UK students cannot use Student Finance England for Swiss universities.

Cantonal Scholarships

Swiss cantons offer financial aid to students registered in their territory. Eligibility rules vary significantly.

Who Qualifies

• Swiss citizens and permanent residents: Full access to cantonal scholarships and loans.
• EU/EFTA nationals: Some cantons grant equal access under the free movement agreement. Others restrict aid to Swiss nationals.
• Non-EU students: Generally not eligible for cantonal scholarships. Exceptions exist for students who have lived in the canton for several years (e.g., refugee-background students).

Cantonal Scholarship Overview

Canton	Max Annual Grant (CHF)	Loans Available?	Notes
Zurich	16,000	Yes	Need-based; requires Swiss residency
Bern	16,000	Yes	Generous for low-income families
Vaud	16,000	Yes	Combined grant + loan packages
Geneva	12,000	Yes	Strict means testing
Basel-Stadt	20,000	Yes	One of the most generous cantons
St. Gallen	14,000	Yes	Combined with federal aid

Apply through your cantonal education department (Erziehungsdepartement / Département de l’instruction publique). Deadlines are typically in spring for the following academic year.

Bilateral and Country-Specific Scholarships

Switzerland has bilateral agreements with specific countries that include scholarship provisions.

• Germany — DAAD: The DAAD offers grants for German students studying in Switzerland. Amounts vary by program (CHF 1,000–1,300/month for master’s students).
• France — Campus France: French government mobility grants for students going to Swiss francophone universities.
• India — ICCR: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations funds postgraduate students at Swiss universities.
• China — CSC: The China Scholarship Council sends students to ETH, EPFL, and other Swiss institutions. Full funding (tuition + living costs + travel).
• USA — Fulbright: Fulbright Switzerland funds American students for master’s and PhD programs. Stipend of approximately CHF 2,200/month.
• Japan — JASSO: Study-abroad grants for Japanese students at Swiss partner universities.

Private Foundations and External Scholarships

• Rotary Foundation Global Grants: Up to $30,000 per year for graduate students in specific fields (peace, water, education, health, economic development).
• Alfred Werner Fund: Swiss foundation supporting doctoral students in natural sciences at Swiss universities.
• Janggen-Pöhn Foundation: Grants for graduate students from eastern Switzerland (St. Gallen, Thurgau, Appenzell).
• Humer Foundation: Research grants for biomedical sciences at Swiss institutions.
• Baugarten Foundation: Financial support for students at ETH Zurich and University of Zurich.
• Sophie und Karl Binding Stiftung: Support for students at University of Basel.

Scholarship Application Timeline for 2026

Month	Action
August–October 2025	ESKAS applications open (country-dependent). Contact Swiss embassy.
November 2025	ESKAS deadline for most countries. Start ETH/EPFL admission applications.
December 2025	ETH ESOP deadline (December 15). EPFL admission opens.
January–February 2026	University-specific scholarship deadlines. UZH, UniBE, UniBS awards.
March–April 2026	ESKAS results announced. ETH/EPFL admission decisions.
April–June 2026	Cantonal scholarship applications. Accept offers. Begin visa process.
September 2026	Autumn semester begins.

Tips for Winning Swiss Scholarships

• Apply early. Most Swiss scholarships have firm deadlines with no extensions. ESKAS deadlines vary by country — some close in August.
• Contact professors first. ESKAS and SNSF applications require a Swiss academic supervisor. Reach out 6–12 months before the deadline.
• Match your profile to Switzerland’s strengths. Switzerland invests heavily in STEM, pharma, finance, and international affairs. Proposals aligned with these sectors have higher approval rates.
• Prepare a strong research proposal. ESKAS and SNSF applications are research-focused. Show a clear problem, methodology, and expected outcomes.
• Get strong references. Two or three letters from professors who know your work. Generic letters score poorly.
• Show language proficiency. Programs in German require TestDaF or Goethe C1. French programs require DELF B2+. English programs require IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+.
• Apply to multiple sources. Combine ESKAS with university scholarships. Some awards stack. Check each program’s rules on concurrent funding.

How to Write a Winning ESKAS Research Proposal

The ESKAS research proposal is the most important document in your application. The Federal Commission for Scholarships evaluates proposals based on originality, feasibility, alignment with the host university’s strengths, and potential impact. Here is how to structure a competitive proposal.

Structure

1. Title and abstract (200 words): State your research question clearly. Avoid jargon. The abstract should make sense to a non-specialist committee member.
2. Background and context (500 words): Explain why this research matters. Cite 5–10 key publications. Show you understand the current state of the field.
3. Research objectives (200 words): List 2–3 specific, measurable objectives. Each objective should be achievable within the scholarship period.
4. Methodology (500 words): Describe your approach step by step. Include data sources, analytical methods, and tools. Explain why Switzerland is the right place for this research — connect to your supervisor’s lab, datasets, or equipment.
5. Timeline (table): Break the project into quarters or semesters. Show milestones and deliverables.
6. Expected outcomes (200 words): Describe the publications, conference presentations, or practical applications you expect. Be specific.
7. References: Use consistent citation format. 15–25 references is typical.

Common Mistakes in ESKAS Proposals

• Too broad: “I will study climate change” is not a proposal. “I will analyze glacier retreat patterns in the Bernese Alps using LiDAR data from the Jungfraujoch research station” is.
• No Swiss connection: Explain specifically why you need to be in Switzerland. Name your supervisor, their research group, and the facilities you will use.
• No preliminary contact: The FCS checks whether you have established contact with a Swiss academic. Include a confirmation email or letter from your intended supervisor.
• Ignoring the word limit: Proposals exceeding the page limit are returned without review. Follow the format guidelines exactly.

Scholarship Stacking: Combining Multiple Awards

Swiss scholarship rules on combining awards vary by program. Understanding which scholarships stack saves time and maximizes your funding.

Combination	Allowed?	Notes
ESKAS + university scholarship	Usually no	ESKAS generally requires you to decline other Swiss government or university funding
ETH ESOP + private foundation	Yes (with disclosure)	ETH allows supplementary grants from external sources. Report all funding.
Home-country grant + Swiss university award	Usually yes	DAAD, CSC, Fulbright typically allow Swiss supplementary awards
Cantonal scholarship + university scholarship	Depends on canton	Some cantons reduce their grant if you receive university funding
PhD salary + external research grant	Yes	PhD salaries are employment income. Research grants fund the project, not the person.

Rule of thumb: Always disclose all funding sources in every application. Swiss institutions value transparency. Non-disclosure can lead to revocation of awards. If in doubt, email the scholarship office directly — they respond quickly and clearly.

Living on a Scholarship Budget: Is It Enough?

The answer depends on the scholarship amount and your city. Here is how major scholarships compare to actual living costs.

Scholarship	Monthly Income (CHF)	Zurich Budget Covered?	Bern Budget Covered?
ESKAS	1,920 + 300 housing	Tight — need dormitory housing	Comfortable
ETH ESOP	~2,125 (CHF 12,000/semester)	Manageable with shared housing	Comfortable
EPFL Fellowship	~1,333 (CHF 16,000/year)	Insufficient alone	Tight
PhD salary	~3,800 net	Comfortable	Very comfortable

ESKAS recipients in Zurich should aim for dormitory housing (CHF 500–700/month) and use the Mensa for meals. The CHF 2,220/month total (stipend + housing allowance) covers a modest lifestyle but leaves little room for extras. In Bern, Fribourg, or Neuchâtel, the same amount provides a more comfortable margin.

EPFL Fellowship recipients at CHF 1,333/month need supplementary income or savings. Working part-time (15 hours/week at CHF 30/hour = CHF 1,800/month) closes the gap. Combining the fellowship with a teaching assistantship at EPFL is the most common approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best scholarship for studying in Switzerland?

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship (ESKAS) is the most comprehensive. It covers tuition, a CHF 1,920/month stipend, health insurance, and a housing allowance. For master’s students specifically, the ETH ESOP (CHF 25,500/year) and EPFL Excellence Fellowships (CHF 17,560/year) are top options.

Can international students get scholarships in Switzerland?

Yes. ESKAS accepts students from 180+ countries. ETH and EPFL scholarships are open to all nationalities. University-specific awards vary — some target specific regions. Private foundations and bilateral programs add further options.

Are PhD students funded in Switzerland?

Almost always. PhD positions at Swiss universities are salaried at CHF 47,000–55,000 per year. This is an employment contract, not a scholarship. Tuition is waived. SNSF project grants and Doc.CH provide additional pathways.

When should I apply for Swiss scholarships?

Start 12–18 months before your intended start date. ESKAS applications open in August–October. ETH ESOP closes in December. University deadlines fall in January–February. Cantonal scholarships open in spring.

Do Swiss universities offer need-based financial aid?

Some do. UZH and UniBE have semester scholarship programs for students facing financial hardship. Cantonal scholarships are primarily need-based but restricted to residents. International students should combine university awards with home-country funding.

Can I get a full scholarship covering tuition and living costs?

ESKAS covers both. ETH ESOP covers both (CHF 24,000/year living + tuition waiver). For most other scholarships, you need to combine sources. A university merit award (CHF 10,000–20,000) plus personal savings or part-time work typically closes the gap.

Are there scholarships specifically for master’s students?

Yes. ETH ESOP, EPFL Excellence Fellowships, HSG Talent Scholarships, and university-specific master’s awards all target this level. ESKAS also supports master’s students from certain countries.

What GPA do I need for Swiss scholarships?

ESKAS requires a Swiss-equivalent GPA of 5.0/6.0 (approximately top 20%). ETH ESOP targets the top 10% of your class. University scholarships typically require above-average performance. No Swiss scholarship uses a single GPA cutoff — they evaluate the full application.