Master's
CHF 10,000 / semester
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Lausanne, Switzerland
"One of Switzerland's two federal institutes of technology"
At a Glance
Accept Rate
—
Avg Salary/Yr
—
Ranking
#22 (QS)
PSW VISA
6 months
About École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) is one of Switzerland's two federal institutes of technology, alongside ETH Zurich. Its main campus lies on the shore of Lake Geneva in Lausanne, in French-speaking Switzerland. It specialises in engineering, natural sciences, computer science and architecture, and has about 12,000 students from 112 nationalities. Bachelor's programmes are taught mainly in French, while many master's programmes are taught in English. Its research facilities include a fusion reactor and a research nuclear reactor.
Rankings & Recognition
#22
Ranked #22 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (#22 joint in QS 2027).
Accreditations & Memberships
EuroTech Universities Alliance
CESAER
ETH Domain
QS 2026 Performance Breakdown
Score out of 100 across each QS evaluation pillar, with École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne's global standing for that metric.
Academic Reputation
92.7#
Employer Reputation
88.0#
Faculty / Student
90.0#
Citations / Faculty
93.1#
Intl. Faculty
100.0#
Intl. Students
100.0#
Intl. Research Network
83.6#
Employment Outcomes
47.3#
Sustainability
85.3#
#
Key Facts
#22
QS 2026
12,238
Total Students
7,733
International Students
1,849
Staff
112
Nationalities
Popular Programs
Computer Science
Data Science
Robotics
Financial Engineering
Architecture
Mechanical Engineering
Application Details
Application Route
Online (IS-Academia)
MSc Deadlines
15 Dec / 31 Mar
MSc Fee (foreign degree)
CHF 150
Bachelor French Level
B2 (C1 recommended)
Standardized Test Requirements
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
|
French (Bachelor, taught in French)
|
B2 (C1 recommended) |
|
Teaching language (all levels)
|
C1 recommended |
|
English (English-taught MSc)
|
Excellent level required |
Study Abroad & Visa Details
Visa Approval Rate
85%
I-20 Processing
D visa + B permit (study)
Post-Study Work
6 months (job-seeking)
Green Card Pathway
Work permit (quota)
Financials
Application Fee
CHF 150
Avg Scholarship
CHF 10,000 / semester
Career Outcomes
47%
Placement Ratio
6 months
Post-Study Work
15 hrs/week
Work While Study
Where Graduates Land
Faculty & Alumni
Staff (QS) — 1,849
International Staff — 77%
—
Notable Alumni
Daniel Borel (co-founder of Logitech)
Campus & Location
EPFL's main campus covers 136 acres on Lake Geneva in Lausanne, with 65 buildings, libraries, restaurants and the Rolex Learning Center. It also has sites in Geneva, Neuchatel, Sion and Fribourg.
Campus Details
Lausanne
campus (136 acres)
12238
students
Campus Forecast
Warmest (Jul): 16 to 25 C
Coldest (Jan): 1 to 5 C
Climate: Temperate oceanic
Student Life & Housing
Housing
Housing: Student residences and private rental
Dining
Dining: Many campus restaurants and cafes
Health & Wellness
Health: Swiss health insurance is mandatory
Activities & Clubs
Balelec festival
AGEPoly student union
sports
Diversity & Demographics
Total Students
12,238
International Students
7,733
Undergraduate
49.3%
Postgraduate
50.7%
Nationalities
112
Cost Deep-Dive
Tuition (new foreign students)
CHF 2,190 / semester
Tuition (Swiss / residents)
CHF 730 / semester
Other semester fees
CHF 50
Living (QS estimate)
approx. USD 25,420 / year
Intakes & Deadlines
Programmes start in early September. Master's applications run in two rounds: mid-November to 15 December 2026 (decisions late March) and 16 December 2026 to 31 March 2027 (decisions mid-June). Applicants for the Master Excellence Fellowships must apply by 15 December. The bachelor's application form opens in November.
Scholarships at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
1 scholarship available
These are general eligibility guidelines. Always confirm exact requirements with the university's admissions office or your Sukhada counsellor.
Academic Requirements
Undergraduate
Recognised certificate (often CMS/exam); French B2
Postgraduate
Relevant bachelor's degree; C1 in teaching language recommended
English Proficiency
French (Bachelor, taught in French)
B2 (C1 recommended)Teaching language (all levels)
C1 recommendedEnglish (English-taught MSc)
Excellent level requiredRequired Documents
Passport or ID card
CV
University degree(s) and complete transcripts
Statement of purpose (max. 1,000 words)
Three academic reference letters (master)
Portfolio (architecture only)
French B2 attestation (bachelor)
Certified translations (if not EN/FR/DE/IT)
Proof of funds (visa)
Swiss health insurance
Application Process
1
Choose programme
Check the programme page for entry requirements, language level, intakes and fees.
2
Apply online
Submit the online application with transcripts, passport copy, language certificate and the application fee.
3
Receive admission
Wait for the admission decision and the official letter of acceptance from the institution.
4
Pay deposit / confirm
Confirm your place by the stated deadline, paying any confirmation deposit or first-term fees.
5
Apply for a D visa
Non-EU/EFTA students apply for a national D visa at the Swiss embassy or consulate with proof of funds.
6
Arrive and register
Register with the commune within 14 days of arrival to receive a B residence permit for study.
Campus & Location
EPFL's main campus covers 136 acres on Lake Geneva in Lausanne, with 65 buildings, libraries, restaurants and the Rolex Learning Center. It also has sites in Geneva, Neuchatel, Sion and Fribourg.
Master's
4
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
📍 Lausanne
Master's
MSc Computer Science
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
📍 Lausanne
Master's
MSc Data Science
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
📍 Lausanne
Master's
MSc Robotics
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
📍 Lausanne
Master's
MSc Financial Engineering
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