Application

Cumulative conditions for submitting an application.

The number of applications is limited to three. If your application was not accepted after three attempts, your application will not be examined again.

1. Age

You are 18 years old or older (by September 1st before the start of the academic year).

 

2. Place of Residence

You live in the canton of Geneva. (For people residing in other cantons, see below*)

 

3. Residence in Switzerland

You have been living in Switzerland for less than 5 years.
 

4. Residence Permit

You hold one of the following permits:

• N
• F - Provisional Admission
• F-refugee
• B-refugee
• Permit S
• Permit B for family reunification

OR

You are of Swiss national returning from abroad.

 

5. Education

You must meet the following three conditions:

1. You intend to pursue studies at a higher education institution in Geneva (University of Geneva, HES-SO Geneva, or Graduate Institute).
2. You have completed secondary school and obtained your diploma.
3. You have not yet obtained a university Master's degree.

If you already hold a Master's degree, your application may be considered if your profession is regulated. For more information, visit: https://www.recognition.swiss/fr/search.

 

6. French Language Level

You have an A1 level in French (both oral and written).

 

7. Income

Your unified determined income (RDU) qualifies you to apply for an annual training voucher (CAF).

The RDU is calculated based on your income and assets. To get yours, visit this website.

For more information, visit: https://www.ge.ch/beneficier-cheque-annuel-formation/conditions-obtention-cheque-annuel-formation.

8. Suitability of the application
Your background and qualifications must be relevant to the academic and/or professional training program you are applying for.
 

* Applications outside the canton of Geneva

If you reside in a canton other than the Canton of Geneva, in addition to conditions 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 above, the following three cumulative conditions must also be met:

1. You have an asylum-related permit (N, F, F, or B-refugee, S);
2. The academic project in Geneva is supported financially by the canton's social services (a letter of support will be required);
3. Level B1 in French and/or B2 in English (depending on the academic project)

 

Participation in the Horizon académique program is decided on a case-by-case basis by the strategic committee responsible for the program’s governance, based on the above criteria. Its decision is communicated by the University's Integration Office.
 

Your application file is evaluated individually. You will be contacted by the program coordinators to inform you of the next steps regarding your application. Applications are reviewed and assessed holistically and submitted for final decision to the Strategic Committee of the Horizon académique program.

To prepare your study project (what you want to study and why), we recommend visiting the following websites:

• Bachelor's programs offered by UNIGE
• Master's programs offered by UNIGE
• Programs offered by HES-SO Geneva
• Graduate Institute (IHEID)

From February 1 to March 31
You submit your application.

 

Between March and mid-May
We review your application to verify that you meet the administrative requirements.

• If you do, we will contact you to schedule a Zoom interview. During this interview, you will be asked to present your academic and professional background, your study project, and how it relates to your professional goals.
• If we need to test your language level, we will invite you to pass a French (and/or English) language test. Please note that for admission to the Horizon académique program, our test is authoritative.

 

Early June
The Strategic committee meets and selects the chosen candidates.

First week of June 
You receive the admission decision via email.

If your application is accepted

You will receive a email from us with all the necessary information about the program.

If needed, you will be offerered to attend an intensive French summer course.

This course will take place from July  to August. It is full-time: Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

For those not taking the intensive French summer course, the program begins in September 2026 (classes begin on 14 September 2026).

 

If your application is not accepted

You may apply again the following year (up to a maximum of three applications).

You will be invited to an information session about other available study options.