PhDFully Funded
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students to Study in Switzerland
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students to Study in Switzerland - PhD, Post a Comment
- Provider
- Various
- Host country
- Switzerland
- Region
- Europe
About this scholarship
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[September 21, 2021September 21, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/09/21/)
##### Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards the Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. Find out more about the opportunity below.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are aimed at foreign student artists and researchers looking to study in Switzerland. Recipients are selected by the awarding body, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).
Aspiring scholars must have completed a minimum of a master’s degree in any discipline and plans to pursue research or further studies at a doctoral or post-doctoral level.
### Table of contents
- [Benefits of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships-for-foreign-students-to-study-in-switzerland/#h-benefits-of-the-swiss-government-excellence-scholarships)
- [Types of Scholarship Available for Study in Switzerland](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships-for-foreign-students-to-study-in-switzerland/#h-types-of-scholarship-available-for-study-in-switzerland)
- [Eligibility Criteria](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships-for-foreign-students-to-study-in-switzerland/#h-eligibility-criteria)
- [How to Apply](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships-for-foreign-students-to-study-in-switzerland/#h-how-to-apply)
#001 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships - One Minute Intro - YouTube
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## Benefits of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for foreign students shall cover a monthly payment, exemption of tuition fees, health insurance, airfare, housing allowance, and other necessities as applicable.
One of the 10 Swiss cantonal universities, the two Swiss federal institutes of technology or public teaching and research institutes are the available host institutions for the said opportunity.
## Types of Scholarship Available for Study in Switzerland
- The **research scholarship** is available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree as a minimum) who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at doctoral or post-doctoral level.
Research scholarships are awarded for research or study at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences and the two federal institutes of technology, as well as the four research institutes. Only candidates nominated by an academic mentor at one of these higher education institutions will be considered.
- **Art scholarships** are open to art students wishing to pursue an initial master’s degree in Switzerland.
Art scholarships are awarded for study at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts. This scholarship is available to students from a limited number of countries only.
## Eligibility Criteria
Applications are subject to **preliminary selection** by the relevant national authorities and/or the Swiss diplomatic representation. The **short-listed applications** are then assessed by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), which takes the final decision.
The FCS assesses scholarship applications according to three criteria:
1. Candidate profile
2. Quality of the research project or artistic work
3. Synergies and potential for future research cooperation
The FCS is composed of professors from all Swiss public universities. Scholarship awards are decided on the basis of academic and scientific excellence.
In addition, international students from across 180 countries are welcome to apply for the scholarship. Please check out the following available countries listed by the Swiss government:
[Countries A-L](https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/en/home/education/scholarships-and-grants/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships/countries-a-l.html)
[Countries M-Z](https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/en/home/education/scholarships-and-grants/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships/countries-m-z.html)
## How to Apply
The application process for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships vary from country to country. Interested applicants are advised to check the application deadlines, offerings, and other pertinent information according to their country of origin.
**Select your country of origin according to your passport for receiving further information and the application documents:**
[Countries A-L](https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/en/home/education/scholarships-and-grants/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships/countries-a-l.html)
[Countries M-Z](https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/en/home/education/scholarships-and-grants/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships/countries-m-z.html)
Please refer to the [scholarship website](https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/en/home/education/scholarships-and-grants/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships.html) for further questions and concerns.
* * *
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## 2 thoughts on “Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students to Study in Switzerland”
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2. I don’t know the reason how they select. I have tried many times. but
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Eligibility criteria
Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.
- Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
- Currently applying to or enrolled at the PhD level
- Willing to study in Switzerland
- Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
- English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
- Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential
- Demonstrated financial need (most fully funded sponsors verify household income)
Required documents
A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.
- Valid international passport (bio page scan)
- Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
- Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
- Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
- Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
- Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
- Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
- Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
- Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
- Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders
Deadline timeline
The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.
- 12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
- 6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
- 3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
- 1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
- Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students to Study in Switzerland?+
Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the PhD level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to Switzerland for the duration of the programme.
Is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students to Study in Switzerland fully funded?+
Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.
When is the application deadline?+
The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
What documents do I need to apply?+
At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.
How can I improve my chance of winning?+
Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.