Unil Master’s Scholarship 2027 | Eligibility and How to Apply

The Unil Master’s Scholarship is a prestigious award offered by the University of Lausanne (Unil) in Switzerland to a select group of outstanding international students each year. Unil awards approximately ten of these scholarships annually, and only graduates from foreign universities with exceptional academic records are considered. It is one of the most competitive merit-based scholarships in Switzerland, offering both financial support and the opportunity to pursue a world-class education in one of Europe’s most vibrant academic environments.

This scholarship is designed for high-achieving international students who hold a foreign university degree and are ready to begin a Master’s programme at Unil. It is not restricted to students from any particular region of the world. Whether you are from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, or the Middle East, if your academic results are outstanding and you meet the language requirements, you are encouraged to apply.

This post covers everything you need to know about the Unil Master’s Scholarship: who can apply, what benefits it offers, which programmes are eligible, how to apply step by step, and key tips to strengthen your application. Read through carefully and make sure you do not miss any detail before submitting your application.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the Unil Master’s Scholarship, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• Citizenship: There is no citizenship restriction. The scholarship is open to graduates of foreign universities, regardless of nationality. You must hold a university degree from outside Switzerland.
• Academic qualifications: You must hold a foreign university degree that is recognised as equivalent to a Swiss university bachelor’s degree before you begin the Master’s programme at Unil. Your academic results must be of a very high standard.
• Work experience: Not required. This is an academic merit-based scholarship.
• Language requirements: You must have a minimum language level of C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The language required depends on the programme. For programmes taught in French, C1 French is required. For programmes taught in English, C1 English is required. Always check the specific programme page to confirm the language of instruction.
• Enrollment status: You must not be currently enrolled at the University of Lausanne at the time of application.
• Administrative fee: You must have paid the CHF 200 administrative fee as part of your application.

Eligible Countries

The Unil Master’s Scholarship is open to graduates of any foreign university. This means students from all regions of the world are welcome to apply, provided they meet the academic and language requirements. There is no country-specific restriction.

Students from the following regions are all eligible to apply:

• Africa: All countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and all others.
• Asia: All countries, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and all others.
• Americas: All countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and all others.
• Europe: Graduates of non-Swiss European universities are also eligible. This includes students from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, and all other European countries.
• Middle East: All countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, and all others.
• Oceania: All countries, including Australia and New Zealand.

In short, if you graduated from a university outside Switzerland and your results are excellent, you may apply regardless of where you are from.

Eligible Fields of Study

Most Master’s programmes at the University of Lausanne are eligible for the scholarship. However, the following programmes are excluded from consideration:

• Master’s degrees from the School of Medicine
• Master in Sciences and Practices of Education
• Master of Law (with exceptions – see below)
• 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 programmes (third-cycle and further education programmes)

Exception for Law: The Master of Law is generally excluded, but the following specialisms are open to scholarship applications: International and Comparative Law, Legal Theory, and International Tax Law and Policy.

Additional conditions apply for candidates wishing to apply for a Master in Finance, Psychology, Arts, or Nursing. These conditions must be met in full. Check the Admissions Service (SII) page on the Unil website for the specific requirements for these programmes.

The full list of eligible Master’s degrees can be found on the Unil website.

Scholarship Benefits

The Unil Master’s Scholarship provides the following:

• Monthly stipend: CHF 1,600 per month for the minimum statutory duration of the Master’s programme. This amount is intended to help with living costs but does not cover all expenses in Switzerland. Applicants are advised to check the University’s guidance on the cost of living in Switzerland for students.
• Tuition fee waiver: Scholarship recipients are exempt from standard course registration fees. Only the semester fee of CHF 80 remains payable per semester.
• Duration: The scholarship is awarded for the minimum statutory period of the chosen Master’s programme.

Important note: As CHF 1,600 per month does not cover the full cost of living in Switzerland, this scholarship is considered partial funding. Applicants should plan for additional financial resources.

Required Documents

Your application must be submitted as a single PDF file alongside two letters of recommendation. The following documents are required:

1. Completed online application form (submitted via the Unil online portal)
2. Proof of payment of the CHF 200 administrative fee
3. Academic transcripts from all universities attended
4. University degree certificate (showing your completed bachelor’s degree from a foreign institution)
5. Provisional certificate of achievement if your final degree has not yet been issued
6. Proof of language proficiency at C1 level or higher (French or English, depending on your chosen programme)
7. Curriculum vitae (CV)
8. Two letters of recommendation sent directly by the recommenders to mastergrants@unil.ch by 1 November
9. Certified true copies of academic documents (required only if your diplomas were issued in a country that has not ratified the Lisbon Convention)

Note: If certified true copies are required, they must be certified and sealed by your university or college and sent by post to the University of Lausanne by 1 November (postmark date). Check the Unil website to confirm whether your country has ratified the Lisbon Convention.

How to Apply

Follow these steps carefully to submit a complete and valid application:

11. Check your eligibility: Make sure you meet all the conditions listed above, including academic qualifications, language level, and programme eligibility. Do not skip this step.
12. Choose your Master’s programme: Select the Unil Master’s programme you want to apply for. Make sure it is on the list of eligible programmes and that you meet any additional requirements for that specific field.
13. Pay the administrative fee: Pay the CHF 200 administrative fee. You will need proof of this payment as part of your application.
14. Prepare your application PDF: Gather all required documents and compile them into a single PDF file. This is a strict requirement. Separate files will not be accepted.
15. Register online and upload your PDF: Submit your application through the official Unil online portal. Upload your single PDF file during the registration process. The deadline for online registration is 1 November.
16. Arrange your letters of recommendation: Contact two teachers who are familiar with your academic work and ask them to send recommendation letters on your behalf directly to mastergrants@unil.ch by 1 November. Letters must be sent after your online registration is completed to be considered.
17. Send certified true copies by post (if applicable): If you studied in a country that has not ratified the Lisbon Convention, your university must certify and seal your academic documents and send them by post to the University of Lausanne by 1 November (postmark date). Check whether this step applies to your country before the deadline.
18. Track the selection timeline: After submission, monitor the timeline. Applicants with incomplete or rejected applications are informed between December and March. Final decisions are communicated in early April.
19. Note: Your scholarship application also serves as your application to the chosen Master’s degree. You do not need to apply separately to the Admissions Office.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The deadline for all components of the application is 1 November 2026 for the 2027/2028 academic year.

• Online registration: Must be completed by 1 November 2026.
• Letters of recommendation: Must be emailed to mastergrants@unil.ch by 1 November 2026. Only letters submitted after online registration is completed will be accepted.
• Certified true copies by post: Must be postmarked by 1 November 2026 (only for applicants from countries that have not ratified the Lisbon Convention).

Applications submitted after this date will NOT be accepted. Applications sent by email will also not be considered. Only applications submitted through the official online portal will be reviewed.

Selection Criteria

The Unil Master’s Scholarship is awarded based on merit. The Selection Board reviews complete applications submitted by eligible candidates. Here is what the committee considers:

• Academic excellence: This is the primary criterion. Only students with outstanding academic results from their bachelor’s studies are considered. Mediocre or average results will not be competitive.
• Eligibility for the chosen Master’s programme: Your application must first be accepted by the Unil Admissions Office and then by the relevant faculty. Only applications that pass both stages proceed to the Selection Board.
• Completeness of application: Incomplete applications are disqualified without consideration. All required documents, letters of recommendation, and fees must be submitted correctly and on time.
• Leadership potential: Not explicitly stated in the provided information. Check the official Unil scholarship page for additional criteria used by the Selection Board.
• Motivation and fit: The role of the motivation letter, if required, in the selection process should be confirmed via the official FAQ.

There is no appeals process. Decisions made by the Selection Board are final.

Important Tips for Applicants

• Read the FAQ before doing anything else. The Unil scholarship page has a detailed FAQ section. Many questions about language requirements, programme conditions, and document requirements are answered there. You will save time and avoid mistakes by reading it first.
• Do not apply for excluded programmes. Check the list of ineligible programmes carefully. Applying to a programme that is not covered by the scholarship will result in automatic disqualification.
• Start collecting your documents early. Gathering transcripts, certified copies, and language certificates takes time. Begin several weeks before the November deadline to avoid last-minute problems.
• Ask your recommenders early. Two letters of recommendation are required, and they must be sent directly by your teachers. Contact your recommenders well in advance and remind them of the deadline. Letters received without a completed online registration are not valid.
• Compile a clean, single PDF. All your application documents must be in one PDF file. Practice merging your documents before the deadline to make sure the file is complete and readable.
• Check whether your country requires certified true copies. This is an additional step that applies only to students from countries that have not ratified the Lisbon Convention. If it applies to you, your university must certify and mail the documents. Do not leave this until the last minute.
• Budget beyond the scholarship. CHF 1,600 per month does not cover all living expenses in Switzerland. Research the actual cost of living in Lausanne and plan how you will supplement the stipend.
• Do not contact Unil with questions answered on their website. The scholarship office will not respond to questions already covered in the FAQ. Spend time reading the official pages carefully before reaching out.
• Apply for the right specialism if you are a Law student. The Master of Law is generally excluded, but three specialisms are eligible. Make sure you are applying under one of those three if you are a Law applicant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can students from any country apply for the Unil Master’s Scholarship?

Yes. There is no nationality restriction. The scholarship is open to graduates of any foreign university, regardless of country of origin. The key requirement is that you hold a foreign university degree recognised as equivalent to a Swiss bachelor’s degree.

Does the scholarship cover all my living expenses in Switzerland?

No. The CHF 1,600 monthly stipend does not cover the full cost of living in Switzerland. Unil explicitly states that this scholarship does not constitute full funding. You should review the cost of living guidance on the Unil Admissions Service FAQ and plan for additional financial resources.

Do I need to apply separately to the Master’s programme and the scholarship?

No. Your scholarship application also serves as your application to the Master’s programme. You do not need to submit a separate application to the Unil Admissions Office.

What language level do I need to apply?

You need a minimum C1 level in the language of instruction of your chosen programme. If the programme is taught in French, you need C1 French. If taught in English, you need C1 English. Check the programme page for the specific language requirement and acceptable proof of language proficiency.

When will I know if my application was successful?

The final decision by the Selection Board is communicated to applicants in early April. Applicants with incomplete or rejected applications are informed at various stages between December and March.

Can I appeal the scholarship decision?

No. Decisions made by the Unil Master’s Scholarship Selection Board are final and cannot be appealed.

Is the Master of Law eligible for the scholarship?

Generally no, but three specialisms are eligible: International and Comparative Law, Legal Theory, and International Tax Law and Policy. All other Master of Law specialisms are excluded.

What happens if my application is incomplete?

Incomplete applications will not be considered. This includes applications with missing letters of recommendation, incomplete PDF files, or missing certified true copies where required. Make sure every element is submitted correctly and on time.

Official Application Link

The online application for the 2027/2028 academic year opens in September 2026. The deadline is 1 November 2026.

Visit the official Unil Master’s Scholarship page to access the online application portal, read the full FAQ, and find additional details:

https://www.unil.ch/international/en/home/menuinst/bourses-et-subventions/bourses-unil/bourse-master-unil.html

For questions not covered on the website, send an email to the scholarship office. Note that questions already answered in the FAQ will not receive a response.

Need Personal Guidance to Study or Work Abroad?

You can now book for a personal guidance for your scholarship applications, visa requirements, or if you’re financially ready to study or work abroad and just need someone to walk you through the process.

Book Consultation

- SPONSORED ADVERT -