The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2027–2028 is a prestigious opportunity for international students, researchers, and academics who want to study or conduct research in Switzerland. However, one question continues to confuse applicants: Is IELTS mandatory to apply for the scholarship?
The short answer is no—not for every applicant.
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship does not impose one universal IELTS score that applies to all candidates. Instead, English-language requirements can depend on the Swiss university, department, doctoral school, research programme, or host institution you are applying to.
This means that not having IELTS at the time you begin preparing your application does not automatically make you ineligible. However, you should carefully check the language requirements of your intended programme before submitting your application.
Is IELTS Mandatory for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?
No, IELTS is not universally mandatory for the scholarship itself.
There is no single rule stating that every applicant must submit IELTS with a score of 6.0, 6.5, or 7.0.
The important distinction is between the scholarship requirements and the admission requirements of your Swiss host institution.
For example, one university or doctoral programme may accept applicants without a formal English-language test, while another may require IELTS Academic, TOEFL, or another recognized qualification.
Therefore, instead of asking:
“What IELTS score is required for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship?”
you should ask:
“What English-language proof does my intended Swiss university and programme require?”
That is the question that can determine whether you actually need IELTS.
Why Do IELTS Requirements Differ Between Swiss Universities?
Switzerland has several universities and higher-education institutions, and their admission policies are not identical.
Some programmes are conducted primarily in English and may expect applicants to demonstrate strong English proficiency. Others may assess language ability through previous education, academic documents, interviews, or other evidence.
Even within the same university, requirements can differ between departments and degree programmes.
For this reason, applicants should not rely on a general IELTS score they find on a scholarship blog or social media post.
Always check the official requirements for your specific programme.
Examples of English Requirements at Swiss Universities
- ETH Zurich – Computer Science PhD: English proficiency expected; language test may not be required.
- EPFL Doctoral School: Requirements can vary by programme.
- University of Zurich – Graduate School of Business: IELTS Academic 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100 may be required for applicants who need to demonstrate English proficiency.
- University of Bern – English PhD: IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100 may apply to relevant international applicants.
- University of Basel – B2 requirement: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80.
- University of Basel – C1 requirement: IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 96.
These examples should not be interpreted as a universal requirement for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship. They demonstrate that language requirements are determined at the programme or institutional level.
For instance, an applicant targeting a doctoral programme at ETH Zurich may encounter a very different language-testing policy from someone applying to a programme at the University of Zurich or University of Basel.
Can an MOI Letter Replace IELTS?
In some cases, yes.
Applicants who completed their previous degree entirely in English may be able to provide a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate or letter instead of taking an English-language test.
However, MOI acceptance is not universal.
Some universities or programmes may accept evidence that your previous degree was taught in English, while others may still require IELTS, TOEFL, or another recognized test.
A useful MOI letter should normally include details such as:
- Your full name
- Name of your degree
- Name of your university
- Dates or duration of your studies
- Confirmation that the programme was taught in English
Before relying on an MOI letter, contact your intended Swiss university or department and ask whether it satisfies their English-language requirement.
If they confirm that it is acceptable, it is a good idea to keep the confirmation for your records.
What If You Do Not Have IELTS Yet?
Do not assume that you have missed your opportunity.
If you are preparing for the 2027–2028 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, first determine whether IELTS is actually required for your chosen programme.
A practical approach is:
- Identify your intended Swiss university.
- Find your specific degree, doctoral programme, or research opportunity.
- Check its official language requirements.
- Determine whether IELTS or TOEFL is required.
- Ask whether an MOI certificate can be accepted.
- Take an English-language test only if the programme requires it.
- This can save applicants both time and money.
If your programme requires IELTS, you should then plan your test date carefully so that your score is available before the relevant application or university deadline.
Can You Use TOEFL Instead of IELTS?
In programmes that accept TOEFL, applicants may be able to use it instead of IELTS.
However, there is an important change that applicants preparing applications in 2026 should know about.
TOEFL iBT introduced a new 1–6 scoring scale from January 21, 2026.
During the transition, TOEFL score reports may also provide comparable information using the previous 0–120 scale.
If a Swiss university's website still lists an older TOEFL requirement such as 100, do not automatically assume that the requirement has disappeared. Instead, check the institution's latest guidance about how it interprets the new TOEFL scoring system.
What If You Miss One IELTS Band?
Applicants who already have an IELTS result may also want to know about IELTS One Skill Retake.
Eligible IELTS candidates who took IELTS on computer can retake one individual component—Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking—rather than repeating the complete test.
The retake must generally be taken within the applicable period following the original test.
However, there is one important warning:
Not every university accepts IELTS One Skill Retake.
If you plan to use this option for a Swiss university application, confirm directly with your intended institution that it accepts the resulting IELTS score.
Should You Take IELTS Before Applying?
Not necessarily.
Taking IELTS simply because someone told you that “Swiss scholarships require IELTS 6.5” can lead to unnecessary expenses.
Instead, establish your actual requirement first.
For example, if your intended doctoral programme does not require a formal language test and accepts another form of evidence of English proficiency, you may not need to spend money on IELTS.
On the other hand, if your programme explicitly requires IELTS Academic 7.0, then obtaining the required score becomes an important part of your application preparation.
The correct strategy is therefore:
University requirement first → language requirement second → IELTS or TOEFL if necessary.
IELTS Requirements for Different Applicants Can Be Different
- Another reason applicants become confused is that two candidates applying for the same scholarship may have completely different language requirements.
- One applicant may be applying for a programme taught in English and may need to submit IELTS.
- Another may have completed an English-taught degree and qualify for an exemption.
- A third applicant may apply to a programme where the department does not require a formal English test.
- All three applicants can potentially be applying for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, yet their language documentation can be different.
That is why general claims such as “IELTS 6.5 is compulsory for Switzerland scholarships” can be misleading.
What Should You Do Now?
If you are planning to apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2027–2028, use this checklist before booking your IELTS test:
- Choose your Swiss university or research institution.
- Identify the exact programme or doctoral school.
- Check its current language requirements.
- Find out whether IELTS Academic or TOEFL is required.
- Ask whether an MOI certificate is accepted.
- Check whether alternative English qualifications are accepted.
- Confirm whether IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted if you need it.
- Only then book your English-language test if necessary.
Final Verdict: Is IELTS Required?
IELTS is not automatically compulsory for every Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship applicant.
The scholarship does not impose one universal IELTS score on all candidates. Instead, your host university, department, doctoral school, or programme may establish its own English-language requirements.
Therefore, not having IELTS right now does not automatically disqualify you.
The safest approach is to identify your intended Swiss programme and verify its current language requirements directly. If IELTS is required, prepare for the appropriate score. If the university accepts an MOI certificate or does not require a formal language test, you may not need IELTS at all.
In short: Don't take IELTS because you heard it is compulsory. Take it if your specific Swiss programme requires it.
