University of Bern
Apply for PhD at University of Bern. Find deadlines and eligibility.
Application Status
Country
Swaziland
Program Level
PhD
Deadline
Dec 01, 2025
Eligibility Criteria
General criteria for international applicants often include:
- Nationality: Open to international students from all countries (especially for SGES, though deadlines vary by country).
- Academic Record: Must hold an outstanding academic record (e.g., equivalent to a Swiss GPA of 5.0 or higher).
- Degree Level: A Bachelor's degree is required to apply for a Master's program scholarship, and a Master's degree (or equivalent) is required for PhD/Postdoc scholarships.
- Admission Status: Must either hold an admission offer or be applying simultaneously to an eligible Master's or PhD program at the University of Bern.
- Research (for PhD/Postdoc): A letter of support from a professor at the University of Bern confirming their willingness to supervise the research is often mandatory.
Necessary Documents
The required documents for scholarship applications are typically comprehensive:
- Completed Application Form (for the specific scholarship/program).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) (detailed, usually limited to 2 pages).
- Motivation Letter / Statement of Purpose (SOP) (explaining academic goals and fit with the program).
- Academic Transcripts and Certificates (of all previous degrees).
- Copy of a Valid Passport or National ID.
- Letters of Recommendation (usually two, from professors).
- Proof of Language Proficiency (if required for the program).
- Detailed Research Proposal (mandatory for PhD/Postdoc applications, often a maximum of 5 pages, including a summary).
- Letter of Support from an academic supervisor at the University of Bern (mandatory for many research-level scholarships like SGES).
Required Admission Tests (If Any)
- Language Proficiency:
Proof of language proficiency in English (e.g., TOEFL/IELTS) or German (e.g., TestDaF/Goethe) is typically required for admission, depending on the language of instruction for your chosen program. IELTS exemption may be possible if your prior education was entirely in English.
- Other Tests: No general standardized admission test
(like the GRE or GMAT) is universally required for scholarship applications, but this can vary by specific program/department.
Scholarship Benefits
Benefits vary by scholarship, but Fully Funded options like the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship typically cover:
Financial Stipend: A generous monthly stipend to cover living expenses (e.g., CHF 1,920 for PhD students).
Tuition Fees: Waiver or coverage of the tuition fees.
Accommodation: Possible assistance or allowance.
Health Insurance: Mandatory Swiss health insurance may be covered.
Travel: A one-off travel allowance (round-trip flight ticket) at the beginning and end of the scholarship.
Research Grants: Possible research funding or allowance.
Other scholarships (like the University's internal grants) may offer partial funding, such as tuition fee waivers or smaller stipends.
Complete Application Process
The process generally involves two main steps, which may run concurrently:
- Find a Supervisor (Crucial for PhD/Postdoc): For research scholarships (like SGES), you must secure a letter of support from a professor at the University of Bern who agrees to supervise your project before you submit the scholarship application.
- Prepare and Submit Documents:
- Research the official scholarship program requirements and deadlines.
- Gather all necessary documents, ensuring all are certified and translated where necessary.
- Apply Online through the University of Bern's official portal (for admissions) and/or the relevant scholarship portal (e.g., the Swiss government's online system for SGES).
- Submit the application by the deadline. For SGES, this often involves submitting paper copies to the Swiss diplomatic representation in your home country.