Calendar, deadlines and planning

Academic calendar

Every February, the Registrar’s Office issues the calendar for the following academic year. The availability of classrooms and lecture halls for events depends on the scheduled class days and times. Room reservations can be made twice a year, after the Registrar’s Office has finished drawing up class schedules:

  • in early January for the spring semester
  • in mid-August for the fall semester

Class times are subject to change in the first few weeks of each semester.

Academic periods

Depending on the academic period during which you plan to hold your event, room availability and use restrictions could change.

Use restrictions during exam study weeks: 

  • Standard drinks events are not allowed.
  • Drinks events for celebrating thesis defenses are only allowed in the following buildings: SV, MED, EL, MX and BC.
  • Coffee breaks, standing lunches and drinks after a speaker event are only allowed in large halls.
  • Barbeque events must use Polygrills.


Exam weeks 

Events are not permitted during exam weeks, even if they take place after exam hours. This is to make sure our campuses offer a suitable environment for studying and testing. Only EPFL working meetings may be held in classrooms and lecture halls during exam weeks, but prior approval is required from the Registrar’s Office.

  • On-campus events are not allowed, even after 5pm.
  • Standard drinks events are not allowed.
  • Coffee breaks, standing lunches and post-meeting drinks must be held in a campus restaurant.
  • Drinks events for celebrating thesis defenses are allowed only in the following buildings: SV, MED, EL, MX and BC.
  • Barbeque events must use Polygrills.

Room availability for booking during academic periods

Academic periodDatesRoom availability
Summer holidays 2026Sunday, 5 July to Sunday, 6 September 2026Dates available for booking
Autumn semester 2026
Monday, 7 September to Sunday, 20 December 2026

Teaching break from 17 to 25 October 2026
Not available for booking,

except during the teaching break from 17 to 25 October 2026
Winter revision period 2026–2027
Monday, 21 December 2026 to Sunday, 10 January 2027Subject to conditions
Winter examination session 2026–2027Monday, 11 January to Saturday, 30 January 2027Not available for booking
Spring holidays 2027Sunday, 31 January to Sunday, 21 February 2027Dates available for booking
Spring semester 2027Monday, 22 February to Sunday, 6 June 2027

Teaching break from 26 March to 4 April 2027
Availability confirmed in January 2027

except during the teaching break from 26 March to 4 April 2027
Summer revision period 2027Monday, 7 June to Sunday, 20 June 2027Subject to conditions
Summer examination session 2027Monday, 21 June to Saturday, 10 July 2027Not available for booking
Summer holidays 2027Sunday, 11 July to Sunday, 12 September 2027Dates available for booking
Autumn semester 2027Monday, 13 September to Sunday, 26 December 2027

Teaching break from 23 to 31 October 2027
Availability confirmed in August 2027

except during the teaching break from 23 to 31 October 2027

Major events already scheduled on the Lausanne campus (disruptions possible)

 

Week before the start of the new school year – from 31.08.2026 to 04.09.2026
The campus is primarily reserved for special events for incoming students.

Welcome Day and Party – 4 September 2026 
All classrooms, lecture halls and other spaces will be used. The Rolex Learning Center will close early.

Master’s graduation ceremony – 3 October 2026 
All spaces are reserved for setup on the previous day, Friday, October 2, and no events can take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026.