About this opportunity
The University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships 2027, from the Faculty of Science, support outstanding students who want to pursue a Master of Science degree in Geneva, Switzerland. The fellowship provides a grant of 10,000 to 15,000 Swiss francs per year with no teaching duties, awarded for one year and extended for the regular duration of the chosen master programme, three or four semesters, provided the student is academically successful at the end of the first semester. Eligible disciplines include astronomy, biology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, pharmaceutical sciences and earth sciences. Programmes are taught entirely in English or in English and French. Apply with a single PDF file, and check the official UNIGE fellowship page for the current application window.
Who should apply?
This may be a fit if the following points describe you. Always use the official criteria as the final check.
- Hold, or be about to complete, a bachelor degree in a science discipline, with an outstanding academic record and a ranking among the best students of your year.
- Meet the admission criteria of the chosen Master of Science programme in the University of Geneva Faculty of Science.
- Be selected for the fellowship on the basis of the application file, on academic excellence.
- Apply from any home university and any country: the fellowship is open regardless of the university where the bachelor degree was earned.
- Be able to follow a programme taught entirely in English or in English and French, depending on the chosen master programme.
What the opportunity may offer
- Grant of 10,000 to 15,000 Swiss francs per year, with no teaching duties required.
- Fellowship awarded for one year and extended for the regular duration of the chosen master programme, three or four semesters, provided the student is academically successful at the end of the first semester.
- Study in the Faculty of Science at the University of Geneva, a research-focused faculty covering astronomy, biology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, pharmaceutical sciences and earth sciences.
- Preparation for careers in research, industry, teaching, scientific administration, communication and media through a research-based master programme.
- Study in Geneva, at the heart of international diplomacy and global organisations, with a multicultural and multilingual academic environment.
Required documents
- One single PDF file in English or French containing all fellowship documents: incomplete files are not reviewed.
- Scan of your national identity card or passport.
- Curriculum vitae of no more than two pages.
- Transcript of exams passed during the bachelor education, with all grades.
- Motivation letter describing your specific scientific interests and your motivation for the chosen Master of Science programme at the University of Geneva.
- Letters of reference from two professors, preferably sent directly by them to the faculty fellowship address, attesting to your aptitude for the programme.
- Any other pertinent information, such as GRE, TOEFL or other language test results, where available.
- Proof of your University of Geneva master application, such as the application receipt email, or a scan of your student card for current University of Geneva students.
Application process
- Choose a Master of Science programme in the University of Geneva Faculty of Science and check its admission criteria with the programme coordinator.
- Apply to the chosen master programme first, so you hold the application receipt needed for the fellowship file.
- Register for the fellowship online from the beginning of January: after registering you receive a personal link by email to fill in the application form.
- Assemble the single PDF file with ID, CV, transcript, motivation letter, reference letters and any optional test results.
- Submit the complete fellowship application before the official deadline published on the UNIGE fellowship page, for programmes starting in September 2027.
- Wait for the selection decision on academic excellence, noting that the fellowship is extended beyond the first year only on successful first-semester results.
Before you apply
- □Confirm that you meet every eligibility condition
- □Check the deadline in your own time zone
- □Prepare documents in the required format
- □Ask referees early and share the official instructions
- □Review the official source once more before submitting
Deadline notes
The deadline is not announced on this page yet. Applications open in early January each year for master programmes starting in September. Check the official UNIGE fellowship page for the current application window. Incomplete applications are not reviewed, so the single PDF file must be complete by the deadline published there.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Geneva Excellence Master Fellowship?
10,000 to 15,000 Swiss francs per year, with no teaching duties. It is a substantial grant, not a full-cost award: budget separately for Geneva living costs.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is not confirmed on this page yet. Check the official UNIGE fellowship page for the current application window. Incomplete applications are not reviewed.
Who can apply?
Outstanding students from any university who hold, or are about to complete, a science bachelor degree, rank among the best of their year, and meet the admission criteria of the chosen Faculty of Science master programme.
What documents are needed?
A single PDF file in English or French with a passport or ID scan, a CV of no more than two pages, the full bachelor transcript, a motivation letter, two professor reference letters, and any optional GRE or TOEFL results, plus proof of the UNIGE master application.
How long does the fellowship last?
One year at first, extended for the regular duration of the master programme, three or four semesters, provided the student is academically successful at the end of the first semester.
Programme details can change. Check the original listing before you prepare or submit an application.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-28UShireZone is not affiliated with University of Geneva. We never charge applicants to apply. Always verify details and submit through the official website.