École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) Scholarships

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École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), internationally known as The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is Europe’s most cosmopolitan technical university in Switzerland. EPFL was built in 1853 as a private institute for only 11 students at the time. However, they were officially founded in 1959 and are known to be one of the youngest institutes of technology in the world. They are ranked 18 in the world according to QS World University Rankings and 14 in Europe based on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

The university offers a range of degree and non-degree programs from engineering, architecture, and sciences, all well-recognized in Europe and internationally. As a globally competitive institute, EPFL is a second home to students from over 120 countries, making them the third most international campus in the world. They also have over 350 internationally recognized professors who promote a more universal and broad approach to their teaching style. In addition, 5% of the university’s professors are amongst the most cited in the world.

In this article, we will be discussing some of the university and private-funded scholarships offered to foreign students who want to study in EPFL.

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Scholarships

Undergraduate Scholarships at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

1. EPFL Social Scholarship

  • Scholarship Amount: Varies
  • Eligibility Criteria: Swiss and international students
  • Scholarship Link

The EPFL Social Scholarship is awarded to students who declared financial difficulty and challenge in continuing to pay for their academic fees at the university. Swiss students may start applying for this École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne scholarship in their first year of studies, while foreign enrollees may send their applications in their second year. Chosen grantees will receive the award for one or two semesters. The scholarship amount varies and will be discussed with the student once selected.

2. Heyning-Roelli Foundation

  • Scholarship Amount: Varies
  • Eligibility Criteria: Swiss and international students
  • Scholarship Link

The Heyning-Roelli foundation, founded by Eduard C. Heyning, aims to support economically disadvantaged students who want to pursue their studies abroad. This opportunity allows Bachelor’s and Master’s students from foreign universities to apply as exchange students in a Swiss institution, or vice versa. The scholarship can support its grantees for one to two semesters. The scholarship amount varies and will be based on the applicant’s financial need and destination country. Throughout the exchange program, the student must remain enrolled in their home university, and go back upon completion of the study.

3. Cantonal Scholarship

  • Scholarship Amount: Varies
  • Eligibility Criteria: Swiss and international students whose parents are residing in Switzerland
  • Scholarship Link

Cantonal Scholarships are funded by each Swiss canton to students who are in need of financial support to sustain their studies in the country. These scholarships available at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne can be in the form of a tuition exemption, loan, or training allowance. This will be decided on by the cantonal legislation based on the applicant’s need for assistance. Applications should be sent to the canton of where the student’s parents reside, and not to the university’s location to which they are applying.

EPFL does not offer other university scholarships to international students aside from the above-mentioned. However, there are some organizations and foundations that can provide financial support. To find out more, visit the university’s Need-based Scholarships page.

Postgraduate Scholarships at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

1. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists

  • Scholarship Amount:
    • Monthly payment of CHF 1,920
    • One-time housing allowance of CHF 300
    • One-year half-fare public transportation card
    • Other allowances depending on the applicant’s country of origin
  • Eligibility Criteria: International students from a participating country
  • Degree Offered: Master’s and Ph.D.
  • Scholarship Link

Each year, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is awarded to promising researchers who aspire to continue their postgraduate studies in a Swiss university. This aims to promote international exchange and research partnerships between Switzerland and its over 180 participating nations. Two kinds of scholarships are available– research and art. The research scholarship is open to candidates who are interested in furthering their education at a doctoral or post-doctoral level in any field of study. On the other hand, the art scholarship is for artists wishing to take a Master’s degree in a Swiss conservatory or university of the arts.

The application procedure for this scholarship available at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne varies depending on the candidate’s country of origin. The final selection will be made by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), based on the applicants’ profile, quality of research project or artistic work, and potential for future research cooperation.

2. Master’s Excellence Fellowship

  • Scholarship Amount:
    • External applications: CHF 8,000 per semester
    • Internal applications: CHF 5,000 per year
  • Eligibility Criteria: All students applying for a Master’s program at EPFL
  • Degree Offered: Master’s
  • Scholarship Link

The Excellence Fellowship, one of the scholarships at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, is open to all students who are keen to undertake a Master’s program at the university. Funded by EPFL directly or its partner foundations and companies, the scholarship is highly competitive and awards only roughly 3% of the total Master’s student population annually. The application process is the same for all candidates. However, the list of requirements, deadlines and scholarship amount varies depending on if the applicant is a new enrollee, or if they are applying for a Master’s right after completion of their undergraduate degree in EPFL. Equal chances are given to all and the final decision to be made by the committee will be based on the candidate’s academic records.

3. ZKS/EPFL PRIZE Award in Environmental Engineering and Sustainability

  • Scholarship Amount: CHF 20,000
  • Eligibility Criteria: Swiss and international students
  • Degree Offered: Ph.D.
  • Scholarship Link

The Zeno Karl Schindler Foundation, in partnership with EPFL, awards one outstanding candidate each year who presented excellent post-doctoral work in the field of environmental sciences and/or sustainability. Interested applicants must submit their CV, list of publications, references, and other records of their research endeavors and achievements. The final decision will be made by the Research Commission of EFPL, and the awardee will receive CHF 20,000 to distinguish their significant contribution in the field of study.

Postgraduate scholarships for international students at EPFL are also limited. To see the other financial aids funded by their partner organizations, check out their Need-based Scholarships page.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Page.