Student House
Centrally located at the Campus de la Paix, our Student House was opened in September 2012 and it can host 255 tenants in 135 housing units. The building is situated at walking distance from the Maison de la Paix and therefore from the classrooms and the Institute library. The construction was funded by a generous donation from de Picciotto familyand for this reason the official name is Edgar and Danièle de Picciotto Student House.
The Lacroix Chessex architects firm, who designed and managed the project, were awarded with two prizes: Distinction romande d'architecture 2014 and Prix SIA 2016.
The Student House has several types of housing units. Please click here for further details.
Application procedure
- The incoming student admitted during the 2nd quarter of each year, are sent a link to the application form, from the Housing Administration. After the deadline, a Housing Committee examines all requests according to the availability. The outcome is announced to all applicants afterwards.
- The Lease Agreement is valid for 12 months, from September to August the following year. The renewal is possible, following a procedure communicated directly to the tenants.
- The application process for 2017/2018 has ended. During the year, it is possible to contact the Housing Administration to check any eventual cancellation.
Application dates to the 2019/2020 academic year
Registration opens* | Application deadline | Decision notification | Confirmation deadline | |
Current Tenants Renewal | 7 January 2019 | 27 January 2019 | Mid-February 2019 | |
Early-bird deadline | Mid-January 2019 | Late January 2019 | Mid-February 2019 | Late February 2019 |
Regular deadline | Mid-March 2019 | Mid-April 2019 | Late April 2019 | Mid-May 2019 |
Late admission deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
- It is not possible to apply for housing in the late application deadline.
* An email with a link is sent, inviting you to register your interest in applying for Housing.
Housing for short-term stays
For short-term stays, for visitors, invited teachers, executive education participants or alumni, the Institute has 3 options, detailed in this document.
Other housing options
Given the limited number of available units at the Student House, the Institute cannot provide an accommodation to all students. As in many major European cities, it can be a challenge to find housing in Geneva. Therefore, it is recommended to start the housing search right after the admission letter. Finding housing in Geneva will speed up the visa process.
You do not necessarily need to live right next to our campus; the city of Geneva offers a reliable public transport system which extends to all parts of the city, and even to neighboring towns in France for those who are allowed to stay in France.
List of other options
- Document created by the Institute
- Portail Suisse Romand
- Student Guide created by the Graduate Institute Student Association (GISA)
Recommandations for the housing search
- Start as soon as possible
- Apply within to several student residences
- Be vigilant when the offers seem too good to be true, to avoid scams
- Check the housing location
- Always get as many details as possible from the person or entity renting the accommodation
- If possible, never sign contracts via e-mail