Programme de mobilité pour les étudiants en master

La prochaine phase de candidature débutera en 27 mars 2026.

Are you an MSE (Master of Science in Engineering) or MSLS (Master in Life Sciences) student and interested in completing an exchange semester, writing your Master’s thesis, or pursuing a double degree at a partner university abroad?

The FTAL Association (Conference for Technology, Architecture, and Life Sciences) supports Master’s students enrolled at a Swiss University of Applied Sciences as their home institution who plan to undertake an international experience of this type for at least one semester. Incoming international students temporarily studying in Switzerland are not eligible. Please check the overview Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences (eligible) to confirm which Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences are eligible.

Exchange semester timing: An exchange semester is typically possible and recommended in the middle of the Master’s programme (subject to your curriculum and the availability of suitable modules at the host university). Please clarify the best timing with your programme and the International Office.

The funding includes CHF 3,000 per person. This scholarship is valid for a stay during the autumn semester 2026-2027. There are four available slots for this call.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Eligibility requirements include good grades, motivation, and personal qualifications. To apply, you must submit the following documents:

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • A letter of motivation
  • A letter of recommendation from a supervising person or lecturer
  • Bachelor’s degree certificate including the weighted average grade*
  • Confirmation of the international stay from the International Office and/or the advisor at your University of Applied Sciences

*Adjusted average grade (definition): The adjusted average grade is the ECTS-weighted average of all grades listed in the detailed transcript of records that count towards the degree programme, where each module grade is weighted according to the number of ECTS credits assigned to the respective module.

Foreign Bachelor’s degrees: If applicants completed their Bachelor’s degree abroad, their grades must be converted into the Swiss grading system or otherwise clearly explained to ensure comparability.

How to apply

Please submit all documents as a single PDF file via email to ftal-management@zhaw.ch by: Friday, 22 May 2026.

Additional information

  • The financial support can be used for tuition fees, travel costs, and living expenses abroad.
  • Receiving multiple scholarships: Applicants may apply for and receive additional scholarships from other foundations or funding bodies. Accepting another scholarship does not conflict with the FTAL funding agreement.
  • The exchange preferably takes place in the middle of the Master’s programme.
  • Master’s thesis abroad: It is possible to establish a research collaboration with the partner university. In such cases, the primary supervisor must be from the home university.
  • Project work abroad (technical specialisation): Students who plan to complete project work abroad (not the Master’s thesis, but part of the specialisation modules) are also eligible for the FTAL scholarship.
  • Applications for stays planned from the spring semester 2027 onwards are not eligible for this call.
  • A one-page experience report with photos must be submitted after the stay abroad. This report will be published on the FTAL, MSE, and MSLS websites.
  • Scholarship recipients will be selected by the FTAL Scholarship Committee, and results will be announced in the week commencing 1 July 2026.
  • The scholarship is usually paid out shortly before the autumn semester begins.
  • Legal recourse is excluded.

Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences (eligible)

Partner universities

Your University of Applied Sciences has valid inter-institutional agreements with partner universities. For a list of partner universities, please contact your university, the International Office, or the responsible department.

Evaluation criteria

Scholarships are awarded based on the following key criteria:

  • The applicant’s grade point average
  • The quality of the letter of motivation
  • The letter of recommendation from a supervisor and/or lecturer

In the case of equally qualified applicants, the four available slots will be allocated as follows:

  • 2 scholarships for the Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)
  • 2 scholarships for the Master in Life Sciences (MSLS)

Application information

Applications can be submitted from 27 March to 22 May 2026.