The University of Geneva offers a wide range of programs in a historic, research-intensive institution located in a major international city. It provides affordable tuition for standard programs and a vibrant, multilingual campus life.
The University of Geneva (UNIGE) is a public research university founded in 1559 by John Calvin in the heart of one of the world's most international cities. With around 19,000 students and over 500 programmes spanning science, medicine, law, economics, humanities, and social sciences, it is consistently ranked among the world's top 200 universities. UNIGE is renowned for research in molecular biology, theoretical physics, international law, and economics, and benefits from close proximity to more than 120 international organisations based in Geneva.
Geneva is consistently ranked among the world's highest quality-of-life cities. UNIGE students benefit from a cosmopolitan environment, an active student association, and close proximity to the Alps for outdoor activities. The university provides support services including language assistance through the Maison des Langues, emergency financial aid, and a broad range of cultural and academic events. Most students find a vibrant multilingual community on campus, with French and English both widely used in academic life.
UNIGE is unique in Europe for charging the same low tuition to all students regardless of nationality for standard programmes. Some continuing education and MAS programmes carry significantly higher fees.
GSEM holds triple accreditation: AACSB, AMBA, and EFMD. GEMFIN is affiliated with the CFA Institute and CAIA. Member of Swissuniversities and the 4EU+ European University Alliance.
The Bachelor and Master in Human Medicine at the University of Geneva offers a unique learning experience centered on the student, utilizing a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach. This active learning method, introduced in 1995, is implemented during the second and third years of the curriculum. Students work in small groups of 10-11 with one or two tutors to analyze and solve problems. This process helps them acquire essential knowledge in basic medical sciences, clinical subjects, and psycho-social aspects of medicine. The PBL method involves a structured sequence of 8 steps designed to foster scientific analysis, self-directed learning, synthesis, and critical evaluation of both knowledge and group dynamics.
The Bachelor in General History is a three-year program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of historical periods from antiquity to the contemporary era, including Swiss history. The curriculum includes a general course covering these periods, three chosen fields of study for in-depth exploration, and intensive methodological training to equip students with research skills. Additionally, specialization seminars offer opportunities for small-group work, focusing on critical reading and discussion of historical sources.
This Bachelor's program, offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Computer Science, provides a dual foundation in mathematics and computer science. It equips students with the skills to solve theoretical and applied problems by integrating these two fields. The curriculum covers essential modeling concepts and fosters the abstract thinking necessary for innovation in new technologies and digital sciences. This generalist degree prepares graduates for careers in research, industry, or teaching, and provides a strong basis for further studies in various Master's programs.
The Bachelor of Arts in Multilingual Communication is designed for students passionate about languages and communication, with an interest in diverse cultures. This program equips you with versatile skills in multilingual communication and linguistic mediation, preparing you for a globalized world. You will develop strong linguistic proficiency, excellent written and oral expression, and the ability to translate. The curriculum also introduces you to IT tools for translation, intercultural communication concepts, and specialized subject areas like law and economics.
The Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry provides foundational knowledge in molecular and biomolecular sciences. You will explore core areas such as fundamental biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, bio-organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry. The program investigates the synthesis and degradation of molecules, and the study of biomacromolecules to understand their composition and function within living organisms. This field contributes to advancements in biotechnology, pharmacology, and environmental science, and you'll gain an introduction to topics like genetic information transmission and neurobiology. The curriculum includes a significant hands-on laboratory component. Starting from the first year, practical work comprises 30% of your study time, increasing to 50% in the second and third years. The first three semesters of the Biochemistry and Chemistry bachelor's programs are shared, fostering an interdisciplinary approach.
The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics program at the University of Geneva provides a comprehensive foundation in core mathematical areas including analysis, algebra, geometry, probability, and statistics. This rigorous program cultivates strong logical reasoning, the ability to develop quantitative models for diverse fields like biology, medicine, economics, and physics, and proficiency in computational techniques. Graduates are well-prepared for advanced studies or a variety of quantitative roles.
Open to Master's, PhD, and Postdoctoral candidates of all nationalities pursuing or planning to pursue research in cyber-defence in Switzerland. Master Thesis Fellowship applicants must be enrolled Master's students at a Swiss institution; Doctoral Fellowship applicants need a Master's degree and admission to a Swiss PhD programme; Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship applicants must hold a completed PhD with a strong publication record. All candidates need strong academic performance and a research proposal aligned with cyber-defence goals.
full fundingOpen to junior and senior scholars of any nationality who hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree, have published either one scholarly monograph or three peer-reviewed articles or book chapters, can propose a research project on the theme 'Images as Models', and are fluent in German or English.
Open to applicants of all nationalities who are enrolled, or plan to enrol, in a PhD programme at a Swiss university and have a confirmed endorsement from a Swiss professor who will supervise the doctorate. All PhD stages are eligible, though early-stage applicants are preferred, and there is no age restriction. Research must fall within cyber defence, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, cryptography, computational and data science and engineering, systems security, or security technologies.
Researchers who hold (or are about to defend) a PhD in theoretical physics with no more than six years of research experience after the PhD. Open to nationals of CERN Member and Associate Member States, with a limited number of places under the Non-Member State Postdoc Fellowship Programme. Current CERN staff members are not eligible.
full fundingOpen to candidates worldwide who hold an MSc in Computer Science or a related field with software-development experience, show a clear interest in research toward a PhD in advanced data management, have practical or theoretical expertise in databases, multimedia data management or information retrieval, are proficient in English, and can work effectively in a team.
For students with an excellent academic record applying for a master's programme at ETH Zurich, of any nationality. The scholarship is merit-based; you apply for it as part of your ETH master's admission application, by the December deadline, and selection is by ETH.
For standard Bachelor's and Master's programmes, tuition fees are approximately CHF 500–1,000 per year for all students, regardless of nationality. Specialist Master's programmes, such as the MAS in International Security, are priced separately and can be significantly higher.
Living costs in Geneva are high, with an estimated monthly expense of CHF 2,200–2,800. This estimate covers accommodation, food, transportation, and health insurance.
For most English-medium programmes, you will need an IELTS score equivalent to B2 level (approximately 6.0) or a TOEFL iBT score of 79+. Specific programmes like the MAS in International Security require demonstrated proficiency in English.
The application deadline for Bachelor's programmes is February 28th for students from visa-requiring countries and April 30th for students from non-visa-requiring countries.
UNIGE is unique for charging the same low tuition fees to all students for standard programmes. It is also located in a global hub for diplomacy and international organizations, offering excellent internship and career opportunities.