🌍University of Geneva

Geneva, Switzerland

QS World 2026 · #124

Switzerland's French-speaking research university, based in a global diplomatic hub.

About UNIGE

University of Geneva sits in a city that hosts more international organisations than almost anywhere else in the world (the UN's European headquarters, the WHO, the WTO and more), giving its International Relations and Global Studies programmes unusually direct access to real diplomatic institutions. Teaching is primarily in French.

Why students choose it

  • Based in Geneva, home to the UN's European headquarters, WHO and WTO
  • Strong International Relations and Global Studies reputation
  • Direct access to real diplomatic and international organisations

🎓 Free application support for UNIGE

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to UNIGE — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

AAB (A Level)  ·  IB 34

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

Most public universities (minimal fees)

low tier for Switzerland — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

French (Bachelor's) — most Bachelor's programmes are taught in French; English becomes more common at Master's level.

Campus

city campus, Geneva

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or UNIGE's financial aid office.

Swiss public university tuition is already low for everyone, so scholarship schemes are smaller in number and mainly aimed at exceptional students or postgraduate/research applicants.

  • Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: Federally funded, but mainly for postgraduate/research study and exchange, not undergraduate admission.
  • University excellence scholarships: ETH Zurich, EPFL and other universities offer a small number of merit-based awards for outstanding incoming students — competitive with limited places.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

International Relations

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Law

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years for an undergraduate LLB (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia); typically a 3-year postgraduate JD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · Eignungstest / EMS (mandatory aptitude test for Medicine)

Economics

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Natural Sciences

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Requires two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths

Durations are typical for Switzerland — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September
Typical deadline
Varies widely by institution — ETH Zurich and EPFL close around 30 April

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5–7.0 overall (English-taught tracks)

Most Bachelor's programmes are German- or French-medium — proficiency in the language of instruction is usually required alongside or instead of English.

See where UNIGE ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Switzerland University Shortlist Builder to see whether UNIGE is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Switzerland university that matches.

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More Switzerland universities

UNIGE FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to UNIGE as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into UNIGE?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, UNIGE expects around AAB at A Level or 34 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for UNIGE's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on UNIGE's own admissions page before applying.

How much does UNIGE cost for international students?

International tuition at UNIGE typically falls in the Most public universities (minimal fees) range (low tier for Switzerland). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not UNIGE's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for UNIGE?

UNIGE follows Switzerland's typical intake calendar: September, with applications generally due varies widely by institution — eth zurich and epfl close around 30 april. Always verify the exact date on UNIGE's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for UNIGE?

Switzerland universities, including UNIGE, typically ask international applicants for 6.5–7.0 overall (English-taught tracks). Most Bachelor's programmes are German- or French-medium — proficiency in the language of instruction is usually required alongside or instead of English.

What is UNIGE known for?

Switzerland's French-speaking research university, based in a global diplomatic hub. University of Geneva sits in a city that hosts more international organisations than almost anywhere else in the world (the UN's European headquarters, the WHO, the WTO and more), giving its International Relations and Global Studies programmes unusually direct access to real diplomatic institutions. Teaching is primarily in French.

Can I apply to UNIGE with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — UNIGE accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Switzerland University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against UNIGE and every other Switzerland university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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