Incoming students
Academic exchanges
- A bilateral exchange agreement must be in place between your university or school and HEIG‑VD in your field of study.
- You must be officially nominated to our International Office by your home university, within the following deadlines:
- For the autumn semester: before April 30th
- For the spring semester: before November 30th
- Appropriate language level: courses are given in French, B2 level required.
Once the International Office has received the official nomination from your home university, a link will be sent to your personal e-mail address. We recommend checking your spam or junk mail folders regularly.
Please submit your application online before the deadline:
- For the autumn semester: May 31st
- For the spring semester: January 10th
Your application must be supported by the following documents:
- Learning Agreement
- Academic records
- CV
- Passport photo
- Copy of your passport or a valid identity card
- Proof of language proficiency (French B2)
Several types of financial aid are available, depending on your country of origin.
Swiss European Mobility Programme (SEMP):
European students can benefit from SEMP grants. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the amount is set at between CHF 380 and CHF 440 per month, depending on your country of origin.
If your application is accepted, the International Office will send you the documents you need to complete to obtain the grant (grant declaration). Once these documents have been completed and sent to the International Office, the grant will be paid directly into your bank account on your arrival in Switzerland.
SEMP students who travel to Yverdon-les-Bains and back by train or bus are eligible for a one-off flat-rate subsidy of CHF 100 awarded for more environmentally-friendly mobility. This flat rate is independent of the location of your university of origin (the amount is the same if travelling from Rome or Brussels, for example). It cannot be split if one journey is made by train and the other by plane.
To obtain this grant, it should be mentioned in your application documents. The grant will only be paid once the supporting documents have been sent by e-mail, before the end of your stay.
Please note:
- A deduction of CHF 100 is made from the grant amount, which is paid on your arrival in Switzerland. This amount will be paid at the end of your stay, once you have submitted your report.
- If you interrupt or shorten your stay, you must inform the International Office immediately. Depending on the reason for the suspension, SEMP reserves the right to request a (partial) refund of the grant.
HES-SO:
Students from partner universities outside Europe are eligible for an HES-SO grant. For the 2023-2024 academic year, this amounts to CHF 850 per month.
If your application is accepted, the International Office will send you the documents you need to complete in order to obtain this grant. Once these documents have been completed and sent to the International Office, the grant will be paid directly into your bank account.
Before your arrival, you are required to draw up a learning agreement specifying the courses you intend to take at HEIG-VD. When selecting courses, it is important to avoid timetable conflicts.
Your signed learning agreement must be emailed to the International Office at: international@heig‑vd.ch
Before your arrival in Yverdon-les-Bains, your learning agreement must be signed:
- By you
- By your home university
- By the person in charge of the course you will be following (prior to your arrival, the International Office will obtain this signature on your behalf)
Changes after your arrival:
If you need to make changes to your learning agreement after your arrival (course conflicts, cancelled courses, etc.), contact the person responsible for the course you are following. They must approve the changes and sign the document:
- Your amended learning agreement must be approved and signed by your university of origin
- A copy must be given to each party, including the International Office
Internship
- Priority is given to students from partner universities or schools
- Also open to free movers
- The internship must be completed during your studies and be academically recognised by your university of origin. The SEMP programme does not provide financial support for internships carried out once your studies have been completed.
- You must be enrolled as a student at your home university for the length of your internship.
Your internship application must be emailed to the International Office at the following address international@heig-vd.ch. Depending on your profile, your application will be sent to one of our Ra&D institutes. Your application must include the following documents:
- CV
- Cover letter
- Latest transcripts
You can also be selected directly for an internship by one of our Ra&D institutes. In this case, your future internship supervisor at HEIG-VD must inform the International Office of your arrival by e-mail at international@heig-vd.ch, providing the following information:
- Your surname and given name
- Email address
- University of origin
- Date of internship
The application must be made at least one month before the start of the internship for students who do not require a visa. For students with non-EU nationality, the application must be submitted no later than two and a half months before the start of the internship.
You will then receive a link to enrol online. Your enrolment must include the following documents:
- CV
- learning agreement for the internship
- insurance declaration (health, accident and civil liability)
- a copy of your passport or a valid identity card
Before the start of your internship, if required by your university of origin, your internship agreement will need to be signed by all the parties involved.
Students on internships lasting longer than two months will be able to obtain financial assistance of at least CHF 1,000 per month thanks to a financial contribution from the host institution, a contribution from HEIG-VD (via the International Office) and various grants.
Swiss European mobility programme (SEMP)
European students can benefit from SEMP grants. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the allowance is CHF 440 per month.
If your application is accepted, the International Office will send you the documents you need to complete to obtain this grant (grant declaration). Once these documents have been completed and sent to the International Office, the grant will be paid directly into your bank account on your arrival in Switzerland (link to the “Bank Account” tab).
SEMP students who travel to Yverdon-les-Bains and back by train or bus are eligible for a one-off flat-rate subsidy of CHF 100 awarded for more environmentally-friendly mobility. This flat rate is independent of the location of your university of origin (the amount is the same if travelling from Rome or Brussels, for example). It cannot be split if one journey is made by train and the other by plane.
To obtain this grant, it should be mentioned in the application documents. The grant will only be paid once the supporting documents have been sent by e-mail, before the end of the stay.
Please note:
- A deduction of CHF 100 is made from the grant amount, which is paid on your arrival in Switzerland. This amount will be paid at the end of your stay, once you have submitted your report.
- If you interrupt or shorten your stay, you must inform the International Office immediately. Depending on the reason for the suspension, SEMP reserves the right to request a (partial) refund of the grant.
HES-SO
Students from partner universities outside Europe are eligible for an HES-SO grant. For the 2023-2024 academic year, this amounts to CHF 850 per month.
If your application is accepted, theInternational Office will send you the documents you need to complete in order to obtain this grant. Once these documents have been completed and sent to the International Office, the grant will be paid directly into your bank account.
Communauté du Savoir
The Communauté du Savoir (CDS) combines seven French and Swiss higher education and research institutions. This grant may amount to CHF 2,200 for the entire stay. This financial aid is only awarded to students from CDS member institutions. For further information: www.communautedusavoir.org/dispositifsfinanciers/campus/
The CDS grant is paid in full at the start of the internship.
Campus life and practical information
Citizens of an EU/EFTA (European Union/European Free Trade Association) member country
Visas are not required to enter Switzerland. For stays of more than 90 days in any six-month period, you must register with the Population and Migration Service (SPOMI) for a residence permit.
Residents Registration Office website for the town of Yverdon-les-Bains :
www.yverdon-les-bains.ch/votre-commune/les-services-de-ladministration/controle-des-habitants
www.vd.ch/themes/population/population-etrangere/entree-et-sejour
Citizens of non-EU countries
You must have a student visa before arriving in Switzerland.
Your application for a study visa must be sent to the Swiss diplomatic mission in your country of residence (embassy, consulate general,). The visa application can only begin once the International Office has issued your letter of acceptance. Please note that applications take at least 12 weeks to process.
Please note:
it is not possible to study or carry out an internship in Switzerland on a tourist visa, or to enter Switzerland on a tourist visa and apply for a student visa at a later date.
Important additional information:
Once your application has been received by the Swiss diplomatic mission it is forwarded to the Population Service (SPOP) of the Canton of Vaud. In some cases, the dossier also goes through the Federal Department of Justice and Police. These administrative costs are invoiced. Depending on the exchange or internship programme, these administrative costs (from CHF 95 to CHF 130) are paid for upfront by the International Office, which pays the invoices on the applicant’s behalf. These amounts will then be deducted from the balance of the awarded grant.
The Swiss healthcare system is good, but can be very expensive. In accordance with regulations, exchange students coming to study or carry out a project or internship at the institute must have:
- health insurance
- accident insurance
- civil liability insurance
Students from European Union countries must have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as proof of medical cover. This card must be valid for the duration of your stay in Switzerland.
HEIG-VD can offer students health insurance costing around CHF 100 per month, which will be deducted from the awarded grant.
Is it your responsibility to ensure you have sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
The currency used in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). The cost of living in Switzerland is high. We recommend a monthly budget of CHF 1,500. This amount is approximate and depends on your lifestyle. You will need to show maturity and responsibility in managing your budget during your stay. Don't forget unforeseen expenses, as well as possible travelling, ski trips, etc.
As an exchange student, you will receive a grant (SEMP or HES-SO), which varies according to your country of origin and whether you are on an academic exchange or an internship. However, this may not be enough to cover all your costs.
As an exchange student, you will not be able to work while you are studying.
Getting to Yverdon-les-Bains
By train
Switzerland has two main international airports: Geneva and Zurich. Both airports have direct train connections to Yverdon-les-Bains. For more information about timetables and prices: https://www.sbb.ch/en.
If you want to explore Switzerland and travel by train, we recommend the Half-Fare Travelcard. At a cost of CHF 185 per year (CHF 120 for under 25s), the travelcard halves the price of almost all travel by public in Switzerland. https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/railpasses/half-fare-travelcard.html
For reduced-price tickets: https://supersaver.sbb.ch/
Self-service bicycles
Accessible via the Donkey Republic app, the self-service bicycle network has a number of stations in the town of Yverdon-les-Bains, including one at each HEIG-VD site.
Bikes can be hired by the minute at affordable prices, whether or not you are subscribed to the scheme. The subscription, which costs CHF 45 a year or CHF 6 a month, offers one free hour per rental. Subscribers can also use their subscription across all Donkey Republic networks in Switzerland and Europe.
As part of its mobility plan, HEIG-VD offers a contribution of CHF 20 towards the cost of the annual Donkey Republic subscription to all its students and staff, making an annual subscription just CHF 25 instead of CHF 45. Simply download the Donkey Republic mobile app and create an account using your HEIG-VD e-mail address.
The International Office can help you find accommodation in two main ways:
- Student residence: single room with en-suite bathroom and shared kitchen – Maison Stähli,
- Rooms in private homes.
Accommodation ads are also posted on the following page: appart.heig-vd.ch/offers
HEIG-VD campus life is managed by the AGE, which acts as an intermediary between the School and its students. The association organises events to help students following different courses to receive information, meet and talk, with the focus on informal evening events, talks and company visits.
All students automatically become members as soon as they enrol at HEIG-VD, including international exchange students. Throughout their stay, support provided by the AGE, in partnership with theInternational Office, includes:
- A welcome and introduction to the student body
- Events for international students, such as cultural events, nature excursions, parties and ski trips.
For more information: age.heig-vd.ch
HEIG-VD offers a wide variety of sports, with training sessions and free opportunities to play badminton, football, volleyball, rugby, etc. For further information: https://heig-vd.ch/campus/sports/liste-des-activites.