Get a Fully Funded Master's Degree at a World-Class European School and Unlock Your Potential

The EPFL Excellence Scholarship for 2026 gives outstanding candidates from all around the world a chance to study for a Master's degree at one of Europe's top science and technology schools with all costs covered

This well-known scholarship program pays for everything including a generous salary of CHF 10,000 every semester guaranteed housing and access to world-class research facilities

With the application deadlines coming up on December 15 2025 (Round 1) and March 15 2026 (Round 2) this complete handbook has all the information you need to help qualified applicants make strong applications

Overview of the Program and Institutional Excellence

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is routinely listed among Europe's best science and engineering universities noted for its cutting-edge research innovative teaching methods and active international community

The Excellence Scholarship program shows that EPFL is dedicated to bringing in and developing the best students from across the world by giving them the tools and atmosphere they need to do well in school and in their careers

The scholarship is meant to reward students who have done well in school and stood out via activities outside of school such as sports the arts community service or starting a business

The program takes away financial impediments so that beneficiaries can fully focus on their Master's studies while also doing things that improve their professional background and build abilities across disciplines

Full Financial Benefits

Selected scholars get a lot of financial help that covers all of the major costs of graduate school in Switzerland

The scholarship can be renewed throughout the normal length of the Master's program which is usually 3 to 4 semesters as long as the student keeps up their good grades

Requirements & Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications for School

• Must have a Bachelor's degree or something similar in a comparable topic from a recognized institution
• Must have done very well in all of their prior courses
• Must meet all of the admission requirements for the chosen EPFL Master's program

Status of Application

• Open to anybody from all over the world who want to apply Both current EPFL Bachelor students and anyone from outside the school can apply
• Students who already have a Master's degree or are presently enrolled in a Master's program at EPFL are not eligible

Criteria for Choosing

• Primarily based on academic quality and past successes
• Consideration of extracurricular achievements (research entrepreneurship leadership civic participation)
• Experience in research publications awards or fellowships experience in business patent applications starting a business experience in society civic or associative activities organizing events

Deadlines and Application Timeline

There are two different rounds of applications each with its own deadline

Notes that are important

• The deadlines for applications are the same as those for EPFL Master's programs
• 
• Referees must provide recommendation letters directly to studentaffairs@epfl.ch
• For a better chance of being chosen and getting a place to live apply early (Round 1)

Documents Needed

Main Application Documents

• Filled out an application form on EPFL's online admission site
• Academic transcripts from all prior schools
• A bachelor's degree or a certificate that is the same as a bachelor's degree
• A CV that lists your academic and work experience
• A letter of motivation that talks about your academic ambitions and why you want to enroll to EPFL
• Two letters of recommendation from academics who know your work well
• A copy of your passport or other official ID

Supporting Documents That Are Not Required

• GRE scores
• Research papers or a portfolio of past work
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (if they are required for the program)
• Proof of accomplishments outside of school

All documentation must be sent using the official online application platform

Master's Programs That Are Open

There are 29 Master's programs at EPFL which are spread out throughout its five faculties and two colleges

These are some of the programs

Technology and Engineering

• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering

Basic Sciences

• Math
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Life Sciences

• Engineering in Life Sciences
• Bioengineering
• Neuroscience

Architecture and the Environment

• Architecture
• Environmental Science and Engineering

Management and Economics

• Financial Engineering
• Management Technology and Entrepreneurship

Each program has its own areas of expertise and research opportunities so students can focus their studies on what they want to learn and what they want to do with their lives

How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide

To finish your application please follow these instructions carefully

• Pick a Program Choose one of EPFL's 29 Master's programs that fits with your academic background and job goals
• Make an Online Account Sign up on EPFL's admissions website
• Fill out the Application Form Make sure to fill out every part of the Master's application form
• Important Step Mark the box to show that you want to be considered for the Excellence Scholarship
• Get the Necessary Papers Ready Get all the documentation you need as listed below
• Make sure your academic transcripts are official and if necessary translated
• Ask for letters of recommendation well in advance
• Make sure your motivation letter fits with the program you want to join and EPFL's ideals
• Upload Documents Use the web gateway to send in all of your materials Make sure that the files are in the right format (usually PDF)
• Check to make sure the documents are clear and full
• Send in your application Make sure to finish it before the chosen deadline