🏔️École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Lausanne, Switzerland

QS World 2026 · #26

Switzerland's French-speaking technical university, a close peer to ETH Zurich.

About EPFL

EPFL is ETH Zurich's French-speaking counterpart in Lausanne, similarly strong in engineering and known for Microengineering — a distinctive programme combining mechanical, electrical and materials engineering that few other universities offer as a single degree.

Why students choose it

  • Microengineering — a distinctive combined mechanical/electrical/materials degree
  • Lake Geneva campus in Lausanne
  • Switzerland's low public-university tuition applies even to international students

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Typical entry grades

A*A*A (A Level)  ·  IB 38

Top tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

Most public universities (minimal fees)

low tier for Switzerland — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

French (Bachelor's) — most Bachelor's programmes are taught in French; English becomes standard at Master's level.

Campus

campus campus, Lausanne

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or EPFL's financial aid office.

Swiss public university tuition is already low for everyone, so scholarship schemes are smaller in number and mainly aimed at exceptional students or postgraduate/research applicants.

  • Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: Federally funded, but mainly for postgraduate/research study and exchange, not undergraduate admission.
  • University excellence scholarships: ETH Zurich, EPFL and other universities offer a small number of merit-based awards for outstanding incoming students — competitive with limited places.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Microengineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Computer Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Life Sciences

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Requires two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths

Architecture

⏱️ Typical duration: Often longer than a standard Bachelor's — commonly a 3-year Bachelor's plus a further 2-year Master's for full professional accreditation

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Typical entry: Portfolio

Mathematics

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Durations are typical for Switzerland — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September
Typical deadline
Varies widely by institution — ETH Zurich and EPFL close around 30 April

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5–7.0 overall (English-taught tracks)

Most Bachelor's programmes are German- or French-medium — proficiency in the language of instruction is usually required alongside or instead of English.

See where EPFL ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Switzerland University Shortlist Builder to see whether EPFL is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Switzerland university that matches.

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More Switzerland universities

EPFL FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to EPFL as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into EPFL?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, EPFL expects around A*A*A at A Level or 38 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for EPFL's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on EPFL's own admissions page before applying.

How much does EPFL cost for international students?

International tuition at EPFL typically falls in the Most public universities (minimal fees) range (low tier for Switzerland). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not EPFL's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for EPFL?

EPFL follows Switzerland's typical intake calendar: September, with applications generally due varies widely by institution — eth zurich and epfl close around 30 april. Always verify the exact date on EPFL's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for EPFL?

Switzerland universities, including EPFL, typically ask international applicants for 6.5–7.0 overall (English-taught tracks). Most Bachelor's programmes are German- or French-medium — proficiency in the language of instruction is usually required alongside or instead of English.

What is EPFL known for?

Switzerland's French-speaking technical university, a close peer to ETH Zurich. EPFL is ETH Zurich's French-speaking counterpart in Lausanne, similarly strong in engineering and known for Microengineering — a distinctive programme combining mechanical, electrical and materials engineering that few other universities offer as a single degree.

Can I apply to EPFL with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — EPFL accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Switzerland University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against EPFL and every other Switzerland university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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