Application & deadlines

Application should be submitted via EPFL’s Master online application form. Be sure to check the box indicating that your profile should also be considered for an excellence fellowship.

Documents:

• No additional documents are needed beyond those required for admission.

Deadline: December 15.

Only applications that are paid for and validated by 15 December at the latest will be considered for the Excellence Fellowship.

Be aware that the reference letters must be uploaded to the system one week after the application deadline (the exact date is indicated in the confirmation email you receive once your application is validated).

Applications paid for and validated after 15 December will be reviewed as part of the Master’s admission process but will not be eligible for the Excellence Fellowship.

Anyone applying to a Master’s program at EPFL is eligible. A limited number of fellowships are awarded to the most deserving candidates, based on academic excellence, qualifications, and motivation. Each student may apply for only one master’s program per year.

However, candidates who already hold a Master’s degree or are currently enrolled in a Master’s program at EPFL are not eligible.

• Amount: CHF 10,000 per semester, with a maximum coverage of 4 semesters.
• Additional Benefits:
  • Reservation of a student room in a student residence (for external candidates only).
  • A certificate of excellence upon completion of the Master’s program.

The fellowship covers two to three semesters of the Master’s cycle (depending on program duration) plus one semester for the Master’s project. Students are responsible for managing all living expenses, including tuition fees and rent.

Fellowships are paid into a Swiss bank or postal account. Therefore, fellowship holders should open their own Swiss bank or postal account (of their choice) upon arrival in Switzerland. 

Please note that this fellowship cannot be combined with other substantial scholarships. Candidates are required to declare all scholarships received during their Master’s program.

After an initial screening by the sections, the Excellence Fellowships Committee awards the fellowships. Selected candidates are notified late March.

If a selected candidate withdraws or fails to respond, the fellowship is offered to the next candidate on the waiting list, who will receive a new deadline to confirm their matriculation.

The renewal and payment of the fellowship for a second year of studies is conditional upon excellent academic performance.

At the end of the first year, once the results are published, fellowships are renewed provided that fellowship holders have:

• reached at least the average of 5.0 (6 = max / 4 = pass).

The average is weighted with the ECTS credits of each course. All numerical grades from all chosen courses and exams during the first MA year, count for the average.

• earned at least 50 credits (for branches other than the internship)

Credits for language courses, admission courses or courses outside of the study plan do not count.

There will be no exceptions for students who have not reached the requested average or number of credits.