Switzerland has a reputation for stunning campuses, world-class research and a cost of living that makes most students close the tab immediately. The University of Lausanne wants to change that calculation for a small group of exceptional graduates. Each year, UNIL awards around 10 excellence scholarships to outstanding international students pursuing a master’s degree at the university, providing CHF 1600 per month for the minimum statutory duration of their program.
Before the application gets to any other detail, this is not a fully funded scholarship. The university states this clearly and it is worth taking seriously. Switzerland consistently ranks among the most expensive countries in the world for students. CHF 1600 covers a meaningful portion of monthly costs but not all of them.
Students with realistic financial planning and strong academic records will find this a genuinely valuable opportunity. Students expecting a scholarship that eliminates financial pressure entirely should factor in the gap.
Applications for the UNIL Master’s Excellence Scholarship 2027/28 are currently open. The deadline is 1 November 2026.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | University of Lausanne, Switzerland |
| Scholarship | UNIL Master’s Excellence Scholarship 2027/2028 |
| Number of awards | Approximately 10 per year |
| Monthly grant | CHF 1600 |
| Duration | Minimum statutory period of the master’s program |
| Registration fees | Waived CHF 80 semester fee still applies |
| Who can apply | International graduates from foreign universities |
| Language requirement | C1 French or C1 English depending on program |
| Application fee | CHF 200 |
| Application deadline | 1 November 2026 |
What CHF 1600 Per Month Looks Like in Lausanne
This is the question most scholarship guides skip. It matters here.
Lausanne is an expensive city by any European standard. A single room in shared accommodation typically runs CHF 800 to CHF 1200 per month, depending on the area. Add food, transport, health insurance which is compulsory in Switzerland and personal expenses and monthly costs for a student living modestly can reach CHF 2000 to CHF 2500.
The scholarship covers a significant portion of that. It does not cover all of it.
UNIL explicitly advises applicants to ensure they have adequate additional financial resources before applying. That is not bureaucratic language for the sake of it. Students who arrive in Lausanne expecting the scholarship to be sufficient on its own often find the first semester financially stressful.
The honest framing is this scholarship makes studying at one of Switzerland’s leading universities considerably more accessible. It does not make it free.
Eligibility Who This Scholarship Is For
The scholarship targets a specific profile. It is designed exclusively for graduates of foreign universities not for students already enrolled at UNIL or Swiss nationals pursuing domestic study.
To be eligible applicants must:
- Hold a foreign university degree recognized as equivalent to a Swiss bachelor’s before starting the master’s program
- Have achieved outstanding academic results in previous studies
- Meet C1 language proficiency in the language of their chosen program (French or English)
- Not currently be enrolled at the University of Lausanne
- Pay the CHF 200 administrative fee at the time of application
The language requirement is worth attention. C1 is the second-highest level on the European language framework. For French-taught programs, C1 French is required. For English-taught programs, C1 English applies. Some programs may have additional language conditions. Verify this for your specific program before applying.
Programs That Are Not Eligible
This section can save applicants significant time.
The scholarship cannot be used for:
- Any master’s program from the School of Medicine
- Master of Sciences and Practices of Education
- Master of Law except International and Comparative Law, Legal Theory and International Tax Law and Policy
- 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
- All MAS programs and third-cycle or further education programs
Students interested in Finance, Psychology, Arts or Nursing master’s programs should also note that additional admission conditions apply to those fields specifically.
Check your intended program’s eligibility before investing time in the application. Finding out after submission that your program is excluded is a frustrating and avoidable outcome.
One Application Covers Both the Scholarship and Admission
This is one of the more practical aspects of UNIL’s process and one that many applicants miss.
Submitting the scholarship application also serves as your application for the master’s program itself. There is no separate submission to the Admissions Office required.
That simplifies the process considerably. One well-prepared application handles both.
What the Application Requires
Preparation is the difference between a complete application and a rejected one. UNIL states clearly that incomplete applications will not be considered. Missing a single document can end the process entirely.
The application package includes:
- All required documents compiled into a single PDF file
- Completed online application form
- Two recommendation letters from teachers or an employer
- CHF 200 administrative fee
The Selection Timeline
Understanding the full timeline helps applicants plan what comes after submission.
| Period | Stage |
|---|---|
| November 2026 | Applications processed by Social Affairs and Admissions |
| December to January | Incomplete files or rejected admissions notified |
| January to February | Complete applications sent to faculties for assessment |
| February to March | Faculty rejections communicated |
| March 2027 | Selection Board makes final scholarship decisions |
| Early April 2027 | Applicants notified of outcome |
One important note. Scholarship decisions cannot be appealed. If the Selection Board’s answer is no there is no formal process to challenge that outcome.
How to Apply (Practical Advice)
Prepare the PDF early. You need to put all required documents into one PDF.
- This may include:
- Transcripts,
- Degree certificates,
- Language proof
- Your motivation statement.
Ask for recommendation letters early. The letters may only be submitted after you complete the online registration but you should contact your recommenders before that. Professors and employers usually write better letters when they have enough time.
Check the real cost of living in Switzerland. Before applying, look at actual rental prices in Lausanne and check current health insurance costs for international students. The CHF 1,600 monthly allowance may not cover all your expenses so it is better to know the real costs before you apply.
Choose a program that matches your background. Around 10 scholarships are awarded across all eligible fields so competition can be high.
A strong application that clearly matches your education, research interests, and career goals is better than a general application for a field simply because it sounds prestigious.