The Graduate Institute is an institution of research and higher education dedicated to the study of world affairs. Our cosmopolitan community located in the heart of International Geneva, prepares future policy-makers to lead tomorrow’s world.
Students from partner institutions are eligible to apply for the exchange programme for one or two semesters. Students must first be nominated by their home university before they may submit their applications.
Why participate in an exchange at the Graduate Institute?
Conditions
Language Requirements
The Institute has an English-French bilingual teaching policy. Most of the classes, however, are taught in English. Students can express themselves in class and submit written work in either English or French.
All students must have a good command of English. Knowledge of French is not an admission condition.
Students whose mother tongue is not English, who do not have secondary or post-secondary qualifications taught in English, or who have not spent a minimum of one year studying at university level in English, must provide a certificate to prove their mastery of English.
Recognised tests and scores
We expect all students to document a proficiency level that corresponds to the CEFR C1 or higher.
iBT TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) and iBT TOEFL Home Edition: either
A single iBT TOEFL test with a total score of at least 100 and the following minimum subscores:
*From January 2026, iBT TOEFL will also be scored on a 1-6 scale. Until the new system is stabilised, we will continue to rely on the previous 0-30 scale. Equivalencies are indicative only.
Or a "My Best Score" with a total score of 100 and the following minimum subscores:
Please have your TOEFL scores forwarded to us by indicating our institutional ETS code: 8909
IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): and IELTS Academic Online: either
A single IELTS test with an overall band 7.0 and the following minimum subscores:
Or different valid IELTS tests with at least one overall band of 7.0 and the following minimum subscores from different tests:
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
Total score of at least 185 and each subscore at least 180
At this time we are not accepting the Cambridge Linguaskill and other tests
Application
Further to nomination by their home institutions, candidates will receive a link to our online application form.
In addition to completing the online application form, students are required to submit the following supporting documents to exchanges@graduateinstitute.ch:
Deadlines
Successful candidates will be notified by email within a few weeks of the application deadline.
You will find below the different steps to follow to prepare for your stay in Geneva:
The academic year at the Geneva Graduate Institute consists of two semesters, each 14 weeks long.
The typical course load is five courses each semester; you can therefore expect to have at least 10 class hours each week.
Most courses require a large amount of reading, individual or group research, papers and other types of preparation before each weekly class.
Class attendance is expected; instructors should be notified in advance of any absences. In many courses, a significant portion of the grade is based on the quality of class participation. Students are required to come prepared for each class and are encouraged to engage actively and critically with the academic material.
Exams usually take place during the last week of classes and can be either sit-in or take-home exams.
Class size varies between introductory lectures and specialised seminars. On average, there are about 20 students in each course, providing numerous opportunities to interact with the professor.
Courses availability for incoming exchange students
Ressources
A Welcome Meeting for incoming exchange students will take place on the first day of the semester. Details will be sent by email.
Students will officially register to the Institute during this meeting and attendance is therefore mandatory. During this meeting, students will finalize their registration to the Institute and receive their multi-service student cards.
The Institute’s Academic Adviser will also be present if you have any questions pertaining to course offerings and registration.
Practical Information about life in Geneva
Office Cantonal de la Population et des Migrations (OCPM)
Website: Welcome to Geneva
Route de Chancy 88, 1213 Onex
Opening hours: Mo, Tue, Th, Fr: 7:30-13:30; Wed 9:00-16:30
Telephone : +41 22 546 47 95, Mo-Fr: 13:30-16:30
Contact
Access: Tram 14, Bus K and L «Bandol» stop. Map
Incoming Exchange students who have received a residence permit are required to inform the OCPM ) about their departure, at the latest, two weeks prior to leaving by sending the departure form. This procedure is mandatory.
Remember to cancel your insurance policy upon departure, otherwise, you will continue to receive invoices.
The course content of all the subjects I did was excellent. I found the classes to be incredibly academically and personally enriching.
