FAQs

It is to promote peace, security and international cooperation through executive education, research and dialogue. We train government officials, diplomats, military officers, international civil servants, NGO staff and private sector executives in pertinent fields of international peace and security. Through research and publications, workshops and conferences, we also provide an internationally recognised forum for dialogue on key security and peace policy issues in the interest of effective security policy decision-making. Some of the latter activities aim to facilitate discreet talks.

We are an international foundation, governed by a Foundation Council comprising representatives of our member states. 

The Swiss government is the principal contributor to GCSP's budget. Other Foundation Council members, partner states, and institutions also support the GCSP by seconding faculty, funding scholarships, and contributing to other aspects of the Centre's activities.

The GCSP was established in 1995 by the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, in cooperation with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, as a Swiss contribution to NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP). Initially designed to fill a niche in professional training for Swiss nationals only, GCSP’s executive education programmes have been progressively opened to participants from all over the world.

GCSP offers courses in virtual or residential formats. Our residential courses are mostly held at our Geneva premises, with select courses also taking place in key global cities such as Addis Ababa, Amman, Baku, Dakar, and Sarajevo.

The majority of GCSP courses are taught in English. Proficiency in the course teaching language is a requirement for participation. For more information, please visit each course dedicated web page.

You can apply to all GCSP courses online. If you have difficulties or questions related to the course application, we invite you to contact us.

The GCSP DNA is rooted in being multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary and global. Thus, having diversity in the classrooms and learning environment is paramount to the success of our courses. Therefore, we very much encourage applications from all relevant sectors and industries (governments, international organisations, civil society, private sector, academia, media, etc.) For further details on eligibility to course participation, please visit the course web page.

Punctuality and a full-time attendance are required for participation to all our courses. As to enhance the group cohesion and collective thinking in our classroom, external visitors are not allowed in our courses. It is thus not possible for course participants to bring colleagues or spouses to sessions.

For some of our courses, participants have to undertake some preparation work. There can be pre-course readings, e-modules and presentation preparations. These requirements will be communicated to accepted participants in due time.

You will find the relevant course details on each course dedicated webpage. Accepted participants to the course will receive a detailed programme and further information by the course coordinator in due time. Nevertheless, if you have any additional course specific questions, we invite you to contact us.

All GCSP participants who successfully finish a course receive a certificate of completion. Participants do not receive credits for their participation. Only participants who successfully complete our Master of Advanced Studies in International and European Security – run jointly with the Global Studies Institute of the University of Geneva – are awarded with 60 credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

For most GCSP courses casual business attire is requested. The dress code (regarding uniforms) might vary in certain courses, in this case the course coordinator will give you details on the dress code along with other practical information in due time before the beginning of the course.

During your participation in a GCSP course, photographs, video, or audio recordings may be taken. The GCSP may wish to use this material for promotional purposes, including on our website, social media channels, publications, or corporate videos. We therefore request your permission to use recordings of your participation - with or without your full name and professional affiliation - without compensation and for an unlimited duration. 

The course fee has to be paid as soon as possible upon acceptance to the course, as your participation will only be confirmed once the course fee has been paid. You will receive further information on course fees and payment methods once your application has been accepted.

You may pay your course fee either in Swiss Francs, US Dollars or Euros. . You will receive further information on payment methods once your application has been accepted.

The course fee includes the cost of the GCSP course you applied for. Accommodation, food and transportation are not included in the course fee and have to be financed by the participants individually.

Formalities may differ depending on your nationality. A list of entry procedures for each nationality is available on the Federal Office for Migration's website here. For more information, you can also refer to the Swiss Federal Foreign Affairs Department’s dedicated web page.

It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that she/he is in possession of all necessary visa and transit visa documents.  Please note that any visa application process can take up to 8 weeks. We kindly invite you to start the process early.

GCSP will not enter into contact with any Swiss Authority regarding visa applications.  Once accepted to a course and relevant tuition fees have been paid to secure your place, the GCSP can provide you, upon request, a letter which confirms your registration to the course.

The GCSP offers a 15% discount on most fee paying courses if you apply more than 2 months prior to the start date. GCSP alumni benefit of a 20% discount. These discounts are not cumulative. A limited number of partial tuition waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of the GCSP. Please let us know if you would like to be considered for a partial tuition fee waiver in your application form.

A few residential courses can attribute a very limited number of partial scholarships. Attribution of scholarships is based on financial needs and on a competitive basis. If you desire to be considered for a scholarship, you must communicate this in your application form. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of the GCSP.

Participants are expected to find their own accommodation in Geneva. Be aware that this can be a challenging process. We therefore recommend that you start your search as early as possible. Upon request, your course coordinator can provide a list of recommended hotels. Please note that the GCSP will not enter into housing contract agreements on your behalf.

The public transport network in Geneva is called UNIRESO. It is an interconnected system of trams, buses (TPG), mouettes (transport boats) and trains (CFF) in the city of Geneva. The whole system can be used with the same tickets. For further information on the public transport network we invite you to visit the TPG website. The CFF website shows public transportation connections within whole Switzerland.

Geneva attracts individuals from all around the world and hosts the headquarters of many companies. This influences the relatively high living costs in Geneva. A single person traveling on a mid-range budget in Geneva will spend approx. 1000 CHF per week. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation and entertainment.

You may send requests to interview our in-house or guest experts to [email protected]. Interview requests will then be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Absolutely. We offer modern, spacious, fully equipped conference rooms available next to United Nations agencies and other major international organisations. Our conference rooms are equipped with interactive screens, computer, wifi access, and microphones. You will find more details on our website. To book a conference room, please contact us.