Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students in Switzerland

The honest picture of Swiss bachelor's funding

If you search for "Switzerland scholarships" you will mostly find graduate programs. That is not an accident: the Swiss system concentrates public funding at master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral level. The flagship Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships fund research, PhD, and postdoctoral candidates, plus a small art master's track, and are not available for bachelor's students.

For international undergraduates, the financial logic is different. Public universities charge low tuition precisely so that degrees remain affordable without large scholarship programs. ETH Zurich and EPFL raised fees for non-Swiss and non-EU students to CHF 2,190 per semester from autumn 2025, but that is still well below the costs at comparable universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia.

What an undergraduate year in Switzerland really costs

A realistic annual budget for an international undergraduate at a public Swiss university is roughly CHF 22,000 to CHF 35,000, most of it living costs. Understanding this split matters because a partial award that covers tuition only will still leave a large funding gap.

Undergraduate scholarships that accept international students

These are the realistic bachelor-level funding routes for international students.

USI bachelor scholarships

The Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano is one of the few Swiss universities with a genuine bachelor scholarship program. It includes first-year bachelor scholarships, bachelor scholarships for students domiciled in Ticino or abroad, and the Leonardo Foundation Scholarship for International Students on the Mendrisio campus. Deadlines typically fall in the spring, so apply in the academic year before you start. See the official USI grants page for the current list and application forms.

University of Basel scholarship funds

The University of Basel administers need-based support through its Scholarship Funds and the Legat Grobe, which are available to bachelor's and master's students, including international students in financial difficulty. Awards are needs-based rather than merit-based, and you usually apply through the university after enrollment.

Franklin University Switzerland merit awards

Franklin University Switzerland, a private liberal arts university, awards merit scholarships for undergraduate applicants. Its Franklin Honours Programme Award offers between US$3,000 and US$10,000 per year to strong applicants, with an early December priority deadline. As a private institution, Franklin charges significantly higher tuition than public universities, so weigh the net cost carefully.

Private hospitality and business schools

Swiss hospitality schools such as EHL and the Swiss Education Group institutions offer merit and needs-based awards for bachelor programs in hospitality management. These are private institutions with high tuition, and scholarships are typically partial.

Verified Swiss scholarships on OpportunityNest

The verified Switzerland listings on this site are graduate-level, and they are included here so you understand what exists above the bachelor's level and where to aim next.

For the full Swiss collection, visit the Scholarships in Switzerland hub.

Where international students study for a bachelor's in Switzerland

Swiss public universities admit international undergraduates, though competition for limited seats is strong and admission is selective. The main public options include:

• ETH Zurich and EPFL - two federal institutes of technology, famous for engineering, natural sciences, and architecture; bachelor programs are taught in German (ETH) or French (EPFL), with some English-taught options.
• University of Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne - large cantonal universities with a wide range of bachelor programs, mostly taught in German or French.
• University of St. Gallen (HSG) - strong in business, economics, and law, with English-taught bachelor tracks.
• USI Lugano - Italian-speaking Switzerland's university, with English-taught bachelor programs in informatics, economics, communication, and architecture.

Because most public bachelor programs are taught in German, French, or Italian, language proficiency is often a bigger barrier than funding. English-taught bachelor options are concentrated at USI, HSG, and private institutions.

Visa proof of funds and part-time work

For a student visa you generally need to show access to around CHF 21,000 per year for living costs, on top of tuition. Some cantons require the amount to be held in a blocked account. Requirements vary by canton and nationality, so confirm the current figure with the Swiss embassy or consulate where you apply.

International students from non-EU/EFTA countries may work up to 15 hours per week during term and full-time during official holidays, subject to a work permit. EU/EFTA students face fewer restrictions. Part-time work is genuinely useful for covering a share of living costs, but do not plan to finance a degree on it: between a full course load and limited hours, it will not close the gap on its own.

How to apply and improve your chances

1. Choose your language track first. Confirm which bachelor programs you can realistically study in based on your German, French, Italian, or English level.
2. Check admission requirements early. Swiss universities evaluate your secondary school certificate against the Swiss Maturité; some require additional exams or a foundation year for certain school systems.
3. Apply to university scholarships in parallel. USI and Franklin awards have separate deadlines from admission, so submit both on time.
4. Prepare proof of funds. Arrange the blocked account or financial documentation needed for the visa application several months in advance.
5. Plan living costs honestly. Build a monthly budget covering rent, food, health insurance, and transport, then identify the gap your scholarship, savings, and part-time work must fill.

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