We prepare our students for a fulfilling professional life in three areas:

• international cooperation: national administrations operating on an international level (central banks, ministries of foreign affairs, of trade, of the economy, of finance, etc.), international organisations, non-governmental organisations, associations and international foundations
• international affairs: legal and consulting firms, multinationals (above all in the corporate/government affairs and public relations sectors), insurance and finance
• the analysis of international life: university teaching and research, research departments within international institutions or companies, the media, think tanks, etc.

Our strengths:

• our longstanding reputation, which continues to grow, a cosmopolitan environment, a worldwide alumni network (cf. alumni list)
• a remarkable level of expertise provided by outstanding teachers and a large number of young researchers (over 350 PhD students)
• established in the very heart of International Geneva, with its large number of diplomatic missions, international organisations and NGOs
• a bilingual English-French working environment, with a strong emphasis on classes taught in English and a unique opportunity for students to learn French or improve their language skills
• a global university network for researchers and student exchange programmes
• low tuition fees and substantial financial assistance
• an urban campus linking the Place des Nations to Lake Geneva, and with the magnificent Maison de la Paix at its centre

The Graduate Institute belongs to APSIA (Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs) and The Europaeum (an association of leading European universities).

In 2015, it has been ranked amongst the 25 best universities preparing for policy careers in international relations by the Foreign Policy magazine.

Tuition Fees and Financial Aid

Tuition fees

• Non-resident students: CHF 8,000 per year (CHF 4,000 per semester)
• Resident students*: CHF 5,000 per year (CHF 2,500 per semester)

* A resident is a person holding a Swiss residence permit at the time of application.

Cost of studies

Students must plan an annual budget of at least CHF 18,000 for living costs, to which the amount of tuition fees must be added (see budget estimate).

The annual cost of education is therefore approx. CHF 26’000 for a non-resident student, and CHF 23’000 for a resident student.

Financial support

The Institute strives to support its students throughout the duration of their studies, to the extent of its ability. It does so through financial aid (below) and paid jobs (teaching assistantships, research assistantships and administrative positions). In 2014, nearly half of our students received direct or indirect financial support from the Institute.

In particular, the Institute makes extensive efforts to assist its doctoral students. We aim to make financial aid available to all first year doctoral students with documented financial need. In subsequent years, doctoral students may apply for a teaching or research assistantship. The option of applying for a scholarship also remains open during the four-year programme, particularly in the final year to help with the completion of the thesis.

Financial aid

The Institute deploys invests considerable resources in financial aid, with the goal of attracting talented scholars from around the world, regardless of origin and financial ability. While other institutions generally offer only tuition reduction, the Institute also provides a large number of cost of living scholarships of CHF 18,000 each.

We expect all of our students to contribute toward the cost of their education. Therefore, and in a spirit of responsibility and solidarity, each recipient of a full scholarship is required to pay an annual tuition fee of CHF 1,000. 

Financial aid is awarded by the Scholarship Committee on the basis of a written application documenting financial need; by exception, a few merit-based scholarships are awarded each year on the basis of academic excellence.

Financial aid may take the following forms:

• A full scholarship in the amount of CHF 18,000, which corresponds to the minimum living costs for one year;
• A partial scholarship in the amount of CHF 9,000;
• A merit scholarship awarded on the basis of academic excellence; it may be associated with a paid position as a teaching assistant or with need-based tuition reduction. An annual tuition fee of CHF 1,000 is charged in all cases.

In addition, tuition reduction may be awarded in combination with all types of scholarships.

Scholarships are awarded for one year and may be renewed on the basis of a documented application, in accordance with the resources available at the Institute. Full scholarships for Master degree students are generally renewed for a second year, following review of the student’s financial situation, provided that the s/he is in good academic standing and depending on the availability of financial resources.

More information:

• Apply for financial aid
• Job postings; note that open positions are advertised to students after enrolment.

Jobs outside the Graduate Institute

Degree programmes at the Institute are not compatible with full-time employment. Students may work part-time, but this may have an impact on their academic results.

After you enrol, you will receive regular updates about employment opportunities and internships from our Career services.

According to Swiss legislation, students who hold a student residence permit are limited to working no more than 15 hours per week during term time (students can work full-time during vacations). Non-EU citizens are not permitted to work during their first six months of residence in Switzerland.

Other sources of funding

Applicants need to make sure that they have adequate means to finance their studies, independently of financial support from the Institute. All applicants are invited to enquire about funding possibilities in their country, particularly from organisations that may provide loans or grants, such as government student loans.

Once admitted, students may also consult our database of external funding sources.

Useful links:

• Scholarships of the Swiss Confederation available to PhD candidates (note: procedure and deadlines vary depending on country of origin)
• Government loans (UK, Canada): information sheet
• Scholarships from your government to finance studies abroad: check the website of the Ministry of Education in your home country

Applications 2016-2017

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://graduateinstitute.ch/home/admissions/prospective-students.html