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Switzerland · Vaud · World-Renowned Federal Polytechnic · Reviewed 14 October 2026

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

Founded in 1853 on Lake Geneva in Lausanne, EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) is one of the world's most dynamic science and engineering institutions, consistently ranked in the global top 15. Partnered with ETH Zurich in the Swiss Federal ETH Domain, EPFL excels in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Robotics, Microengineering, and Renewable Energy. Review verified Master's curricula, doctoral assistant salaries, summer research internships, and world-renowned faculty profiles.

Official university portal ↗Graduate Funding & FacultyResearch checked, not sponsored

Verified degree programs and opportunities

Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:

EPFL Master's Excellence Fellowships

EPFL's premier merit fellowship awarded to exceptional incoming international and Swiss Master's candidates, providing CHF 20,000 per year living allowance and guaranteed student housing in Lausanne.

EPFL Doctoral Assistantships (Doctorat Salarié)

Four-year salaried doctoral research appointment inside EPFL's 22 doctoral programs, conducting frontier scientific investigations with state-of-the-art supercomputing and laboratory infrastructure.

EPFL Master of Science in Computer Science

World-class two-year Master's degree (120 ECTS) in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC), offering specializations in Machine Intelligence, Information Security, Software Systems, and Theory.

EPFL Master of Science in Data Science

Comprehensive two-year Master of Science program (120 ECTS) jointly offered by Computer Science and Mathematics, covering mathematical statistics, machine learning, distributed optimization, and big data systems.

EPFL Student Teaching Assistantships (Sous-assistants)

Departmental academic employment (sous-assistant) for enrolled undergraduate and graduate students at EPFL, providing competitive hourly compensation for conducting weekly tutorial exercise sessions and supervising lab sections.

Admissions, language requirements & application process

Master's admission eligibility
Bachelor of Science degree from an internationally accredited university in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics with top-tier academic marks.
Doctoral admission eligibility
Recognized Master of Science degree (minimum 120 ECTS) in relevant quantitative field with documented research achievements and admission into one of EPFL's 22 doctoral schools (EDIC, EDPO, etc.).
Language proficiency
Demonstrated English proficiency equivalent to CEFR C1: Academic IELTS 7.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 100 for English-taught graduate curricula.
Research statement / Proposal
Comprehensive 2-page statement of purpose detailing academic milestones, research interests, and preferred EPFL laboratories.
Application fee
CHF 150 application fee for holders of foreign degrees (CHF 50 for holders of Swiss degrees).
Required documentation
Complete official transcripts, certified copy of degree diploma, curriculum vitae in English, motivation essay, and three academic reference letters.

Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems

Under Swiss federal law, tuition at EPFL is heavily subsidized and among the lowest in the world for an elite institution. Tuition is CHF 730 per semester (CHF 1,460 per year) for Swiss residents, and CHF 2,190 per semester for international students. Recipients of the EPFL Master's Excellence Fellowship receive CHF 10,000 per semester plus guaranteed housing. Doctoral assistants are paid salaried employees receiving CHF 54,000 to CHF 57,000 per year.

Verified faculty profiles and research leaders

Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL):

Prof. Dr. Martin Jaggi

Associate Professor of Machine Learning / Head of MLO Lab; specializing in Machine Learning, Optimization, Decentralized Learning.

Prof. Dr. Auke Ijspeert

Full Professor of Biorobotics / Head of BioRob Lab; specializing in Biorobotics, Amphibious Robots, Central Pattern Generators.

Prof. Dr. Michael Grätzel

Full Professor of Physical Chemistry / Director of LPI; specializing in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (Grätzel Cells), Perovskite Photovoltaics, Solar Fuels.

Important verification note

Facts reflect official École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) documentation reviewed 2026-10-14. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.

Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Editorial standards · Report an issue