Erasmus guide University of Geneva
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at University of Geneva in Geneva, Switzerland.
Study abroad at University of Geneva (UNIGE): overview
Study abroad at University of Geneva (UNIGE) makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination brand alone and you are honest about everyday logistics. The University of Geneva (UNIGE), founded by Jean Calvin in 1559 and reorganised as a university in 1873, is one of Switzerland's largest and most international public universities, with around 19,078 students — 39% of them international, from 152 countries. Useful proof points: 19,000 students; , international students; Translation and Interpreting (FTI — home to one of the world's leading interpreting schools), Physics and Astronomy (ties to CERN), International Law and Global Studies. Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
19,000 students
International Mix
, international students
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Translation and Interpreting (FTI — home to one of the world's leading interpreting schools), Physics and Astronomy (ties to CERN), International Law and Global Studies 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: French (most bachelor's programmes), English (many master's programmes, especially in Economics, Science, and Global Studies)
Exchange & application at University of Geneva (UNIGE)
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At University of Geneva (UNIGE), rules can sit at faculty level, so do not promise yourself courses before they are validated.
✅Requirements
Exchange students need a home-university nomination, the UNIGE online registration, a learning agreement or course plan, 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; for European exchange students they must nominate by 15 April (autumn semester or full year) or 15 October (spring semester).
🛂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 or full year (European exchange) | 15 April | 1 May — online registration once nominated |
| Spring semester (European exchange) | 15 October | 1 November — online registration once nominated |
Arrival Checklist
- Apply for housing through UNIGE's Accommodation Office (BLRU) or the Cité Universitaire de Genève (CUGE) as soon as nominated — rooms are limited and not guaranteed.
- Register with your commune (Geneva: Office cantonal de la population) within the legally required window after arrival.
- Confirm course enrolment and exam dates through your faculty before booking return travel.
Academics & courses at University of Geneva (UNIGE)
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 registration happens after the online registration step is confirmed, through each faculty's own enrolment system; exchange students should check course language (French vs. English) carefully, since this varies significantly by faculty.
🎓Credit System
ECTS
💯Grading System
Swiss scale, typically 0–6 with 4 as the minimum pass; some faculties (e.g. Law) use a 0–100 percentile scale converted to ECTS grades for exchange transcripts.
✍️Exam Culture
Exam sessions fall in January (end of autumn semester) and May/June (end of spring semester); exchange students should confirm their own faculty's exact exam dates before booking return travel, since dates differ by faculty more than at some other Swiss universities.
📚Library Access
Library, learning platform and study spaces normally activate after enrolment.
Tuition & fees at University of Geneva (UNIGE)
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 | CHF 0 (exempt from admission fees) | Confirmed via UNIGE's official Academic Exchange site. |
| Full degree (all levels) | Base semester fee historically around CHF 500 for Swiss/EU students, with a separate, higher fee tier for non-Swiss/non-EU full-degree applicants — exact current CHF figures are published only on UNIGE's official admission-fees page and should be reverified before quoting to a specific student. | Not independently re-verified on the official fees page in this research pass; flagged here rather than asserting a specific number, per Rule 1. |
| 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. |
CHF 0 (exempt from admission fees)
Confirmed via UNIGE's official Academic Exchange site.
Base semester fee historically around CHF 500 for Swiss/EU students, with a separate, higher fee tier for non-Swiss/non-EU full-degree applicants — exact current CHF figures are published only on UNIGE's official admission-fees page and should be reverified before quoting to a specific student.
Not independently re-verified on the official fees page in this research pass; flagged here rather than asserting a specific number, per Rule 1.
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 University of Geneva (UNIGE)
Housing near University of Geneva (UNIGE) 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 University of Geneva (UNIGE)
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
UNIGE does not operate its own general medical clinic for students; students use Geneva's ordinary system of médecin de famille (GP) practices and Permanence walk-in clinics, with 144 for ambulance emergencies.
🧠Mental Health
UNIGE's student psychological support service is available to enrolled students, including exchange students — confirm current intake process via the Academic Exchange 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
Academic Exchange Office
Central office for incoming exchange students: nomination, registration, deadlines, and accommodation guidance.
Accommodation Office (BLRU)
Coordinates UNIGE's student-housing options including CUGE and partner residences.
Cité Universitaire de Genève
Purpose-built student residence; application portal and resident information.
Student life at University of Geneva (UNIGE)
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.
Buddy Program
Several UNIGE faculties run informal buddy/mentoring schemes for incoming exchange students — ask your exchange coordinator which one applies to your faculty on arrival.
Key exchange dates at University of Geneva (UNIGE)
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
Nomination deadline (Autumn semester or full year)
15 April
Home university must nominate the student by this date for European exchange students.
-
2
Online registration deadline (Autumn semester or full year)
1 May
Completed by the student after receiving the personal login code from the Academic Exchange Office.
-
3
Nomination deadline (Spring semester)
15 October
Same nomination flow as autumn but on a spring-intake timeline.
Campus events hub: Browse all events