2025 EPFL Excellence Scholarship in Switzerland
Master excellence fellowships
In order to reward the most outstanding students who are beginning their Master’s studies, EPFL offers a limited number of excellence fellowships, along with guaranteed housing, to candidates who have achieved remarkable academic results and who distinguish themselves in extracurricular activities, whether sporting, artistic, civic, or entrepreneurial.
Excellence and diversity
These fellowships, worth CHF 10,000 per semester, are available to students who have obtained their Bachelor’s degree at EPFL, as well as to those who have begun their university studies at another institution. Their objective is to allow students to concentrate on their Master’s studies while also having the opportunity to undertake various activities likely to enrich their professional background and to develop cross-disciplinary skills. Thanks to this financial support, the School also hopes to widen their perspectives by allowing them to choose their internships and first work experiences according to their scientific interest and ambitions.
Application and fellowship renewal
In order to be eligible for this fellowship, interested students must check the corresponding box on their Master’s application form and provide the requested application file. Internal candidates wishing to continue in the same field of study submit the application directly to their section.
While the academic background is a crucial point in the evaluation of applications, EPFL also takes into consideration the candidates’ experiences in various areas such as research (publications, prizes or fellowships), entrepreneurship (patent applications, start-up creation), or societal commitment (associative or civic activities, organization of festivals and events). Therefore, all outstanding achievements enriching the students’ profile will be taken into account.
In order for the fellowship to be renewed for the second year of the Master’s degree, students must have obtained at least 50 ECTS credits and have an overall average of 5,0/6.
Donors
The Master Excellence Fellowships are part of the “Attract Talent” pillar of the Student Support Program, a philanthropic program that supports the educational journey of students. We would like to warmly thank the Basil Panzer Trust, Dr Liu Shaoming, the Fondation du Domaine de Villette, the Fondation Léonard Gianadda Mécénat, FAMSA Foundation, Alan Howard, Anne-Sylvie Visseur Vauclair, Novartis, Squarepoint Foundation as well as all donors who wish to remain anonymous, for their support to our students.
Eligibility
Anyone applying to a Master’s program at EPFL is eligible. A limited number of fellowships are awarded to the most deserving candidates, based on academic excellence, qualifications, and motivation.
However, candidates who already hold a Master’s degree or are currently enrolled in a Master’s program at EPFL are not eligible.
Scholarship coverage and duration
- Amount:CHF 10,000 per semester, with a maximum coverage of 4 semesters.
- Additional Benefits:
- Reservation of a student room in a student residence (for external candidates only).
- A certificate of excellence upon completion of the Master’s program.
The fellowship covers two to three semesters of the Master’s cycle (depending on program duration) plus one semester for the Master’s project. Students are responsible for managing all living expenses, including tuition fees and rent.
Fellowships are paid into a Swiss bank or postal account. Therefore, fellowship holders should open their own Swiss bank or postal account (of their choice) upon arrival in Switzerland.
Please note that this fellowship cannot be combined with other substantial scholarships. Candidates are required to declare all scholarships received during their Master’s program.
Selection
After an initial screening by the sections, the Excellence Fellowships Committee awards the fellowships. Selected candidates are notified at the beginning of April (1st round) and early to mid-June (2nd round).
If a selected candidate withdraws or fails to respond, the fellowship is offered to the next candidate on the waiting list, who will receive a new deadline to confirm their matriculation.
Renewal
The renewal and payment of the fellowship for a second year of studies is conditional upon excellent academic performance.
At the end of the first year, once the results are published, fellowships are renewed provided that fellowship holders have:
- reached at least the average of 5.0 (6 = max / 4 = pass).
The average is weighted with the ECTS credits of each course. All numerical grades from all chosen courses and exams during the first MA year, count for the average.
- earned at least 50 credits (for branches other than the internship)
Credits for language courses, admission courses or courses outside of the study plan do not count.
There will be no exceptions for students who have not reached the requested average or number of credits.
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