Each year, HEAD – Genève welcomes some fifty students from more than one hundred partner schools around the world, through the Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP/Erasmus+) or bilateral agreements. The International Relations Office supports selected candidates throughout their stay.
HEAD – Genève has an extensive and diverse network of partner schools. Each year, some sixty students come to spend a semester of study here. Much of this activity takes place within the Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP), which enables Swiss higher education institutions to take part in the European program, in line with Erasmus+ activities.
The International Relations Office organizes these exchanges and makes sure the semester runs smoothly. It assists students who have arrived in Switzerland with administrative procedures and practical everyday questions, ensures the academic coherence of exchanges, and organizes information sessions, events, and French classes.
Nomination by the home school before April 10, 2026; online application (MoveON) before April 15, 2026.
Nomination by the home school before October 10, 2026; online application (MoveON) before October 15, 2026.
September – January
February – June
April 10
October 10
Each candidate must be nominated by their home school before they can submit an application. The international relations offices of partner schools send their nominations to HEAD – Genève via this link.
April 15
October 15
Applications are submitted online via the MoveON portal.
Exchanges are possible in all our programs except the Master in Film ECAL–HEAD. Exchanges in the Bachelor in Film are possible in the fall semester only.
Partner universities nominate their candidates directly with HEAD’s International Relations Office via a dedicated link. Students then apply directly to HEAD via a second link.
The following documents must be submitted with the application:
Applications are submitted via the MoveON platform. Other courses and schools also appear there. It is important to select the exact title of the HEAD – Genève program, including the minor if applicable. Program names are listed under the “Programs” tab. In the Bachelor in Fine Arts, choosing a minor is mandatory.
Participants wishing to do a one-year exchange at HEAD – Genève must first apply for one semester. An extension can be requested during the first semester and must be approved.
Languages of instruction vary by program. They are summarized in this table (PDF).
All our Bachelor programs are taught in French.
↳ French level B1 required, B2 recommended.
Our Master programs in Design are taught entirely in English (except Visual Knowledge).
↳ English level B1 required, B2 recommended.
Our Master in Visual Knowledge is taught entirely in French.
↳ French level B1 required, B2 recommended.
Our Master programs in Fine Arts are bilingual, in French and English.
↳ French or English level B1 required, B2 recommended.
You will be asked about your language level when you apply. Please answer honestly and indicate whether you hold a language certificate. French classes will be offered to you during your exchange at HEAD – Genève.
The quality of the portfolio is a key selection criterion. In your letter of motivation, explain precisely why you are applying to the chosen program. Language proficiency is also taken into account. Acceptance notifications are sent six weeks after the application deadline.
One semester at HEAD – Genève corresponds to 30 ECTS credits. Exchange students must complete a full semester.
Students receive a transcript at the end of the semester, available on the Student Portal. The grading scale is as follows:
Students from partner schools receive a grant to help fund their stay in Geneva:
Students from institutions without a bilateral agreement with HEAD can take part in the exchange program as “freemovers.” However, they must cover HEAD tuition fees themselves (CHF 1,250 per semester) and are not eligible for a mobility grant. Please contact the International Relations Office to apply.
Studying at HEAD means living and working in an urban setting, an international city, in close connection with many leading cultural institutions. It means working in an exceptional environment, in one of the four buildings of our campus in the city center, with specialized workshops and technical centers that serve as spaces for experimentation and production.
HEAD – Genève does not offer on-campus housing. Students must find an apartment or a room on their own. Because the Geneva housing market is very tight, we advise them to start looking as early as possible.
Health insurance and personal liability insurance are mandatory for the entire duration of studies in Switzerland. Visa and residence permit procedures depend on the student’s nationality and/or country of residence.
See the Living in Geneva page for details on housing, insurance, visas, and residence permits.
Audrey Zecchin
Anne-Laure Beuret
Monday, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Building E, 1st floor, Room 1.09.