Universities in Lausanne, Switzerland

Universities in Lausanne, Switzerland

The city of Lausanne is located on the shore of Lake Léman, and is incredibly close to the border of France. It is a hilly city that sits between the Alps and the Jura Mountains. With a population of just over 140,000, it is the fourth largest city in Switzerland, behind Basel, Geneva and Zurich.

Since being built in the 12th Century, Lausanne has become a hub of international sport, hosting the International Olympic Committee, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and more than 55 international sport associations. It has been recognised as the ‘Olympic Capital’ since 1994 due to its contributions to international sport.

All Universities in Lausanne

• Business School Lausanne (BSL)
• École cantonale d’art de Lausanne (ÉCAL)
• EHL Hospitality Business School
• HEC Lausanne
• International Academy of Sports Science and Technology (AISTS)
• International Institute for Management Development (IMD)
• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL)
• Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP)
• University of Lausanne

Top Universities in Lausanne

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL)

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne is a public research university, and was founded in 1853. EPFL is known for its course offerings in the fields of engineering and natural sciences.

EPFL’s size and reputation has been on an upward trajectory for the past few decades, and the university has been consistently well ranked in the various world university rankings over the past few years. The university offers courses in both French and English, and has more than 125 countries represented by its student community.

University of Lausanne

The University of Lausanne was established in 1537 as a Protestant school, and was turned into a university in 1890. It is the second oldest university in Switzerland, and one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world.

The university’s programs follow the Bologna Process, so offer students a chance to earn a widely recognised degree in a variety of fields. As well as being well ranked in world university rankings, the University of Lausanne boasts an impressive list of alumni, featuring international royalty, prominent politicians, high flying business people, and highly regarded writers and scholars.

Lausanne Universities World Ranking 2023

Below are the top-ranked Lausanne universities for international students, with their ranks in two of the world’s most well-respected international university rankings, the QS 2023 University World rankings and the Times Higher Education 2023 Rankings.

For more information about rankings systems and methodologies see our University rankings explained guide.

Tuition Fees in Lausanne

Public universities in Switzerland are heavily subsidised and supported by the government, meaning that their tuition fees are very affordable. You can expect to pay a small and fair semester fee of around €200-€600 for a bachelor or masters degree at a public university. Private universities are able to set their own tuition fees, and are not subsidised by the government, so tuition fees will be higher at these universities.

READ MORE: Funding and Scholarships for International Students

Life in Lausanne for International Students

There are many interesting sites and attractions around the city of Lausanne. These include numerous museums, several important monuments, art galleries, and the Palais de Beaulieu, which is the largest theatre in Switzerland. Lausanne is considered an important musical and cultural hub in the country, and hosts various film, dance and music events throughout the year, including the Prix du Lausanne and the Lausanne Underground Film and Music Festival.

Any international student who chooses to study in Lausanne will be lucky enough to experience a diverse and rich community, with plenty of opportunities to take advantage of a bustling culture outside of the classroom.