Scholarship details
Every year, the Swiss Confederation awards Excellence Scholarships to promote and international exchange and cooperation between Switzerland and 180 partner countries. The awarding body, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) selects the winners. From the pool of candidates, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are dedicated to researchers who have completed a Master’s degree or PhD at a foreign educational institution.
There are several types of scholarships available to foreign exchange students. To apply for a research scholarship, for example, entrants need to hold a master’s degree as a minimum and have the intention of relocating to Switzerland to pursue research or work on a doctoral or postdoctoral degree. The scholarships are available in all Swiss cantonal universities and universities of applied sciences and the two federal institutes of technology.
Another noteworthy prerequisite to consider when applying for a research scholarship is that only candidates nominated by an academic mentor at one of the above-mentioned higher education institutions will be considered.
Arts scholarships are available to students who are willing to pursue a Master’s degree in the country. In order to qualify for a scholarship, the successful applicant must have already been awarded a place to study at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts.
The scholarship covers tuition fees, health insurance and includes a monthly payment as well as air fare, and housing allowance. Application deadlines fall in the period between September and December. The amount paid depends on the country candidates come from.
