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.

Handbook/Catalogue

Study Plans

Students must take a majority of units in one department which will become their home department.

Courses taught in English

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

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.

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

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.

Apply here

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) is a new partner university, so we are yet to send any Monash students there. Be one of the first and tell us your story via this survey form!