Switzerland is home to one of Europe’s strongest science and engineering universities, and EPFL wants bright international students on its Lausanne campus. If your grades are excellent, the Master Excellence Fellowship can put up to CHF 40,000 towards your studies. The deadline is close, though. For the autumn 2027 intake, your application must be paid for and validated by 15 December 2026. That gives you roughly five weeks from today. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Quick Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland |
| Study level | Master’s |
| Intake | Autumn 2027 |
| Application deadline | 15 December 2026 (paid and validated) |
| Reference letters | One week after the deadline |
| Funding | CHF 10,000 per semester, up to 4 semesters |
| Maximum total | CHF 40,000 |
| Extra benefits | Student room reservation (external candidates), certificate of excellence |
| Results | Late March 2027 |
| Open to | Applicants of any nationality |
What Is the EPFL Excellence Fellowship?
EPFL gives a limited number of fellowships to incoming master’s students with outstanding academic records. Selection looks at academic excellence, qualifications and motivation. Competition is tough. An older EPFL notice put the success rate at about 3% of master’s students, so treat this as a stretch goal and not a safe bet.
The good news is that you do not fill out a separate scholarship form. You apply for your master’s programme and tick one box. That is it.
What You Actually Get
The fellowship is generous, but it is not a full ride. Here is what lands in your pocket:
- CHF 10,000 per semester, for a maximum of four semesters.
- Coverage length: two to three semesters of coursework, depending on your programme, plus one semester for your master’s project.
- A student room reservation in a residence. This applies to external candidates only.
- A certificate of excellence when you finish your degree.
EPFL pays the money into a Swiss bank or postal account, so you need to open one when you arrive. Students must cover all living costs, including tuition and rent, themselves. The fellowship also cannot be combined with other substantial scholarships. You must declare every scholarship you receive.
Looking for other funding to stack with your plan? See 12 fully funded scholarships and internships for international students. Remember to check each award’s rules, since EPFL restricts combining substantial scholarships.
Who Can Apply?
Almost everyone who applies to an EPFL master’s programme is eligible. Your nationality does not matter. You must meet the academic admission requirements of your chosen programme, because the fellowship decision comes on top of the admission decision.
There are three rules that catch people out:
- You may apply to only one master’s programme per year.
- You are not eligible if you already hold a master’s degree.
- You are not eligible if you are currently enrolled in a master’s programme at EPFL.
Two groups follow slightly different routes. Students with a bachelor’s degree from EPFL apply directly through their section, with a January 31 deadline. This article focuses on external candidates, meaning students with a bachelor’s degree from a university abroad.
Relevant Master’s Programmes
The fellowship is not limited to a short list, but these popular fields attract many international applicants:
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Communication Systems
- Robotics
- Computer Science
- Energy Science
Pick the programme that fits your background, because you only get one shot per year. Check the full list on the official EPFL master’s programmes page.
Key Dates and Deadlines
Mark these on your calendar now:
- Mid-November 2026: The master’s application normally opens. Start early.
- 15 December 2026: Your application must be paid for and validated. This is the fellowship deadline.
- About 22 December 2026: Reference letters are due one week after the deadline. The confirmation email gives your exact date.
- Late March 2027: EPFL notifies selected candidates.
- 31 March 2027: The regular second-round master’s deadline. Applications validated after 15 December still get reviewed for admission, but they are not eligible for the Excellence Fellowship.
- Autumn 2027: Studies begin.
Do not mix up the two March dates. Many applicants lose their fellowship chance by thinking March 31 still counts.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Choose your programme. Read the entry requirements carefully and confirm your bachelor’s degree fits.
- Gather your documents. You do not need extra papers for the fellowship. You only need the standard admission documents, which usually include transcripts, your diploma, a CV, a motivation letter and proof of English.
- Open the online application. Use the EPFL master’s online application page.
- Tick the fellowship box. The form asks whether you want to be considered for an excellence fellowship. Say yes.
- Pay the application fee. Third-party guides list it at around CHF 150. Confirm the current amount on the official page. Remember, the payment must clear by 15 December.
- Request your reference letters. Ask your referees early so they can upload by the deadline in your confirmation email. Here is how to ask for a scholarship recommendation letter.
- Wait for the decision. Selected candidates hear back in late March.
If a selected student withdraws or does not reply, EPFL offers the fellowship to the next person on the waiting list. So a late offer is still possible.
What It Costs to Study at EPFL
Lausanne is beautiful, but it is not cheap. Here is the honest picture.
EPFL’s standard tuition is CHF 730 per semester. Since autumn 2025, that fee has tripled to CHF 2,190 per semester for foreign students who move to Switzerland to study. Add small compulsory fees and the invoice reaches roughly CHF 2,240 per semester. Over a year, you would pay about CHF 4,480 in tuition.
Living costs come on top. One recent guide, citing EPFL’s budget for foreign students, estimates about CHF 25,000 per year excluding tuition. Always check the official EPFL tuition page for current numbers. For budgeting ideas, read how to find affordable universities abroad.
Here is a simple example. A fellowship holder receives CHF 20,000 per year. Tuition takes about CHF 4,480. That leaves around CHF 15,500 for rent, food, transport and insurance. You will probably need savings, family support or part-time income to cover the gap. Plan this before you accept an offer.
Keeping the Fellowship: Renewal Rules
The fellowship is not automatic for your whole degree. EPFL renews it for your second year only if you hit two targets by the end of year one:
- A weighted average of at least 5.0, on the Swiss scale where 6 is the maximum and 4 is a pass.
- At least 50 credits earned. Language courses, admission courses and courses outside your study plan do not count.
EPFL states there are no exceptions. Miss either target by a hair, and the payments stop. So choose a course load you can handle well.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
You cannot add extra documents for the fellowship, so every piece of your admission file has to work hard.
- Lead with your grades. Academic excellence is the main filter. Highlight class rank, honours or top percentages if your transcript shows them.
- Write a sharp motivation letter. Name specific EPFL labs, professors or courses. For example, a robotics applicant could mention EPFL’s robotics research groups and explain which project excites them. Learn how to write a statement of purpose.
- Show your extras. Research projects, publications, competitions, startups and civic work all help.
- Pick referees who know you. A detailed letter from a supervisor beats a vague one from a famous name.
- Apply early. Paying and validating a few days before 15 December protects you from payment delays and technical problems.
- Think about the ecosystem. Lausanne offers the EPFL Innovation Park for startups, plus the joint ETH and EPFL Swiss Data Science Center. CERN sits about an hour away in Geneva, and our guide to CERN internships and graduate programmes shows how to tap into it. Mentioning how you would use these resources shows you did your homework.
If you are shortlisted for other awards, prepare for the scholarship interview early.
Why This Fellowship Is Worth Chasing
Tuition in Switzerland costs far less than in the United States or the United Kingdom. Almost all master’s teaching at EPFL happens in English. Add a CHF 40,000 maximum fellowship, a guaranteed room for external students and a certificate that stands out on your CV, and the value becomes clear. You also join a campus where a large share of students come from abroad.
Want backup options? Consider the Chevening Scholarship 2027–2028 in the UK, the Imperial College London scholarships, or scholarships to study in Norway without IELTS.
Official Links and Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EPFL Excellence Fellowship a full scholarship?
No. It gives CHF 10,000 per semester for up to four semesters. You still pay tuition, rent and other living costs yourself, so most students need extra savings or support.
Do I need a separate application for the fellowship?
No. You submit your regular master’s application and tick the box asking to be considered for an excellence fellowship. EPFL asks for no extra documents beyond the standard admission requirements.
What happens if I apply after 15 December 2026?
EPFL still reviews your application for admission, but you lose your fellowship chance. Only applications paid for and validated by 15 December count. Pay early, because payment delays can cost you the opportunity.
Can I keep the fellowship if I receive another scholarship?
Not if the other award is substantial. EPFL does not allow combining the fellowship with other major scholarships, and you must declare every scholarship you receive during your master’s degree.
Can students from any country apply?
Yes. Applicants of any nationality can apply, as long as they meet the academic admission requirements for their chosen programme and do not already hold a master’s degree.
Final Thoughts
The EPFL Master Excellence Fellowship rewards students who combine strong grades with a clear plan. You have until 15 December 2026, so start your documents today, contact your referees this week and submit early. Good luck!
Disclaimer: Always confirm deadlines, fees and conditions on the official EPFL website before you apply.