University of Bern Scholarship 2027 Switzerland (Funded)

The University of Bern Scholarship is a popular search term among international students looking for funding to study in Switzerland. However, there is an important point applicants should understand before applying: the University of Bern does not offer one general, fully funded scholarship for all international students.

Instead, the university lists several scholarship and funding opportunities, including the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, Swiss Study Foundation support, scholarships from the Canton of Bern, SEMP funding, and other external opportunities. The University of Bern also warns students about fake scholarship offers using its name.

For international applicants planning to study at the University of Bern in 2027, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is one of the major funding routes worth checking. It is awarded by the Swiss Confederation rather than directly by the university and is mainly aimed at researchers and, depending on nationality, specific other categories of applicants.

This guide explains what the University of Bern Scholarship 2027 actually means, which funding options are available, who may qualify, and how to avoid misleading scholarship information.

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University of Bern Scholarship 2027 Overview

Detail	Information
University	University of Bern
Country	Switzerland
Main funding route for international researchers	Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
Scholarship provider	Swiss Confederation / FCS
University-funded general scholarship	No single general award
Research scholarship	Available depending on nationality
PhD scholarship	Available depending on nationality
Scholarship amount	CHF 2,450 per month for applicable 2027–28 government scholarships
Research scholarship duration	Up to 12 months
PhD scholarship duration	Up to 36 months
Start date	September 1, 2027
Application opening	August 20, 2026
Deadline	Depends on country of origin
Application fee	Free
Host institution	Eligible Swiss higher education institution, including University of Bern
Official provider	Swiss Government / Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students

The exact scholarship type and deadline depend on the applicant’s nationality. The Swiss Government’s official 2027–28 scholarship page states that country-specific application deadlines and available scholarship types are published separately.

What Is the University of Bern Scholarship 2027?

The University of Bern Scholarship is not the official name of one single scholarship programme.

The University of Bern itself states that it does not award scholarships itself in the general sense and directs students toward different scholarship and funding sources. These include Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships and other foundations or funding organizations.

This distinction is important because many websites describe the opportunity as a “fully funded University of Bern Scholarship 2027.” That wording can give applicants the wrong impression.

For international students, one of the most important funding options connected with study or research at the University of Bern is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students, not by the University of Bern itself.

Therefore, students should first identify the exact funding programme they are eligible for instead of applying to a general “University of Bern Scholarship.”

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship supports international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and more than 180 countries.

For the 2027–28 academic year, the programme is mainly intended for talented early-career researchers from abroad who have already completed a master’s degree. Depending on nationality, available scholarship categories can include research fellowships, PhD scholarships, and art scholarships.

The University of Bern is one of the Swiss institutions where eligible scholarship recipients may carry out their approved research or doctoral studies.

The scholarship application is separate from admission to the University of Bern. Applicants must satisfy both the scholarship requirements and the university’s academic admission or research requirements where applicable.

How Much Does the Scholarship Provide?

For the applicable Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for 2027–28, the official Swiss Government information lists a scholarship amount of CHF 2,450 per month for research and PhD scholarship categories.

This amount is intended to cover basic living expenses for one person.

Applicants should not automatically interpret this as a scholarship that covers every possible cost. The official information specifically describes the monthly amount as support for basic living expenses.

The programme also states that the scholarship is not a salary.

Other costs and conditions can depend on the scholarship category, host institution and the applicant’s country.

University of Bern Scholarship for PhD Students

The University of Bern Scholarship search term is particularly relevant to applicants interested in doctoral research.

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship includes a PhD scholarship route for eligible candidates. For the 2027–28 cycle, the official information states that applicants must have completed a master’s degree or equivalent by July 31, 2027. Applicants must also meet the applicable age requirement and have a detailed research plan.

A major requirement is academic supervision.

Applicants for research and PhD scholarships must identify an academic supervisor in Switzerland who is willing to support and supervise the proposed research project. Applications without the required academic supervisor are not considered.

The PhD scholarship can run for up to 36 months, subject to the programme’s conditions and academic progress.

University of Bern Scholarship for Master’s Students

Students searching for a fully funded University of Bern Scholarship for a standard master’s degree should be especially careful.

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is not a general scholarship for all master’s programmes at the University of Bern.

For 2027–28, the Swiss Government’s scholarship categories mainly include research and PhD scholarships, while its art scholarship is intended for applicants pursuing an initial master’s degree in an artistic field and is available only to citizens of selected countries.

The University of Bern separately lists other funding opportunities and advises students to check with their faculty, department and supervisors because additional funding possibilities can become available.

Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that every University of Bern master’s programme comes with a full scholarship.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for the University of Bern Scholarship depends on the specific funding programme.

For the 2027–28 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, research scholarship applicants generally need:

A master’s degree or equivalent by July 31, 2027
A qualifying nationality
To meet the applicable age requirement
A strong academic profile
A detailed research proposal
An academic supervisor in Switzerland
A letter of support from the supervisor
To satisfy the specific requirements for their country

For the 2027–28 cycle, the official Swiss Government information states that applicants for research and PhD scholarships must generally have been born after December 31, 1991.

However, applicants should always check the country-specific requirements because available scholarship types and deadlines can differ by nationality.

Eligibility for Pakistani Students

Pakistani applicants should not rely on a general international scholarship description.

The Swiss Government publishes country-specific information showing which scholarship types are available to applicants from each country and the corresponding deadlines.

For Pakistani students, the relevant country information should be checked before preparing the application because eligibility, scholarship type and deadline are determined according to the official country list.

The University of Bern also notes that Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are administered through the relevant Swiss authorities and the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students.

University of Bern Admission Requirements

Scholarship eligibility does not replace university admission requirements.

International students applying for a master’s programme at the University of Bern generally need a recognized university degree from an appropriate institution. The university states that applicants to master’s programmes with an international degree normally need a university degree from a recognized institution in a programme lasting at least three years.

Language requirements depend on the programme.

Some master’s programmes require English proficiency, while others may require German or another language depending on the course structure. Applicants should therefore check the requirements of their specific master’s programme rather than assuming that one language rule applies to the whole university.

University of Bern Scholarship 2027 Deadline

There is no single deadline for every University of Bern Scholarship opportunity.

For the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28, applications opened on August 20, 2026. The deadline depends on the applicant’s country of origin and the scholarship type.

The Swiss Government specifically advises applicants to check the country-specific scholarship types and deadlines before starting the application.

This is important because using a deadline from another country could cause an applicant to miss their actual deadline.

For University of Bern admission, deadlines are separate. The university currently lists April 30 as the regular deadline for many master’s programmes beginning in the fall, while some programmes have different deadlines. International applicants should also consider visa and document-processing time.

How to Apply for the University of Bern Scholarship

The application method depends on which funding opportunity you are applying for.

For the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, applicants should follow these steps.

Step 1: Check Your Country

First, identify your country of origin and check which Swiss Government scholarship category is available to you.

Do not assume that the research, PhD and art scholarship routes are available in every country.

Step 2: Check the Eligibility Requirements

Read the official eligibility conditions carefully.

Check your degree, age, nationality, academic background, research area and other requirements before preparing the application.

Step 3: Find an Academic Supervisor

If you are applying for a research or PhD scholarship, you need an academic supervisor in Switzerland.

The supervisor must be willing to support the proposed research project and provide the required letter of support.

Step 4: Prepare the Research Proposal

Prepare a clear research proposal that explains your research question, objectives, methods, timeline and expected contribution.

The Swiss Government states that the quality and originality of the research project form part of the scholarship selection criteria.

Step 5: Register in the Official Application System

Eligible applicants use the official Grants Online (GO ESKAS) system for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.

The government specifically instructs applicants not to send applications by email or paper form.

Step 6: Submit Before Your Country’s Deadline

Submit the complete application before the deadline listed for your country.

The deadline can be different from the University of Bern admission deadline, so keep both timelines in your calendar.

Is the University of Bern Scholarship Fully Funded?

The answer depends on which scholarship you mean.

The University of Bern itself does not offer one general fully funded scholarship for all international students.

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship provides substantial financial support, including CHF 2,450 per month for applicable research and PhD awards in 2027–28.

However, it should not be presented as a universal “full scholarship” for every University of Bern student.

Students should check exactly what their award covers and calculate any additional expenses that may remain.

Other Funding Opportunities at the University of Bern

The University of Bern Scholarship search does not lead only to Swiss Government funding.

The university lists several other options, including:

Swiss Study Foundation
Scholarships from the Canton of Bern
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
SEMP funding
Heyning-Roelli Foundation
Other external scholarship programmes

The university encourages students to consult their professors, departments and faculties because additional or temporary funding opportunities may become available.

One example is the Spark of Hope Foundation, which offers partial scholarships to female master’s and doctoral students from the Global South who are already enrolled at the University of Bern.

This is different from an admission scholarship because applicants must already be enrolled at the university.

Important Warning About Fake Scholarships

This is particularly important for anyone searching for the University of Bern Scholarship 2027.

The University of Bern has published an explicit warning about fake scholarship offers circulating online and by email. The university says it does not award scholarships itself in the way claimed by some fraudulent offers and does not organize entrance or admission exams abroad.

The Swiss Government has also warned about fraudulent scholarship offers using the name of the Swiss Government.

Applicants should never send money to someone claiming that a scholarship requires a payment for processing, visa arrangements or social insurance.

The Swiss Government states that applications for its Excellence Scholarships are free of charge.

Important Points Before Applying

Before applying for a University of Bern Scholarship, remember:

There is no single general University of Bern full scholarship for all international students.
The university lists several external and institutional funding options.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are awarded by the Swiss Confederation.
Scholarship availability depends on nationality and scholarship type.
Research and PhD applicants need an academic supervisor in Switzerland.
The 2027–28 government scholarship application opened on August 20, 2026.
Country-specific deadlines must be checked separately.
University admission and scholarship applications can have different deadlines.
Do not pay anyone to apply for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
Always verify scholarship information through official University of Bern or Swiss Government sources.

Official Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the University of Bern Scholarship 2027?

It is a commonly used search term for scholarship and funding opportunities connected with study or research at the University of Bern. There is not one general scholarship officially named the University of Bern Scholarship.

2. Does the University of Bern offer a fully funded scholarship?

The university does not offer one general fully funded scholarship for all international students. It directs students toward several funding sources, including Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

3. What is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?

It is a Swiss Confederation scholarship programme designed mainly to support international researchers and, depending on nationality, other eligible categories such as PhD researchers and selected art students.

4. How much is the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship in 2027–28?

For applicable research and PhD scholarships, the official amount is CHF 2,450 per month.

5. Can master’s students apply for the scholarship?

Not generally through the standard research or PhD routes. A specific art master’s scholarship exists for applicants from selected countries. Other master’s funding opportunities may be available through the University of Bern or external organizations.

6. Do I need a supervisor for the scholarship?

Yes, applicants for the research and PhD scholarship categories need an academic supervisor in Switzerland who supports the proposed research project.

7. When does the 2027–28 scholarship application open?

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship application opened on August 20, 2026 for the 2027–28 academic year.

8. Is there an application fee?

No. The Swiss Government states that its Excellence Scholarship application is free of charge. Applicants should be cautious if anyone asks for money to submit the scholarship application.

Final Thoughts

The University of Bern Scholarship 2027 can be a useful search starting point, but applicants should understand the real funding structure before applying.

The University of Bern does not offer one universal fully funded scholarship for every international student. Instead, it lists several funding opportunities, while the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship provides an important route for eligible international researchers and other specific applicant categories.

For 2027–28, applicable research and PhD scholarship recipients can receive CHF 2,450 per month, and PhD funding can continue for up to 36 months under the programme’s conditions.

The most important step is to identify the exact scholarship category available to your nationality, check the official deadline, secure the required academic support where applicable, and apply through the official government or university channel.

Never rely on websites that promise a guaranteed “University of Bern fully funded scholarship” without identifying the actual scholarship provider and official application process.

University of Bern Scholarship 2027: Essential Funding Guide