How to Apply

© Minerva Studio - Fotolia

The SUR Programme committee and the School of Biology are pleased to announce the opening of the online application to candidates from all around the world for the 2022 edition from mid-December till January 31^st, 2022 (midnight CET).

The SUR Programme 2022 will take place from July 4th till August 26th and will only take place if the health situation allows it, according  to the recommendations of the FOPH (Federal Office of Public Health) and the Swiss Confederation.

A cancellation at the last minute remains possible. In that case, travel expenses already paid by selected candidates will not be covered by the SUR Programme.

Selected candidates must ensure that they respect the applicable rules concerning entry into Switzerland Coronavirus: Entering Switzerland.

The SUR Programme will not cover the cost of any Covid testing (before, during and after the programme).

We kindly ask you to carefully read the following eligibility criteria.

The programme is aimed at students who are currently mid-way through their bachelor's degree in any biological or medical field. Applicants who have completed only one year of an undergraduate degree or currently in their last year are not eligible. Master-degree students are not eligible.

Studies in physical therapy, nursery, dentistry or veterinary are not considered as biological or medical field.

The programme is highly competitive and students are chosen based upon their academic record (typically GPA >3.75 or equivalent, and/or top 5% class ranking), personal statements, and letters of recommendation.

If your university does not use a 4-point scale, then include an explanation of your grading scale in the online application (under curriculum vitae B). Differences in grading scales will be taken into consideration, but you must be in the top 5 % of your class.

Students should have very good abilities in written and spoken English and must be present for the entire programme to participate. For organizational matters, we cannot change the programme’s date.

Selected participants will be informed via email about 4 weeks after the application deadline.

=> Before applying online, please carefully read the procedure below which will give you all the necessary indications, step by step.

Online application procedure

Then, complete the online application form available in this link https://courses.unil.ch/cours/fbm and upload a CV in a PDF format. The CV should not exceed one single page and should include:

• A list, starting with the most recent, of the most relevant THREE academic prizes/fellowships that you have received (max. 100 words).
• A list, starting with the most recent, of the most important THREE occupations, other than as a student, in which you have engaged to any considerable extent, giving names and location of employers and dates of employment (e.g., military service or volunteer work experience) (max. 100 words)
• Any other relevant information about yourself (hobbies, skills, interests, etc) (max. 100 words).
• Personal statement
  Please give your reasons for wishing to participate in the UNIL SUR Programme (e.g., your academic background, scientific interests, long-term professional goals, any previous research experience and what you hope to accomplish by attending the SUR Programme (max. 400 words).

Transcripts
Please upload a copy of your official transcripts of record (JPG or PDF format) and/or an authenticated translation of documents not issued in French or English.

Recommendation letters
In addition to the online application, you must arrange for two recommendation letters to be submitted by people familiar with your academic work (e.g., professors). During the application, you will be asked to indicate the contact details of your referee. An automatic email will be sent to them asking to fill out the letter template below.

UNIL Summer Undergraduate Research Programme 2022 Recommendation letter (Word)

Please address all questions to the SUR Programme Co-ordinator, Laurence Flückiger :

E-mail : sur@unil.ch
Tel: +41 21 692 40 17