The UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027/28 offers academically outstanding international students financial support to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.
Officially known as the UNIL Master’s Excellence Grant, the programme awards approximately ten scholarships each year to graduates of universities outside Switzerland. Selected students receive CHF 1,600 per month for the minimum statutory duration of an eligible master’s degree, together with an exemption from standard course-registration fees.
Application status — November 2, 2026: The application deadline for the 2027/28 academic year was November 1, 2026. Applications for this round are now closed. The selection process is ongoing, and final results are expected in early April 2027.
This guide explains the scholarship amount, eligibility criteria, IELTS requirements, eligible courses, application documents, selection process and what applicants should do after the deadline.
UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027/28: Quick Overview
| Scholarship details | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | UNIL Master’s Excellence Grant |
| University | University of Lausanne |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Degree level | Master’s |
| Academic year | 2027/28 |
| Application status | Closed |
| Application deadline | November 1, 2026 |
| Scholarship amount | CHF 1,600 per month |
| Number of awards | Approximately 10 per year |
| Funding duration | Minimum statutory duration of the master’s programme |
| Tuition benefit | Exemption from standard course-registration fees |
| Remaining semester charge | CHF 80 |
| Application fee | CHF 200, non-refundable |
| Language requirement | Generally C1 in the programme’s teaching language |
| Recommendation letters | Two |
| Separate admission application | Not required through the scholarship route |
| Expected final results | Early April 2027 |
| Fully funded? | No |
The current round has closed, but students can still review the requirements to prepare for a future application.
Official scholarship page: University of Lausanne Master’s Grants
Is the UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 Still Open?
No. The application deadline was November 1, 2026, for students seeking to begin an eligible master’s programme during the 2027/28 academic year.
The deadline covered more than submitting an online form.
Applicants also needed to ensure that their two recommendation letters reached the university on time. Those required to submit certified academic documents by post had to meet the November 1 postmark deadline.
| Application requirement | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Online registration and complete PDF application | November 1, 2026 |
| Two recommendation letters | November 1, 2026 |
| Certified academic documents, where required | Postmarked by November 1, 2026 |
Students who successfully submitted their applications should now follow the selection timetable and monitor communications from the university.
When Will the Next UNIL Scholarship Open?
As of November 2, 2026, the University of Lausanne has not confirmed a new application period for the 2028/29 academic year.
The previous application round opened in September 2026, but this should not be treated as a guaranteed opening date for the next cycle.
Prospective applicants should monitor the official scholarship page for a new call.
What Is the UNIL Master’s Excellence Grant?
The University of Lausanne offers a limited number of excellence scholarships to students whose previous university studies demonstrate particularly strong academic achievement.
The scholarship is intended for applicants who have obtained, or are completing, a qualifying degree outside Switzerland and wish to pursue an eligible master’s programme at UNIL.
Academic excellence is central to the selection process.
The university awards approximately ten grants annually, so applicants should distinguish between meeting the minimum admission criteria and being competitive for one of the scholarships.
UNIL Master’s Scholarship Amount and Benefits
CHF 1,600 Monthly Scholarship
The principal benefit is a grant of CHF 1,600 per month, awarded for the minimum statutory duration of the selected master’s programme.
Eligible programmes commonly last three or four semesters.
The exact payment schedule and total amount depend on the programme duration and the applicable scholarship conditions.
Applicants should not calculate their total award by assuming that every month of a two-year period is funded. They should consult UNIL’s current payment schedule, including its rules for the first and subsequent study periods.
Tuition and Course-Registration Fees
Scholarship recipients are exempt from normal course-registration fees.
However, they remain responsible for a CHF 80 semester charge.
This is an important distinction: the grant substantially reduces university charges, but it does not eliminate every fee.
Accommodation Support
UNIL’s grant arrangements include access to student housing through the Fondation Maisons pour Étudiants de Lausanne (FMEL), under the applicable conditions.
However, scholarship recipients must pay their own accommodation costs.
Students should confirm the room arrangements, rent and required procedures with UNIL or FMEL before moving to Lausanne.
Does UNIL Cover Airfare, Insurance and Visa Costs?
The standard Master’s Excellence Grant does not promise separate full funding for international flights, visa expenses or health insurance.
Students should prepare a realistic budget covering these costs alongside food, transport, accommodation and other personal expenses.
Is the UNIL Master’s Scholarship Fully Funded?
No. The UNIL Master’s Scholarship is partially funded.
The University of Lausanne explicitly explains that the monthly grant is not enough to cover all living costs in Switzerland.
The scholarship provides substantial financial support, but students may need additional personal savings or other permitted funding.
Before accepting a scholarship offer, consider the following:
- Expected accommodation expenses in Lausanne.
- Food and daily living costs.
- Mandatory health-insurance requirements.
- Transport and study-related expenses.
- Visa and residence-permit costs.
- Travel expenses.
- Living expenses during periods not covered by scholarship payments.
Students needing more comprehensive financial assistance can explore fully funded scholarships on Scholarships Central.
UNIL Master’s Scholarship Application Fee
Applicants for the 2027/28 cycle were required to pay a CHF 200 non-refundable administrative fee.
The fee relates to processing the applicant’s university admission file.
It is separate from the CHF 80 semester charge paid by successful scholarship recipients.
| Fee | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Application administrative fee | CHF 200 | Processing the application and admission file |
| Semester charge | CHF 80 per semester | Remaining university fee for scholarship recipients |
Proof of payment was required as part of the application documents.
Applicants preparing for the next cycle should verify the fee and payment instructions before making any transfer.
UNIL Master’s Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
The scholarship is intended for highly qualified graduates of universities outside Switzerland.
For the 2027/28 cycle, the principal requirements included:
- Holding, or being due to complete, a foreign university degree recognised as equivalent to a Swiss university bachelor’s degree.
- Demonstrating outstanding academic results.
- Meeting the language requirements for the selected master’s programme.
- Not having been previously registered at the University of Lausanne.
- Applying for an eligible UNIL master’s programme.
- Paying the required CHF 200 administrative fee.
- Submitting all required documents within the application period.
The selected faculty must also determine that the applicant meets the academic admission requirements for the proposed degree.
Is There an Age Limit?
The scholarship’s published general eligibility conditions do not establish a universal maximum age for applicants.
However, academic qualifications, prior enrolment at UNIL and programme-specific conditions remain important.
Is There a Nationality Restriction?
The programme is intended for graduates of foreign universities and is not generally restricted to one nationality or geographical region.
Applicants from countries including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria and other parts of the world may be eligible if they satisfy the scholarship conditions.
Eligibility depends on the applicant’s academic qualification and the university’s admission rules, not simply nationality.
UNIL Master’s Scholarship for Pakistani Students
Pakistani students may apply for the UNIL Master’s Excellence Grant if their qualifications meet the required standards.
There is one important administrative requirement that applicants with Pakistani university degrees should understand.
UNIL has additional certified-document rules for qualifications issued in countries that have not ratified the Lisbon Recognition Convention.
Pakistan was not listed among the parties to the convention in the Council of Europe’s treaty status information checked for this update.
Therefore, applicants holding qualifications issued in Pakistan should review the applicable procedure for sending certified university documents.
The instructions can require academic documents to be certified by the awarding university and sent in a sealed envelope.
For a future application, students should arrange these documents early rather than waiting until the scholarship deadline.
Official reference: Council of Europe — Lisbon Recognition Convention, Treaty 165
UNIL Master’s Scholarship for Indian Students
Indian students may also compete for the scholarship if they meet the general eligibility conditions.
Applicants should confirm that their degree is recognised as suitable for admission to their chosen master’s programme.
They should also review the certified-document rules based on the country in which their qualification was awarded.
The applicable procedure depends on the awarding institution and relevant recognition requirements.
Can Final-Year Bachelor’s Students Apply?
Yes. The 2027/28 scholarship conditions allowed applicants completing their bachelor’s degree to submit an application before receiving their final diploma.
Such applicants could provide available academic transcripts and supporting evidence of their current studies.
However, they must obtain the qualifying degree before beginning the UNIL master’s programme.
This arrangement can benefit students whose expected graduation takes place between the scholarship application deadline and the start of the academic programme.
Can You Apply If You Already Have a Master’s Degree?
Having a previous master’s qualification does not necessarily create an automatic exclusion from the scholarship’s general conditions.
However, applicants must disclose their educational history and satisfy the admission requirements for the new programme.
They should contact UNIL if they are unsure whether their previous qualifications affect their admission.
Can Current UNIL Students Apply?
The grant is intended for applicants entering UNIL from foreign universities.
The published conditions exclude people who have already been registered at UNIL, including relevant previous master’s or preparatory study.
Students should not assume that they can use this scholarship to fund a degree they have already started at the university.
UNIL Master’s Scholarship GPA Requirement
The University of Lausanne does not publish one universal minimum GPA applicable to every international scholarship applicant.
For example, a fixed requirement of 3.5/4.0 or 3.7/4.0 should not be presented as an official scholarship-wide cutoff.
Instead, the university emphasizes exceptional academic performance.
Applicants should provide a complete academic record and demonstrate strong preparation for their intended master’s programme.
Individual faculties may have additional grade-equivalency or admission requirements.
UNIL Master’s Scholarship IELTS and Language Requirements
Applicants are generally expected to demonstrate at least C1 proficiency in the language of instruction of the selected master’s programme.
For French-taught programmes, this normally means C1-level French.
For English-taught programmes, applicants need the corresponding level of English proficiency.
Acceptable evidence may include recognised language tests or an exemption permitted under UNIL’s rules.
Is IELTS Required for the UNIL Master’s Scholarship?
Not in every case.
The scholarship does not impose IELTS as the sole acceptable language qualification.
Depending on the programme and applicant’s educational history, alternative English-language qualifications may be accepted.
The 2027/28 guidance also identifies possible language-certification exemptions when:
- The selected programme is taught in the applicant’s mother tongue; or
- The applicant’s bachelor’s degree was completed entirely in the language of instruction of the selected master’s.
These exemptions should be checked against the actual university requirements before applying.
What IELTS Score Is Needed?
C1-level English is commonly associated with approximately IELTS Academic 7.0, but this should not be interpreted as a universal official IELTS cutoff for every UNIL programme.
Applicants must check the exact accepted tests, score requirements and exemptions for their chosen degree.
The important requirement is demonstrating the language proficiency specified by the university and the relevant programme.
Which Master’s Programmes Are Eligible?
The UNIL Master’s Excellence Grant is available for many, but not all, university master’s programmes.
Applicants should check their selected programme against the current scholarship exclusions before preparing an application.
Master’s Programmes Excluded from the Scholarship
The 2027/28 guidance excludes programmes including:
- Master’s programmes offered by the School of Medicine.
- Master in Sciences and Practices of Education.
- Most Master of Law programmes.
- 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.
- MAS and other specified further-education programmes.
These exclusions are important because admission to a UNIL master’s programme does not automatically mean that programme is eligible for the Excellence Grant.
Exceptions for Master of Law Programmes
Although most Master of Law programmes are excluded, the scholarship guidance identifies exceptions for the following specialisations:
- International and Comparative Law.
- Legal Theory.
- International Tax Law and Policy.
Applicants should verify that the exact course title remains eligible in the relevant scholarship cycle.
Programmes with Additional Admission Conditions
UNIL also identifies additional requirements for applicants interested in certain programmes, including Finance, Psychology, Arts and Nursing.
Students interested in these fields should check the appropriate faculty’s academic and language requirements.
Does the Scholarship Application Also Cover University Admission?
Yes. This is one of the most important features of the UNIL Master’s Excellence Grant.
The scholarship application also serves as an application for admission to the selected master’s degree.
Applicants do not normally need to submit a second, separate admission application through the ordinary UNIL admissions route for the same programme.
The university reviews the applicant’s academic eligibility and the scholarship application through its established selection process.
This is why the scholarship application requires detailed academic documentation and payment of the administrative admission fee.
Documents Required for the UNIL Master’s Scholarship
The 2027/28 application instructions required candidates to prepare a complete application file as a single PDF.
The documents included:
- An updated curriculum vitae with a photograph.
- A covering or motivation letter of approximately one to two pages.
- Copies of university degree certificates.
- Complete university academic transcripts.
- Available academic records for applicants still completing their bachelor’s degree.
- A language certificate, where required.
- Secondary-school leaving certificate.
- Passport identification-page copy.
- Proof of payment of the CHF 200 administrative fee.
- Certified translations where applicable.
The application documents needed to be arranged according to UNIL’s instructions.
Future applicants should use the document checklist published for their own application cycle rather than assuming the requirements will remain unchanged.
Translation Requirements
The 2027/28 instructions recognised documents in French, German, English and Italian.
Documents issued in other languages could require authenticated translations.
Applicants should retain the original document alongside its translation when required.
Two Recommendation Letters: Important Rules
The UNIL Master’s Scholarship requires two recommendation letters.
The 2027/28 application guidance allowed references from teachers familiar with the applicant’s university studies or from an employer.
The letters needed to be sent directly by their authors using professional email addresses.
Recommendation email: mastergrants@unil.ch
When Should Recommendation Letters Be Sent?
The instructions stated that recommendation letters should be submitted after the applicant completed online registration.
Letters submitted before that registration could be disregarded.
For the 2027/28 round, both recommendations had to arrive by November 1, 2026.
That deadline has passed.
For future applicants, the correct procedure is to complete the online registration, then arrange for both referees to send their letters directly to UNIL before the new deadline.
Certified Documents and the Lisbon Recognition Convention
Applicants whose university qualifications were issued in countries that had not ratified the Lisbon Recognition Convention faced an additional documentation requirement.
Under the 2027/28 instructions, the awarding university had to certify the relevant academic documents and place them in a sealed envelope.
These documents could include:
- Degree certificates.
- Academic transcripts.
- Provisional degree certificates, where applicable.
The certified documents were to be sent to:
University of Lausanne
Social Affairs and Student Mobility Service (SASME)
Bâtiment Unicentre
CH-1015 Lausanne
Switzerland
The postal documents had to be postmarked by November 1, 2026, for the current cycle.
This deadline has now passed.
Applicants preparing for a future round should verify both the current postal address and the latest document-certification instructions before sending anything.
How to Apply for the UNIL Master’s Scholarship
Applications for 2027/28 are closed. The following process describes the recently completed round and can help prospective applicants prepare for the next scholarship announcement.
Step 1: Choose an Eligible Master’s Programme
Review the University of Lausanne’s available master’s degrees and confirm whether your selected programme is eligible for the scholarship.
Pay attention to programme exclusions and additional admission requirements.
Step 2: Check Your Academic Qualification
Determine whether your previous degree can be recognised as equivalent to a Swiss university bachelor’s degree.
Applicants completing their qualifications should prepare current transcripts and evidence of expected graduation.
Step 3: Confirm Language Requirements
Identify the teaching language of your chosen programme.
Review the required language level, accepted certificates and possible exemptions.
Step 4: Prepare Your Application Documents
Collect the documents required by UNIL and arrange them in the requested order.
The 2027/28 process required a single complete PDF application file.
Step 5: Pay the Administrative Fee
The current cycle required a CHF 200 non-refundable administrative fee.
Applicants needed to include proof of payment with their documents.
Do not pay for a future cycle until the university publishes the corresponding application instructions.
Step 6: Complete the Online Scholarship Registration
Applicants submitted their scholarship application through the UNIL online system.
The submission also served as their application for admission to the selected master’s degree.
Step 7: Arrange Two Recommendation Letters
After completing registration, applicants arranged for two referees to send their recommendations directly to UNIL.
Step 8: Submit Certified Postal Documents, If Required
Applicants whose qualifications triggered the additional certification rules had to arrange the required documents and postal submission.
Step 9: Confirm Application Completion
For the 2027/28 cycle, a complete application required all relevant components, including online registration, the PDF file, two recommendations, administrative-fee proof and certified documents where applicable.
Incomplete applications were not considered.
UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 Selection Process and Results
The selection process takes place over several months.
The University of Lausanne reviews the submitted files, assesses academic admissibility and makes the final scholarship decisions.
Officially Published Selection Timeline
| Selection stage | Expected period |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | November 1, 2026 |
| Administrative processing | November–December 2026 |
| Initial rejection notices | December 2026–January 2027 |
| Faculty eligibility review | January–February 2027 |
| Further faculty decisions | February–March 2027 |
| Scholarship Selection Board | March 2027 |
| Final scholarship results | Early April 2027 |
When Will UNIL Master’s Scholarship Results Be Announced?
Final scholarship decisions are expected in early April 2027.
The university’s selection timetable indicates that some applicants may receive earlier notifications if their applications are incomplete or they do not meet admission requirements.
Applicants should monitor the email address used in their application and follow any instructions received from UNIL.
The published selection guidance states that scholarship selection decisions cannot be appealed.
How Competitive Is the UNIL Master’s Scholarship?
UNIL awards approximately ten Master’s Excellence Grants each year.
This makes the programme highly selective.
However, the university does not publish sufficient annual applicant-volume information to establish a reliable acceptance percentage.
Applicants should therefore be cautious about unofficial claims that the acceptance rate is exactly 1%, 3% or 5%.
A strong application generally requires excellent academic performance, relevant preparation for the selected programme, appropriate language proficiency and convincing supporting documents.
How to Write a Strong UNIL Motivation Letter
The application guidance requests a covering letter of approximately one to two pages.
A useful motivation letter should explain four areas.
Why this master’s programme?
Describe the academic subjects or research themes that interest you and explain why the selected programme is appropriate.
How are you academically prepared?
Use evidence from your previous studies, research, projects or relevant professional experience.
Why the University of Lausanne?
Identify specific academic features of the university or programme rather than relying on general statements about studying in Switzerland.
What are your future goals?
Explain how the master’s programme supports your intended academic, research or professional direction.
The letter should form a coherent connection between your previous education, current interests and future plans.
Because the scholarship is excellence-based, strong academic evidence is particularly important.
What Happens If You Do Not Receive the Scholarship?
A student may satisfy the academic admission conditions for a master’s programme but not receive one of the limited Excellence Grants.
UNIL’s application process can allow academically admissible candidates to continue toward ordinary enrolment, subject to the university’s instructions and conditions.
Such applicants must determine whether they can finance their studies without the scholarship.
Students should not assume that receiving academic admission automatically provides alternative funding.
Can You Work While Receiving the UNIL Scholarship?
International students considering employment during their studies must comply with the applicable Swiss residence and employment rules.
The right to undertake part-time work depends on the student’s immigration status and the conditions of their residence permit.
A scholarship award is not, by itself, permission to work.
Students should verify their employment eligibility through the relevant Swiss authorities and university guidance before making financial plans based on expected employment income.
Frequently Asked Questions About UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027/28
Is the UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 open?
No. The 2027/28 application round closed on November 1, 2026. The selection process is continuing.
What is the UNIL Master’s Scholarship deadline?
The deadline for the 2027/28 academic year was November 1, 2026.
The next application deadline has not yet been officially confirmed.
How much is the UNIL scholarship?
The scholarship provides CHF 1,600 per month under the applicable payment schedule, for the minimum statutory duration of the eligible master’s programme.
Is the UNIL Master’s Scholarship fully funded?
No. The scholarship provides substantial financial assistance but does not cover all living expenses in Switzerland.
Does UNIL cover tuition fees?
Recipients are exempt from normal course-registration fees, although they must still pay CHF 80 per semester.
Is there an application fee?
Yes. The 2027/28 round required a CHF 200 non-refundable administrative fee.
How many students receive the UNIL Master’s Scholarship?
The University of Lausanne awards approximately ten Master’s Excellence Grants each year.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes, if they meet the academic, language and other eligibility requirements. Applicants with Pakistani university qualifications should pay particular attention to the certified-document requirements.
Can Indian students apply?
Yes, subject to the academic admission requirements, language conditions and relevant application procedures.
Can final-year bachelor’s students apply?
Yes. Eligible students can apply before receiving their final degree, provided they complete the qualifying qualification before beginning their master’s programme.
Is IELTS compulsory?
Not universally. Applicants must satisfy the relevant language requirements, generally at C1 level. Certain recognised qualifications or previous education may provide an alternative route.
What GPA is required?
UNIL does not publish one universal scholarship GPA cutoff. Applicants are expected to demonstrate particularly strong academic performance.
Can current UNIL students apply?
The grant is intended for students entering from foreign universities. The published conditions exclude applicants who have previously been registered at UNIL.
Do I need two recommendation letters?
Yes. The 2027/28 application process required two letters sent directly by their authors.
Can an employer provide a recommendation letter?
The published guidance permits recommendation letters from an employer as well as from qualifying academic referees.
Do I need to apply separately for master’s admission?
No. The scholarship application itself serves as the admission application for the chosen master’s programme.
Are all UNIL master’s programmes eligible?
No. Several master’s programmes are excluded, including medicine, certain education and health programmes, most law programmes and specified continuing-education qualifications.
Can PhD students apply?
No. This particular Excellence Grant is designed for eligible master’s studies.
When are UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 results announced?
Final decisions are expected in early April 2027.
Does the scholarship cover accommodation?
The programme includes accommodation-related arrangements through FMEL, but scholarship recipients remain responsible for paying rent.
Does UNIL cover international airfare?
International airfare is not included as a standard separately funded benefit.
When will applications for 2028/29 open?
The next scholarship application period has not yet been officially announced. Applicants should monitor the University of Lausanne’s scholarship website.
Official UNIL Master’s Scholarship Links
Students should use official sources to confirm the latest information before preparing a future application.
- University of Lausanne — Official Master’s Scholarship Page
- University of Lausanne — Main Website
- Council of Europe — Lisbon Recognition Convention Status
For scholarship-specific questions, UNIL lists the contact email mastergrants@unil.ch.
Explore More Scholarships on Scholarships Central
If you missed the UNIL deadline or need a scholarship with broader financial coverage, explore:
- Master’s Scholarships
- Fully Funded Scholarships
- Scholarships Still Open in 2026
- All Scholarship Opportunities
Always verify the current application status before applying.
Final Thoughts
The UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027/28 provides an attractive opportunity for academically excellent international students seeking postgraduate education in Switzerland.
The scholarship offers CHF 1,600 per month, exemption from normal course-registration fees and access to student accommodation arrangements, although recipients remain responsible for the CHF 80 semester charge and living expenses.
The November 1, 2026 application deadline has passed. Students who submitted complete applications should now follow the selection process, with final results expected in early April 2027.
Prospective applicants who missed the deadline can use the published requirements to prepare their academic documents, language evidence, motivation letters and recommendations for a future cycle.
The most important step is to verify eligibility for the selected master’s programme and consult the University of Lausanne’s official scholarship instructions before beginning a new application.