Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

Key Highlights

• Swiss government-accredited postgraduate institution
• Founded in Geneva in 1927
• Autonomous private-law foundation receiving public subsidies
• Awards recognised master’s and doctoral degrees
• September 2027 intake applications are scheduled to open in October 2026

Student Life & Environment

Student life is shaped by a postgraduate community whose members come from more than 100 countries. Institute pages describe activities, events, trips and programmes outside class, while student services cover wellbeing, disability-related accommodations, personal difficulties and support for student parents. The concentrated graduate environment is likely to feel different from a large undergraduate campus: academic interests and professional preparation are central to much of the community’s activity. The Institute operates three residences with a published combined capacity of 924 beds: the Edgar and Danièle de Picciotto Residence, Grand Morillon Residence, and Barton Sequoia Houses. Options include private, shared and family accommodation. De Picciotto is reserved for Institute students, while Grand Morillon houses a wider international population that includes students and interns. Furnished accommodation and shared study or community spaces are available, but housing is not automatic. The application page states that applications for the 2026/27 academic year are closed, so later entrants must consult the next housing cycle and plan alternatives early. Career Services offers individual counselling, interview preparation, CV reviews, workshops, networking activities and listings for jobs and internships. These services can help students navigate Geneva’s international labour market, but immigration rules, language skills and competition affect access to work.

Location & Surroundings

The Institute’s principal address is at Maison de la paix on Chemin Eugène-Rigot in Geneva. Its Campus de la paix extends through the international-organisations district from Place des Nations toward Lake Geneva, including sites around Parc Rigot and Parc Mon Repos. The area places students close to the United Nations Office at Geneva, diplomatic missions, nongovernmental organisations and other bodies associated with International Geneva. Public transport connects Maison de la paix with central Geneva, the main railway station and the airport. The lakeside setting and proximity to international institutions can support academic events, professional networking and research contacts, but students should separate geographic access from guaranteed institutional opportunities. Geneva is also an expensive place to live. The Institute’s current budgeting guidance estimates total monthly expenses at CHF 1,400 to CHF 2,500 or more, depending particularly on accommodation and lifestyle. Students considering private housing should begin early because official guidance describes demand as high. Geneva’s French-speaking setting also makes practical French valuable in daily life even though prior French is not generally an admission condition and most Institute teaching is in English.

Costs & Career Outcomes

The Institute’s current fee page lists annual master’s tuition of CHF 5,000 for applicants classified as Swiss residents and CHF 8,000 for non-residents. This distinction is based on residency status rather than nationality. Doctoral tuition depends on the funding route: students supported through the Institute’s package are charged CHF 3,000 in the first year and CHF 1,000 in each subsequent year, while other categories carry different published rates. Master’s financial assistance may combine a full or partial scholarship with a tuition reduction. The current maximum listed scholarship is CHF 20,000, and awards depend on financial need, academic strength and available funds. Requests must be made with the eligible admission application rather than after enrolment. The Institute states that PhD admission offers generally include a four-year support package, although externally funded routes also exist. Applicants should verify the terms attached to their own offer. Living expenses may exceed tuition. Institute guidance estimates CHF 1,400 to CHF 2,500 or more per month, including accommodation of roughly CHF 720 to CHF 1,900, depending on room type and lifestyle. These are planning estimates, not fixed charges. Career Services provides counselling, workshops, application-document review, interview preparation, networking and vacancy information. Many students explore internships or part-time work, but Swiss work-permit rules vary by nationality and status. Proximity to international organisations, NGOs, diplomatic missions and multinational employers can facilitate exploration; it does not guarantee placement, employment or a particular salary.