Change of section

I’d like to switch sections at EPFL. What are my options?


While in first year (propedeutics)

In your propedeutic year, a change of section must be asked for before the end of the 5th week of the Fall semester. You should change as soon as possible, as you will have to catch up on missed courses and practicals in your new section. Please contact the Registrar’s Office to make the change.

If you want to change sections later in the year, you have to contact the Program Deputy of the section you want to change to regarding the conditions that will apply in your particular case. Additionally, you have to send a motivation letter to the Student Services desk. Depending on your performance so far and how similar the two sections are, you could either transfer directly to the new section (with the possible catch-up of some courses) or you would have to restart the first year (with the possible exemption of some courses).

School of Engineering (STI) : Passing the propedeutic exam in any section of the School of Engineering allows you to start your second year in any other section of that School. Please note you are on your own to catch up on classes missed in the first year.

School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC) : The curriculum in the two sections in this School (Computer Science and Communication Systems) being identical in the first year, a change of section is always possible after succesfully passing the propedeutic exam.


In the 2nd and 3rd years (Bachelor Cycle)

In principle, a change of section is still possible. However, depending on your performance in your current section and how close the two sections are, varying conditions may apply, from catching up on a few classes to redoing several years. In any case, a motivation letter must be sent to the Student Services desk, which will provide additional guidance.


During the Master

A change of section is not possible.


Administrative terms

In any case, always refer to the rules and procedures described on the Registrar’s Office’s website.