Applications are open for the UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. This competitive scholarship is designed for outstanding international students who completed their previous university degree outside Switzerland and want to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Lausanne.
The University of Lausanne, commonly known as UNIL, awards around 10 master’s excellence scholarships each year. For the 2027/2028 academic year, applications opened in September 2026, and the deadline is 1 November 2026. Successful applicants receive a monthly scholarship and an exemption from most university registration fees. (Scholarships for Development)
Importantly, students from Africa and other regions can apply because the scholarship targets international graduates of foreign universities. However, this is a highly competitive excellence scholarship. Therefore, applicants should have a strong academic record and meet the admission requirements of their chosen UNIL Master’s programme.
UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 Overview
Here are the main details of the opportunity:
Scholarship: UNIL Master’s Scholarship / Master’s Excellence Grant
University: University of Lausanne (UNIL)
Country: Switzerland 🇨🇭
Study Level: Master’s
Eligible Applicants: International students
Number of Scholarships: Around 10 per year
Scholarship Amount: CHF 1,600 per month
Funding Period: For the minimum statutory duration of the selected master’s programme
Application Fee: CHF 200
Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
Expected Study Start: 2027/2028 academic year
Application Method: Online
The current scholarship information confirms that applications for the 2027/2028 academic year opened in September 2026 and must be submitted by 1 November 2026. (Scholarships for Development)
What Is the UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027?
The UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 is an excellence award offered by the University of Lausanne to exceptional students who obtained their previous university qualifications outside Switzerland.
Unlike scholarships that focus mainly on financial need, the UNIL award places considerable emphasis on academic excellence.
As a result, candidates should have distinguished themselves during their previous university studies.
Around 10 scholarships are awarded each year, making the selection process competitive. (Scholarships for Development)
Nevertheless, students from different nationalities can compete for the award. This makes it particularly interesting for high-achieving African and other international graduates seeking a master’s degree in Switzerland.
UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 Financial Benefits
Successful applicants receive significant financial support throughout their studies.
The scholarship currently provides CHF 1,600 per month for the minimum statutory duration of the selected master’s programme. Payments are made from 15 September to 15 July, representing 10 months of funding each academic year. (Scholarships for Development)
Depending on the programme, the master’s degree may last one and a half or two years.
Therefore, the scholarship can provide substantial support over the course of the degree.
In addition, scholarship recipients are exempt from the university’s standard fixed registration fees. However, they must still pay a reduced fee of CHF 80 per semester. (Scholarships for Development)
Is the UNIL Master’s Scholarship Fully Funded?
Applicants should understand this point clearly.
The UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 should not automatically be described as a fully funded scholarship.
Although CHF 1,600 per month represents significant financial support, students may still need additional resources for living expenses in Switzerland.
Therefore, applicants should prepare a realistic budget for accommodation, food, transportation, insurance and other personal expenses.
Nevertheless, the combination of the monthly grant and registration-fee exemption can considerably reduce the financial burden of studying in Switzerland.
How Much Can You Receive?
The scholarship provides CHF 1,600 each month during the scholarship payment period. (Scholarships for Development)
For a standard academic year with 10 months of payments, this corresponds to:
CHF 1,600 × 10 months = CHF 16,000 per academic year
For programmes lasting longer than one academic year, funding continues for the minimum statutory duration of the programme, subject to the scholarship conditions.
However, definitive academic failure after the first year can result in the scholarship ending. (Scholarships for Development)
Who Can Apply for the UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027?
The scholarship is specifically intended for international graduates.
To be eligible, applicants must have obtained a foreign university degree considered equivalent to a bachelor’s degree at the University of Lausanne before beginning their master’s programme. (Scholarships for Development)
Additionally, candidates should have achieved particularly strong academic results during their previous studies.
The main eligibility conditions include:
- Having obtained a university degree outside Switzerland that UNIL considers equivalent to a bachelor’s degree
- Having an excellent previous academic record
- Meeting the language requirement for the selected programme
- Not having previously been registered at the University of Lausanne
- Meeting the admission requirements of the chosen master’s programme
- Paying the required CHF 200 administrative fee
Since this is an excellence scholarship, simply satisfying the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection.
Can African Students Apply?
Yes.
The UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 is open to qualified international students, and the eligibility criteria are not limited to European applicants. (Scholarships for Development)
Therefore, eligible students from countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Africa and other African countries can apply.
However, applicants still need to satisfy the academic and language requirements for their selected programme.
In addition, candidates should remember that only around 10 scholarships are awarded each year.
Consequently, a strong academic profile is particularly important.
Academic Requirements
Academic excellence is at the heart of the selection process.
Applicants should have performed exceptionally well during their previous university studies.
Therefore, candidates with strong grades, academic distinctions, research experience and other evidence of academic achievement may be able to present a stronger overall profile.
However, UNIL does not simply admit applicants based on grades alone.
Candidates must also satisfy the specific academic requirements of their selected master’s programme.
For this reason, always check the programme-specific admission requirements before beginning the scholarship application.
Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the language used by their selected master’s programme.
Current scholarship information states that applicants should have at least C1 proficiency in French or C1 in English, depending on the teaching language of the selected programme. (Scholarships for Development)
Therefore, check whether your intended master’s programme is taught in English, French or another combination of languages.
Do not assume that every UNIL Master’s degree is taught entirely in English.
Instead, review the individual programme page carefully before applying.
Master’s Programmes Available at the University of Lausanne
UNIL offers master’s programmes across several academic areas.
Depending on programme eligibility, international students can find opportunities within fields connected to:
- Business and Economics
- Law
- Criminal Justice
- Public Administration
- Geosciences and Environment
- Arts and Humanities
- Social and Political Sciences
- Theology and Religious Studies
- Life Sciences
- Interdisciplinary Studies
However, not every UNIL Master’s programme is eligible for the Master’s Excellence Grant.
Therefore, applicants must check the official scholarship information before selecting a programme.
Master’s Programmes Excluded from the Scholarship
According to the current scholarship information, several programmes are excluded from the UNIL Master’s Grant.
These include:
- Master from the School of Medicine
- Master in Sciences and Practices of Education
- Master of Science in Physical Education and Sport Didactics
- Master of Science in Health Sciences
- Master of Science in Sustainable Management & Technology
- Master of Science in Human Taphonomy
- MAS and other third-cycle/further-education programmes
The Master of Law is also generally excluded. However, certain specialisations remain eligible, including International and Comparative Law, Legal Theory, and International Tax Law and Policy. (Scholarships for Development)
Applicants should verify the latest eligible-programme list before submitting their applications.
Do You Need to Apply Separately for Admission?
This is one of the most useful features of the application process.
Candidates applying for the UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 do not need to submit a separate ordinary master’s admission application through the standard UNIL admission process.
Instead, the scholarship application also serves as the application for admission to the selected master’s programme and for matriculation at UNIL (Scholarships for Development).
Therefore, applicants should not accidentally submit duplicate applications.
Follow the specific Master’s Grant application procedure instead.
How to Apply for the UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027
The application process is completed online.
Step 1: Choose an Eligible Master’s Programme
First, explore the Master’s programmes available at the University of Lausanne.
Then, confirm that your preferred programme is eligible for the scholarship.
You should also check whether your bachelor’s degree meets the academic prerequisites.
Step 2: Check the Teaching Language
Next, determine the language of instruction.
You need to satisfy the required language level for the programme you select.
Therefore, check this requirement before preparing the rest of your application.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application Documents
Start collecting your academic and supporting documents early.
Depending on your circumstances and programme, the application may require documents relating to:
- Previous university studies
- Degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Identity
- Language proficiency
- Academic background
- Other supporting information requested by UNIL
Always follow the current official document checklist because requirements can change.
Step 4: Complete the Online Application
Candidates must apply through the dedicated online UNIL Master’s Scholarship application process.
The application is submitted electronically, and the complete application file must be uploaded in PDF format. (Scholarships for Development)
Therefore, you do not need to send the scholarship application by email.
Step 5: Pay the Administrative Fee
Applicants must pay the required CHF 200 administrative fee as part of the application process. (Scholarships for Development)
Remember that this is an application-related cost.
Therefore, budget for the fee before starting your application.
Step 6: Review Everything Before Submission
Before submitting, check your application carefully.
Make sure that:
- Your personal details are correct
- Your programme choice is eligible
- Your academic documents are complete
- Your language documents meet the requirements
- All requested documents have been uploaded
- Your application fee has been handled correctly
Finally, submit everything before 1 November 2026.
UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 Deadline
The application deadline for the 2027/2028 academic year is:
1 November 2026
Applications opened in September 2026. (Scholarships for Development)
Therefore, applicants currently have time to prepare a strong application.
Nevertheless, do not wait until the final days.
International applicants may need time to obtain transcripts, certified documents, language evidence and other materials.
Why Study at the University of Lausanne?
The University of Lausanne is located in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Studying at UNIL gives international students an opportunity to pursue graduate education in one of Europe’s major international environments.
Furthermore, Lausanne is located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.
The wider region also hosts universities, international institutions, businesses and research organisations.
As a result, international students can experience both an academic and multicultural environment while completing their studies.
Is There an Age Limit?
The main scholarship eligibility criteria focus on academic qualifications, academic excellence, language proficiency and previous registration status.
Applicants should therefore rely on the current official eligibility conditions rather than assuming that an unofficial age restriction applies.
If your academic profile meets the requirements, review the official application conditions for your specific situation.
Is Work Experience Required?
The scholarship is primarily an academic excellence award.
Unlike scholarships such as DAAD EPOS, the UNIL Master’s Grant does not centre its general eligibility criteria on having two or three years of professional work experience.
Therefore, strong graduates should not automatically exclude themselves because they have limited professional experience.
Instead, academic performance and programme eligibility are especially important.
Can Final-Year Bachelor’s Students Apply?
Applicants must have obtained a foreign university qualification considered equivalent to a UNIL bachelor’s degree before the beginning of the master’s programme. (Scholarships for Development)
Therefore, a student who has not yet received the final degree at the time of application should carefully check the documentation rules for the current cycle.
The key issue is whether the required degree will be completed before the Master’s programme begins and whether UNIL accepts the applicant’s current documentation.
How Competitive Is the Scholarship?
The scholarship is highly competitive because UNIL awards around 10 grants per year. (Scholarships for Development)
Consequently, meeting the minimum eligibility requirements should not be confused with being competitive for selection.
Applicants should present their academic achievements clearly.
Furthermore, every part of the application should be accurate, complete and consistent.
Tips for a Strong UNIL Scholarship Application
Start by choosing a programme that genuinely matches your previous academic background.
Next, examine the programme admission requirements carefully.
Your application should show a logical academic progression from your previous degree to your intended master’s programme.
Moreover, prepare your documents early. This gives you time to identify missing transcripts, certificates or language documents.
Academic excellence should also be easy for reviewers to identify.
Therefore, make sure your transcripts and other supporting documents clearly present your achievements.
Finally, avoid submitting an application simply because the scholarship is available.
A strong academic fit between your previous studies and the selected UNIL programme is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027?
The UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 is an excellence scholarship offered by the University of Lausanne to outstanding international graduates who want to pursue an eligible master’s degree at UNIL.
How much is the scholarship?
The scholarship currently provides CHF 1,600 per month during the payment period. (Scholarships for Development)
How many scholarships are available?
UNIL awards around 10 master’s scholarships each year. (Scholarships for Development)
Is the UNIL scholarship fully funded?
It is better described as a substantial excellence grant rather than a guaranteed, fully funded scholarship. The grant provides monthly financial support and a registration-fee exemption, but students should still assess whether they need additional funds for living costs.
Can students from Cameroon apply?
Yes. A qualified Cameroonian graduate can apply because the scholarship targets eligible international graduates from foreign universities.
Can Nigerian students apply?
Yes. Nigerian applicants can compete for the scholarship if they satisfy the academic, language and programme-specific requirements.
Can Ghanaian students apply?
Yes. Eligible Ghanaian graduates can apply.
Do I need work experience?
There is no general two-year professional-experience requirement comparable to DAAD EPOS. Instead, this scholarship focuses strongly on academic excellence.
Is IELTS compulsory?
Applicants need to satisfy the language requirements of their selected programme and scholarship conditions. The exact evidence required can depend on the programme and applicant’s circumstances.
Can I apply for any master’s programme?
No. Several UNIL Master’s programmes are excluded from the scholarship. Therefore, verify that your selected programme is eligible before applying. (Scholarships for Development)
Do I submit a separate admission application?
No. For master’s grant candidates, the scholarship application also serves as the application for admission to the chosen master’s programme. (Scholarships for Development)
What is the application fee?
Applicants must pay a CHF 200 administrative fee. (Scholarships for Development)
What is the deadline?
The application deadline is 1 November 2026 for the 2027/2028 academic year. (Scholarships for Development)
Final Thoughts
The UNIL Master’s Scholarship 2027 is an excellent opportunity for high-achieving international students who want to pursue a master’s degree in Switzerland.
Successful applicants receive CHF 1,600 per month during the scholarship payment period. Moreover, recipients benefit from an exemption from most standard university registration fees. (Scholarships for Development)
However, competition is significant because the University of Lausanne awards only around 10 scholarships each year.
For this reason, applicants should focus on academic fit as well as academic excellence.
Most importantly, the scholarship application also functions as the admission application. Therefore, candidates should follow the dedicated UNIL Master’s Grant application procedure rather than submitting an unnecessary separate admission application.
Applications for the 2027/2028 academic year are currently open, and the deadline is 1 November 2026. (Scholarships for Development)
If you have a strong academic record and an eligible foreign university degree, start preparing your application early.
Official Application Links
UNIL Master’s Scholarship – Official Scholarship Page:
UNIL Master’s Grants official page
University of Lausanne Application Portal:
UNIL application portal
Deadline: 1 November 2026
Study Destination: Lausanne, Switzerland 🇨🇭
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