The University of Lausanne (UNIL) was launched in the form of an academy in 1537. It only became a university in 1890 after the program offerings had grown and become diversified. Its growth over the years has been very progressive, and the 21st century has been marked by a sharp increase in student population, development in research facilities, increasing local and global collaborations, and digital evolution in teaching and learning. Here, we will be looking at some of the best scholarships at the University of Lausanne for international students.
UNIL is among the most prestigious universities for having produced influential people in different fields, such as politics, business, and literature. For instance, in 2017, a UNIL professor, Jacques Dubochet, recently won a Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Furthermore, its prestige is reinforced as it consistently ranks among the top 150 universities in world rankings and among the top five in Switzerland. With these recognitions and achievements, UNIL is becoming an attractive destination for outstanding students.
Related Scholarships
How do I apply to the University of Lausanne Scholarships?
Switzerland is among the most expensive countries in the world. Therefore, international students must be financially prepared when planning to pursue higher education in the country. To help prospective students get the picture, the University of Lausanne provides a summary of possible living and study costs.
Another important thing to be aware of is that there are not many scholarships available for international students at the University of Lausanne. Therefore, prospective students must look for available funding in their home countries for education in Switzerland.
However, several funding opportunities are available at the university once you have already enrolled. You may check available student support options on this page.
Meanwhile, prospective postgraduate students with outstanding academic achievement may apply for a scholarship before entering the university. For instance, incoming Master’s Degree students may qualify for a university-sponsored scholarship, while Ph.D. candidates may apply for a government-funded excellence scholarship.
The most important things to consider when applying for a scholarship at the University of Lausanne are the eligibility criteria and the deadlines, so be sure to check the eligibility criteria before applying for a scholarship. You must also carefully observe the application deadlines and set a reasonable time frame for visa preparation if you get accepted. A good rule of thumb is to comply with all the requirements two months before the deadline.
For admission deadlines for Bachelor’s Degree applicants, click here. For Master’s Degree applicants, visit this page. Incoming Ph.D. students may check this page. Note that the deadlines indicated here are ideal for students seeking admission for a degree program. Scholarship-seekers must refer to the scholarship links provided below for further information.
In addition, remember that there are language proficiency requirements since Lausanne is a French-speaking city, and most of the undergraduate courses and some postgraduate courses at UNIL are taught using the French language. As such, international students must meet the language proficiency requirements to gain admission into the university. Please visit this page for more details.
In the event that you do not qualify for any scholarship or are unable to secure funding, you may also try to apply for student jobs available at the university. Please remember, however, that as an international student, you may have to comply with country-specific visa requirements. Moreover, international students cannot get a work permit in their first semester. You may find more details here.
University of Lausanne Scholarships for International Students
1. Swiss Federal Scholarships for Foreign Students
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: country-specific
- Degrees Offered: Ph.D.
Excellent international students with a Master’s Degree may receive a scholarship from the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Lausanne.
Interested applicants must check the country-specific requirements, award value, and terms and conditions before applying for the scholarship. If they agree with the details, they must first reach out to their prospective research advisor at UNIL to submit a proposal. Once the professor approves the proposal and nominates the student for this University of Lausanne scholarship, the latter can now proceed with the application.
2. UNIL Financial Assistance
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: depends on the students’ needs
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor, Master, Doctoral
UNIL students experiencing financial difficulties may ask for assistance from the Social Assistance Council. The council has social advisors who can evaluate students’ applications for financial aid and conduct interviews if they deem it necessary.
The University of Lausanne offers scholarships in the following forms: monthly grants for loss of income, one-time payments for medical needs, one-time payments for emergencies, or partial waiver for university enrolment fees.
Students may apply for financial aid at any time during the school year. However, they must be able to provide evidence or supporting documents for the reason for the application.
3. Masters Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: CHF1,600
- Degrees Offered: Master
Academically excellent international students pursuing a Master’s Degree at UNIL may qualify for the Masters Scholarship worth CHF1,600 per month. This scholarship is valid for one and a half to two years, depending on the standard duration of the program.
The University of Lausanne awards ten Masters Scholarships every year. Each winner can enjoy the benefits for the duration of the degree program as long as they maintain excellent grades.
Remember that in order to qualify for this University of Lausanne scholarship, you must NOT apply for admission through the Admissions Department. Masters Scholarship applications must be sent via postal mail to the designated address indicated on the scholarship link. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and meet the deadlines.
4. University Fees Waiver
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: CHF400
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor, Master
Students registered at UNIL have to pay an enrolment fee worth CHF580 per semester. However, due to some emergency cases recognized by the Student Affairs and Social Mobility (SASME), qualified students only have to pay CHF180 per semester.
Interested applicants for this University of Lausanne scholarship must confirm the eligibility criteria with SASME before sending in their requests. If eligible, applicants must submit their application by September 30 for the fall semester or by February 28 for the spring semester.
Postgraduate research students may apply for funding from external sources. You may find more information on this page.
