EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) is a public institute of technology in Lausanne that welcomes students, professors and collaborators of more than 120 nationalities.[1] Its 2025 annual report gives 14,072 students.[2] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it shares 22nd place, the same position as in the 2026 edition.[3]
Bachelor’s and Master’s tuition is CHF 730 per semester, tripled to CHF 2,190 for foreign students who move to Switzerland to study; the change applies from autumn 2025.[4] Bachelor’s programmes are taught in French and require level B2; Master’s programmes are taught in English, French or both.[5][6]
Key facts
| Official name | EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne)[7] |
| Location | Lausanne, on the Écublens-Dorigny campus; associated campuses in Neuchâtel, Valais, Fribourg and Geneva[8] |
| Type | Public institution; a federal institute of technology since 1 January 1969[8] |
| Founded | 1853, as École spéciale de Lausanne (first classes on 7 November 1853)[8] |
| Students | 14,072[2] |
| Nationalities | More than 120 among students, professors and collaborators[1] |
| Schools | Five schools (ENAC, SB, STI, IC, SV) and the College of Management of Technology[1] |
| Study programmes | 13 Bachelor’s programmes and 29 Master’s programmes[7] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Joint 22nd (joint 22nd in the 2026 edition)[3] |
| Languages of teaching | French in Bachelor’s programmes; Master’s programmes in English, French or both[6][5] |
| Tuition per semester | CHF 730; CHF 2,190 for foreign students who move to Switzerland to study (from autumn 2025)[4] |
| First-year Bachelor’s places | Limited to 3,000 from the 2025 school year for at least four years[5] |
| Official website | epfl.ch |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About EPFL
EPFL started on 7 November 1853 as the École spéciale de Lausanne, with eleven students on its first day.[8] It became a federal institute on 1 January 1969, the second federal institute of technology after ETH Zurich.[8] The first buildings of the new campus in Écublens were inaugurated in 1978, and in 2002 the departments were replaced by large schools.[8]
Today EPFL has five schools and the College of Management of Technology.[1] It is active in five cantons (Vaud, Geneva, Valais, Fribourg and Neuchâtel).[2]
How is EPFL ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, EPFL is joint 22nd, the same position as in the 2026 edition.[3] We could not open QS’s own site (topuniversities.com blocks automated access), so this position comes from the Wikipedia article on the QS rankings, which shows a column for 2027.[3]
EPFL’s own rankings statistics page did not show a table when we read it, so we give no other rankings. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at EPFL?
EPFL offers 13 Bachelor’s programmes (180 ECTS credits over three years)[7] and 29 Master’s programmes, including seven specialised ones.[6] Master’s programmes are grouped by school:[6]
- Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC): Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Urban Systems.
- Engineering (STI): Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Energy Science and Technology, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Microengineering, Robotics.
- Computer and Communication Sciences (IC): Computer Science, Cyber Security, Data Science, Digital Humanities.
- Basic Sciences (SB): Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Applied Physics, Molecular and Biological Chemistry, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Computational Science and Engineering, Nuclear Engineering.
- Life Sciences (SV): Life Sciences Engineering.
- College of Management of Technology (CDM): Financial Engineering, Management, Technology and Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Management and Technology.
- Cross-school: Neuro-X and Quantum Science and Engineering.
Doctoral studies run through EPFL’s doctoral programmes.[9]
How much does EPFL cost?
| Item per semester | Standard | Foreign students moving to Switzerland to study |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | CHF 730 | CHF 2,190 |
| AGEPoly membership | CHF 25 | CHF 25 |
| Sports facilities | CHF 16 | CHF 16 |
| Social fund | CHF 9 | CHF 9 |
| Total invoice | CHF 780 | CHF 2,240 |
These amounts apply to Bachelor’s and Master’s students from the fall semester 2025. The AGEPoly membership can be declined and refunded on request; the sports and social-fund contributions are compulsory.[4] The fee page names no year other than “from the fall semester 2025”.
Who pays the tripled fee?
The tripling applies to foreign students who take up residence in Switzerland to study. Swiss nationals are not affected, nor are people who live in Switzerland for another reason: foreigners who already lived in Switzerland before starting at EPFL for work, family regrouping or protection (refugees) pay CHF 730 but must prove it.[4] Master’s students who started before autumn 2025 are not tripled until they finish that Master’s; exchange and joint-diploma students are exempt from EPFL fees, and double-diploma students from the tuition fee.[4] The tuition fee will be adjusted to the Swiss consumer price index every four years, the first time in 2029, for all students.[4]
The page gives no doctoral fees. For living costs, see our Switzerland guide and the Study in Switzerland guide.
How do you apply to EPFL?
- Bachelor’s: holders of a Swiss maturité gymnasiale are accepted with no other condition. Holders of a school-leaving certificate from an EU or EFTA country, the UK, or an International Baccalaureate are accepted into first year within the places available, ranked by their general average; the certificate must meet subject and grade conditions (for example, at least 80 percent of the maximum grade in mathematics, physics and overall for EU/EFTA certificates).[5] Holders of a certificate from other countries can be admitted to the foundation year (Cours de mathématiques spéciales) within the places available, or register for the entrance examination.[5] First-year places are limited to 3,000 from the 2025 school year.[5]
- Entrance examination: currently open only to holders of a Swiss maturité professionnelle or spécialisée and of a certificate from a country outside the EU, EFTA and UK; the registration tax is CHF 150 for a foreign school-leaving certificate and the exam fee is CHF 550 (reduced) or CHF 800 (full).[10]
- Master’s: a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to the EPFL curriculum; admission is competitive and you can apply to one Master’s programme per academic year. EPFL Bachelor’s graduates are registered automatically in their field.[11]
- Doctorate: you apply to the doctoral programme of your choice. Final enrolment needs a thesis topic, a supervisor and secure funding.[9]
The Bachelor’s application needs a French language certificate, except for applicants with a Swiss or francophone education.[12] We give no deadlines here because they change every year; use the application overview of each level.
Which language level do you need?
Bachelor’s: EPFL considers level B2 in French (CEFR, the European scale from A1 to C2; B2 is upper-intermediate) necessary to follow its Bachelor’s programmes, and highly recommends C1. Foreign applicants who did not study French in upper secondary education must attest their level with the application.[5]
Master’s: teaching is in French, English or both, depending on the programme; the programmes of the School of Computer and Communication Sciences, the Life Sciences programme and the College of Management of Technology are listed as English-only, while the engineering and architecture programmes are listed as English/French or French/English.[6] The Master’s admission page does not state a language certificate; it says an intensive French course is offered to all accepted students, starting four weeks before the semester.[11]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does EPFL cost for international students?
Foreign students who move to Switzerland to study pay a CHF 2,190 tuition fee per semester from autumn 2025, which makes a total invoice of CHF 2,240 with the other contributions. The standard tuition is CHF 730.[4]
Is EPFL taught in English?
Do I need to speak French to study at EPFL?
How is EPFL ranked?
Joint 22nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, according to the QS table on Wikipedia; it held the same position in the 2026 edition.[3]
Is there an entrance examination at EPFL?
Yes, but it is currently open only to holders of a Swiss maturité professionnelle or spécialisée and of certificates from countries outside the EU, EFTA and UK. Applicants who live and study in Switzerland for a professional reason may also register.[10]
More about studying in Switzerland
- Switzerland: best universities
- Study in Switzerland: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Switzerland
- Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
- ETH Zurich
- FHNW
- Franklin Switzerland
- Geneva Graduate Institute
- HES-SO
- IMD Business School
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)
- University of Basel
- University of Bern
- University of Fribourg
- University of Geneva
- University of Lausanne
- University of Lucerne
- University of Neuchâtel
- University of St.Gallen (HSG)
- University of Zurich
- Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
- Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
Sources
[1] EPFL: About (page without a date; footer © 2025)
[2] EPFL: Annual Report 2025 (page without a date; “In Numbers” and campus information)
[3] Wikipedia: QS World University Rankings (table with 2027 column; QS’s own site blocks automated access) (secondary source, retrieved 5 Nov 2026)
[4] EPFL: Tuition fee and other fees (page without a date; footer © 2025; changes from fall semester 2025)
[5] EPFL: Bachelor/CMS admission criteria and application (page without a date; criteria valid for the ongoing year)
[6] EPFL: Master’s programs overview (page without a date)
[7] EPFL: Bachelor’s studies (page without a date; information days listed for 18-20 Nov 2026)
[8] EPFL: History of EPFL (page without a date)
[9] EPFL: PhD admission criteria and application (page without a date)
[10] EPFL: Entrance examination (page without a date; next session in 2027)
[11] EPFL: Master admission criteria and application (page without a date; deadlines are on the page)
[12] EPFL: How to apply (Bachelor’s) (page without a date; deadlines are on the page)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.