The University of Geneva's Faculty of Science funds outstanding and highly motivated students — from any university worldwide — with CHF 10,000–15,000 per year and zero teaching obligations, for any of its science Master's programmes. Selection is purely on excellence and the application file: one brilliant bachelor's record, a sharp motivation letter, and two strong professor references. The fellowship renews across the whole Master's if you succeed in your first semester.
Why it is notable: A rare Swiss merit award with no teaching duties attached, open regardless of home university, at one of Europe's top research faculties — and the application opens only in January with a hard late-February deadline.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Grant of CHF 10,000–15,000 per year, with no teaching duties
Extension for the regular duration of the chosen Master's programme (3 or 4 semesters), provided the applicant is academically successful at the end of the first semester
Study in a leading research faculty hosting two Swiss National Centres of Competence in Research (SwissMAP; Planets)
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Graduationfor Masters
This fellowship is offered for Master of Science programmes of the University of Geneva's Faculty of Science.
Who can apply
All nationalities — regardless of home university.
Experience
No experience required
Language Certificate
Course-dependent — French proficiency is NOT a formal requirement for the Faculty of Science Master's (official); Master's programmes are in English or English/French
Other Certificates
Transcript of exams passed during the Bachelor education, with all grades (in the single-PDF application); national ID/passport scan.
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
Eligible = all nationalities (no nationality restriction — regardless of home university). Excluded = none by nationality.
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
Brilliant Bachelor's degree (one of the best in the year), from any university; must meet the admission criteria of the chosen Master's programme.
02
Documents
ONE single PDF (English or French): ID/passport scan, CV (≤2 pages), Bachelor transcript with all grades, motivation letter on scientific interests, two professors' reference letters, optional GRE/TOEFL.
03
Enrollment
Must have fulfilled the UNIGE Admissions office enrollment procedure (proof required).
04
Essays/answers
Motivation letter describing specific scientific interests and motivation to pursue the MSc at Geneva (no official word limit published).
05
References
Letters from two professors attesting aptitude for the programme.
06
Fee
No fellowship fee — completely free.
Document checklist
01Scan of national identity card or passport
02Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum)
03Transcript of exams passed during the Bachelor education, with all grades
04Motivation letter (specific scientific interests + motivation to pursue a Master of Science at the University of Geneva)
05Letters of reference from two professors attesting aptitude for the programme
06Any other pertinent information (GRE, TOEFL or other language test results)
07Proof of UNIGE enrollment procedure: UNIGE card scan (UNIGE students) or the "UNIGE-Candidature: Dépôt de votre dossier" email
Application fee
No fellowship application fee — completely free (UNIGE admission/enrollment procedures follow their own rules — confirm
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: Swiss residence permit for study (non-EU/EFTA students apply for a student visa at the Swiss embassy/consulate).
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Fulfil the enrollment procedure for the chosen
Master's programme via the UNIGE Admissions office website (keep the confirmation: your UNIGE card scan if you are a UNIGE student, or the "UNIGE-Candidature: Dépôt de votre dossier" email).
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02
From the beginning of January
register online for the fellowship; you receive an email with a personal link to the application form.
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03
Compile the application as ONE single PDF
file (English or French): ID/passport scan, CV (max 2 pages), Bachelor transcript with all grades, motivation letter (specific scientific interests + motivation to pursue the MSc at Geneva), two professors' reference let
↓
06
Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum)
←
05
Scan of national identity card or passport
←
04
Submit via the personal link before the
deadline. If any clause is incomplete, the file is not considered.
↓
07
Transcript of exams passed during the Bachelor education
with all grades
→
08
Motivation letter (specific scientific interests + motivation
to pursue a Master of Science at the University of Geneva)
→
09
Letters of reference from two professors attesting
aptitude for the programme
↓
10
Any other pertinent information (GRE
TOEFL or other language test results)
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official University of Geneva , Faculty of Science platform.
Is the fellowship open to students from any university? A: Yes — regardless of your home university; selection is based on excellence.Are there teaching duties? A: No — the grant explicitly comes with no teaching duties.How long does the fellowship last? A: Awarded for one year and extended for the regular duration of the Master's (three or four semesters) if you are academically successful at the end of your first sDo I need to speak French? A: No — French proficiency is not a formal requirement for the Faculty of Science Master's; programmes are in English or English/French.I already started a Master's at the UNIGE Faculty of Science. Can I apply? A: No — those students can no longer apply for the Excellence Master Fellowship.How is the application submitted? A: Online from the beginning of January each year; after registering you receive a personal link to the application form; everything goes in as a single PDF.What happens if my file is incomplete? A: The official page states: if all the mentioned clauses are not completed, the application file will not be considered.Where do I get programme-specific information? A: From the Master's coordinators or the Academic advisor (contact via the official page's additional-information links).
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Switzerland · University of Geneva , Faculty of Science