HES-SO Genève

Student affairs

Version française

You are already enrolled at the HES-SO Genève (University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland in the Canton of Geneva) or you are newly arrived, and you are looking for information on the out-of-the classroom services that you are eligible for?

The Student Affairs division of the HES-SO Genève aims to enhance students’ success and to promote integration and wellbeing through a number of actions that complement the academic path.  It provides a wide range of services that are free of charge or offered at favorable prices to students.

 

Special needs
Students with special needs, sports & arts studies

Resources
Libraries, linguistic tandems, Educational program of the Swiss Study Foundation

Practical information
Health insurance, accident and third party liability insurance, cost of living, military service and civil defense, accommodation, transport, student permit and visa

Student deals
Bank account, computer and IT, books, hobbies, magazines, language course abroad

Extracurricular activities
Sports and arts activities

Health and wellbeing
Workshops offered by the “Service Santé et Psychologie” of the University of Geneva, health counseling

Financial Aid
Scholarships and loans

Temporary jobs
Student jobs

Partnership
Agreement with the University of Geneva

Contacts

 

 

Special needs

 

Students with special needs

Integrating disabled students with special needs is a priority for the HES-SO Genève. Thanks to its “HES-SO Genève without obstacles” concept, specific measures are provided and can be taken to make study arrangements for students with disabilities and special needs. The aim is to avoid any functional limitation, without discrimination or privilege, through a variety of actions: architectural accessibility, human assistance, study and examination arrangement.

Consult the “HES-SO Genève without obstacle” concept (in French)

Measures related to disability compensation and special needs recognition may be applied to candidates during information sessions and admission tests. The University of Applied Science to which the student has enrolled must meet the implemented logistic standards allowing candidates to get information or to take admission examinations. Any costs occurring in relation to special arrangements are borne by candidates and students.  Financial aid can be requested and obtained from a number of private organizations (Pro Infirmis, Brain Foundation, etc) or from disability insurance companies. 
 

Contact persons:

HEPIA : Ms. Anne-Catherine Rinckenberger, contact

HEG : Mr. Maurice Fratianni, contact

HEAD : Ms. Emilie Parendeau, contact

HEM : Ms. Christelle Enndevell, contact

HEdS : Ms. Marie-Hélène Guyon, contact

HETS : Ms. Marie Anderfuhren, contact

 

Sports & arts studies

Specific arrangements may be made for students active in top class sports or arts.

 

Resources

Libraries

Students have access to the whole network of libraries at the six Universities of Applied Sciences in Geneva: libraries

 

Linguistic tandems

Two platforms offer students the opportunity to learn and practice a foreign language, free of charge and according to the availability of each user:

https://edu.e-tandem.ch and https://tandems.unige.ch/

In both cases, select “membres des HES-SO Genève” on the list of institutions and sign in with your AAI login.

 

Educational program of the Swiss Study Foundation

The Swiss Study Foundation supports deserving students by offering them learning opportunities, individual mentoring and guidance scheme, financial support as well as various networking opportunities.

Info: requirements and application procedure

Back to top

Practical information

 

Health insurance

Health insurance is compulsory for all students living in Switzerland, be it only temporary. Students must get an insurance policy covering any health issue for the whole duration of their studies or their internship even if it takes place abroad.

Information sheet on health insurance

List of Swiss insurance companies offering coverage for foreign students

 

Third party liability insurance (RC Insurance)

All enrolled students are covered during classes, events, holiday camps or activities planned by groups of students, provided the event is organized by the HES-SO Genève management and supervisory organs. Students are not insured when travelling to or from HES schools.

During internships, the company hiring the student must guarantee third party liability coverage, or commit to take responsibility for any damage caused to the student during the internship.

In principle, students must get a personal insurance coverage for any damage they may cause while doing an internship in Switzerland or abroad.

HEdS students are insured for up to CHF 10,000,000 for the physical and personal damage they may cause to third parties while doing an internship lasting up to six months, in Switzerland or abroad.

 

Old Age and Survivor Insurance (Swiss AHV=AVS), Disability Insurance (AI) and Loss of Income Insurance (APG)

Contributing to the AVS/AI/APG is compulsory for anyone living or working in Switzerland.

From the age of 20, Swiss and foreign students living in Switzerland are required to pay a fee of CHF 482.00 (minimum contribution) to the AVS/AI/APG. Administrative costs may be added to this amount.

Students who are working start paying fees as of January 1st of the year following their 17th birthday.

Students may be exempt from paying fees:

  • Should they prove with a certificate from their employer or a compensation fund that they have already made contributions of at least CHF 482.00 out of their income or on their Loss of Income Allowances;
  • Should they be staying in Switzerland only for study purposes;
  • Should their spouse be affiliated with the Swiss AVS/AI/APG and have paid at least twice the minimum required contribution (CHF 964.00).

Students who have paid fees of less than CHF 482.00 (minimum contribution) per year out of their income must only pay the balance.

Information as to the amount of contributions to be paid is sent directly to students from the Compensation Fund of the Social Insurance Office (OCAS).

Information and contact on the OCAS website

 

 

Cost of living

The cost of living in Switzerland is high. The summary table set out here will help you evaluate your expenses and plan your budget as a HES-SO Geneva student.

 

Military service and civil defense

Military service is mandatory for Swiss men (boot camp, rehearsal courses and civil defense). As far as possible, students must carry out their military service before the beginning of their studies in order to avoid any consequences on their curriculum. Indeed, an absence of several months due to military service implies an interruption of studies. However, if, for academic reasons, military service or civil defense must be postponed (annual courses, exams), students may file an application. Within each of the six schools of the HES-SO Geneva, a liaison office advisor is in charge of reconciling studies with military or civil service. The notice of the advisor is mandatory when students submit a request for postponement:

 

HEPIA

Mrs. Anne-Catherine Rinckenberger

Tel. 022 546 24 22

Email: anne.rinckenberger@hesge.ch

HEG

Mr. Alexandre Boder

Tel. 022 388 17 87

Email : alexandre.boder@hesge.ch

HEAD

Mrs. Lise Marine Ben Hassel

Tel. 022 388 51 03

Email : lise-marine.benhassel@hesge.ch

HEM

Mrs. Joëlle-Anne Cavat

Tel. 022 327 31 02

Email : joelle-anne.cavat-roulin@hesge.ch

HEdS

Mrs. Dominique Allamand

Tél. 022.388.57.16

Email : dominique.allamand@hesge.ch

HETS

Mrs. Diane Christinaz

Tel. 022 388 96 24

Email : diane.christinaz@hesge.ch

Procedure to postpone military service

Requests to move service must be submitted to the military authority in written form, together with all the necessary supporting documents. Replies from the Swiss Army are also sent in writing to  students. Generally speaking, requests must be made no later than 14 weeks before the start of service, even if the order has not been received yet. In the case of late submission of the application, the unit commander has the competence to release the student on the first day of military service.
The dates of boot camps and the rehearsal courses are on the army’s website and it is up to the students to consult them in advance (in French/German/Italian): https://www.vtg.admin.ch/fr/mon-service-militaire/conscrits/recrues.html 

 

For any justified request of service postponement, students must complete the required form available on the army's website and submit it to the liaison advisor at their school (in French/German/Italian): https://www.vtg.admin.ch/fr/mon-service-militaire/generalites-concernant-le-service-militaire/deplacement-de-service.html

Upon review of the application, the liaison advisor completes the student's documents and sends them to the military liaison body.

With regard to requests for postponements of civil defense, students must duly complete and submit a specific application form intended for UNIGE and HES students (in French): https://www.ville-geneve.ch/demarches-administratives/ajournement-cours-protection-civile-etudiants/

 

Accommodation

HES-SO Genève students have access to the students’ residences managed by GELOGE, an HES-SO Genève foundation for student housing:

They also have access to the Cité Universitaire de Genève.

From January 2021, they may also apply to the newly built Grand Morillon student residence which hosts students enrolled at Swiss universities in the canton of Geneva.  

Other housing options are available to students:

Students’ residences:

Furnished accommodation for young people:

Homestay accommodation: free or low-cost housing in exchange for services in everyday life:

Rental platform for homestay and roommates in Switzerland and abroad:

Housing portals and online ads :

 

Transport

Mobility

Benefits to students for Mobility car rental.

 

CFF (Swiss Federal Railways)

General reduction of CHF 500 for 25-year-olds (AG pour les jeunes de 25 ans), regardless of their professional or private situation.

The offer is valid up to the eve of the students' 26th birthday:https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/railpasses/ga/ga-25-year-olds.html  

 

Student permit and visa

Visa:

If you are not an EU/EFTA student, check whether you are required to apply for a visa: https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/publiservice/weisungen-kreisschreiben/visa/liste1_staatsangehoerigkeit.html

Should you hold several nationalities, please carefully check all the entry conditions as one of them may allow you to enter Switzerland without applying for a visa. To travel within the European Union, you must hold a valid passport.

Permit of stay:

All students living in Switzerland have to apply for a residence permit, regardless of their nationality.

Please contact the Residents Registration Office (OCPM) at:

Office Cantonal de la population et des migrations
88 route de Chancy
1213 Onex
ge.ch/demander-permis-sejour-etudiant

Useful links

State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)

Back to top

 

Student deals

How to buy a computer, go on a language program abroad, online product delivery

 

Online product delivery

10% discount upon presentation of a student card by the Deli'Vrac.ch grocery store for the delivery of local or organic bulk products in reusable containers.
Info: https://www.delivrac.ch/

 

 

Bank account

The Swiss “Banque alternative” offers students (between the age of 16 and 30) accounts with no annual bank fees. Foreign students are required to submit their residence permit when opening their account.
Info: Student account (in French)

 

 

Computer and IT

Microsoft Office Suite: HES-SO students and staff can install the Office 365 ProPlus suite free of charge thanks to the “campus” contract signed with Microsoft.
Info: Conditions and instructions (in French)

Good computer deals: purchase an affordable computer and benefit from free support thanks to the “Poseidon project” intended for Swiss Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences.
Info: Poséidon purchase

 

 

Books

Permanent 10% discount at the Payot bookstore to students registered in Switzerland upon presentation of their student card.

Monlivre.ch offers the possibility to print books on demand from pdf files.
 

 

Hobbies

Aquatis / Aquarium-Vivarium: entrance preferential rate at the Aquarium-vivarium.

Yverdon-les-Bains Thermal Center:
For administrative and academic staff: on presentation of a HES-SO work badge, preferential rates on individual entrance or annual subscriptions to the baths, as well as semi-annual or annual subscriptions to the "Fitness & Baths" / "Relaxation & Baths" / "Fitness & Relaxation & Baths" area. A 10% discount is also offered for treatments at the “Espace Beauté”.

For students: preferential rate on individual entrance to the baths, only on Tuesdays and upon presentation of the student card.

 

 

Magazines

Free subscription to the Hemisphere magazine. Requests must be sent to hemispheres@hes-so.ch from the university's email address.
 

 

Language courses abroad

10% discount on programs in more than 50 destinations around the world offered by EF Education.
Info: Info and requirements

Back to top

Extracurricular activities

 

Arts activities

A wide variety of workshops and courses offered in the art field: choir, orchestra, film club, free tickets.

 

Sports activities (online registration)

Activities for all, weekends, camps, competitions

Back to top

Health and wellbeing

 

Workshops offered by the “Service Santé et Psychologie” of the University of Geneva

Apply online on the page of each workshop, renseignements : sante@unige.ch

 

Nutrition counseling

The Haute école de santé de Genève (Heds, Health University of Applied Sciences of Geneva) provides students with customized advice in the nutrition field.

 

Psychological counseling

Confidential counseling related to stress, eating or sleep disorders, family issued, depression, etc.

 

Psychological service for female student

Listening, support and psychological guidance scheme offered to women and girls who are going through psychological and psychological difficulties. The permanence is made available by the AGFDU (Association of Women Graduates of Universities) and the CLAFG (Liaison Center of Geneva Women's Associations).

Appointement by phone at 078 207 97 57 or by mail at contact@clafg.ch

 

Laboratory for Analysis and Counseling in Physical Activities and Health (LACAPS)

Students enrolled in the Physiotherapy bachelor’s degree at HEdS in Geneva provide students with tests measuring physical efforts. You will then receive personalized advice on how to improve your training or resume physical activity.

 

Social Counseling

Counseling related to social issues such as stress management, budget management, administrative procedures, insurance, violence and harassment, social anxiety, personal or family issues.

 

Health

Out-patient General Internal Medicine Consultation for students, Primary Care Service of the Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG – Geneva University Hospitals).

Back to top

Financial aid

 

The HES-SO Genève does not want to leave any student by the wayside. This is why help and support may be provided to students who are experiencing difficult personal situations.

 

Scholarship and Student Loans Service (SBPE)

If you need financial assistance to start or continue your studies after the completion of compulsory education, make sure that you meet the requirements set by the State. Depending on your family and personal circumstances, you may receive financial support to study at the HES-SO Genève.

Applications may be submitted during the Summer before the start of the study period and within 6 months.

 

HES-SO Genève scholarships

Monthly financial aid (from the 2nd year of study)

If you are not covered by the Law on scholarships and student loans (LBPE), if your application is being processed or if you have been refused by the competent service, you may be eligible for the monthly financial aid scheme made available by the HES-SO Genève in collaboration with the University of Geneva's Financial Service.

Before submitting an application, please check your eligibility by consulting the criteria and procedures set out in the "Student Financial Aid" directive and its Annex (only in French).

1. Monthly Financial Aid granted by the Financial Service

Since the beginning of the 2020/21 academic year, monthly financial aid has followed a flat-rate model (600 CHF/month or 950CHF/month) according to two income limits and is subject to two grant periods at the start of each semester.

Category 1: a flat rate of 950CHF per month is granted to independent students who have been living in Geneva or in a border area for less than two years and whose gross annual income is between 10'000 CHF and 14'999 CHF.

Category 2: a flat rate of 600CHF per month is granted to independent students living in Geneva or in the border area whose gross annual income is between 15'000 CHF and 18'000 CHF.

Category 3: in addition, a scholarship corresponding to the negative difference between the reference budget of the Financial Service and the student's income may be granted to independent students in couples with or without children, or to single-parent families. Children or spouses living in another country than the recipient of the scholarship are not taken into account in the scale.

2. Monthly Financial Aid granted by private funds

Independent students who have been living in Geneva or in a border area for more than two years and whose gross annual income is between 10,000 CHF and 14,999 CHF are referred by the Financial Service to third-party funds.

In addition, in cases of extreme social and financial emergency, students who meet all the criteria for financial aid but who do not have a minimum gross annual income of 10,000 CHF may also be referred to third-party funds.

In both cases, a specific certificate is issued by the Financial Service to facilitate the application to the private fund. The third-party funds are free to decide on the scales to be applied and the amounts granted.

Procedure

To apply for any type of monthly financial aid, fill out the online form (only in French) available on the University of Geneva's Financial Service pages (via your AAI login). The form can be filled out several times per academic year and according to the following deadlines:

Fall semester: from August 1st to September 30th

Spring semester: from January 15 to February 28

Note that only complete applications submitted by the deadline are processed by the Financial Service.

 

One-time financial aid (from the 1st year of study)

If you do not meet the conditions set by the State for a cantonal scholarship according to the LBPE, nor the conditions for monthly financial aid granted by the HES-SO Genève or private funds, several types of one-time aid are offered to you.

In order to be eligible, you must be in a difficult and temporary financial situation. This assistance can only be requested once per semester and cannot be accumulated. However, it is renewable for a maximum of 3 months during the semester, according to five motives:

  • Loss of employment/food aid (maximum CHF 600)
  • Housing expenses (maximum CHF 700)
  • Study costs (maximum CHF 600)
  • Urgent health expenses not covered by health insurance (including menstrual products and contraceptives, as well as urgent dental care upon presentation/validation of a CUMD estimate) (maximum CHF 1'000)
  • Debt-relief followed by the Social Service (for bills without a certificate of default and up to a maximum of CHF 1'800)

Study costs include: fees for material resources upon presentation of receipts and a certificate signed by the school's Head of Coordination and Teaching or by the Study Advisor (books, computers, printer, internet subscription, telephony, artistic material, provided that access to these resources is not offered by the school), as well as fees and study taxes (although students cannot benefit from an exemption, punctual assistance may be granted in the event of unforeseen and proven financial difficulty).

Procedure

To apply for one-time financial aid, fill out the online form (only in French) available on the University of Geneva's Financial Service pages (via your AAI login). The form can be filled out several times per academic year and according to the following deadlines:

Fall semester: August 1 to December 20

Spring semester: January 15 to May 31

Only complete files submitted within the time limits are processed by the Financial Service.

 

Mobility grants

Are you working alongside your studies, but you have to quit your job in order to be able to move? Mobility grants, intended to make up for your loss of income during your international exchange, are also available to you. This support is complementary to any grants awarded under the Swiss European Mobility Program (SEMP) agreements concluded by your school.

Procedure

The registration period begins on August 1 for the following academic year. Applications must be submitted at least one month before the mobility departure via the online form (only in French) available on the pages of the Financial Service of the University of Geneva (via your AAI login).

 

Cantonal social benefits

The Department of Social Cohesion provides an online form allowing people living in the canton of Geneva to assess their eligibility for cantonal social benefits, such as health insurance subsidies, additional benefits or social assistance. By filling out the form, you will receive information on the various services that provide these social benefits as well as the necessary contact details should you wish to apply for financial aid.

 

Professional retraining

In case of vocational retraining or second training, first check if you meet the conditions of the State for a cantonal scholarship under the “Loi sur les bourses et prêts d’études (LBPE)”. If you are not eligible, contact us by email at etu.hes@hesge.ch and we will refer you to other types of financial aid. 

 

Ehrhardt-Hornung Fund Scholarship

The aim of this fund is to provide financial aid to deserving students up to the Master's level who lack the financial resources to start or pursue their studies in Switzerland or abroad.

 

 

Back to top

Temporary jobs

Platform of the Career Centre at the University of Geneva for temporary job vacancies to finance your studies. Sign in with your Switch AAI login.

Back to top

Partnership

Some of our services are offered in the framework of an agreement with the University of Geneva.

For further information:

Non professorial teaching staff is also eligible for sports and arts activities offered by the University of Geneva.

Back to top

Contacts

For any information, please contact the Student Affairs division of the HES-SO Genève:

Luce Schneider Varin

Battelle Campus - Building F
Rue de la Tambourine 2
CH-1227 Carouge

Rachel Desbiolles

Battelle Campus - Building F
Rue de la Tambourine 2
CH-1227 Carouge