Best International Scholarships for Students in Switzerland With Free Visa and Accommodation 2026/2027

 Studying in Switzerland is a dream for many international students. The country is famous for high-quality universities, beautiful cities, a strong economy and excellent research opportunities. But there is one major problem: studying and living in Switzerland can be expensive.

Tuition is only part of the cost. International students may also need to pay for accommodation, food, health insurance, transportation, residence permits and travel. If you're coming from a country with a weaker currency, these expenses can make studying in Switzerland seem almost impossible.

Fortunately, scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, several scholarship and funding opportunities are available to international students in Switzerland. Some can cover tuition, while others provide a monthly allowance for living expenses. A few university-based awards can cover both study and living costs.

However, there is an important point you should understand before applying: there is no universal Swiss scholarship that automatically means your visa and accommodation are completely free. Some scholarships provide enough financial support to help with these expenses, while others offer specific benefits such as tuition waivers, monthly stipends or contributions toward accommodation and travel.

This guide explains the major opportunities, what they cover and how international students can approach the application process.

Is It Possible to Study in Switzerland for Free?

Yes, but you need to understand what "free" means.

A scholarship can make your education much more affordable, but it does not necessarily eliminate every expense.

For example, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide a monthly scholarship of CHF 2,450 for certain eligible research scholarships. However, the Swiss government specifically states that the scholarship does not cover tuition or semester fees, and scholarship holders may still have to pay university fees themselves.

By contrast, ETH Zurich's Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) for eligible master's students is considerably more comprehensive. ETH says ESOP covers study and living costs and includes a tuition-fee waiver. For students starting in autumn 2027, the scholarship is listed at CHF 13,500 per semester, together with a tuition-fee waiver.

Therefore, don't simply search for a "fully funded scholarship".

Look at exactly what the award pays for.

1. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are among the most important international scholarship opportunities in Switzerland.

They are provided by the Swiss Confederation through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students, commonly known as the FCS.

The program is primarily designed for postgraduate researchers, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers and certain artists, rather than ordinary undergraduate students.

The Swiss Embassy in Nigeria, for example, specifically states that Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships include university research fellowships, doctoral scholarships and postdoctoral scholarships, while noting that there are no Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for bachelor's or master's studies.

That distinction is extremely important.

If you're looking for a bachelor's scholarship, this particular government programme isn't the right place to start. If you're applying for a PhD or research fellowship, however, it should be on your scholarship research list.

What Does the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Cover?

The current official information lists a scholarship amount of CHF 2,450 per month for the applicable scholarship category, intended to cover basic living expenses for one person.

However, the award does not simply pay for every cost associated with studying in Switzerland.

The official information says scholarship holders may still have to pay tuition and semester fees. It also notes that some universities can charge semester fees of approximately CHF 600 to CHF 2,000.

This means applicants need to prepare a realistic financial plan even after receiving the scholarship.

2. ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme

If you're looking for one of the strongest scholarship options for an international master's student, ETH Zurich's ESOP deserves serious attention.

ETH Zurich is one of Switzerland's best-known universities, particularly for science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related research fields.

The ESOP program is designed for outstanding master's applicants.

ETH states that the scholarship covers full study and living costs during the master's degree. It also includes a tuition-fee waiver and mentorship through the ETH Foundation network.

For students starting in the 2027/28 academic year, ETH currently expects to award approximately 60 ESOP scholarships. The university says applicants normally need to demonstrate outstanding academic performance, with the programme identifying students in roughly the top 10% of their bachelor's programme as a benchmark.

This makes ESOP highly competitive.

You shouldn't apply casually. Your academic record, master's application, references and motivation need to be strong.

How Much Does ETH Zurich ESOP Provide?

ETH's current information states that ESOP provides CHF 13,500 per semester from autumn 2027, along with a tuition-fee waiver. The scholarship lasts for the regular duration of the master's programme, normally three or four semesters depending on the degree.

This is particularly valuable because the award combines two major components:

Study costs + living costs.

That is much closer to what students normally mean when they search for a "fully funded scholarship in Switzerland".

However, you should not automatically describe it as a "free visa scholarship". The scholarship information focuses on study and living expenses rather than promising to pay every immigration-related fee.

3. Scholarships Through EPFL

EPFL is another major Swiss university that international students should investigate.

EPFL provides various forms of financial support, although eligibility depends heavily on the student's programme, nationality, residence situation and academic progress.

One important example is the Professor Charles Rapin scholarship, which provides financial support to master's students, including students from developing countries. However, EPFL states that applicants must have successfully completed their first year at EPFL to qualify.

This means it is not necessarily a scholarship you can receive before arriving in Switzerland.

That's an important lesson when searching for scholarships:

Some scholarships are admission scholarships, while others become available after you have already started your studies.

EPFL's current scholarship information also lists several foundation-supported opportunities with application periods during 2026 and 2027.

4. ETH Zurich Scholarships for International Researchers

If you're planning a PhD or postdoctoral research career, ETH Zurich also provides information about Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

For the 2026 application period, ETH says applicants must first find a professor at ETH who agrees to supervise them and provides an invitation letter.

This is different from applying for a normal taught master's degree.

For doctoral applicants, your research proposal and academic fit matter enormously.

You should therefore identify potential supervisors early, study their research interests and write a professional email explaining why your proposed research fits their work.

A generic email sent to dozens of professors is unlikely to make a strong impression.

5. ETH Zurich CAS Scholarship With Accommodation Support

Another interesting funding opportunity is available through the Swiss School of Public Governance at ETH Zurich.

For the 2027 CAS ETH PGA programme, ETH says a limited number of scholarships are available, primarily for applicants from low- and lower-middle-income countries.

The scholarship can cover the programme fee and contribute to travel and accommodation costs during the on-site course in Zurich.

This is especially interesting for professionals rather than traditional undergraduate applicants.

The programme requires a recognised master's degree or equivalent qualification, at least three years of professional experience and English proficiency.

The scholarship application period for the 2027 program is listed as January 1 to February 28, 2027.

This example also demonstrates why you should read scholarship descriptions carefully.

A scholarship may contribute toward accommodation without providing a completely free apartment.

What About Free Accommodation in Switzerland?

This is where many scholarship articles become misleading.

Receiving a scholarship does not automatically mean that the university will give you a free room.

Accommodation arrangements vary considerably.

Some scholarships provide a living allowance that you can use toward rent. Others contribute specifically to accommodation. Some universities have student residences, but availability is limited, and rent may still apply.

For example, ETH Zurich's ESOP is described as covering study and living costs, rather than promising a specific free apartment.

This distinction is important when preparing your budget.

Instead of asking only:

"Does this scholarship provide free accommodation?"

Ask:

"How much money will I receive for living expenses, and is accommodation included separately?"

That question gives you a much clearer picture of the actual financial value.

What About a Free Student Visa?

International students from outside the EU/EFTA area generally need to follow Swiss entry and residence procedures.

The Swiss authorities explain that non-EU/EFTA students who require a visa should contact the Swiss embassy or consulate in their country and apply according to the relevant requirements. Students may also need to provide proof of university registration, sufficient funds and accommodation information depending on their circumstances.

A scholarship can help you demonstrate financial capacity, but that does not mean the scholarship provider automatically pays every visa or residence-permit fee.

Therefore, be careful with websites advertising:

"100% free Switzerland scholarship with free visa and free flight."

Sometimes such headlines simplify a much more complicated funding arrangement.

Always check the official scholarship provider.

Scholarships for Bachelor's Students

If you're searching for a fully funded bachelor's scholarship in Switzerland, you may find fewer opportunities than at the postgraduate level.

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, for example, does not provide ordinary bachelor's scholarships.

This doesn't mean undergraduate students have no options.

Instead, you should search individual universities for:

• Merit scholarships

• Tuition reductions

• Need-based financial aid

• Foundation grants

• International student awards

• University-specific scholarships

The eligibility rules can be very different from one institution to another.

You should also consider whether the degree is taught in English. Switzerland has several official languages, including German, French, Italian and Romansh, and many undergraduate programmes may require knowledge of the local language.

Scholarships for Master's Students

Master's applicants have some of the strongest opportunities, especially at institutions such as ETH Zurich.

The ETH ESOP is particularly attractive because it combines a tuition-fee waiver with substantial financial support for living expenses.

However, applicants should remember that academic excellence is central to the selection process.

If you're applying for a master's scholarship, strengthen your application by demonstrating:

• Excellent bachelor's results

• Relevant academic achievements

• Strong recommendation letters

• A clear career direction

• Relevant research or professional experience

• A thoughtful motivation statement

• A strong match with the master's programme

Don't write your personal statement as though you're simply asking for money.

Explain why your chosen programme makes sense for your academic and professional future.

Scholarships for PhD Students

PhD applicants have additional opportunities because Swiss universities are heavily involved in research.

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship specifically includes doctoral scholarships for eligible international applicants.

For these applications, your research proposal can be one of the most important parts of your application.

A good proposal should clearly explain:

What problem are you investigating?

Why does the problem matter?

What has previous research discovered?

What gap will your research address?

What methodology will you use?

Why is Switzerland the right environment for the project?

You will also need an appropriate academic supervisor. The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship requires research applicants to have a Swiss academic supervisor who supports the proposed project.

How to Apply for a Swiss Scholarship

The first step is to decide exactly what you want to study.

Don't begin with the scholarship.

Start with:

Degree → University → Programme → Funding opportunity.

For example:

You might decide that you want to study a master's degree in data science.

You then identify Swiss universities offering relevant master's programmes.

After that, you check each university's international admission requirements.

Finally, you look for scholarships that match the programme.

This approach prevents you from applying for scholarships that don't actually support your degree.

Documents You Should Prepare

International scholarship applications can require several documents.

Start preparing early.

Common requirements include:

• International passport

• Academic transcripts

• Degree certificates

• CV

• Motivation letter

• Recommendation letters

• English-language certificate

• Research proposal for PhD applicants

• Proof of academic achievements

• Admission application

• Academic references

• Portfolio, where applicable

For doctoral scholarships, you may also need confirmation from a prospective supervisor.

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship specifically requires a letter of support from an academic supervisor for research and doctoral applications.

How to Increase Your Scholarship Chances

Scholarships are competitive, so don't submit the same generic application everywhere.

Your application should be customised.

If you're applying for an AI master's programme, explain your interest in AI and demonstrate relevant projects or academic experience.

If you're applying for a finance programme, highlight your quantitative skills, financial research, internships or professional achievements.

If you're applying for a PhD, demonstrate that you understand the research problem rather than simply saying that you want to study abroad.

Most importantly, tell a coherent story.

Your academic background should connect naturally to the programme you're applying for and your future goals.

Avoid Fake Swiss Scholarship Offers

International students should also be extremely careful about scholarship scams.

The Swiss Embassy in Nigeria specifically warns about fake scholarship offers using the name of the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. The Swiss authorities state that the FCS does not advertise scholarships by email and advise people not to respond to suspicious messages or transfer money.

This is an important warning.

If somebody contacts you through email, WhatsApp or social media claiming that you've "won" a Swiss government scholarship and asks you to pay a processing fee, stop and verify the offer through the official Swiss government or university website.

Never send money simply because someone uses the name of a famous university or government scholarship.

Important Things to Know About Living in Switzerland

Even with a scholarship, you should prepare a realistic budget.

Switzerland is known for a relatively high cost of living. Your monthly scholarship allowance may cover basic living expenses, but your actual spending will depend on your city, accommodation, lifestyle and personal circumstances.

Zurich and Geneva, for example, can be expensive cities.

Your budget should include:

• Rent

• Food

• Health insurance

• Local transportation

• Study materials

• Mobile phone

• Personal expenses

• Residence-related costs

• Travel

A scholarship that provides CHF 2,450 per month can be valuable, but it doesn't mean you should assume every expense will automatically be covered. The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship itself describes its monthly payment as support for basic living expenses for one person.

Best Strategy for 2026/2027 Applicants

If you're planning to study in Switzerland in 2026 or 2027, start preparing well before the deadline.

Create a spreadsheet containing:

Item	Information to Record
University	Name and location
Course	Bachelor's, Master's or PhD
Tuition	Annual/semester cost
Scholarship	Name of award
Coverage	Tuition, living, accommodation, travel
Eligibility	Academic and nationality requirements
Deadline	Application closing date
Documents	Required materials
Supervisor	Required for research programs
Visa	Relevant immigration requirements

This simple system can prevent missed deadlines and help you compare funding opportunities.

Conclusion

Switzerland offers attractive scholarship opportunities for international students, but you need to look beyond headlines promising "free visa and accommodation". In reality, scholarship packages vary widely. Some cover tuition, some provide living allowances, some contribute toward accommodation or travel, and a small number of prestigious awards can provide comprehensive financial support.

For master's students, the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme is one of the most comprehensive options because it combines a tuition-fee waiver with substantial support for study and living expenses.

For PhD and research applicants, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are particularly important, although applicants must understand that tuition and some other costs may remain their responsibility.

Students should also investigate EPFL funding, university-specific awards and specialised scholarships that contribute toward travel or accommodation.

The most important step is to verify every opportunity directly through the official university or Swiss government website. Don't pay anyone for a scholarship promise, don't assume "fully funded" means every expense is covered, and don't wait until the deadline to prepare your documents.

With a strong academic profile, a carefully prepared application and realistic financial planning, an international student can significantly reduce the cost of studying in Switzerland in 2026/2027.