Ladoscholar: The University of Lausanne (UNIL) sits on the shore of Lake Geneva, and its Master’s Grants are a quiet gem. UNIL awards around ten Master’s grants a year, on a competitive basis, to make master’s study easier for students with foreign university qualifications.
The money is a monthly stipend. Winners receive CHF 1,600 per month for the duration of their studies at UNIL. It’s paid ten months a year, from 15 September to 15 July, for the full length of the master’s, usually 1.5 or 2 years. There’s a useful extra too: UNIL guarantees all grantees accommodation through the Student Housing Foundation of Lausanne (FMEL).
Here’s the part that makes this scholarship easier than most: the application form doubles as your admission application, so you don’t apply separately through UNIL’s Admissions Office. One application does two jobs.
Eligibility
- Foreign degree: You need a foreign university degree recognised as equivalent to a Swiss bachelor’s (180 ECTS credits) before starting the master’s.
- No past registration at UNIL: You must never have been registered at UNIL before.
- Language level: The minimum is B2 in French or C1 in English, depending on the language of your master’s. One other source says C1 in the teaching language, so check the exact requirement for your programme.
- Outstanding academics: The grant is for students with outstanding academic results.
- Eligible programmes: Most UNIL masters qualify, but not all. Exclusions have included the Master from the School of Medicine, the Master of Education, the Master of Criminal Law, the Master of Science in Health Sciences, and the Master of Science in Physical Education and Sports Didactics. The Master of Law from the Universities of Zurich and Lausanne has also been excluded.
How to Apply
1. Choose your master’s carefully. Check it’s on the eligible list and matches your degree, your language level and your career plan.
2. Apply online through the grant portal. You upload your complete application file as a single PDF during the online application.
3. Don’t apply separately for admission. Applying through the Admissions Office instead will go against UNIL’s process.
4. Pay the administration fee.
How to stand out:
- Let your grades lead, then explain why this specific master’s fits your goals.
- Name UNIL courses, research areas or professors that match your interests.
- Keep your motivation letter focused and concrete. With only about ten awards, vague letters disappear.
Key Dates
- 1 November 2026: Application deadline
- November to December: UNIL processes applications.
- Early April 2027: Final decisions are expected.
- Autumn 2027: Studies begin
Documents Needed
The official checklist asks for one complete application file in a single PDF, including a motivation letter, translations of documents not in French, German, English or Italian, and a language certificate if required. You’ll also need:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates (certified copies if required)
- CV
- Passport or ID copy
- Two recommendation letters
- Proof of payment of the administration fee
- Any programme-specific documents
Incomplete files won’t be considered, so build a checklist and tick every item.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying separately through Admissions. The grant form already is your admission application.
- Missing the deadline. 1 November isn’t flexible, and postmarks and uploads both matter.
- Sending incomplete files. Missing certified copies or recommendation letters can end your application.
- Using a private email for referees. Letters must come from a professional address.
- Choosing an excluded programme. Confirm yours is eligible before you start.
- Writing a generic letter. Name UNIL’s courses, research strengths or professors.
- Waiting until the last minute for certified copies. International postage and certification take time.
Application Link
Who This Is Best For: High-achieving graduates of non-Swiss universities who want a master’s at the University of Lausanne and can show outstanding grades and a clear academic plan. Not for anyone already registered at UNIL, or for students targeting the excluded programmes listed below.
