Fees & Cost of Living
Enrollment fee
Holders of a foreign or international secondary or university degree are subject to an enrollment fee of CHF 65, payable by credit card only.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees in the amount of CHF 500.- per semester (CHF 65.- in fixed fees and CHF 435.- in semester fees) must be paid by means of the postal deposit slip supplied in September during the enrollment period for the autumn semester. Applications for exemption from semester fees on grounds of financial difficulties must be made by means of the form available from the Pôle Santé Social (University office for information on student welfare) during the first few weeks of the academic year, and are to be submitted to that same office by the deadline indicated.
French exam
As a rule, candidates not subject to an exam as foreign degree-holders and whose proficiency in French is insufficient are required to sit a French qualifying exam. However, for several Masters degrees, there is either no need for a French exam or the exam is only of an informative nature and French proficiency is not needed.
Cost of Living
Geneva is a very attractive city – not only for students from all over the world but also for diplomats, international lawyers and multinational enterprises, many of which have their headquarters in the Geneva area. This contributes to relatively high living costs in Geneva.
The following table provides an idea of the costs of living in Geneva. Cheaper accommodation is available in the neighboring French towns, such as Ferney-Voltaire, Annemasse or Saint-Julien-en-Genevois.
Estimated living costs per student | CHF |
Rent: student residence (shared facilities) | 550 |
Rent: student residence (single apartment) | 700 |
Food etc. | 600-800 |
Health insurance | 100 (these costs can be avoided if the students maintain the insurance in their home country) |
Mobile phones | 25-35 |
Study-related expenses | 100 |
Public transport | 45 (under the age of 25), 70 (over 25) |
Fees: 500.- per semester (for students not coming through an established exchange relation) | 84 |
University taxes (CHF 65.- per semester) | 10 |
Total monthly cost | 1'400 – 1’900 |