Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, in French the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, and commonly referred to by the French acronym EPFL, is a public research tertiary institution in Switzerland which teaches principally science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the STEM fields. While it was officially recognised as an independent federal institute, controlled by the Swiss Federal Council, in 1969, it can trace its roots back to a private school founded in 1853.
Academic Highlights
EPFL is one of the world’s most prestigious universities for the quality of its education and research. Key strengths include Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Science, and Physics.
Location
EPFL has an urban campus that extends alongside Lake Geneva, and includes a science park as well as university research centers and affiliated laboratories.
Did you know?
EPFL has frequently been named the "most international university in the world", with over 120 nationalities represented on campus and over 50% of the student population being foreign nationals.
Language of Instruction | English (limited in some areas), French | |||||
Program Duration | 1 semester, 2 semesters | |||||
Academic Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate | |||||
| Minimum Result Required | 85% WAM | |||||
| Previous Round Cut-off (WAM (%) or GPA) | N/A | |||||
Anticipated Places in Semester 2, 2027 | 3-4 places | |||||
Green | ||||||
Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia and Monash Malaysia | |||||
Agreement Scope |
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Handbook/Catalogue
Students must take a majority of units in one department which will become their home department.
Students studying in French will be required to provide evidence of French proficiency skills to the level of B2 or higher either through official test results (visit the Alliance Française de Melbourne website for further information about French language testing in Melbourne) or with an official academic attestation. You can choose to take some units taught in French and some in English. The language of instruction is indicated in the study plans.
Full-time Credit Load Equivalents
Semester | |
|---|---|
Min. 18 Monash points | Max. 24 Monash points |
22.5 ECTS* | 30 ECTS |
ECTS - European Credit Transfer System
*If your study load cannot exactly equate to 22.5 ECTS, then you will need to complete a study load as close to 22.5 ECTS without going under in order to receive 18 Monash credit points.
Year | |
|---|---|
Min. 36 Monash points | Max. 48 Monash points |
45 ECTS | 60 ECTS |
Academic Calendar
EPFL Autumn Semester (Monash Semester 2): mid-September – early February
EPFL Spring Semester (Monash Semester 1): mid-February – early July
EPFL’s Academic Calendar
Applied Mathematics | Applied Physics | Architecture | Biotechnology |
Chemical Engineering | Chemistry | Civil Engineering | Communication Systems |
Computational science and Engineering | Computer Science | Data Science | Digital Humanities |
Electrical and Electronics Engineering | Energy Science and Technology | Environmental Sciences and Engineering | Financial engineering |
Humanities and Social Sciences Program | Life Sciences Engineering | Management, Technology and Entrepreneurship | Materials Science and Engineering |
Mathematics | Mechanical Engineering | Micro- and Nanotechnologies for Integrated Systems | Microengineering |
Molecular & Biological Chemistry | Nuclear engineering | Physics | Quantum Science and Engineering |
Robotics | Statistics | Sustainable Management and Technology | Urban systems |
Note
- The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
- Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.
Accommodation
Some housing is strictly reserved for EPFL students and they will be advised about it in their admission letter. There is information, including a video, on the How to look for accommodation web page.
Visas
As a general rule, if you’re planning to stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days you’ll need a Long Term visa (visa D) from the Swiss Consulate in your home country. To apply for a long term visa, you will need to provide a confirmation letter from your host university, which it will send to you upon acceptance. For more information on visas, to the website of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) information about Switzerland and Australia.
EPFL also provides information about visas.
Health and insurance
Anyone living in Switzerland is required to be insured against sickness and accident with a company recognised by the Confederation. If you have private health insurance with an Australian provider, you may be able to request recognition of its equivalence and a waiver may be applied. Most exchange students going to the EPFL purchase their own personal health insurance for the duration of their exchange.
Read the University's web page about insurance for more information, in particular pay attention to the section of health insurance.
When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy. This will provide cover to and from your exchange.
Orientation and extra-curricular
Exchange students attending the autumn semester (semester two at Monash) participate in a mandatory welcome day and welcome sessions organised by each department.
EPFL offers intensive pre-semester language courses in French to exchange students. The Italian and German language courses are not offered to exchange students. Access to in-semester French language courses cannot be guaranteed to exchange students.
Cost of living
EPFL suggests that you should budget for approximately ₣2,107 (Swiss Francs) per month of your exchange (approximately A$3,875 in March, 2026). More information is provided on their Financing your studies web page.
Funding
For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.
Students taking French language units may be eligible for the Walter Mangold Study Abroad Scholarship.
Note:
- Only two semester places are available annually for Architecture students
- Master units are open to undergraduate students provided they have met the prerequisites.
To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) is a new partner university, so we are yet to send any Monash students there. If you'd be willing to write a testimonial, email us at monashabroad.enquiries@monash.edu.