EPFL Excellence is a fellowship for outstanding students who wish to pursue a Master’s degree at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. The EPFL Excellence award recognises high academic achievement and motivation and offers significant financial support to selected Master’s candidates.
The fellowship is offered by École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. EPFL awards a limited number of Excellence Fellowships to top applicants across its Master’s programmes; external candidates apply through the standard EPFL online Master’s application and can indicate interest in the fellowship.
EPFL Excellence Benefits
- CHF 10,000 per semester.
- Fellowship coverage for up to 4 semesters, depending on the programme.
- For eligible external candidates, a reservation of a room in a student residence.
- A certificate of excellence upon completion of the Master’s programme.
- Financial support that can help students concentrate on their academic studies and professional development.
EPFL Excellence Eligibility Criteria
- Applying for an eligible EPFL Master’s programme.
- Demonstrating outstanding academic performance.
- Having appropriate qualifications for the selected Master’s programme.
- Demonstrating strong motivation for pursuing Master’s studies at EPFL.
- Being able to meet the admission requirements of the chosen programme.
- Applying for only one Master’s programme per academic year.
- Not already holding a Master’s degree.
- Not already being enrolled in a Master’s programme at EPFL.
Available Subjects
EPFL offers Master’s programmes across several academic and technical fields.
Depending on the current programme catalogue, students can pursue areas related to:
- Computer science
- Data science
- Artificial intelligence
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Materials science
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Life sciences
- Architecture
- Urban systems
- Energy
- Robotics
- Microengineering
- Management, technology and innovation
Applicants should consult the official EPFL Master’s programme catalogue for the latest list of available programmes and individual admission requirements.
How to Apply for EPFL Excellence
- Explore the available EPFL Master’s programmes.
- Select an appropriate Master’s programme.
- Check the programme-specific admission requirements.
- Prepare the required admission documents.
- Complete the EPFL online Master’s application.
- Indicate that they want their profile to be considered for an Excellence Fellowship.
- Submit the application before the applicable deadline.
- Wait for the fellowship selection decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the EPFL Excellence Fellowship. These answers cover what the fellowship is, how much it awards, eligibility, duration, accommodation and application requirements.
What is the EPFL Excellence Fellowship?
The EPFL Excellence Fellowship is a competitive financial award for outstanding students beginning a Master’s programme at EPFL in Switzerland. It recognises academic excellence and strong motivation and is awarded to a limited number of highly qualified candidates. Selection is based on academic record, qualifications and motivation, and external applicants indicate interest during the Master’s application.
How much is the EPFL Excellence Fellowship?
Selected students receive CHF 10,000 per semester as part of the Excellence Fellowship. The award provides significant financial support during Master’s studies and is designed to help recipients focus on their academic and professional development while enrolled at EPFL.
Is the EPFL Excellence Fellowship fully funded?
No. The fellowship is a substantial financial award but not fully funded. Recipients receive CHF 10,000 per semester and additional benefits in some cases, yet they remain responsible for other expenses such as tuition fees, rent and living costs that are not fully covered by the fellowship.
Who can apply for the EPFL Excellence Fellowship?
Students applying for an EPFL Master’s programme can be considered for the fellowship. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for their chosen Master’s programme, demonstrate outstanding academic performance and strong motivation. Meeting eligibility does not guarantee selection since the award is competitive and limited in number.
Can international students apply?
Yes. International students who earned their Bachelor’s degree at a university outside Switzerland can apply as external candidates through EPFL’s online Master’s application. They must satisfy programme admission requirements and indicate that they wish to be considered for the Excellence Fellowship during the application.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes. Pakistani students may be considered as international applicants provided they meet the admission requirements for their chosen EPFL Master’s programme and satisfy the fellowship selection criteria. External applicants from any nationality that meets EPFL admission standards are eligible for consideration.
How long does the fellowship last?
The fellowship can cover up to four semesters depending on the Master’s programme. For a 120-credit Master’s programme the fellowship may cover up to four semesters, while for a 90-credit programme the maximum support is three semesters. Duration depends on the programme credit structure.
Does EPFL provide accommodation?
For eligible external fellowship candidates, EPFL provides a reservation of a room in a student residence as an additional benefit. This reservation is offered to qualifying external recipients to help with housing, though recipients should confirm availability and any related conditions with EPFL housing services.
Does the fellowship cover tuition fees?
No. Fellowship recipients remain responsible for tuition fees and other expenses not covered by the CHF 10,000 per semester award. The fellowship provides financial support but does not automatically include tuition fee waivers, so applicants should plan for tuition and living costs beyond the fellowship amount.
Do I need separate documents for the fellowship?
External candidates do not need additional documents beyond those required for Master’s admission. Applicants complete the EPFL online Master’s application, prepare the standard admission documents, and indicate that they wish to be considered for an Excellence Fellowship. No separate application is required for the fellowship itself.
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