r/EPFL

And how to find the office INN 133?

Hi, I'm starting my Bachelor's degree in two years and I'd like to know the biggest differences in academics, research, campus life, etc., compared to other universities like ETH Zurich and other large US universities.

Hello everyone, I received an offer today from the Vortex Residence : a single room for 770 CHF… and I accepted it for fear of ending up back at the end of the waiting list. But now I'm really stressed because I have several questions:

The contract start date is July 16th. I won't receive the acceptance decision until early August. If I cancel the contract at the beginning of August, what are the financial losses? Just the deposit? Article 4 also mentions rent due... but what exactly does that mean?

Given the many restrictions this year, I'm afraid I won't be admitted and will have to pay everything until the end of the contract (16/02/2027).

And regarding the residence, is Vortex any good? I'm a girl (17 years old) and it's very important to me that it's very safe, etc.

I should have asked these questions before accepting…

CAN I cancel without charge before signing the contract?

Thank you very much for your help!!

Hello everyone, I applied for a Bachelor in Mathematics in November for the 2026-2027 academic year. However, after some reflection and consideration, I'd prefer to switch to a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering. I know it's not possible to change programs after being accepted. But do you know if they accept such a change before the final application deadline of July 10th? Has anyone else experienced this? Thank you so much for your help!

Hi everyone,

I just received a FMEL housing offer for a shared flat at around CHF 510/month (utilities included), and before accepting I wanted to ask if anyone here currently lives in this type of accommodation or has experience with it.

I’m mainly wondering if the rooms are private or shared with another person, and whether the bathroom is private or shared. I’d also love to know how the overall atmosphere is there (cleanliness, noise, roommates, etc.) and if you would recommend it overall.

I’m actually pretty interested in accepting the offer, so any honest feedback would really help me 😄

Thanks!

Is there anyone here who has been admitted to MSc in Electrical and Electronics or is currently a partt of the programme? I have some doubts regarding the curriculum. Is there any group for this?

Hi guys,

I would really like to know whether the Bachelor of Mathematics in EPFL is a great option for me. I have a great offer from FMEL (Falaises, 470 CHF), but the bad thing is that I need to pay like two months and the deposit, so it would be financially difficult for us.

Anyway, I'm Moroccan, and I've studied in Spain for 13 years, so right now I'm studying the Spanish baccalaureate. Overall my grades are pretty high (10 out of 10 in my final grades, having taken Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Technical drawing), but I'm quite a bit concerned about the statistics related to the année propédeutique: Nearly 70% of those who are in Mathematics drop out, according to various sources.

I don't know if my level is enough if I want to pass the first year and to successfully make it. The good thing is that I lived in many places in Spain and I always had high grades. My other options are in Spain (UPM, UCM...) and France (bachelor of l'X, where by the way I have a nearly full scholarship, INSA, PSL-Dauphine...), since they are financially accessible for me.

I really enjoy mathematics (I've made many projects and stuff related to maths, plus I and I would like

So let me know if you would recommend me this bachelor and if there is anything else I should take into account.

est ce que le niveau du CMS c est le meme que celui d'examen d'admission

Si tu reussis pas l"exam d'admission peut tu proceder a une anne prep puis passer le CMS

Hey, I’m planning to study applied math at EPFL starting this September as an exchange student from Japan. According to the acceptance letter, an intensive French course will be held from August 17th to August 28th, 2026, by the EPFL Language Center. To be honest, I don't speak French at all. The course is attractive as a way to socialize with others (especially locals), and it would be a good chance to make friends with other exchange students. On the other hand, some say that a good command of English is sufficient for university life. Also, on a personal note, the rent for an additional half-month's stay in Lausanne is a bit of a financial burden.

Do you recommend this course and why? It is a good chance to make friends?

Hello, im in the french system with the subjects of maths physics and further maths option and i am in my senior year. it was anounced yesterday that our exams are officially cancelled due to the geopolitical situation and we will be graded with our average during the year. mine is the minimum grade for epfl and i am aware that just having a 16 in math and physics and 16 overall isnt enough. also take into consideration that i will not be passing grand oral (which is coef10) where usually students get good grades. expect i cannot afford the other universities i got into abroad and am very frustrated because i dont think with these grades i’d get in. Does anyone think that EPFL will take into consideration the war and the cancellation of exams or not ?? also my math and physics teacher grade EXTREMELY mean and one of them tends to favorite some students to others..
——

Bonjour, je suis dans le système français avec les spécialités mathématiques, physique et l’option maths expertes, et je suis actuellement en Terminale. Il a été annoncé hier que nos examens sont officiellement annulés à cause de la situation géopolitique, et que nous serons évalués uniquement avec notre moyenne de l’année.

Ma moyenne correspond au minimum requis pour l’EPFL, et je sais bien qu’avoir seulement 16 en maths, 16 en physique et 16 de moyenne générale n’est normalement pas suffisant. Il faut aussi prendre en compte que nous ne passerons pas le Grand Oral (coefficient 10), où les élèves obtiennent généralement de bonnes notes qui augmentent leur moyenne.

Je ne peux malheureusement pas me permettre financièrement les autres universités à l’étranger dans lesquelles j’ai été acceptée, donc cette situation est très frustrante pour moi, car j’ai peur de ne pas être admise avec ces notes.

Pensez-vous que l’EPFL prendra en considération la guerre et l’annulation des examens ou pas ?

De plus, mes professeurs de maths et de physique notent extrêmement sévèrement, et l’un d’eux a tendance à favoriser certains élèves par rapport à d’autres.

Hey Everyone!!

I got admitted to MS in Electrical and Electronics. I wanted to know what to expect in the programme and also had some doubts regarding accommodation. Could anyone clear my doubts regarding this?

Bonjour à tous,

Je prépare l'examen suisse de maturité en candidat libre et je cherche des ressources pour la Physique et Applications des Mathématiques en option spécifique , Biologie OC et Physique DF.

Est-ce que quelqu'un aurait un livre ou des cours en PDF correspondant au programme SEFRI pour cette option ?

Merci d'avance 🙏

Hi I was wondering if there is a group chat/ discord for masters student coming in this September. Looking for a place to ask some questions (housing, visa, etc) and also to get to know some people

Hi everyone,
I applied to the FMEL waiting list on December 28, 2025, which I believe is quite early. My current preferences are:
• Desired lease start: 01.08.2026
• Desired lease end: 15.07.2027
• Flexibility: +/- 2 months
• Studio for 1 person between CHF 601–800/month
• Studio for 1 or 2 people between CHF 801–1,200/month
• Studio for 1 person between CHF 801–1,200/month
• Studio for 1 or 2 people between CHF 601–800/month
• La Bourdonnette: accepted ✓
• Planète Bleue: excluded ✗
About 2–3 weeks ago, I updated my preferences to include La Bourdonnette (I initially set it to “no”, but changed it to “yes”, accepting the construction noise from the nearby Campus Santé building site).
My question is: does modifying your preferences on the FMEL portal reset or affect your position in the waiting list? I checked the FAQ and the preference registration page on their website, but there’s no clear information about this.
Has anyone experienced something similar or know how the system works?
Thanks a lot!

Hi all!
Anyone heard back from the school for April deadline PhD program??
It seems decision would be sent out mid-May, but haven't heard anything....

Hi everyone. I am an incoming Master student for Robotics program at EPFL. I am also a third country national, although currently studying with a residence permit in a European country.

I will need to apply for a residence permit (type B I guess) to live and study in Lausanne. From what I know, we should apply at least 2 months before the start of studies. However, there's conflicting information online on whether the housing contract is necessary for the application.

I won't get anything at FMEL, so I have been searching for outside offers (e.g. flatfox). What I noticed is that there are almost no ads yet for housing for later rent period (with possible rent start date in August or September). Most of the owners don't want to deal with you unless you agree to rent from June or July. I am self-funded and can't afford to start renting too early.

Therefore, I would like to ask fellow third-country EPFL students for advice - on how to find housing and still be able to obtain a residence permit in time. Any tips will be very appreciated.

Upd: the signed contract seems to be not really necessary according to some sources.

Hey everyone, I’m on the FMEL waitlist and have a few questions — curious if anyone’s been in a similar situation.
I registered on September 7th 2025 with an exact start date of September 1st 2026, for HEC Lausanne. My room preferences are:
• Single room (CHF 0–600)
• Single room (CHF 601–800)
• Flatshare (CHF 0–600)
• Studio for 1 person (CHF 601–800)
A few things I’m wondering:
1. Exact date vs ±1 month — I set an exact start date instead of adding flexibility. I’ve read that people who put ±1 month basically get their offer ~3 months in advance (instead of 2), since FMEL can offer them a place starting 1 month earlier. Does that actually give a better chance of getting a place, or just an earlier offer? Feels a bit unfair that being flexible essentially “games” the system at the cost of one extra month of rent…
2. One offer or multiple? — If you receive an offer and decline it, do you get another one? Or is it one shot and you’re out?
3. Waitlist mechanics — does anyone know how it actually works? Is it purely first come first served? I registered about a year in advance so hoping that helps…
4. Do I even have a chance? — Given my registration date, preferences, and start date, do you think I have a realistic shot at getting an offer? Would love to hear from people who were in a similar situation and whether it worked out!
Thanks in advance 🙏

I got an offer from fmel today at 00:00 (Spains hour) for ochettes. Sharing some info that I would like to have had before. This were my preferences:

Lease start date: 01/08 +/- 1 month

(I changed my lease start date some days ago, i had 16/8 but i was afraid i could lose an oportunity jajaja)

I had chosen just flatshares with the lowest prices (0 - 600 and 650 CHF)

And i joined the FMEL waiting list on the 22/12/2025

Hope it helps someone

I have the Swiss nationality and I’m in a French high school in premiere. I have to choose soon if I want to take maths expertes and from what I know it’s not required for the admission. My specialites will be mathematics and physics and chemistry. In epfl I’m thinking about doing a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or materials and science engineering. Do I have to take maths expertes to prepare for the mathematics in epfl or is it not worth the time and is it just better to prepare myself outside of school.

Thank you in advance.

I was surprised to get an offer so early considering my preferred starting lease date is in August +/- 1 month, and I haven’t even had my final exams yet. I am applying for a Bachelor, but I only knew about Vortex as well as the two optional buildings for which I agreed to receive offers.

I only applied for studios and what they offered is on the more expensive side, around 950CHF.

I wanted to make sure that I have no other choice but to accept, right? If I decline I get immediately flung out of the waiting list from what I understood. The thing is I have a friend currently at EPFL who just finished her bachelor studies and we’ve been looking for shared accommodation along with some other friends. Accepting this means I won’t be available to potentially join them, as I have to pay a large deposit tax for Atrium.