Erasmus guide Geneva Graduate Institute
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Geneva Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland.
Study abroad at Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID): overview
Study abroad at Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination brand alone and you are honest about everyday logistics. The Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID — Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement), founded in 1927 and merged with the Graduate Institute of Development Studies in 2008, is a small, graduate-only research university dedicated to international relations, international law, economics, history, and development studies. Useful proof points: 1,000 students; , international students; International Relations and Political Science, International Law, International Economics and Development Policy. Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
1,000 students
International Mix
, international students
Why students choose it
Best for students who want International Relations and Political Science, International Law, International Economics and Development Policy and are willing to check language, seats and campus rules before choosing. In geneva, housing and the daily route matter as much as reputation.
Language of instruction: English (most courses), French (a minority of courses; students may write and present in either language)
Exchange & application at Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID), rules can sit at faculty level, so do not promise yourself courses before they are validated.
✅Requirements
Exchange students need a home-institution nomination, the IHEID online application with transcripts and diplomas, an English-language certificate if applicable, valid passport/ID, and proof of health insurance. Non-EU/EFTA students additionally need visa and residence-permit documentation.
📨Nomination Process
Contact your home university's international/exchange office; they submit the nomination to IHEID's Exchange Programmes Office (exchanges@graduateinstitute.ch) before the published deadline.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EFTA students do not need a visa but must register with the Office cantonal de la population and apply for a residence permit (Permit B) if staying over 90 days. Non-EU/EFTA students need a Type D student visa from a Swiss representation before travelling, then convert it to a Permit B after arrival.
🧭Orientation Week
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn semester | Set by home institution ahead of IHEID's application deadline | 1 April |
| Spring semester | Set by home institution ahead of IHEID's application deadline | 1 November |
Arrival Checklist
- Secure accommodation before starting visa procedures — IHEID explicitly requires proof of housing earlier in the process than most universities.
- Register with the Office cantonal de la population within the legally required window after arrival.
- Plan a 5-course, roughly 10-class-hours-per-week load plus substantial independent reading from week one — the pace is graduate-level from day one.
Academics & courses at Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)
Academics combine ECTS credits, exam calendars and faculty-level rules. Check prerequisites, the real teaching language of each course and whether course lists can change before enrolment.
📝Course Registration
Course selection happens after admission is confirmed, in coordination with the Exchange Programmes Coordinator; typical load is five courses per semester.
🎓Credit System
ECTS
💯Grading System
Institute-specific grading scale for coursework, converted to ECTS-equivalent grades for the home institution's transcript on request.
✍️Exam Culture
Assessment is spread across the semester (papers, presentations) rather than concentrated in a single final exam period for most courses, though some courses do end with a written exam — check each course outline.
📚Library Access
Library, learning platform and study spaces normally activate after enrolment.
Tuition & fees at Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)
For exchange, separate home tuition, local admin fees, insurance and living costs. Full-degree tuition is a different category and must be checked on the official fee page.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | Not explicitly published — standard exchange-agreement reciprocity expected, not confirmed in writing | Confirm directly with exchanges@graduateinstitute.ch before relying on a CHF 0 figure for a specific application. |
| EXCHANGE | CHF 2,500 per course, up to 12 ECTS total across the duration of the visiting student's studies | This applies specifically to the separate Visiting Students Programme, not nominated bilateral exchange students, who pay no per-course fee. |
| Full degree - EU/EEA | Check official fee page | Full-degree fees depend on programme, credits and region; do not mix them with exchange status. |
| Full degree - non-EU/EEA | Check programme and canton rules | Non-EU/EEA students can face different programme rules; verify the official page. |
Not explicitly published — standard exchange-agreement reciprocity expected, not confirmed in writing
Confirm directly with exchanges@graduateinstitute.ch before relying on a CHF 0 figure for a specific application.
CHF 2,500 per course, up to 12 ECTS total across the duration of the visiting student's studies
This applies specifically to the separate Visiting Students Programme, not nominated bilateral exchange students, who pay no per-course fee.
Check official fee page
Full-degree fees depend on programme, credits and region; do not mix them with exchange status.
Check programme and canton rules
Non-EU/EEA students can face different programme rules; verify the official page.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)
Housing near Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Geneva
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)
Use the international office, faculty coordinator, library, wellbeing services and student groups from week one. Asking early prevents small admin mistakes from becoming blockers.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes — basic LAMal/KVG-compliant health insurance is legally required for all residents, including exchange students staying more than 3 months.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
No
🏥Campus Clinic
IHEID does not operate its own medical clinic; students use Geneva's ordinary system of médecin de famille (GP) practices and Permanence walk-in clinics, with 144 for ambulance emergencies.
🧠Mental Health
Not explicitly published on IHEID's public site in this research pass — confirm current support options with the Exchange Programmes Office on arrival.
Standard Swiss LAMal/KVG basic insurance
Approx. CHF 250–400/month, varies by canton and insurer
Mandatory baseline coverage; compare insurers via the official priminfo.admin.ch comparison tool.
EU/EFTA home-country exemption
Home-country dependent
EU/EFTA students can apply to be exempted from Swiss insurance if their home policy provides equivalent coverage — apply within 3 months of arrival via the cantonal health authority.
Campus services
Exchange Programmes Office
Nomination, application, and pre-arrival guidance for incoming exchange students.
Before You Get Here
Official pre-arrival checklist: housing, visa procedures, and registration timeline.
Visiting Students Programme
Separate track (not for nominated bilateral exchange students) for master's/PhD students from other universities wanting to take individual IHEID courses for credit.
Student life at Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)
Student life depends on repeatable routines: associations, sport, ESN or faculty groups. Do not wait for the campus to do all the work; join repeated channels early.
Key exchange dates at Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)
The critical dates are nomination, application, fee or registration steps, course selection, housing, arrival and exams. Keep resit periods visible before booking return travel.
-
1
Application deadline (Autumn semester)
1 April
Submitted after home-institution nomination, via the Exchange Programmes Office's online form.
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2
Application deadline (Spring semester)
1 November
Same nomination flow as autumn but on a spring-intake timeline.
-
3
Housing application window opens
Mid-March for the following autumn semester (date varies by year — confirm via the Institute's housing guidance)
IHEID requires proof of housing before visa procedures, so this opens earlier relative to semester start than at most universities.
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