The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2027–2028 is accepting applications from international students, including Pakistani students, who want to study or conduct research at Swiss higher education institutions. The programme provides financial support to selected candidates and covers several expenses during their stay in Switzerland.
The scholarship offers a monthly stipend of CHF 2,450 to help recipients manage their living expenses. Funding is scheduled to begin on September 1, 2027, and initially continues for 12 months. Students who maintain satisfactory academic progress may receive extensions, with the total funding period reaching up to 36 months.
The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS) manages the selection process. Applications are assessed through a competitive evaluation based on the scholarship requirements and the academic and research profile of each candidate.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, the programme is open to applicants from 183 countries, including Pakistan. It supports different categories of students and researchers depending on their academic background and chosen programme in Switzerland.
Master’s applicants must complete a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification by July 31, 2027. Candidates are required to prepare a research project and secure support from an academic supervisor at a Swiss higher education or research institution.
PhD applicants must meet the admission requirements of their selected doctoral programme and obtain supervision from a Swiss academic institution. They must also submit a detailed research plan explaining their research objectives, methodology and timeline.
For non-EU/EFTA scholars, the scholarship includes compulsory health insurance premiums. Recipients may also receive a one-time CHF 600 rental-deposit allowance and a Half-Fare Travelcard for public transportation. Depending on their country of origin, eligible scholars may also receive a return flight allowance.
However, the scholarship does not cover tuition fees or semester fees. Applicants should therefore check the fee requirements of their selected Swiss institution and programme before applying.
Applicants may also need to provide proof of English language ability according to their programme requirements. The listed minimum scores include IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 95, PTE Academic 76, Cambridge C1 Advanced 180 and Duolingo English Test 130.
Required documents can include academic transcripts, degree certificates, a research proposal, a detailed research plan, a letter of support from a Swiss academic supervisor, language test results and recommendation letters.
Pakistani students interested in the scholarship should first identify a suitable Swiss academic supervisor and obtain confirmation of support for their proposed research project. They can then prepare the required documents and submit their application according to the process applicable to their country.
The deadline to apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2027–2028 is October 31, 2026. Applicants should complete their documents and follow the relevant application instructions before the deadline.
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