Switzerland is one of the best places in the world to study because it has a stellar education system, cutting-edge research, and universities that are ranked highly around the world. Switzerland is known for being an expensive country, but it has a lot of fully and partially funded scholarships that make it possible for international students to study there without worrying about money.
Switzerland has programs for undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and research students, ranging from government-funded programs to scholarships at top universities.
This in-depth guide will show you the best scholarships in Switzerland for international students in 2026, including the benefits, who can apply, and how to do it right.
Why You Should Study in Switzerland as an International Student
Switzerland is known around the world for having outstanding schools and research.
Some of the main benefits are:
- ETH Zurich and EPFL are two of the best universities in the world.
- A strong focus on technology, research, and new ideas
- An international and multicultural setting
- In the middle of Europe
- Good job prospects after graduation
Switzerland offers surprisingly low tuition fees when compared to other popular destinations. For example, public universities can charge as little as $1,500 a year.
This, along with scholarships, makes Switzerland a very appealing choice.
1. Fully Funded Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
This prestigious award is the best scholarship in Switzerland.
Summary
Students from more than 180 countries receive the Swiss Confederation-funded Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
It is mostly made for graduate students and researchers.
What It Covers
- All tuition costs
- Monthly payment
- Help with housing
- Insurance for health
- Money for travel
This means that the scholarship is fully funded.
Who Can Apply
- Master’s degree holders who want to get a PhD or do research
- Researchers just starting out
- Artists (for certain programmes)
Why It’s the Best
It is known all over the world and pays for all of your expenses while you study in Switzerland.
2. ETH Zurich’s Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
This is one of the hardest university scholarships to get in Europe.
Summary
This scholarship is available to outstanding master’s students at ETH Zurich, one of the best universities in the world.
Pros
- Paying for all of the tuition fees
- Monthly allowance for living costs
- More help with housing
Who can apply
- Very good schoolwork
- Getting into the master’s programme at ETH Zurich
What makes it stand out
This scholarship is very prestigious because ETH Zurich is famous around the world for its engineering and technology programs.
3. Fellowships for Excellence at EPFL
The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has excellent ways to get money.
Summary
Master’s students can apply for these fellowships.
Pros
- Money help (stipend)
- Help with housing
- Access to high-tech research labs
Best For
- Building
- Science of Computers
- Fields related to technology
Main Idea
This scholarship is very valuable because EPFL is known for being innovative and doing outstanding research.
4. Fellowships for Excellence at the University of Geneva
This scholarship helps students who want to study science.
Summary
The University of Geneva offers this program to talented international students who want to get master’s degrees.
Pros
- Monthly payment
- Funding in part or in full
- Opportunities for research
What Fields Are Covered
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Life science
- Science of Computers
Benefit
Geneva is home to many important international organisations, which makes it easier to network.
5. Master’s Grants from the University of Lausanne (UNIL)
This is a well-known scholarship for students getting their master’s degrees.
Summary
International students can get grants from the University of Lausanne.
Pros
- Monthly payment
- Lowering the cost of tuition
Who can apply
- A degree in business
- Good grades in school
Why It’s Important
Compared to other Swiss scholarships, it is fairly straightforward to get.
6. The Leaders Fellowship Programme
This scholarship is for people who want to do research.
Summary
It helps PhD students and researchers.
Pros
- Pay or stipend
- Funding for research
- Getting into the best labs
The Best Candidates
Students who want to work in research or academia.
7. Scholarships for Excellence at the University of St Gallen
This scholarship is perfect for students studying business or economics.
Summary
Available to outstanding international students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Pros
- Paying for tuition
- Money help
Best For
- Work
- Money matters
- Running things
Benefit
One of the best business schools in Europe is St Gallen.
8. The Nestlé MBA Scholarship for Women
This is a one-of-a-kind scholarship for women from developing countries.
Summary
Offered in cooperation with IMD Business School.
Pros
- Money for MBA programmes
- Opportunities to improve your leadership skills
Best For
Women who want to work in business and lead.
9. Scholarships from the Geneva Academy
This scholarship is mainly about law and international relations.
Summary
The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights offers this.
Pros
- Funding in full or in part
- Paying for school
- Money for living
The Best Candidates
Students who want to:
- Law in other countries
- Rights of people
- Studies of conflict
10. Scholarships in Switzerland from private and foundation sources
Private groups and foundations in Switzerland also give out scholarships.
Some examples
- Fellowships for Canon Foundation Research
- Grants and fellowships from foundations
- Scholarships paid for by businesses
Pros
- Funding for research
- Grants for travel
- Help with tuition
Plan
To increase your chances, apply to more than one source of funding.
How to Get a Scholarship in Switzerland
To get a scholarship, you need to do the following:
Step 1: Pick Your Programme
Choose:
- Master’s or PhD (most scholarships are for people who have already finished their undergraduate degree)
- Area of study
Step 2: Get the Necessary Papers Ready
Most of the time, you will need:
- Transcripts from school
- CV
- Statement of purpose
- Proposal for a PhD research project
- Letters of recommendation
Step 3: Fill out an application for admission
Most scholarships require you to get into a Swiss university first.
Step 4: Apply for financial aid
- Government scholarships through embassies or other official channels
- College scholarships through admission portals
Step 5: Go to the interviews
Some scholarships require interviews or other tests.
How to Get a Swiss Scholarship
To raise your odds:
1. Keep up the good work in school
Many people want to get scholarships.
2. Write a letter of motivation that is strong
Please explain:
- Why choose Switzerland
- Your school goals
- What you want to do with your career in the future
3. Apply Early
Usually, deadlines are between November and February.
4. Concentrate on Research (for PhD)
Proposals for research must be clear and have an effect.
5. Get in touch with professors (for research programmes)
For Swiss Government scholarships, this is often necessary.
Things You Shouldn’t Do
- Not meeting deadlines
- Sending in applications that aren’t complete
- Weak proposals for research
- Applying for just one scholarship
- Not paying attention to funding at the university level
How Much It Costs to Study in Switzerland Without a Scholarship
Knowing how much things cost shows how important scholarships are:
- Cost of tuition: $1,500 to $4,000 a year
- Costs of living: $1,500 to $2,500 a month
- Rent: $800 to $1,500 a month
Switzerland is an expensive place, so scholarships are crucial.
The Best Classes to Take in Switzerland
There are many scholarships available in the following fields:
- Technology and Engineering
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Money and Business
- Relations Between Countries
- Science of the Environment
Switzerland is especially good at engineering, finance, and fields that require a lot of research.
Last Thoughts
Some of the best scholarship opportunities in the world are in Switzerland. There are many ways to study in Switzerland without having to pay a lot of money. For example, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships and the ETH Zurich ESOP and EPFL Fellowships are two of the best ways to get money to go to an elite university.
It’s straightforward to understand what makes someone successful:
Get started early, make a strong application, and apply for more than one scholarship.
If you stay focused, you can get funding and study in one of the world’s most advanced and respected academic countries.
