EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne : Rankings, Fees & Courses Details | Top Universities
university logo

EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Location

EPFL, Lausanne Switzerland

Ranking

# 26QS World University Rankings

PGicon

12Postgraduate programs

Tuitionfee

1,540 CHFTuition Fee/year

Scholarship

AvailableScholarship

About EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

The École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is a research institute and university in Lausanne, Switzerland, specializing in the natural sciences and engineering. 

Its roots can be traced back to the foundation of a private school in 1853, which to start with only had 11 students. Those days are long gone though, with the modern day EPFL one of two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology and student numbers in Lausanne now totaling over 10,000. 

Located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, EPFL is twinned with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich). As part of its research and teaching activities, EPFL is one of the only universities to run a nuclear reactor, a fusion reactor, a Gene/Q Supercomputer, and have P3 bio-hazard facilities.

EPFL has a very singular admissions process, which, for would-be undergraduates who are Swiss nationals, is not selective at all. At the end of freshman year, however, a block exam determines whether students can continue or have to repeat the year, with many home students dropping out entirely at this point. 

The EPFL campus lies on the shores of Lake Geneva and consists of 65 buildings across 136 acres. Facilities include banks, bars, two museums – the Musee Bolo and Archizoom – as well as bars, restaurants and cafeterias. 

There are students of 112 different nationalities here, though as of 2014 women made up only 27 percent of the student body. Life on campus is vibrant, with many student-formed clubs and associations providing social and recreational opportunities. 

A wide range of sports and leisure facilities keep students physically active while studying. EPFL also has an active student media, publishing the monthly newspaper Flash and there are daily broadcasts on the student radio station. 

Another priority on campus is the arts, with the university holding several annual music festivals each year. The largest is Balélec Festival, where 15,000 visitors descend upon the university to watch 30 concerts on two outdoor and four indoor stages.


About EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

The École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is a research institute and university in Lausanne, Switzerland, specializing in the natural sciences and engineering. 

Its roots can be traced back to the foundation of a private school in 1853, which to start with only had 11 students. Those days are long gone though, with the modern day EPFL one of two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology and student numbers in Lausanne now totaling over 10,000. 

Located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, EPFL is twinned with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich). As part of its research and teaching activities, EPFL is one of the only universities to run a nuclear reactor, a fusion reactor, a Gene/Q Supercomputer, and have P3 bio-hazard facilities.

EPFL has a very singular admissions process, which, for would-be undergraduates who are Swiss nationals, is not selective at all. At the end of freshman year, however, a block exam determines whether students can continue or have to repeat the year, with many home students dropping out entirely at this point. 

The EPFL campus lies on the shores of Lake Geneva and consists of 65 buildings across 136 acres. Facilities include banks, bars, two museums – the Musee Bolo and Archizoom – as well as bars, restaurants and cafeterias. 

There are students of 112 different nationalities here, though as of 2014 women made up only 27 percent of the student body. Life on campus is vibrant, with many student-formed clubs and associations providing social and recreational opportunities. 

A wide range of sports and leisure facilities keep students physically active while studying. EPFL also has an active student media, publishing the monthly newspaper Flash and there are daily broadcasts on the student radio station. 

Another priority on campus is the arts, with the university holding several annual music festivals each year. The largest is Balélec Festival, where 15,000 visitors descend upon the university to watch 30 concerts on two outdoor and four indoor stages.


Available programs

Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne offers the following postgraduate programs:

  • ARCHITECTURE
  • CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES & ENGINEERING
  • ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
  • ENERGY MANAGEMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
  • MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
  • MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
  • MICROENGINEERING
  • COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
  • COMPUTER SCIENCE
  • DATA SCIENCE
  • CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & BIOTECHNOLOGY
  • MOLECULAR & BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
  • MATHEMATICS
  • APPLIED MATHEMATICS
  • MATHEMATICS FOR EDUCATION (IN FRENCH)
  • COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
  • PHYSICS
  • APPLIED PHYSICS
  • NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
  • BIOENGINEERING
  • LIFE SCIENCES & TECHNOLOGY
  • FINANCIAL ENGINEERING
  • MANAGEMENT, TECHNOLOGY & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • DIGITAL HUMANITIES

University information

Bachelor

5.5+

Master

4.5+
5.5+
72+
11,202
50%
50%
7,172
43%
57%
1,875
25%
75%

Tuition fee and scholarships

Domestic Students

1,540 CHF
1,540 CHF

International Students

1,540 CHF
-

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:
opportunities

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

how_to

How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

list

A list of available scholarships around the world

checklist

A scholarship application checklist

banner
download_icon Download Scholarship Guide

Rankings & ratings

EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne is one of the top public universities in Lausanne, Switzerland. It is ranked #26 in QS World University Rankings 2025.

QS World University Rankings

  • 2012
    #29
  • 2014
    #=19
  • 2015
    #=17
  • 2016
    #14
  • 2017
    #14
  • 2018
    #12
  • 2019
    #22
  • 2020
    #18
  • 2021
    #14
  • 2022
    #=14
  • 2023
    #=16
  • 2024
    #36
  • 2025
    #26

Campus locations

open the map

Similar Universities

location Kloten, Switzerland
Ranking

# -

QS World University
Rankings
PGicon

7

Available
programs
View Details
location Lausanne, Switzerland
Ranking

# 1

QS World University
Rankings
PGicon

8

Available
programs
View Details
location Glion-sur-Montreux, Switzerland
Ranking

# 8

QS World University
Rankings
PGicon

6

Available
programs
View Details
location Lugano, Switzerland
Ranking

# =405

QS World University
Rankings
PGicon

35

Available
programs
View Details
location Montreux, Switzerland
Ranking

# 6

QS World University
Rankings
PGicon

1

Available
programs
View Details
location Geneva, Switzerland
Ranking

# -

QS World University
Rankings
PGicon

15

Available
programs
View Details
location Brig, Switzerland
Ranking

# 3

QS World University
Rankings
PGicon

3

Available
programs
View Details
location Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Ranking

# 5

QS World University
Rankings
PGicon

6

Available
programs
View Details
location Leysin, Switzerland
Ranking

# 2

QS World University
Rankings
PGicon

5

Available
programs
View Details
location Le Bouveret, Switzerland
Ranking

# 7

QS World University
Rankings
PGicon

4

Available
programs
View Details
EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne basic Public Very High 6 yes 1540 7172 M 177