- Located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland
- Regarded as a world leading university that specialises in physical sciences and engineering
Visa + Requirements|Travel advice + advisories
Partner university’s areas of study
It is recommended to have good command of French (level B2). The Bachelor courses are mainly taught in French and the Master courses are mainly taught in English. UBC students in their 3rd or 4th year may be able to take Masters level courses at EPFL with permission.
(To determine your French level, please self-assess with: European Language Portfolio Global Scale)
Eligibility and Timing
Terms Offered
Who can go?
- Students in the Faculty of Science or Faculty of Applied Science
Term Dates
- UBC Term 1 (EPFL Autumn): Courses from mid September to late December (Exams until the end of January)
- UBC Term 2 (EPFL Spring): Courses from mid February to late May (Exams until the end of June)
Timing
It is recommended to attend in the Spring Semester (Term 2) or for the Full Year to avoid possible conflicts with the end of the Autumn semester at EPFL and the start of Term 2 to at UBC.
More information see the academic calendar: https://memento.epfl.ch/academic-calendar.
Credits
Summer programs
Research opportunities available at this university: see École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne - Research Internship
Course equivalency formula
- ECTS credits divided by 2 = UBC credits (e.g. 30 ECTS = 15 UBC Credits)
- 1 ECTS = 1 hour course per week
Credit transfer process
The transfer credit process takes approximately 16 weeks following each submission deadline. You should allow sufficient time to meet important deadlines that may affect you (e.g. application for graduation, registration in courses that require prerequisites that you took on exchange, entry to a major/honours program, etc.)
For more information about Go Global transfer credit
Grading scheme
- 6 = excellent (A)
- 5.5 = very good (B)
- 5 = good (C)
- 4.5 = satisfactory (D)
- 4 = pass (E)
- 4≤ fail (F)
- NA = absent
Passing grade
4 = pass (E)Course Information
* Students who have special requirements or require academic accommodation should contact a Go Global advisor regarding their needs at least six weeks prior to the application deadline.
Type of Go Global Experiences
Course information and restrictions
Students must have the prior knowledge to attend the chosen courses
Courses in Management of Technology and Financial Engineering are restricted and only possible under special request.
Architecture courses are not open to UBC exchange students at EPFL.
Full course load information
- Max 30 ECTS per semester
- Max 60 ECTS per academic year
Incoming exchange students are requested to register for 20-30 ECTS per semester.
Transfer Credits And Equivalent Courses At This University
Check out the courses that previous students have transferred back to UBC in the last 5 years using our Course Search Tool. If you don't see a particular course you listed, it simply means you need to submit it as a new course request through the Transfer Credit Portal while on your Go Global experience. For more information, please visit the Go Global Transfer Credit webpage.
Exchange Tuition
- 15 credits or equivalent full-time program fee per term, paid to UBC
- Summer students attend through our exchange agreement and pay tuition to UBC based on the number of credits earned at the partner institution (only include if there is a summer program)
- Some exceptions may apply
Scholarships and awards
The Go Global Award $1000
All students accepted to Go Global for Exchange, Research Abroad, or Study Abroad travel programs are automatically considered for this award. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you'll be notified of your award after you're accepted to Go Global and after you get nominated to apply to the partner university.
Additional Awards
Students who are eligible for awards may receive one UBC or UBC-affiliated international learning award. If you're eligible, you are always offered the highest-value award. Unless stated otherwise, you need to meet eligibility criteria set out by the University Senate regarding awards.
Check out international learning awards and eligibility.
As of 2018, UBC students will be granted an amount of CHF 500.- per semester. There is no need to apply for it.
Information for US students:
If you are a student from the United States, please check the US Department of Education Lookup Tool to ensure that any partner institution you wish to attend on Exchange is Title IV ‘eligible’ for Federal Student Aid for the year in which you intend to study there. For institutions outside of the US, select “Foreign Country” from the “State” dropdown menu.
If you attend an eligible institution, then you may receive Title IV federal student loans while on Exchange.
If you attend an ineligible institution:
- You will not be eligible for US federal student loans,
- You may invalidate any US student aid you have previously received for your studies at UBC,
- You may be required to immediately begin repaying your US student loans, and
- You may not be eligible for any future US student aid for the remainder of your studies at UBC.
Types of accommodation available
Housing notes
- Students can apply for housing in the student halls and off campus using the EPFL housing database
- "As it is very difficult for students to find an accommodation in Lausanne, we recommend that they start their search as soon as they have been nominated by you by using all the options on the EPFL website"