What are the registration requirements?
Registration requirements depend on your academic profile.
What are the registration deadlines?
Depending on your academic profile and your situation, the application deadlines are as follows:
- Fall semester : January 15 – February 28 or January 15 – April 30
- Spring semester : September 15 – 30 or September 15 – November 30
What are the courses offered by the UNIGE?
The UNIGE offers many courses relative to your level of study: bachelors / masters / certificates and diplomas / doctorates.
The academic advisors (FR) of the faculties/institutes/centers are also at your disposal for information concerning the study programs that interest you.
What courses are open in the spring semester?
To find out which courses are open in the spring semester, please consult the list available on our website.
I have consulted the UNIGE web pages but I am not sure whether I will be admitted to UNIGE. Can I submit my case to you so that you can tell me if I will be admitted?
No. We only decide on complete applications received according to the procedure and deadlines mentioned. A preliminary analysis is not possible.
How do I send my application? Can I send it by e-mail?
Applications sent by e-mail will not be accepted.
To send us your application, please follow the appropriate procedure for the course you wish to apply for.
How do I know if you have received my application?
You can log in to your application portal at any time to track the processing of your file.
What documents do I need to submit for my registration?
The documents required for your application depend on your academic profile.
The Admissions Office reserves the right to request any additional documents necessary for the study of the application and to declare incomplete applications inadmissible. Any omission or submission of falsified documents may lead to the definitive refusal of registration, or to exclusion from UNIGE.
Can I apply for more than one program/training?
Yes, you only need one SWITCH edu-ID account to apply for several courses. Once you have logged in, return to the homepage of the application portal, click on "Create an application" and complete it with the requested information within the given deadline. Create an application for each course you are applying for.
I can’t create or return to my SWITCH edu-ID account. What should I do?
We invite you to reset your password if necessary and then try again from another browser.
If the problem persists, contact directly SWITCH edu-ID.
How much does the registration fee cost?
The registration fee is CHF 65. This fee is charged to candidates who do not hold, or are about to hold, a recognized Swiss or Liechtenstein high school diploma.
The registration fee is deducted from the university fees for the first semester of study. It is neither refunded nor carried over to another semester, even in the case of an erroneous, withdrawn, or refused registration application.
How do I pay the registration fee?
Payment can only be made online through our application portal and once you have submitted your application.
The registration fee only needs to be paid once, even if you are applying for multiple programs.
What is the level of French required to study at the UNIGE?
As French is (mostly) the language of instruction, especially at the Bachelor's level, good skills in French (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - CEFR) are required to study at UNIGE.
Registration conditions define which candidate is subject to the exam according to nationality, secondary education, university education, and level of chosen education or program.
More information on the French exam and possible exemptions can be found on our website.
When and where do the French exams take place?
- For the Fall semester : the French exam takes place on Monday of week 36 of the year,
- For the Spring semester : the French exam takes place on Thursday of week 6 of the year.
More information about UNIGE French exam on our website.
Is my level of English sufficient?
The UNIGE’s registration requirements do not define a specific level of English for applicants. However, some Master's programs do require a certain level (GMAT/GRE tests, TOEFL/IELTS/CAE, etc.). We invite you to contact the person in charge of the program you are interested in to find out what conditions apply.
Is it possible to do a bridging or upgrade process if my degree does not meet the UNIGE’s registration requirements?
No bridging or upgrading exams can be taken.
Registration at UNIGE is based solely on the diplomas presented, which must meet the registration requirements.
Can I obtain an equivalence for my previous studies at the Bachelor’s level?
It is possible to validate previous academic achievements in the context of a Bachelor’s degree by obtaining an equivalence. Only the faculty/institute can decide if and how many ECTS credits will be considered as equivalent.
The request must be made at the time of application for registration on the online plateform.
Can I obtain equivalence for my previous studies at the Master’s level?
The Admissions Office is not in charge of equivalences at the Master’s level. The request must be made directly to the academic advisors of the faculty/institute concerned.
I would like to register at UNIGE and at another Swiss higher education institution. Is this possible?
No. Dual enrolment at UNIGE and at another Swiss higher education institution is not permitted. Candidates admitted after having begun studies at another institution must provide proof that they are no longer registered at that institution in order to confirm their registration at UNIGE.
How can I find out about the status of my application process?
Once we have received all the required documents, log in to your application portal at any time to track the processing of your aplication and consult the decision.
What is the ECUS and can I take it?
The Supplementary Examination of the Swiss Universities (ECUS) concerns only candidates for a Bachelor’s degree. It is an examination required in addition to the foreign higher secondary school diploma when the latter is not recognized as equivalent to a Swiss Matura diploma by UNIGE.
It is complementary to the diploma, which must first meet the UNIGE registration requirements. In no case can it exempt the candidate from producing the secondary school diploma required per our conditions. Successful completion of the ECUS is a prerequisite for admission to the university. A second failure is eliminatory.
When will I hear about my application?
We strive to process each application as quickly as possible. Your application will be reviewed within a few weeks of receipt.
In case of application for the Faculty of Translation & Interpretation, the Master of Science in Learning and Teaching Technologies (MALTT), or the Master’s degree at the Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM), at the Global Studies Institute (GSI), at the Faculty of Social Sciences, in biomedical science at the Faculty of Sciences institute, at the Environmental Sciences Institute (MUSE) and in neuroscience at the Faculty of Sciences, the process can take up to 3 months.
How do I know if my application has been rejected?
Your application is rejected if:
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You do not meet the requirements for enrollment;
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You do not meet the requirements for enrollment at the faculty/institute/center/school of your choice. In that case, you will be informed by the faculty/institute/center/school in question.
In both cases, you will be able to see the status of your application in your application portal.
What should I do if I have been accepted to several programs?
You must make your final choice by "accepting the admission offer" within the given period, directly on your application portal.You will be asked to complete certain information before accepting the offer.
If I am admitted to a UNIGE master’s program this year and I decide not to enroll, is my admission still valid for future years?
No, the decision is pronounced for the semester applied for only. In the event of a subsequent application, a complete new application must be submitted and a new analysis will be carried out.
How do I cancel my application?
If you wish to withdraw your application – at any time, even after you have been admitted – please inform us via our online platform.
Please note that this step is irreversible for the current semester.
How do I get my decision ?
Any decision issued will be available on your application portal in PDF format and will replace the old “pre-registration certificates.” No further document will be issued.
When and how do I confirm my registration?
The confirmation procedures are specified in the "Important Information" available on the application portal. They are specific to your situation.
Do I need a visa to study at the UNIGE? Can the UNIGE help me obtain a visa?
For candidates coming from countries requiring a visa for a stay of more than three months, it is imperative to be in possession of an entry visa for studies before coming to Switzerland.
It is therefore imperative for you to be up to date with the necessary documents for your entry and stay in Switzerland.
Since the visa application process can take some time, it is strongly recommended that you contact the Swiss consular authorities at the latest when obtaining the pre-registration certificate.
UNIGE is not competent to support candidates in their visa application process.
When will I get my student card?
The student card will be provided to you by the Admissions Office after your registration has been confirmed. Depending on the confirmation method, it will either be given to you during an in-person appointment or to be picked up at the The Vie de campus (Campus Life) information point during opening hours.
When and how do I get my proof of enrollment for the semester?
To access your proof of enrollment for the semester, you must have paid the fees for the semester. The attestation is available by logging on to portail.unige.ch as soon as the payment is received.
How can I find information on the cost of living and housing in Geneva?
You will find all the relevant information on the UNIGE Vie de Campus (Campus Life) website.
Important: If your application is accepted, plan your accommodation before coming to the University of Geneva
It can be difficult to find accommodation in Geneva, especially as the start of the academic year approaches. We therefore strongly recommend that you make sure you have accommodation booked before you arrive.
The University of Geneva does not automatically provide accommodation for students, so we encourage you to start your search as soon as possible to avoid any stress upon your arrival. A residential address for the academic year is required to obtain a student residence permit.
How can I get a scholarship or financial aid?
You will find all the relevant information on the UNIGE Vie de Campus (Campus Life) website.
How to contact us?
- On our online platform (reply within 3 working days)
- By phone at +41 22 379 77 39 (Monday-Friday - 10:30am-1pm - excluding official holidays)
- Permanence at the Campus Life information point
Rue du Général‑Dufour 24, 1er étage 1204 Genève
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.