University of Bern Scholarship 2027 – Switzerland
Offered by University of Bern
1 Dec 2026
Fully funded scholarships for international students to pursue Bachelor, Master, PhD or Postdoctoral studies at the University of Bern, covering tuition, a monthly living allowance, health insurance and travel subsidies.
Overview
The University of Bern Scholarship 2027 offers international scholars the chance to study in Switzerland with comprehensive financial support. It is open to candidates applying for Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD or Postdoctoral programmes across a wide range of disciplines.
Who can apply
- International students from any country.
- Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence.
- Bachelor’s applicants need a recognised undergraduate degree; Master’s applicants need a recognised Bachelor’s degree; PhD applicants need a recognised Master’s degree.
- Proficiency in English or German is required, proven by standard language tests or institutional waivers.
- PhD and Postdoctoral candidates must submit a detailed research proposal aligned with a faculty member’s interests.
What is covered
- Tuition: Full waivers of university registration and tuition fees.
- Living costs: A monthly stipend to cover housing, utilities, food and daily expenses.
- Health insurance: Mandatory Swiss medical, accident and liability insurance for the study period.
- Travel: Partial airfare grants or settling‑in allowances to support relocation to Bern.
- Research funding: Grants for conference attendance, fieldwork and specialised laboratory use.
- Housing assistance: Support in finding affordable student accommodation in Bern.
Application process
- Explore programmes on the University of Bern Degree Programs portal.
- Note programme‑specific deadlines (main deadline 1 December 2026).
- For doctoral studies, secure a faculty supervisor and obtain a letter of commitment.
- Submit the online admission application via the university portal and pay any processing fee.
- Indicate your intention to apply for the University of Bern scholarship or the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship and upload the required documents.
Required documents
- Completed online application form.
- Official academic transcripts and degree certificates (translated if necessary).
- Updated CV or résumé.
- Statement of purpose / motivation letter.
- Two to three letters of recommendation.
- Proof of English or German language proficiency.
- Valid passport copy.
- Research proposal (for PhD/Postdoctoral applicants).
Key dates
- Application portal opens: August/September 2026.
- Main scholarship deadline: 1 December 2026 (extended departmental deadlines up to 31 March 2027).
- Programme start: 1 September 2027.
How to apply
Step‑by‑step
- Step 1: Visit the University of Bern Degree Programs portal and select your desired programme.
- Step 2: Review the specific admission and scholarship deadlines for your faculty.
- Step 3: (PhD/Postdoc) Contact a potential supervisor and obtain a letter of endorsement.
- Step 4: Complete the online admission application and pay any required fees.
- Step 5: In the scholarship section, choose the University of Bern scholarship or the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship and upload all required documents.
- Step 6: Submit the application before the deadline and monitor your email for confirmation and further instructions.
What you will need
- CV or résumé
- Cover letter
- Recommendation letters
- Transcripts
- Research proposal
- Language test result
- Passport or ID
Eligibility notes
Applicants must have top‑tier grades, meet the degree prerequisites for their chosen level, demonstrate English or German proficiency, and (for PhD/Postdoc) provide a rigorous research proposal aligned with a Bern faculty member’s priorities.
Details can change without notice. Confirm everything on the organisation's own page before you apply — see our disclaimer. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
