Finances and Scholarships
Table of contents
Exchange semesters
1. Scholarship within the framework of the Swiss-European Mobility Programme SEMP for exchange semesters
Students who do their exchange within SEMP normally receive a scholarship automatically. It provides a contribution towards additional expenses incurred during the stay abroad.
The calculation of the grants is based on the effective duration of the lectures (not taking into account introductory events and examinations which take place outside of the lecture period). Scholarships amount to CHF 1'330.- per trimester (2-3 month stay) and CHF 1'900.- per semester (over 3 month stay), respectively.
SEMP scholarships are also available for stays outside of Europe in some cases. These amount to CHF 1'750.- per trimester (2-3 month stay) and CHF 2'500.- per semester (over 3 month stay), respectively.
A separate application for this scholarship is not necessary.
Swiss-European Mobility Programme
Grant for eco-friendly travel
Within the framework of the SEMP, a grant is available to students who choose to travel to and from their destination using an eco-friendly means of transport. You will receive CHF 100.- if you are able to submit proof of travel by train or bus (e.g. copy of the original travel ticket/s).
Grant for students with special needs
Students with special needs who incur additional costs during their exchange stay due to their disability can apply for a grant through GSE at Movetia. Please contact us at least four months before your exchange if you would like to apply for this additional grant: outgoing@int.uzh.ch.
Exchange made simple(r)
Have you never considered going abroad during your studies due to financial constraints? Global Student Experience (GSE) awards additional UZH mobility scholarships to students for whom, for different socioeconomic reasons, mobility is out of the question without additional financial resources (see "Exchange made simple(r)" below).
2. UZH Mobility Scholarship for exchange semesters
Find out for which partner universities you could receive a UZH mobility scholarship. The scholarship provides a contribution towards additional expenses incurred during the stay abroad.
List Partner Universities with Scholarship (PDF, 89 KB)
Exchange made simple(r)
Have you never considered going abroad during your studies due to financial constraints? Global Student Experience (GSE) awards additional UZH mobility scholarships to students for whom, for different socioeconomic reasons, mobility is out of the question without additional financial resources (see "Exchange made simple(r)" below).
3. Mobility Scholarship for students in Chemistry, Business Chemistry and Biochemistry for exchange semesters
The “Chemistry and Pharmacy Fund” provides mobility scholarships for students in Chemistry, Business Chemistry and Biochemistry.
4. Heyning-Roelli Foundation Scholarships
The Heyning-Roelli Foundation supports talented but financially disadvantaged students with contributions towards travel and living costs. Financing is aimed at Bachelor’s and Master’s students who wish to study for one or two semesters at a partner university within the framework of an exchange program or who are required to spend time abroad in order to write their Master’s thesis.
Short programs
1. UZH Mobility Grant for Short Programs
Global Student Experience (GSE) has developed a sustainable travel policy for short programs (PDF, 90 KB) that outlines which programs will be promoted and funded. Short programs offer diverse opportunities for international experiences, but can have a higher environmental impact than longer programs. GSE expects students to travel abroad by train or other environmentally friendly means of transportation (bus, carpooling). If air travel is necessary, the minimum duration for the short program must be three weeks to be eligible for funding.
The general rule for an UZH mobility grant for short programs by GSE are a weekly flat rate of CHF 500.- and an eco-friendly travel rateaccording to distance for the use of environmentally friendly means of transportation (see table below):
- If the duration of the short program is between one and three weeks, students are only eligible to receive the weekly flat rate and an eco-friendly travel grant if they use environmentally friendly means of transportation.
- If the duration of the short program is between three and four weeks, students are only eligible to receive the eco-friendly travel grant according to distance in addition to the weekly flat rate, if they travel by environmentally friendly means of transportation.
- If the duration of the short program is longer than four weeks, students are eligible to receive 4 weekly flat rates at most. Additionally, they are only eligible to receive the eco-friendly travel grant according to distance if they travel by environmentally friendly means of transportation.
Exchange made simple(r)
Have you never considered going abroad during your studies due to financial constraints? GSE awards additional UZH mobility scholarships to students for whom, for different socioeconomic reasons, mobility is out of the question without additional financial resources (see "Exchange made simple(r)" below).
2. Grant within the Framework of the Swiss-European Mobility Programme SEMP for Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs)
Within the framework of SEMP, UZH students participating in a Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) at a European partner university can apply for a grant to cover travel and accommodation costs for physical mobility.
The grants amount to CHF 80.- (day 1 - 14) and CHF 60.- (day 15 - 30) per activity day. An additional CHF 100 flat rate will be paid for environmentally friendly travel. Travel receipts must be submitted for this purpose. In addition, Global Student Experience (GSE) promotes the use of environmentally friendly means of transportation with an additional eco-friendly travel grant if this requires travel lasting several days.
The following conditions must be met in order to apply for the grant:
- You are enrolled as a degree-seeking student at UZH for the entire duration of the BIP (BA, MA or PhD).
- You complete the entire BIP program, including all virtual components and physical mobility.
- At least 3 ECTS are awarded for the BIP.
- UZH is involved in the BIP consortium, or the BIP is offered by a university of the Una Europa alliance.
Grant for students with special needs
Students with special needs who incur additional costs during their exchange stay due to their disability can apply for a grant through GSE at Movetia. Please contact us at least four months before your exchange if you would like to apply for this additional grant: outgoing@int.uzh.ch.
Exchange made simple(r)
Have you never considered going abroad during your studies due to financial constraints? GSE awards additional UZH mobility scholarships to students for whom, for different socioeconomic reasons, mobility is out of the question without additional financial resources (see "Exchange made simple(r)" below).
| Distance (the distance can be calculated using the Distance Calculator) |
Amount |
|---|---|
| 10 - 99 km | CHF 50.- |
| 100 - 499 km | CHF 300.- |
| 500 - 1999 km | CHF 450.- |
| 2000 - 2999 km | CHF 550.- |
| 3000 - 3999 km | CHF 800.- |
| 4000 - 7999 km | CHF 1'150.- |
| 8000 km and more | CHF 1'650.- |
Research and Traineeships Abroad
1. Scholarship within the Framework of the Swiss-European Mobility Programme SEMP for Traineeships Abroad
The Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP) offers financial support for all traineeships within Europe and outside of Europe. It provides a contribution towards additional expenses incurred during the stay abroad.
A scholarship for traineeships in Europe amount to CHF 440.- per month (calculated on a per diem basis) and CHF 500.- per month (calculated on a per diem basis) for traineeships outside of Europe.
Information on how to apply can be found here.
Grant for eco-friendly travel
Within the framework of the SEMP, a grant is available to students who choose to travel to and from their destination using an eco-friendly means of transport. You will receive CHF 100.- if you are able to submit proof of travel by train or bus (e.g. copy of the original travel ticket/s).
Grant for students with special needs
Students with special needs who incur additional costs during their exchange stay due to their disability can apply for a grant through GSE at Movetia. Please contact us at least four months before your exchange if you would like to apply for this additional grant: outgoing@int.uzh.ch.
2. Mobility Scholarship for students in Chemistry, Business Chemistry and Biochemistry for exchange semesters
The “Chemistry and Pharmacy Fund” provides mobility scholarships for students in Chemistry, Business Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Exchange made simple(r)
Have you never considered going abroad during your studies due to financial constraints? Are you faced with other obstacles such as familial responsibilities?
Global Student Experience (GSE) awards UZH mobility scholarships to students for whom, for different socioeconomic reasons, mobility is out of the question without additional financial resources. Applications for these must be actively submitted alongside your application for an exchange spot, short program or traineeship. Please note the information included in our Merkblatt UZH-Mobilitätsstipendium "Austausch leicht(er) gemacht" (PDF, 75 KB) for the application process.
External Financing for Studies at a University Abroad
1. Scholarships from swissuniversities for Studies Abroad
On behalf of the Swiss government, the scholarship service run by swissuniversities manages scholarships offered by foreign governments to Swiss students and to researchers for a stay abroad.
2. Zeno Karl Schindler Foundation
The purpose of the Zeno Karl Schindler Foundation is the encouragement, development and support of top research in the fields of engineering and environmental sciences, in the field of all medieval disciplines (languages and literature, philology, history, history of art, musicology, philosophy, theology, "Medieval Studies") as well as in the field of Digital Humanities at the intersection of Medieval Disciplines and Computing.
Zeno Karl Schindler Foundation
3. Financing from the Italian Government
The Italian government awards scholarships each year to a few selected students (MA, PhD) from Swiss universities, who plan to study or research for one or two semesters at an Italian university.
Interested students can apply through Global Student Experience. TGlobal Student Experience will nominate good applications from students who could not go on an exchange in Italy through the SEMP programme. After being nominated students then will need to apply at the Italian embassy in Bern, who will make the final decision on awarding the scholarships.
Please send your applications as a PDF file to outgoing@int.uzh.ch. The deadline is April 25 (for the following academic year).
Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Further Information on Financing Options
1. Student Financial Aid Office
The Student Financial Aid Office is the office that deals with all matters related to financial assistance at the University of Zurich. The staff there helps UZH students with limited resources and low parental income obtain grants and loans. They also support students in the event of short-term financial straits, help lodge appeals, provide information on student rights, and offer comprehensive advice on all financial matters.
2. Office of Funding for Individuals and Projects (PhD Researchers)
For further financing options, please refer to the Office of Funding for Individuals and Projects. The office provides information and advice to junior academics on research funding and grants for junior researchers, on opportunities for participating in European Union research programs, and on options for cooperating with the private sector and promoting the related technology transfer. You will find information about various funding opportunities for studying and working abroad on the office’s website.