These bursaries are granted for studies and research at Swiss Universities and Federal Institutes of Technology (you will find a list of Swiss Universities and Federal Institutes of Technology on www.swissuni.ch). Candidates should not be older than 35 years (born after 1 January 1976).

Before applying, candidates should establish if their planned study program or research project can be carried out at the university concerned. Therefore, they will have to contact the Professor or the Administrator responsible for the postgraduate course or research. It is essential that a copy of this contact be part of the application file to ensue acceptance of the application. It is recommend that the applicants carefully read the “Application guidelines” as well as the application requirements specified on the website of the State Secretariat for Education and Research:
http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/afri/vzaf/ref_visinf/viszaf/takch.html

Poficiency of French, German or Italian could be helpful but not essential as most courses in Switzerland is using English as the main language of tuition.

Each application form (available on the website) and all the annexed documents required should be send in triplicate in the same order as stated in the “Application guidelines”. If the candidate has passed her/his exams, but not yet received the diploma, an original document officially stamped by the University of graduation, stating that the candidate has been successful and informing of the date when the diploma will be received, must be enclosed. The complete application files should be submitted to the Embassy not later than October 31, 2011.

All documents which are not written in English, German, French or Italian must be accompanied by certified translations in one of these 3 languages.

Finally, the decision on bursary grants will be communicated around May 2012.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you need any further information.

Yours faithfully

Jacquelene Friedenthal
Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa

PO Box 2508, Brooklyn Square, 0075,
Pretoria, South Africa
Tel: +27 012 452 0672,
Fax +27 012 346 6605
[email protected]
www.eda.admin.ch/pretoria