EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne)
EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships
EPFL's fellowship for the strongest incoming master's students, in any of its programmes and open to graduates of any university. It pays CHF 10,000 per semester and guarantees a room in student housing. Academic record is the main criterion, with research, entrepreneurship and community involvement also counting. There is no separate form: you tick the fellowship box in the master's application and add the requested documents.
Application round
Applications for the 2027 fellowship go in through EPFL's master's application (IS-Academia) in the first window, which opens in mid-November and closes on 15 December 2026; no closing time is published. Tick the fellowship box and upload the requested file. Decisions on the first window are sent in late March 2027, and studies start in early September. EPFL advises visa-needing applicants to use this December deadline anyway.
The IELTS requirement
EPFL doesn't ask for an IELTS score with the application and the fellowship has no test requirement. EPFL recommends at least a C1 level in the language of instruction, which for most master's programmes is English; C1 corresponds to roughly IELTS 7.0. If you want a certificate to strengthen your file, aim for that level, and remember the fellowship is judged mainly on grades.
Where is your IELTS score now?
Your university sets the IELTS score for this scholarship. Take the free level test to get an estimated band for each skill before you apply.
What it covers
- CHF 10,000 per semester
- Guaranteed student housing
- Renewed for the second year if you earn at least 50 ECTS with an average of at least 5.0/6 in the first year
- Tuition fees and travel are not covered (EPFL tuition is low by international standards)
Who can apply
- Any nationality, applying for an EPFL master's programme
- A bachelor's degree from EPFL or from another university, with outstanding academic results
- Distinction in extracurricular activities, whether sporting, artistic, civic or entrepreneurial, is also considered
- Apply in the first application window (by 15 December); later applicants can still be admitted but are not eligible for the fellowship
- A limited number of fellowships is awarded each year
Key facts
- Provider
- EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne)
- Where you study
- Switzerland
- Study level
- Master's
- Funding
- Partly funded
- Application round
- Closes December 15, 2026
Already know your score?
Build an IELTS plan for this scholarship
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What band do you need?
Your overall IELTS target.
We checked these details against the provider's official page on November 1, 2026. Rules and dates change every round, so confirm them there before you apply.
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