Top five

1. What are the admission requirements?

English language requirements (MAS / DAS / CAS)

 A language certificate at C1 level is required, except in the following cases:

• Native English speakers (copy of passport required)
• Candidates with at least five years of professional experience in English at MSF or ICRC (submission of an internal English test certificate required)

Recognised tests and minimum scores (C1 level)

• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): 180–199
• Cambridge English First (FCE): 180–190
• C1 Business Higher
• IELTS: 6.5–7.5
• TOEFL iBT: 95–120
• TOEIC Listening & Reading: 945
• TOEIC Speaking & Writing: 360
• PTE General Level 4
• PTE Academic: 76–85
• Duolingo: 130
• EF SET (CEFR): C1

2. For Executive Short Courses (ESC)

• A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognised institution
• Relevant professional experience
• A good command of English (minimum B2 level – see details below)

English language requirements (ESC)

A language certificate at B2 level is required, except in the following cases:

• Native English speakers (copy of passport required)
• Candidates who have studied in English for at least three years (certificate from institution, transcript or diploma required)
• Candidates with at least five years of professional experience in English at MSF or ICRC (submission of an internal English test certificate required)

Recognised tests and minimum scores (B2 level)

• Cambridge English First (FCE): 160–179
• Cambridge English Preliminary (PET): 160–170
• B2 Business Vantage
• IELTS: 5.5–6.0
• TOEFL iBT: 72–94
• TOEIC Listening & Reading: 785
• TOEIC Speaking & Writing: 310
• PTE General Level 3
• PTE Academic: 59–75
• Duolingo: 110
• EF SET (CEFR): B2

2. How do I apply and which documents are required?

Admission requirements (all courses)

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognised Swiss or foreign university
• At least three years of relevant professional experience
• Excellent command of English (see English requirements)

Full details on the application procedure and the required documents are available on our official page: How to apply.

3. Are scholarships or tuition fee reductions available?

1. Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available each year. Please consult our scholarship policy here. Scholarships are reserved for Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) students enrolled in the 14-month programme starting in September (covering tuition fees and/or living expenses), or for DAS students (covering tuition fees). Please note that no merit-based or socio-economic system is in place.

2. Tuition waivers

Tuition waivers are available exclusively for nationals or staff of local/national NGOs, community-based organizations (CBOs), government institutions, INGOs, or IOs based in low- and middle-income countries (as defined by the OECD DAC list), whose salaries are aligned with local living costs. Supporting documentation is required. The application form for partial tuition waivers is available here.

4. Can tuition fees be paid in installments?

At present, tuition fees cannot be paid in installments. The full amount is required before the beginning of the programme. We recommend that applicants plan their funding in advance and explore available scholarship or tuition waiver options.

5. What programmes does the Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies offer?

We offer a range of continuing education programmes designed for humanitarian professionals:

• Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Humanitarian Action  – 60 ECTS, a blended Executive Master (Our MAS is currently being restructured to better respond to future global and planetary challenges. We are not accepting new students during this transition period. More information about the updated programme will be available in early 2026).
• Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Humanitarian Action – 30 ECTS (Our DAS is currently being restructured to better respond to future global and planetary challenges. We are not accepting new students during this transition period. More information about the updated programme will be available in early 2026).
• Certificates of Advanced Studies (CAS) – 10 ECTS. We offer two CAS programmes: one on Quality Management of Humanitarian Projects (fully online) and one on Accountability to Affected People (online with a one-week residential session in Nairobi).
• Executive Short Courses (ESCs) – 2 ECTS, two-week courses designed to strengthen specific skills. Most are delivered online.

Our courses are practice-oriented, modular, and tailored to adult learners, enabling participants to apply knowledge directly to their professional contexts.
In addition, we offer two free MOOCs: Operational Research for Humanitarians (with ICRC and Aga Khan University) and Migration, Health and Equity in Europe (with the University of Milan and Lancet Migration).
Full details of all programmes are available on our Find a programme.