University of Lausanne Master’s Scholarship for Foreign Students

The University of Lausanne is now accepting applications for its Master’s Scholarship for the 2027/2028 academic year. Around ten scholarships are awarded each year to students who have graduated from a foreign university and have outstanding academic results. The scholarship is provided for the minimum statutory period of the master’s program, and recipients are exempt from standard registration fees. Only the semester fee remains payable.

The online application is open now. The deadline is 1 November 2026. The application also serves as your application for admission to the chosen master’s degree; you do not need to apply separately to the Admissions Office. Applications sent by email or incomplete applications will not be considered. There is a non-refundable administrative fee of CHF 200 that must be paid by all applicants.

The scholarship amount does not cover the full cost of living in Switzerland. Roughly CHF 2,000 per month is considered necessary to live in Lausanne. So you will need additional financial resources. However, UNIL guarantees all scholarship holders accommodation through the Student Housing Foundation of Lausanne (FMEL), and health insurance options for international students are cheaper than those for Swiss students.

Founded in 1537, the University of Lausanne (UNIL) is a public research university located in Lausanne, Switzerland. In the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the university achieved its best-ever result, climbing to 125th place globally. As of the 2025 autumn semester, approximately 17,663 students study at the university, supported by over 5,700 employees. Students from nearly 130 nationalities have attended the university, contributing to its diverse and international community.

Program Details

• Host Institution: University of Lausanne (UNIL) in Switzerland.
• Eligible programs: Most master’s programs at UNIL. Please find more details below.
• Number of awards: Approximately ten per year.
• Duration: Minimum statutory period of the master’s program (1.5 to 2 years).
• Target group: Students who have graduated from a foreign university only. Applicants must not be currently enrolled at UNIL.

University of Lausanne Master’s Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship is granted for the minimum statutory period of the chosen master’s program. It amounts to CHF 1,600 per month and is paid from 15 September to 15 July (10 months per year). Recipients are exempt from the standard course registration fees. Only the semester fees of CHF 80 remain payable. Withdrawal from the master’s program leads to suspension of the Scholarship.

Eligible Programs for the UNIL Scholarship

Interested candidates can apply for all master’s degree programs, except the following programs:

• All MASs (3rd cycle programs, Further Education programmes)
• Master from the School of Medicine
• Master in Sciences and Practices of Education
• Master of Law. Exceptions: Open to applications for master’s scholarships : Specialisms “International and Comparative Law”,”Legal Theory” and”InternationalTax Law and Policy”
• Master of Science in HealthSciences
• Master of Science in Physical Education and Sport Didactics
• Master of Science in Sustainable Management & Technology

University of Lausanne Master’s Scholarship Eligibility

To apply for this university scholarship, applicants must:

• Hold a foreign university degree recognized as equivalent to a Swiss university bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS credits) before starting the master’s program at UNIL.
• Have achieved outstanding academic results during your studies.
• Have a minimum language level of C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) – French for programs taught in French, English for programs taught in English.
• Not be currently enrolled at UNIL.
• Have paid the administrative fee of CHF 200 (non-refundable).

Language Certificate Requirements

For programmes taught in English, candidates whose mother tongue is not English or whose bachelor’s degree was not entirely taught in English must provide a language certificate (not older than 2 years) for one of the following:

• TOEFL CBT: 250 points
• TOEFL IBT: 100 points
• TOEFL PBT: 600 points
• Academic IELTS: 7 points
• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): Grade B
• Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE): Grade C
• TOEIC: 850 points

For programs taught in French, candidates whose mother tongue is not French or whose bachelor’s degree was not entirely taught in French must provide a language certificate (not older than 2 years) for one of the following:

• DALF level C1 or C2
• TCF Tout public level C1 or higher (with all 5 components)
• CQF from Le Fil de l’EFLE, level C1
• TELC level C1

If the master’s program is taught in the candidate’s mother tongue or the bachelor’s studies were entirely taught in the language of the master programme, no language certificate is required.

How to Apply for the University of Lausanne Master’s Scholarship

Before submitting your application, read all the information on the official page, including the FAQ and the General Conditions. The application for the Master’s Scholarship also serves as your application for admission to the chosen master’s degree. You do not need to apply separately to the Admissions Office. Eligible candidates who would like to apply for this scholarship in Europe must click on the apply button bellow and follow the given instructions.

Application Steps

1. Prepare your application file in the form of a single PDF (see Required Documents below).
2. Complete the online registration and upload your PDF at the official application portal. The deadline is 1 November 2026. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
3. Have two letters of recommendation sent directly by the authors from professional email addresses to [email protected], mentioning your full name. The deadline is 1 November 2026. Only letters sent after online registration will be considered.
4. If your diplomas were obtained in a state that has not ratified the Lisbon Convention, you must send certified true copies of your university diplomas, transcripts, and provisional certificates by post. The envelope must be sealed by the university. Send to: University of Lausanne, SASME, Bâtiment Unicentre, CH – 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. Deadline: 1 November (postmark date).

Incomplete applications will not be taken into account, particularly in the case of incomplete PDF files, missing letters of recommendation, or the absence of certified copies where required.

Required Documents (Single PDF)

1. A complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) with photo.
2. A covering letter (1 to 2 pages maximum).
3. A copy of the university diploma(s) (if already obtained) and official transcripts for all examinations taken at the university, with an authenticated translation if the documents are not in French, German, English, or Italian.
4. A copy of the description of the program for the last semester or year of the bachelor’s degree, if the bachelor’s degree has not yet been obtained.
5. A copy of the official language certificate (if required).
6. A copy of the secondary school leaving diploma (high school) with an authenticated translation if the diploma is not in French, German, English, or Italian.
7. A copy of your passport.
8. A copy of proof of payment of the administrative fee of CHF 200. Payment details on the official page

Selection Timeline

• 1 November: Application deadline.
• November–December: Processing of applications by SASME and the Admissions Office (SII).
• December–January: SASME informs applicants whose application is incomplete or has not been accepted by the Admissions Office.
• January–February: Complete applications are transferred to the faculties for consideration of eligibility for the chosen master’s degrees.
• February–March: SASME informs applicants whose application has not been accepted by the faculty.
• March: The Selection Board selects the scholarship recipients.
• Early April: Applicants are notified of the Selection Board’s decision.

NB: Decisions may not be appealed!

The application deadline is 1 November 2026. For more details, visit the official UNIL Master’s Scholarship page. Questions that are already answered on the website or in the FAQ will not receive a response.