MastersPartial Funding 171 days left

Excellence Master Fellowships

Last verified 18 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The University of Geneva offers Excellence Master Fellowships to outstanding students pursuing a Master of Science degree within its Faculty of Science, providing grants of CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 per year.

Provider: Faculty of Science of the University of Geneva
Host country: Switzerland
Deadline: Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle)
Region: Europe

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Excellence Master Fellowships is open to African students applying to study in Switzerland at the Masters level, with partial funding funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Masters · applicants for Switzerland
Funding: Partial Funding
Study level: Masters
Deadline: Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle)

Key eligibility criteria

Open to outstanding and highly motivated students who wish to pursue a Master of Science degree in one of the disciplines covered by the Faculty. Regardless of your home university, whether you have passed or are doing a brilliant bachelor degree, and that you are one of the best in your year. You must meet the admission criteria of the Master of your choice and be selected on the basis of the application file for an Excellence Fellowship.

About the Excellence Master Fellowships (2026)

## Overview The University of Geneva's Faculty of Science offers the Excellence Master Fellowships to highly motivated and academically outstanding students from around the world. This prestigious fellowship program supports individuals pursuing a Master of Science degree across a broad range of scientific disciplines, including astronomy, biology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, pharmaceutical sciences, and earth sciences. The Faculty of Science is a globally recognized research institution, providing an ideal environment for both academic and professional development, with strong ties to industry, teaching, and scientific administration. The selection process for these fellowships is based purely on the principle of excellence. ## Benefits The Excellence Fellowship provides a significant financial grant to support students during their Master's studies. Recipients will receive a grant amounting to CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 per academic year. Importantly, there are no teaching duties associated with this fellowship, allowing students to focus entirely on their studies and research. The fellowship is initially awarded for one year and is subsequently extended for the full duration of the chosen Master's program (typically three or four semesters), contingent upon the applicant demonstrating academic success at the end of their first semester of studies. ## Eligibility This fellowship is open to outstanding students from any university, whether they have already completed a brilliant Bachelor's degree or are currently in the final stages of such a program, and are among the top performers in their graduating class. To be considered, applicants must meet the specific admission criteria for their chosen Master's program at the University of Geneva. Current students who have already commenced a Master's program at the Faculty of Science are not eligible to apply for this fellowship. The final selection is based on the strength of the application file submitted for the Excellence Fellowship. ## Required Documents All application documents, in English or French, must be compiled into a **SINGLE** PDF file. The required documents are: * A scanned copy of your national identity card or passport. * A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (maximum two pages). * An official transcript of all exams passed during your Bachelor's education, including all grades. * A compelling motivation letter detailing your specific scientific interests and your reasons for wishing to pursue a Master of Science program at the University of Geneva. * Two letters of reference from professors who can attest to your aptitude and potential for this program. * Any other relevant supporting information, such as results from standardized tests like GRE, TOEFL, or other language proficiency examinations. For students currently at the UNIGE, a scan of your UNIGE card is required. For applicants not yet enrolled at UNIGE, proof that you have initiated the registration process for the Master's program, specifically the email titled “UNIGE-Candidature: Dépôt de votre dossier,” must be included. ## How to Apply The application process is conducted online and typically opens at the beginning of January each year. To be considered for the Excellence Fellowship, each student must first fulfill the general enrollment procedures outlined on the University of Geneva Admissions office website. After successfully registering for admission to a Master's program, applicants will receive a personal link via email, which will allow them to complete and submit the Excellence Fellowship application form. It is crucial to ensure that all required clauses and documents are submitted, as incomplete applications will not be considered. ## Key Dates * **Application Opening:** Beginning of January each year. * **Application Deadline:** The next application deadline is **28 February, 2026**, for Master's programs commencing on September 14, 2026. ## Selection Criteria Candidate selection for the Excellence Master Fellowships is based explicitly on academic excellence. The Faculty of Science looks for outstanding and highly motivated students who demonstrate exceptional promise and aptitude for a Master of Science degree in one of its diverse disciplines. The strength of the academic record, the clarity of scientific interests, and the compelling nature of the motivation letter, along with strong letters of reference, are key factors in the selection process. ## Tips * **Start Early:** Begin preparing your application and gathering required documents well in advance of the deadline. * **Craft a Strong Motivation Letter:** Clearly articulate your scientific interests and why the University of Geneva's Faculty of Science is the ideal place for your Master's studies. * **Secure Strong References:** Choose professors who know you well and can provide detailed, positive assessments of your academic abilities and potential. * **Ensure Completeness:** Double-check that all required documents are included and compiled into a single PDF file, as incomplete applications will be rejected. * **Meet Master's Admission Criteria:** Ensure you meet all the prerequisites for the specific Master's program you are applying to, as this is a fundamental requirement for fellowship consideration. ## Official Source For additional information and to access the application portal, please refer to the official program page: [https://www.unige.ch/sciences/en/enseignements/formations/masters/excellencemasterfellowships/](https://www.unige.ch/sciences/en/enseignements/formations/masters/excellencemasterfellowships/)

Excellence Master Fellowships eligibility for Switzerland applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Open to outstanding and highly motivated students who wish to pursue a Master of Science degree in one of the disciplines covered by the Faculty. Regardless of your home university, whether you have passed or are doing a brilliant bachelor degree, and that you are one of the best in your year. You must meet the admission criteria of the Master of your choice and be selected on the basis of the application file for an Excellence Fellowship.

Documents required for the Excellence Master Fellowships application

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)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Excellence Master Fellowships 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.unige.ch/sciences/en/enseignements/formations/masters/excellencemasterfellowships/ and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Open to outstanding and highly motivated students who wish to pursue a Master of Science degree in one of the disciplines covered by the Faculty. Regardless of your home university, whether you have passed or are doing a…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.unige.ch/sciences/en/enseignements/formations/masters/excellencemasterfellowships/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Aim to have the full draft complete by 30 Dec 2026. Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle) (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours before the 28 Feb 2027 deadline. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, Faculty of Science of the University of Geneva will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Excellence Master Fellowships deadline & application timeline

Working backwards from the sponsor's stated deadline (Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle)). Dates assume a smooth, single-attempt timeline — start earlier where you can.

12 months out
5 Mar 2026
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
1 Sept 2026
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
30 Nov 2026
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
29 Jan 2027
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
28 Feb 2027
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

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Editorial verification note

AI returned past date "28 February, 2026". The deadline is clearly stated on the page for Masters starting September 14, 2026.

Last checked 5/18/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Excellence Master Fellowships?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Faculty of Science of the University of Geneva, and be able to relocate to Switzerland for the duration of the programme.

Is the Excellence Master Fellowships fully funded?+

Funding model: Partial Funding. 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 Expected February 28, 2027 (annual cycle). 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.

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