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Last modified: 2026-10-01

# University of Geneva (UNIGE): Admission, Fees and Requirements for International Students

The University of Geneva (Université de Genève, UNIGE) is a public cantonal university founded in 1559, with 19,078 students across nine faculties. Swiss and international students pay the same fee: $600 (CHF 500) per semester. Bachelor's programmes are taught almost entirely in French. Applicants holding a school certificate from Russia, Kazakhstan or most other CIS countries need two completed years at a recognised university at home plus UNIGE's French test. A bachelor's degree is enough for master's entry, and part of the master's catalogue is taught in English. Applicants who need a visa must apply for the autumn semester by 28 February.

Uni Bastions, a University of Geneva building in the Parc des Bastions. Photo: Gfuerst / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Universite_Bastions_Geneve.JPG), [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0).

| At a glance | 2026/27 academic year |
| --- | --- |
| Status | public university of the Canton of Geneva |
| Size | 19,078 students, 9 faculties, 13 interfaculty centres and institutes |
| Fee per semester | $600 (CHF 500): $78 (CHF 65) fixed administrative fee plus $520 (CHF 435) tuition |
| Application fee | $78 (CHF 65) for non-Swiss school certificates, deducted from the first semester |
| Bachelor's language | French, B2 required |
| Russian or Kazakh school certificate | plus two years of university study in a Lisbon Convention country and the UNIGE French test |
| Autumn deadline for visa-required applicants | 15 January to 28 February |
| Funds for the visa (Canton of Geneva) | $23,960 (CHF 20,000) a year, or income of $3,000 (CHF 2,500) a month |
| Ranking | QS 2027: among the world's top 500 (ETH Zürich summary of Swiss results) |

## Who UNIGE suits {#section-1}

Geneva is strong in law, international relations, translation and interpreting, psychology, life sciences, physics and economics. The city's international organisations give students access to internships and events that other Swiss universities cannot match. Tuition is close to free by European standards, while living costs are among the highest in the country.

UNIGE is worth considering if you:

- are already enrolled at a university at home and can finish two years before applying;
- have B2 French or can reach it within a year;
- hold a bachelor's degree and want a master's taught in English or French;
- are budgeting mainly for rent and living costs rather than tuition.

Look elsewhere if:

- you are finishing secondary school and do not want two years at a home university first: the [EPFL](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-epfl) entrance exam (in French) or a private English-taught school is faster;
- you need an English-taught bachelor's: UNIGE offers almost none;
- you plan to study medicine: it is closed to international applicants who come to Switzerland only to study.

Do not confuse UNIGE with other Geneva institutions. The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) is a separate accredited university institute. [EU Business School Geneva](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-european-university-switz) and Webster University Geneva are private schools with their own admission rules and fees.

## Bachelor's admission with a CIS school certificate {#section-2}

UNIGE checks every foreign certificate against its country table. For 2026/27 the rule for Russia and Kazakhstan is identical.

| Requirement | Details |
| --- | --- |
| General-education school certificate | six subjects in each of the last three school years: first language, second language, mathematics, a natural science, history or geography (or economics and law) and one elective |
| Two successful years at university | at a university recognised by UNIGE in a country that has signed the Lisbon Recognition Convention (Russia and Kazakhstan have) |
| Admission certificate | only if your two years were in a different field: proof of admission to a recognised home university in the same field you choose at UNIGE |
| French | UNIGE French test, or a recognised certificate instead |

Geneva is more flexible than its neighbours here. The universities of Zurich and Lausanne expect the two home years to be in the same subject. UNIGE accepts two years in any field as long as you add proof of admission to the matching subject.

You cannot get a preliminary verdict: the admissions office reviews complete applications only, and there are no bridging exams for applicants who fall short. If you do not meet the conditions, the remaining route is a completed bachelor's degree of at least three years (180 ECTS).

What you can prepare on your own:

- compare your last three school years against UNIGE's subject list;
- request an official transcript and programme description for your two university years;
- if you are switching fields, obtain the admission certificate for the target subject in advance;
- arrange certified translations for documents not issued in French, English, German or Italian.

Previous coursework may be credited. The faculty decides, and the request is filed together with the application.

## French: the UNIGE test and accepted certificates {#section-3}

UNIGE expects B2 French. Applicants with a Russian or Kazakh certificate sit the basic UNIGE test unless a certificate exempts them. Applicants to the Faculty of Humanities also take an additional writing test.

| Item | Rule |
| --- | --- |
| Test date | autumn semester: Monday of week 36 (early September); spring semester: Thursday of week 6 |
| Fee | $120 (CHF 100) |
| Certificates that waive the basic test | DELF B2 or DALF C1/C2 with at least 60 points and 15 in written production; TCF or TCF DAP at B2; TEF at B2 |
| Certificate age | obtained within four years before classes start |
| Test validity | four years |

Applicants who narrowly fail may be offered a preparatory year (année propédeutique) at UNIGE's School of French Language and Civilisation, subject to places. It starts only in autumn, and those who pass move into their chosen programme the following year.

The Bachelor in Economics and Management is an exception: there the test is for assessment only, provided the faculty's English requirement is met. Students with a weak result start their studies and attend a French course of at least two hours a week during the first year.

Relying on the September test in Geneva is risky because the visa decision comes earlier. Uploading DELF B2 or DALF with your application is safer. See [French language tests: DELF, DALF and TCF](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-french-language-tests-delf-dalf-tcf).

## Deadlines and application steps {#section-4}

Applicants whose nationality requires a visa for stays over 90 days must apply for autumn by 28 February. Russian and Kazakh citizens are in this group. Applicants who need no visa, or who already hold a Swiss residence permit valid beyond 30 April, have until 30 April.

| Semester | Window | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Autumn | 15 January – 28 February | visa required |
| Autumn | 15 January – 30 April | no visa required |
| Spring | 15–30 September | visa required |
| Spring | 15 September – 30 November | no visa required |

Only some programmes accept spring entry, and UNIGE publishes the list.

Steps:

1. Create a Switch edu-ID account.
2. Create one application per programme on the UNIGE portal.
3. Upload documents as PDF and your photo as JPG.
4. Pay the $78 (CHF 65) fee online, once for all programmes. It is never refunded.
5. Submit before the window closes. A submitted application cannot be edited.
6. Track the portal. If documents are missing you are usually given at least seven days to add them.
7. Accept the offer within the stated period.

Most decisions arrive within a few weeks. Several master's programmes (GSEM economics and management, translation, social sciences, the Global Studies Institute and some science tracks) can take up to three months. A decision is valid only for the semester you applied for.

## Master's programmes {#section-5}

With a bachelor's degree you apply directly: no extra home study and no ECUS exam. The degree must come from a recognised university after at least three years of study, and the faculty checks the content and may set additional courses.

The language depends on the programme. UNIGE sets no general English requirement; each master's defines its own (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, sometimes GMAT or GRE). Check the master's catalogue and the faculty page, and for French-taught programmes confirm whether the French test applies.

The Faculty of Science Excellence Master Fellowship is worth $11,980 to $17,970 (CHF 10,000–15,000) a year with no teaching duties. It goes to top bachelor's graduates entering a Faculty of Science master's and is extended for the regular length of the programme after a successful first semester. Applications for the September 2026 intake closed on 28 February 2026; check the faculty page for the next cycle.

For the wider picture, see [Master's in Switzerland](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-switzerland).

## Tuition and living costs in Geneva {#section-6}

Everyone pays $600 (CHF 500) per semester. In the first semester you pay $520 (CHF 435), because the $78 (CHF 65) application fee has already been credited. Unlike ETH Zürich and EPFL, UNIGE charges no surcharge for international students.

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Application fee (non-Swiss certificate) | $78 (CHF 65), non-refundable |
| One semester | $600 (CHF 500) |
| One academic year | $1,200 (CHF 1,000) |
| Three-year bachelor's | about $3,590 (CHF 3,000) in fees, excluding rent and living costs |
| UNIGE French test | $120 (CHF 100) |
| Minimum funds for the permit | $23,960 (CHF 20,000) a year |

Living costs dominate the budget. The Canton of Geneva asks for proof of $23,960 (CHF 20,000) per study year, which is a sensible floor. Rent is higher than in Lausanne or St. Gallen, so compare cities on the full budget rather than the semester fee. A line-by-line budget is in [Cost of studying in Switzerland](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-switzerland).

## Housing {#section-7}

UNIGE does not allocate rooms automatically. Its Accommodation Office (BLOG) manages about 800 furnished rooms and studios, and being on the list is no promise of a room.

- Applications for autumn run from 1 April to 15 November; for spring, from 1 December to 15 May.
- Eligible: adult bachelor's and master's students at UNIGE or IHEID whose parents do not live in the Greater Geneva area.
- Search in parallel through the AGLAE association, the "1h per m²" scheme (a room with an older host in exchange for help at home) and private listings.

The canton will not issue a student residence permit without a Swiss address, so start looking as soon as you are admitted.

## Visa, funds and work {#section-8}

Russian residents apply for a national D visa at the visa section of the Swiss Embassy in Moscow (appointments via moscow.visa@eda.admin.ch), which also serves residents of Belarus and Uzbekistan. The fee is RUB 8,700. Residents of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan apply at the Swiss Embassy in Astana. The Geneva cantonal migration office (OCPM) decides, and the embassy issues the visa once it approves.

Ways to prove funds accepted by the canton:

- a statement from an account in your name at a recognised Swiss bank showing at least $23,960 (CHF 20,000) for the year;
- or a financial sponsor's declaration with proof of income of at least $3,000 (CHF 2,500) a month;
- a sponsor living abroad must be a first-degree relative: father, mother, brother or sister.

Russian citizens should also be aware of Swiss sanctions rules. Article 20 of the Ordinance on measures related to the situation in Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72) bars banks from accepting deposits above $119,800 (CHF 100,000) from Russian nationals and residents, unless they hold a Swiss, EEA or UK residence permit. The visa amount is below that limit, but each bank sets its own account-opening conditions. Legal payment routes are covered in [How to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia).

Non-EU students may work from six months after the start of studies: up to 15 hours a week in term and up to 40 hours a week in university holidays. Every job must be declared to the canton, and you must wait for its decision. Visa details: [Swiss student visa](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-swiss-student-visa).

## UNIGE, UNIL or EPFL {#section-9}

| Criterion | UNIGE | [UNIL](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-lausanne) | [EPFL](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-epfl) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Strengths | law, international relations, translation, psychology, life sciences, physics | business (HEC Lausanne), law, forensic science, biology, medicine | engineering, computer science, architecture, natural sciences |
| Route with a Russian school certificate | two university years + admission certificate + French | two university years in the same subject + French | EPFL entrance exam |
| Bachelor's French | B2, UNIGE test | at least B1 on the UNIL test | B2, C1 recommended |
| Fee per semester | $600 (CHF 500) | $690 (CHF 580) | international surcharge, see the EPFL page |
| Visa-applicant deadline | 28 February | 28 February | exam registration in autumn |

## Planning timeline {#section-10}

Bachelor's after two home years, September start:

1. Two years before: enrol at a home university, ideally in the subject you want in Geneva.
2. One year before: work towards DELF B2 or DALF C1 by January.
3. December–January: gather the certificate, transcripts and translations; create a Switch edu-ID.
4. 15 January – 28 February: apply and pay the fee.
5. March–May: receive the decision, accept, look for housing.
6. By June: apply for the D visa with your bank statement or sponsor documents.
7. September: arrive, register with the commune, sit the UNIGE French test if not exempt.

For a master's, the cycle is shorter: choose programmes in autumn, have your language certificate by January, apply by 28 February.

## Common mistakes {#section-11}

- Treating 30 April as your deadline. For Russian and Kazakh citizens the autumn window closes on 28 February.
- Waiting for an informal eligibility check by email. UNIGE assesses complete applications only.
- Planning to pass French on arrival. Failing the test blocks the programme, and the preparatory year depends on available places.
- Budgeting from the semester fee. Tuition is $1,200 (CHF 1,000) a year, while the canton expects proof of $23,960 (CHF 20,000).
- Leaving housing until after the visa. Without a Swiss address, no residence permit is issued.

## FAQ {#section-12}

### How much does the University of Geneva cost for international students?

$600 (CHF 500) per semester, the same as for Swiss students, or $1,200 (CHF 1,000) a year. Add the $78 (CHF 65) application fee and, if required, the $120 (CHF 100) French test. Living costs in Geneva far exceed tuition.

### Can I enter UNIGE straight after secondary school?

Not with a Russian or Kazakh school certificate alone. You need two successful years at a recognised home university and proof of French. If those two years were in another field, you also need an admission certificate for your chosen subject.

### Does UNIGE teach in English?

Hardly at bachelor's level, where French is the main language. Part of the master's catalogue is taught in English, and each programme sets its own certificate requirement. The master's catalogue lists the language of every programme.

### What level of French do I need?

B2, shown either through the UNIGE test or a certificate: DELF B2 or DALF C1/C2 with at least 60 points (15 in writing), or TCF or TEF at B2. The certificate must be no older than four years when classes start.

### When must visa-required applicants apply?

For the autumn semester, between 15 January and 28 February; for spring, between 15 and 30 September. Late applications are not processed, and some programmes take up to three months to decide.

### Does UNIGE provide student housing?

Not automatically. The Accommodation Office allocates about 800 rooms and studios, with autumn registration opening on 1 April. There are not enough places for everyone, so search through AGLAE and private listings at the same time.

### How can StudyU help with a UNIGE application?

Choosing the route, checking your documents against UNIGE's country table, and preparing the application, motivation letter and visa file are provided under an agreement with StudyU. The University of Geneva decides on admission, and the Geneva cantonal migration office decides on the permit.

## Sources {#section-13}

- [UNIGE: 2026/27 enrolment conditions by country and deadlines](https://www.unige.ch/immatriculations/en/conditions)
- [UNIGE: application steps and CHF 65 fee](https://www.unige.ch/immatriculations/en/steps), [FAQ](https://www.unige.ch/immatriculations/en/faq)
- [UNIGE: French exam and exemptions](https://www.unige.ch/immatriculations/en/informations/french-exam)
- [UNIGE: semester fees](https://vie-de-campus.unige.ch/campus-life/administrative-procedures/taxes/semestre)
- [UNIGE: university facts](https://www.unige.ch/en/university/presentation/)
- [UNIGE: Excellence Master Fellowships](https://www.unige.ch/sciences/en/enseignements/formations/masters/excellencemasterfellowships/)
- [UNIGE: Accommodation Office conditions and dates](https://www.unige.ch/logements/blog/conditions-acces-inscriptions)
- [swissuniversities: foreign certificates by country, 2026/27](https://www.swissuniversities.ch/en/topics/studying/admission-to-universities/countries-1)
- [Canton of Geneva: funds, sponsors and student work](https://www.ge.ch/en/ask-student-permit/frequently-asked-questions)
- [Swiss Embassy in Russia: where to apply for a D visa](https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/russia/en/home/visa/entry-ch/more-90-days/where-to-apply-national.html), [fees](https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/russia/en/home/visa/entry-ch/more-90-days/fees-national.html); [Swiss Embassy in Kazakhstan](https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/kazakhstan/en/home/visa/entry-ch/more-90-days/where-to-apply-national.html)
- [Fedlex: Ordinance SR 946.231.176.72, Article 20, consolidated version of 21.09.2026](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2022/151/en#art_20)
- [ETH Zürich: QS World University Rankings 2027, Swiss results](https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2026/06/global-qs-ranking.html)
- Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 30.09.2026 (€1 = $1.1355 = CHF 0.9478, so CHF 1 ≈ $1.1980), rounded to $1 below $100 and to $10 above. Facts checked on 01.10.2026.

For an overview, see [Study in Switzerland](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-switzerland), [Universities in Switzerland](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-switzerland) and [Applying to Swiss universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-swiss-universities). If you want to know whether a Geneva bachelor's is realistic for you or whether going straight to a master's makes more sense, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [University of Lausanne (UNIL): Admission, Fees and Requirements for International Students](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-lausanne)
- [Studying in Switzerland for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-switzerland)
- [DELF, DALF and TCF: Which French Test You Need to Study in France and Where to Take It](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-french-language-tests-delf-dalf-tcf)
- [How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia)
- [Master's Degrees in Switzerland: 2026/27 Deadlines, Requirements, Costs and Scholarships](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-switzerland)
- [Applying to Swiss Universities: Routes, Documents and Deadlines for International Students](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-swiss-universities)

Updated: October 2026