Universities

EPFL – the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne

Lausanne, Fribourg, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Valais

A wide range of Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in engineering sciences, excellent PhD programs, cutting-edge laboratories directed by world-renowned professors, a modern, fast growing campus extended to other parts of the country and close ties to industry: EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, aims at excellence in research and education and provides the ideal learning environment for its students.

 

EDUCATION

EPFL gives access to most fields of basic sciences, engineering and architecture. Its diplomas are very well recognized internationally and open many career opportunities both in Switzerland and abroad.

Available in 13 different disciplines, the Bachelor’s degree constitutes the base of polytechnic studies during which students acquire the scientific fundamentals essential to continuing in their chosen field. Interdisciplinary work is encouraged early on, providing students with Discovery Learning Laboratories with cutting-edge equipment to carry out experiments and projects.

At the Master’s level, 29 programs are offered. They are designed to be flexible and give students the opportunity to customize their curricula according to their aspirations. They open doors to careers in both industry and academia.

EPFL’s Doctoral School offers 22 programs, each covering either a well-established discipline or one of today’s interdisciplinary research areas.

 

RESEARCH

Across its several campuses, EPFL has a diverse, committed and stimulating research community that is active over a wide spectrum of quantitative and design-focused disciplines. It is home to over 500 labs and research groups, undertaking fundamental research at the forefront of science and technology. Some of them are particularly active in green and sustainable domains while others focus on research in solid-state physics, materials science and life sciences. EPFL’s innovative spirit and excellent infrastructure have attracted leading scientists from around the world and resulted in a spectacular growth of its scientific output: the number of invention disclosures was multiplied by two within the past ten years.

 

INNOVATION

Technologies developed at EPFL have had and will continue to have a major impact on our society: For more than 20 years, EPFL has been a key player in innovation in Switzerland. It promotes innovation activities with industry, sets up new programs to encourage entrepreneurship and new thematic initiatives to strengthen collaboration with businesses to tackle societal challenges such as climate change, sustainable energy or ageing populations.

 

EXCELLENCE FELLOWSHIPS

EPFL wishes to reward candidates who are motivated to further pursue their scientific interests and undertake demanding studies, while also taking into account their involvement in the life of their school or in extracurricular activities, whether artistic, sporting, civic, or entrepreneurial.

At Bachelor’s level, EPFL offers excellence fellowships to the most outstanding first year Bachelor’s students to encourage holders of a Swiss high-school maturity diploma and holders of a Swiss vocational maturity diploma undertaking the CMS in their scientific ambitions. These fellowships, worth CHF 10,000 spread over three years, along with guaranteed housing (in case this has been requested in the registration form), are intended for students who have achieved remarkable results throughout their pre-university curriculum, in both school and extracurricular activities. Further information on eligibility and application.

At Master’s level, EPFL offers a limited number of fellowships to students with outstanding academic records. These fellowships are financed by EPFL and through partnerships with private foundations or companies.

 

THE CAMPUS

EPFL is located in full view of the Alps on the shores of Lake Geneva. On its lively Campus, it offers students a great place to work, socialize and stimulate their imagination. EPFL developed several initiatives related to sustainability on Campus, which have notably resulted in the vigorous promotion of soft mobility and the use of renewable energy.

 

THE LAKE GENEVA REGION: DESTINATION INNOVATION

International, innovative and dynamic: The Lake Geneva region is an economically flourishing region offering excellent professional and academic career prospects to ambitious young scientists and engineers. It hosts the headquarters of many international organizations as well as multinational companies.

The city of Lausanne is a great place to live and work and offers a variety of arts, culture and sporting events as well as a vibrant nightlife and great public transportation. The Olympic Capital, an hour away from Geneva Airport, is an ideal home base for exploring the region as well as the surrounding countries.

Image ©EPFL/Alain Herzog

 

RESEARCH + TEACHING AREAS

  • Communication Science
  • Computer Science
  • Educational Science
  • Engineering and Architecture
  • Mathematics and Natural Sciences
  • Subject-related education

DEGREE PROGRAMMES

  • Number of Bachelor programmes: 13
  • Number of Master programmes: 29
  • Number of PhD programmes: 22
  • Number of programmes in continuing education: 25 (EMBA, MAS, CAS, COS)

At a glance

FOUNDED IN 1853, ESTABLISHED AS A FEDERAL INSTITUTE IN 1969

12720 STUDENTS

56% INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

780 CHF TUITION FEES/SEMESTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (2022/23)

QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKING (2022): RANK 14

OVER 150 PARTNER UNIVERSITIES

FIELDS MEDALS 2022: Maryna Viazovska, Full Professor & Chair of Number Theory

Voices

  • Welcome to EPFL!

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  • Study programs open to the world

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  • An international university

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