EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne): Admission, Entrance Exam and Fees

If your school-leaving certificate comes from outside the EU, EFTA and the UK, EPFL's Bachelor's programmes are open to you either through the one-year preparatory course (CMS), where your country qualifies and your grades are excellent, or through the EPFL entrance examination. For Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and several other CIS countries only the exam route applies. Registration for the next exam runs from 1 October to 1 December 2026, the science block is on 18–22 January 2027, and successful candidates start in September 2027. Bachelor's teaching is in French (B2 required), while most Master's programmes are in English. Students who move to Switzerland to study pay $2,710 (CHF 2,240) per semester, and EPFL estimates living costs at $2,550 (CHF 2,107) a month.

Who EPFL suits, and how it differs from ETH

EPFL is Switzerland's second federal institute of technology. It grew out of the École spéciale de Lausanne, founded in 1853, and took its current name and federal status in 1969. Today it teaches more than 15,000 students at all levels, brings together people of more than 120 nationalities and hosts over 500 laboratories and research groups, organised in the schools of architecture, civil and environmental engineering (ENAC), basic sciences (SB), engineering (STI), computer and communication sciences (IC), life sciences (SV) and the College of Management of Technology (CDM). It is 35th in the THE World University Rankings 2026.

EPFL suits strong mathematics and physics students who can study in French and want to save a year compared with the ETH exam route. If you do not speak French, consider a Bachelor's elsewhere and an English-taught Master's at EPFL. For a comparison, see ETH Zurich and studying in Switzerland.

Bachelor's admission with a non-EU certificate

For Russia, the swissuniversities country table for 2026/27 lists EPFL's requirement as "upper secondary school-leaving certificate + Entrance Examination EPFL"; the same applies to Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Our guide to applying to Swiss universities explains how certificate recognition works across Switzerland. The CMS (Cours de mathématiques spéciales), a one-year preparatory science course taught in French, is only open to certificates from countries on EPFL's CMS list, with a scientific stream and at least 80% in mathematics, physics and overall. The 2026 list includes Armenia, Georgia and Moldova, but not Russia, Kazakhstan or Belarus.

Since 2025, and for at least four years, EPFL caps the first Bachelor's year at 3,000 places. Candidates who pass the entrance exam or the CMS receive a place regardless of the cap.

Previous university studies matter. EPFL does not admit people who definitively failed or were excluded from a related programme (two years without success in one programme count as failure), or who left more than one programme without a degree; they cannot register for the entrance exam either. Leaving one related programme can lead to rejection or restricted admission, and the CMS is in principle closed to anyone who has already started university or a foundation course.

The EPFL entrance examination

The exam is held once a year in French, except for the second-language paper.

The reduced exam is block 1 only; the full exam is both blocks. EPFL decides which one you take based on your school curriculum. Grades run from 1 to 6, with anything below 4 insufficient. The reduced exam is passed with a weighted average of at least 4.00 in block 1; the full exam with a weighted average of at least 4.00 across both blocks, and block 2 is only open after passing block 1. Missing any paper fails the whole exam. French covers listening, reading, writing and speaking; the second language includes a discussion of a literary work; biology, history and geography are oral.

Fees. Registration $180 (CHF 150) for foreign certificates (non-refundable), plus $660 (CHF 550) for the reduced or $970 (CHF 800) for the full exam, payable by card, PayPal or TWINT.

Withdrawal and retakes. You can withdraw until 11 January 2027; after that there is no refund and a no-show counts as a failure. You may retake the exam once, re-registering and paying again. Failing the CMS counts as failing the exam.

Visas. If you need a visa to travel for the exam, apply immediately after registering; EPFL advises withdrawing by 11 January if the visa has not been issued.

Preparation. EPFL strongly discourages sitting the exam with school preparation alone and publishes exercises in analysis, linear algebra, analytic geometry and physics, plus the 2027 programmes (in French).

Passing the exam gives access to any EPFL Bachelor's programme without capacity limits and remains valid if you enrol later.

French language requirements

EPFL considers B2 French necessary for its Bachelor's programmes and highly recommends C1; applicants who did not study French at school must prove their level. Most Bachelor's courses are in French, with in principle at most one English course per semester early on and up to 50% English from the second year. The CMS is entirely in French.

Master's admission

Most international applicants enter EPFL at Master's level: 29 programmes, mainly in English, some in French. You need a university Bachelor's of at least three years in a related field. Admission is competitive and foreign degrees are assessed case by case; up to 60 additional ECTS credits may be required.

Deadlines. Apply online from mid-November to 15 December, or from 16 December to 31 March. Decisions come in late March and mid-June respectively. EPFL strongly advises visa-requiring applicants to use the December deadline, as the visa process can take up to three months.

Rules. One Master's application per academic year. Holders of a Master's in the same or a similar field are not eligible. Admission is valid only for the coming academic year.

Documents. CV; degree certificate if available and full transcripts from every university; a statement of purpose of up to 1,000 words; contact details of three academic referees, who upload their letters themselves (at least two are needed, due one week after the deadline); passport or ID. Architecture also requires a portfolio and 12 months of professional experience. Documents not in English, French, German or Italian need legalised translations. TOEFL or GRE scores and publications are welcome but not compulsory. The fee is $180 (CHF 150) for foreign Bachelor's holders, non-refundable. Final transcripts are due by 30 September.

Language. EPFL does not require a specific English certificate but recommends at least C1 in the language of instruction. All admitted students can take an intensive French course starting four weeks before the semester.

Export control. EPFL's evaluation includes compliance with export-control and embargo legislation, which can affect applicants from sanctioned countries in technical fields. See also our guide to Master's degrees in Switzerland.

Tuition fees

Since autumn 2025, tuition is tripled for foreign students who come to Switzerland to study. Swiss citizens and people who lived in Switzerland before starting at EPFL for work, family reunification or as refugees pay the standard rate.

That is $5,410 (CHF 4,480) a year. From 2029, fees for everyone will be adjusted every four years to the Swiss consumer price index. Students who began a Master's before autumn 2025 keep the old rate until they finish it. For a national overview, see the cost of studying in Switzerland.

Cost of living in Lausanne

EPFL advises planning around $35,030 (CHF 29,000) a year for living costs plus tuition. Its detailed budget for foreign students is lower:

With tuition, a year comes to about $35,880 (CHF 29,699). Landlords usually require a deposit of several months' rent in a blocked account. Architecture students should budget more for study trips: $1,810 (CHF 1,500) in the first year.

Housing

EPFL has no housing of its own. Student residences are run by foundations and agencies such as FMEL and FSLE, and some are reserved for EPFL and UNIL students. Registration usually opens twice a year (autumn and spring), is announced only days or weeks in advance and can last just one to five days. Apply before you are admitted (some residences ask for your EPFL application number); allocations for September are usually made in July and August, and registration alone does not lead to a room. EPFL also offers seven short-stay rooms near campus and a restricted UNIL–EPFL listings portal. The average commute is about 30 minutes. Master Excellence Fellows receive a housing place.

Scholarships

Master Excellence Fellowships pay $12,080 (CHF 10,000) per semester and include a housing place for outstanding incoming Master's students, including those from other universities. Besides grades, EPFL considers research (publications, awards), entrepreneurship (patents, start-ups) and civic engagement. Tick the fellowship box in your Master's application and upload the requested file. Renewal for the second year requires at least 50 ECTS credits and an average of 5.0/6. The number of fellowships is limited and EPFL decides.

EPFL's social grants follow specific and restrictive criteria, so plan to fund your move and first year yourself. Work will not close the gap: EPFL's own example of 8 hours a week at $30 (CHF 25) an hour gives about $970 (CHF 800) a month.

Visa, residence permit and work

Nationals of non-EU/EFTA countries who need a visa apply for a national (D) visa at the Swiss representation for their place of residence. In the canton of Vaud, the Service de la population issues the residence permit after checking that EPFL confirms your ability to study in the programme's language, that you have sufficient funds for the whole course and suitable housing, plus a letter explaining why you chose Switzerland and a personal study plan. One course of up to eight years is allowed. See our Swiss student visa guide.

Work. Non-EU/EFTA students can work from six months after the start of studies (research assistants in their own field are exempt from the waiting period): up to 15 hours a week during term and full-time during holidays. Work must be announced to the Service de la population and authorised by the Service de l'emploi, with EPFL confirming it will not delay your studies. The workload is about 32 hours of classes plus 15–20 hours of self-study per week. Tax is deducted at source; students earning up to $34,790 (CHF 28,800) a year can claim a refund from the canton between 1 January and 31 March. After graduation, third-country graduates can stay six months to look for qualified work.

Common mistakes

• Counting on the CMS with a Russian or Kazakh certificate. Only the exam is open to you.
• Sitting the exam on school preparation alone. The level is higher, and you get only one retake.
• Leaving the exam visa too late. Free withdrawal ends on 11 January.
• Applying for a Master's in March when you need a visa. Decisions arrive in June.
• Applying to two Master's programmes. EPFL accepts one application a year.
• Looking for housing after admission. Residence windows are short and open early.

FAQ

Can I get into EPFL with a Russian school certificate?

Yes, via the EPFL entrance exam. The CMS and direct admission are not available for Russian certificates. The exam is in French: science block in January, general-knowledge block in August–September if assigned.

How much does EPFL cost?

Students who move to Switzerland to study pay $2,710 (CHF 2,240) per semester including fees, or $5,410 (CHF 4,480) a year. EPFL estimates living costs at $30,470 (CHF 25,219) a year excluding tuition.

Are EPFL Bachelor's programmes taught in English?

No. They are mainly in French, with up to half of the courses in English from the second year. Most Master's programmes are in English.

When should I apply for an EPFL Master's?

Between mid-November and 15 December, or until 31 March. If you need a visa, aim for 15 December.

Do I need IELTS or TOEFL for an EPFL Master's?

No specific certificate is required; test scores are optional extras. EPFL recommends at least C1 in the language of instruction.

Does EPFL provide student housing?

Not directly. Rooms are offered by foundations such as FMEL and FSLE; apply early and within short windows. Only Master Excellence Fellows are assigned housing automatically.

EPFL or ETH Zurich: which is easier to reach from abroad?

If you speak French, EPFL's exam route is faster (exam in January, start the same September). If your German is stronger and you can get proof of admission to a home university, ETH may suit you better. Both admit English-speaking Master's students.

How can StudyU help?

Under a service agreement we help you choose between the exam route and the Master's, plan language preparation and deadlines, and prepare your application. EPFL decides on admission; Swiss authorities decide on visas and permits.

Sources

• swissuniversities country table
• EPFL: Bachelor/CMS admission criteria, CMS conditions by country, 2026 (PDF), FAQ
• EPFL: entrance examination, regulations (PDF), 2027 programme (PDF), general-knowledge programme (PDF)
• EPFL: teaching languages
• EPFL: Master's admission criteria, online application
• EPFL: tuition and fees, financing your studies, working
• EPFL: Master Excellence Fellowships
• EPFL: student residences
• EPFL: about, Master's studies
• Canton of Vaud: residence for studies
• SEM: D visa, work during and after studies
• THE World University Rankings: EPFL
• ECB euro reference rates, 24 September 2026

Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rates of 24 September 2026 (CHF 1 = $1.2081), rounded to $10.

If you want to know whether the EPFL exam or a Master's is the realistic route for you, send us a request.

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