EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027 provide funded Master’s degree opportunities for outstanding international students in Switzerland.
- EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027 Details
- About EPFL
- EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027 Benefits
- Available Master’s Programs
- Eligibility Criteria
- Selection Criteria
- Required Documents
- Recommendation Letter Requirements
- Statement of Purpose
- Application Fee
- Application Deadline
- Fellowship Renewal Conditions
- How to Apply for EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027
- Other Scholarships in Switzerland
- Final Thoughts
The EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027 offer outstanding international students the chance to pursue a Master’s degree at one of Switzerland’s leading universities with financial support from EPFL.
Selected students receive financial support of CHF 10,000 per semester. External candidates also receive a reserved room in an EPFL student residence, although they must pay the accommodation costs themselves. The fellowship can provide support for up to four semesters, depending on the length of the selected Master’s program.
Students interested in the EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027 should begin preparing their academic documents, statement of purpose and recommendation letters before the online application period begins. EPFL normally opens its Master’s application portal around mid-November.
EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027 Details
| Information | Details |
| Host institution | École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) |
| Host country | Switzerland |
| Degree level | Master’s degree |
| Eligible applicants | Domestic and international students |
| Fellowship amount | CHF 10,000 per semester |
| Maximum duration | Up to four semesters |
| First application deadline | December 15, 2026 |
| Second application deadline | March 31, 2027 |
| Application method | Online through the EPFL Master’s application |
About EPFL
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, commonly known as EPFL, is a major science and technology university located in Lausanne, Switzerland. It offers advanced education and research opportunities in engineering, computer science, architecture, environmental studies, life sciences, mathematics, physics, management and other disciplines.
EPFL welcomes students from many countries and provides an international academic environment. Its Master’s programs combine classroom learning, laboratory work, research, innovation and professional development.
The university established its Master Excellence Fellowships to reward exceptional students beginning their graduate studies. Academic performance is an important selection factor, but EPFL also considers research achievements, entrepreneurship, community engagement, sporting activities, artistic accomplishments and other meaningful experiences.
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EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027 Benefits
Successful recipients of the EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027 may receive the following benefits:
- CHF 10,000 in financial support per semester
- Support for a maximum of four semesters
- Reservation of a room in an EPFL student residence for external candidates
- A certificate of excellence after completing the Master’s program
- Access to EPFL’s academic facilities, research environment and international community
- Opportunities to develop research, innovation and professional skills
The fellowship normally covers two or three semesters of Master’s coursework, depending on the program, plus one semester for the Master’s project.
Important: This fellowship should be described as a funded opportunity rather than a fully funded scholarship. Students remain responsible for managing expenses such as tuition fees, rent, food, insurance, travel and other living costs.
Available Master’s Programs
EPFL currently offers 29 Master’s programs across several academic schools and colleges. Available study areas include:
- Architecture
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental Sciences and Engineering
- Urban Systems
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Microengineering
- Robotics
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Energy Science and Technology
- Computer Science
- Cyber Security
- Data Science
- Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
- Statistics
- Physics and Applied Physics
- Life Sciences Engineering
- Financial Engineering
- Management, Technology and Entrepreneurship
- Sustainable Management and Technology
- Digital Humanities
- Quantum Science and Engineering
Applicants should check the admission requirements and teaching language of their chosen Master’s program before submitting an application.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027 must satisfy the following general eligibility conditions:
- Applicants may come from any country.
- Candidates must apply for an eligible EPFL Master’s program.
- Applicants should possess a relevant Bachelor’s degree or be completing one before enrollment.
- Candidates should demonstrate excellent academic performance.
- Applicants should present strong qualifications and clear motivation.
- Each candidate may apply for only one EPFL Master’s program per academic year.
- Candidates who already possess a Master’s degree are not eligible.
- Students currently enrolled in an EPFL Master’s program are generally not eligible for this fellowship route.
Meeting the basic conditions does not guarantee selection. EPFL awards only a limited number of fellowships to its strongest candidates.
Selection Criteria
The EPFL Excellence Fellowships Committee evaluates candidates based on the overall quality of their applications. Important selection factors can include:
- Academic excellence
- Quality of previous education
- Motivation for the selected Master’s program
- Research experience, publications or academic prizes
- Entrepreneurial activities or involvement in start-ups
- Community service and civic engagement
- Sporting, artistic or leadership achievements
- Future academic and professional objectives
Applicants should use their statement of purpose and CV to clearly demonstrate achievements that distinguish them from other candidates.
Required Documents
International candidates applying for EPFL Master’s admission normally need to prepare the following documents:
- Updated curriculum vitae or résumé
- Copy of the university degree, if already available
- Complete academic transcripts from every university attended
- Statement of purpose of no more than 1,000 words
- Contact information for three academic referees
- Academic recommendation letters submitted directly by the referees
- Copy of a valid passport or identity card
- Legalized translations for documents not issued in English, French, German or Italian
- Portfolio and evidence of professional experience for Architecture applicants
Applicants may also upload supporting materials such as research publications, portfolios, TOEFL results or GRE scores. These additional documents are welcomed by EPFL but are not compulsory for every program.
Recommendation Letter Requirements
Most international candidates must provide the contact details of three academic referees. After the application is validated, EPFL sends instructions directly to the nominated referees.
The recommendation letters must be submitted confidentially through the electronic application system. EPFL states that an application will not be processed unless it receives at least two required recommendation letters.
Applicants should contact their professors early and submit the main application well before the deadline. The referees normally receive approximately one additional week after the application deadline to upload their letters.
Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose must not exceed 1,000 words. Applicants should use it to explain their academic background, career strategy and the specific objectives they want to achieve through their studies at EPFL.
A strong statement should be specific and personal. It should clearly explain why the selected program matches the applicant’s experience and how studying at EPFL will support their long-term academic or professional goals.
Application Fee
The EPFL Master’s application has a processing fee. According to the university’s admission information, the applicable fees are:
- CHF 150 for candidates holding a foreign Bachelor’s degree
- CHF 50 for candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree from another qualifying Swiss institution
- No fee for applicants holding an EPFL Bachelor’s degree
The processing fee is non-refundable. Applicants should confirm the latest payment requirements on the official application page before submitting their forms.
Application Deadline
External candidates have two application rounds for Master’s admission and fellowship consideration:
- First round: December 15, 2026
- Second round: March 31, 2027
The online application period normally starts around mid-November. Applications submitted from mid-November to December 15 belong to the first round, while applications submitted from December 16 to March 31 belong to the second round.
Selected first-round candidates are generally informed at the beginning of April. Second-round candidates are usually informed in early or mid-June.
Fellowship Renewal Conditions
Renewal of the EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027 for the second academic year depends on excellent academic performance. Fellowship recipients must generally:
- Maintain an overall academic average of at least 5.0 out of 6.0
- Earn at least 50 qualifying ECTS credits during the first Master’s year
Students who do not satisfy the required academic average or credit conditions may lose their fellowship for the following year.
How to Apply for EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027
The application process for the EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027 is completed through the EPFL online Master’s application system.
- Visit the EPFL Master’s programs page and choose one eligible program.
- Carefully review the academic and language requirements for that program.
- Prepare your CV, transcripts, degree documents, passport and statement of purpose.
- Contact suitable academic referees and request their permission to provide recommendation letters.
- Create an account on the EPFL online application portal when applications open.
- Complete the Master’s admission application in English or French.
- Check the box requesting consideration for the Master Excellence Fellowship.
- Upload all required documents and enter your referees’ correct contact information.
- Pay the applicable processing fee.
- Validate and submit the complete application before the deadline.
- Monitor your email and confirm that the required recommendation letters have been received.
External applicants do not need to submit a separate fellowship application. They request fellowship consideration by selecting the appropriate option inside the Master’s admission form.
Other Scholarships in Switzerland
Here are some more excellent scholarship opportunities in Switzerland that international students can explore:
Final Thoughts
The EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027 provide valuable financial assistance to outstanding students who want to pursue a Master’s degree in Switzerland. Recipients can receive CHF 10,000 per semester, reserved student accommodation and recognition through an EPFL certificate of excellence.
However, applicants should remember that the fellowship does not automatically cover every expense. Students must prepare a realistic budget for tuition, accommodation, insurance and daily living costs in Switzerland.
Interested candidates should select their Master’s program, prepare their documents and contact academic referees before the application portal opens. Always check the official EPFL website for the latest deadlines, admission requirements and fellowship conditions before applying.
