Je suis en terminale sti2d bac technologique français je vais avoir un bac sti2d français et j’aimerais savoir si je suis admissible aux cms car avec mon bac sti2d je suis pas admissible en première anne aussi je n’ai pas la nationalité suisse je ne comprend pas clairement les condition d’admission à lepfl car sur la page bachelor /cms de n’est paz clairement indique : Bachelor/CMS admission criteria & application

In addition to this page, please consult the ‘General’ and ‘Bachelor’s’ sections of our FAQ for all information about our admission requirements and processes.

Following the entry into force of the latest update of the Ordonnance sur l’admission à l’EPFL and in view of the entry into force of the latest update of the Ordonnance sur la reconnaissance des certificats de maturité gymnasiale, the admission requirements for private and foreign state study certificates have changed significantly. Please take careful note of the new conditions described on this page.

Application

You have already understood the admission criteria and would like to apply for a program? Then read about the detailed application procedure:

Overview of the application procedure

Admission criteria

The indications on this page do not constitute a legal basis. Legal texts are the only reference. The criteria are valid for the ongoing year.

The specific admission criteria for applicants holding an upper secondary school certificate (maturity, baccalaureate, Abitur, Advanced Levels, etc.) and for those having begun or completed a study program in a higher-education institution are detailed under the following headings. Please pay attention to the restrictions detailed further down the page as well.

Swiss ‘maturité gymnasiale’
Swiss professional or specialized ‘maturité’
Upper secondary school certificates from a country that is a member of EU or EFTA
Upper secondary school certificates from the United Kingdom
Upper secondary school certificates from a country that is not a member of EU, EFTA, nor UK
European Baccalaureate from EURSC.eu
International Baccalaureate (IB) from IBO.org
Bachelor’s degree from a Swiss HES/FHS
Other higher education in Switzerland or abroad
Restrictions and rules of non-admissibility
Swiss ‘maturité gymnasiale’

Holders of a Swiss maturité gymnasiale (cantonal certificate recognized by the Confederation or federal certificate) are accepted at EPFL with no other condition in the first year of their Bachelor’s program of choice.

They may also ask to be accepted in the Cours de mathématiques spéciales, on a voluntary basis, within the places available (following the procedure detailed below). They are then subject to the usual regulations concerning the successful completion of that course, but keep the right to be accepted in the first year of their Bachelor’s program of choice in case of failure in the course. A second attempt at the Cours de mathématiques spéciales is however not allowed.

To be accepted in the Cours de mathématiques spéciales, appliquants must fill in the Bachelor’s admission form, before the usual deadline. They will receive in early June an email with a link to a self-evaluation mathematics test as well as to a form to ask for admission to the Cours de mathématiques spéciales within a deadline of about three weeks (no request for admission will be accepted after the deadline). An answer will then be sent to them in July.
Swiss professional or specialized ‘maturité’

Holders of a Swiss professional maturité or a Swiss specialized maturité are accepted in the Cours de mathématiques spéciales, within the places available.

Applicants who have also successfully completed the supplementary exam (‘DUBS gateway’) are treated like holders of a Swiss ‘gymnasia maturité’ (see above).
Upper secondary school certificates from a country that is a member of EU or EFTA

Applicants holding an upper secondary school certificate from a country that is a member of EU or EFTA (other than Switzerland) are accepted in the first year of the Bachelor’s programs provided that their title fulfils all of the following conditions: 

the certificate is a pre-University title granted on the basis of a general education
the certificate is granted after at least twelve years of primary and secondary education (excluding kindergarten), including at least three years of upper secondary education
the following subjects were studied during the upper secondary education: 1) mathematics, 2) physics, 3) official language of the country granting the certificate, 4) second modern language, 5) chemistry or biology, 6) history, geography, or economics, and 7) applied mathematics, computer science, philosophy, or third modern language
at least six of these seven subjects are present on the final grade transcripts used to determine the award of the certificate, including mathematics and physics
mathematics and physics were studied and examined at the highest possible level (see below) and the certificate is in a scientific stream (should streams be offered by the country granting the certificate)
the final grades in mathematics and physics are at least 80% of the maximum grade
the general average is at least 80% of the maximum grade
‘At the highest possible level’ means that the numbers of years and hours of study for the given subject are the highest possible in the country of study and, when possible, that the subject was tested as part of the final exams. However, supplementary options such as ‘expert mathematics’ or ‘advanced mathematics’ are not required.

A subject that combines two fields of study under a single label and with a single average on the grade sheets cannot serve to validate two separate requirements (e.g., physics-chemistry cannot satisfy both requirements of physics and chemistry). Additionally, subjects in non-general history, geography, and philosophy, or in business or office computing are not taken into account. Statistics, descriptive geometry, data visualization, quantitative finance, cryptology are considered applied mathematics.

In some cases, the page about your country of education (‘EPFL’ heading) in the ‘Countries’ section of the swissuniversities website provides specific details on the application of the criteria above, for information purposes only. This website is only updated once a year in January and the conditions may therefore not be up to date when our application form opens in November.

EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended. Foreign applicants who have not studied French as part of their upper secondary education will need to attest their level upon application.

Applicants who reside and study in Switzerland for a professional reason (because they work in Switzerland or because they live with their parents, who work in Switzerland) at the time of their upper secondary education are accepted in the first year of the Bachelor’s programs with a general average at least 70% of the maximum grade. All other conditions remain unchanged and must be fulfilled.

Swiss applicants from abroad can be accepted, following the evaluation of their application and within the places available, in the Cours de mathématiques spéciales (foundation year) with a general average somewhat below 80% of the maximum grade.
Upper secondary school certificates from the United Kingdom

Applicants holding Britsh Advanced Levels and/or Scottish Advanced Highers are accepted in the first year of the Bachelor’s programs provided that their title fulfils all of the following conditions: 

the following subjects were studied and examined as Advanced Levels and/or Advanced Highers: 1) mathematics, 2) physics, and 3) chemistry, biology, or computer science
the following subjects were studied at the level of the GCSE and/or Standard Grades or at a higher level (Advanced Subsidiary Levels, Advanced Levels, Highers, and/or Advanced Highers): 1) English, 2) second modern language, and 3) history or geography
the grades in mathematics and physics, as well as in chemistry, biology, or computer science, are at least A and/or 1
Both ‘Mathematics’ and ‘Further Mathematics’ are accepted. 

EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended. Foreign applicants who have not studied French as part of their upper secondary education will need to attest their level upon application.

Swiss applicants from abroad can be accepted, following the evaluation of their application and within the places available, in the Cours de mathématiques spéciales (foundation year) with grades somewhat below A and/or 1.

Applicants holding international Advanced Levels accredited by a third-party state (CIE, Edexcel, OxfordAQA, LRN) are subject to the admission conditions for holders of an upper secondary school certificate from a country that is not a member of EU, EFTA, nor UK, as described below.

Applicants holding international Advanced Levels (CIE, Edexcel, OxfordAQA, LRN) without any state accreditation and/or Pre-Us (CIE, LRN) can only be accepted through the entrance exam.
Upper secondary school certificates from a country that is not a member of EU, EFTA, nor UK

Please note that we have been experiencing a significant increase in the number of applications for the Cours de mathématiques spéciales in the past years and expect this increase to continue in the coming years. Because places in that course are limited, admission is becoming increasingly selective. Admission is in no way guaranteed for all applicants who fulfill the criteria described below. Applicants who are not accepted in the Cours de mathématiques spéciales can still be accepted to the first year of our Bachelor’s programs through our entrance exam.

Applicants holding an upper secondary school certificate from a country that is not a member of EU, EFTA, nor UK can be accepted, following the evaluation of their application and within the places available, in the Cours de mathématiques spéciales (foundation year), provided that their title fulfils all of the following conditions:

the certificate is a pre-University title granted on the basis of a general education
the certificate is granted after at least twelve years of primary and secondary education (excluding kindergarten), including at least three years of upper secondary education
the following subjects were studied during the upper secondary education: 1) mathematics, 2) physics, 3) official language of the country granting the certificate, 4) second modern language, 5) chemistry or biology, 6) history, geography, or economics, and 7) applied mathematics, computer science, philosophy, or third modern language
at least six of these seven subjects are present on the final grade transcripts used to determine the award of the certificate, including mathematics and physics
mathematics and physics were studied and examined at the highest possible level (see below) and the certificate is in a scientific stream (should streams be offered by the country granting the certificate)
the final grades in mathematics and physics are at least 80% of the maximum grade
the general average is at least 80% of the maximum grade
‘At the highest possible level’ means that the numbers of years and hours of study for the given subject are the highest possible in the country of study and, when possible, that the subject was tested as part of the final exams.

A subject that combines two fields of study under a single label and with a single average on the grade sheets cannot serve to validate two separate requirements (e.g., physics-chemistry cannot satisfy both requirements of physics and chemistry). Additionally, subjects in non-general history, geography, and philosophy, or in business or office computing are not taken into account. Statistics, descriptive geometry, data visualization, quantitative finance, cryptology are considered applied mathematics.

For countries with an upper secondary education system similar to British Advanced Levels (Brunei, Hong Kong, Mauritius, and Singapore), criteria for admission to the Cours de mathématiques spéciales, following the evaluation of the application and within the places available, are based on those that apply for admission to the first year of the Bachelor’s programs of holders of British Advanced Levels, as described above.

In some cases, the heading for your country of education in the PDF document ‘Conditions to apply for admission to the Cours de mathématiques spéciales at EPFL’ provides specific details on the application of the criteria above, for information purposes only. Holders of an upper secondary school certificate from a country that is not a member of EU, EFTA, nor UK and does not appear in that document can only be accepted through the entrance exam. This website is only updated once a year in December and the conditions may therefore not be up to date when our application form opens in November.

EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended. Foreign applicants who have not studied French as part of their upper secondary education will need to attest their level upon application.

Swiss applicants from abroad can be accepted, following the evaluation of their application and within the places available, in the Cours de mathématiques spéciales with a general average somewhat below 80% of the maximum grade.
European Baccalaureate from EURSC.eu

Applicants holding a European Baccalaureate from EURSC.eu are subject to the same criteria as applicants holding an upper secondary school certificate from a country that is a member of EU or EFTA (other than Switzerland), as described above.
International Baccalaureate (IB) from IBO.org

Applicants holding an International Baccalaureate (IB) from IBO.org are accepted in the first year of the Bachelor’s programs provided that their title fulfils all of the following conditions:

the following subjects were studied and examined within the Diploma Programme (DP) at the higher level (HL): 1) mathematics, 2) physics, and 3) chemistry, biology, or computer science
the following subjects were studied and examined within the Diploma Programme (DP) at the standard or higher level (SL or HL): 1) first modern language, 2) second modern language, and 3) history, geography, economics, or philosophy
the total number of points scored is at least 38 out of 42 (excluding bonus points) and the grades in mathematics and physics are at least 6 out of 7
Both ‘Mathematics: Analysis and approaches’ and ‘Mathematics: Applications and interpretation’ are accepted. 

EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended. Foreign applicants who have not studied French as part of their upper secondary education will need to attest their level upon application.

Applicants holding an International Baccalaureate from IBO.org can be accepted, following the evaluation of their application and within the places available, in the Cours de mathématiques spéciales (foundation year) with a total number of points between 32 and 37 out of 42 (excluding bonus points). All other conditions remain unchanged and must be fulfilled.

Swiss applicants from abroad holding an International Baccalaureate from IBO.org can be accepted, following the evaluation of their application and within the places available, in the Cours de mathématiques spéciales with a total number of points somewhat below 32 out of 42 (excluding bonus points).
Bachelor’s degree from a Swiss HES/FHS

Applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree (or other equivalent title) from a Swiss HES/FHS are accepted with no condition in the first year of the Bachelor’s programs, except in streams of study close to the field of the previously obtained degree.
Other higher education in Switzerland or abroad

Applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree (or other equivalent title) from a Swiss EPF/ETH, cantonal University or HEP/PHS are accepted with no condition in the first year of the Bachelor’s programs, except in streams of study close to the field of the previously obtained degree.

Applicants holding a Master’s degree (or other equivalent title) from a Swiss EPF/ETH or cantonal University are accepted with no condition in the first year of the Bachelor’s programs.

Applicants holding a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (or other equivalent title) from a foreign University, of a level equivalent to EPFL titles, can be accepted with no condition, following the evaluation of their application, in the first year of the Bachelor’s programs. To be of a level equivalent to EPFL titles, a foreign Bachelor’s or Master’s degree must amongst other criteria have been delivered by a state-accredited University, have been obtained for the successful completion of a curriculum of three years or more, and have been obtained in a field of study that belongs to University studies in Switzerland.

Applicants who have successfully completed at least one year in a University stream of study equivalent to those taught at EPFL can apply for admission, following the evaluation of their application, in the second year of a Bachelor’s program in a field close to the previously begun stream, provided that they also fulfil the requirements for admission to the first year. Should they be accepted, these applicants will be accepted either in the first year or in the second year with or without restrictions, following the analysis of their application.

Applicants who are currently successful at ETHZ in a field offered in both Swiss EPF/ETHs are accepted without restrictions in the upper semester of the Bachelor’s program in the same field at EPFL.

Admission in the second or third year of a Bachelor’s program is granted for a specific field. Transfer to another field is in principle not allowed. Applicants accepted in the second or third year are additionally not eligible to study at another University during the third year of their Bachelor’s program (academic mobility).

EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended. Foreign applicants holding a school certificate or diploma from a non-francophone country will need to attest their level upon application.
Restrictions and rules of non-admissibility

Applicants who do not hold an upper secondary school certificate or who have not begun or completed a study program in a higher-education institution can only be accepted through the entrance exam.

Individuals of age 25 or older or who have already begun or completed a study program in a higher-education institution or in a preparatory (or ‘foundation’) course cannot in principle be accepted in the Cours de mathématiques spéciales. They may however register for the entrance exam.

Individuals who already hold a Bachelor’s degree (or other equivalent title) cannot be accepted in Bachelor’s streams close to the field of the previously completed program.

Individuals who have left a University stream of study close to the fields taught at EPFL, without having successfully completed it, will be rejected or accepted with restrictions following the analysis of their application.

Individuals who have left a University stream of study close to the fields taught at EPFL, after having definitely failed it or been excluded, cannot be accepted. An absence of success over a period of two years in the same stream is treated like a definitive failure.

Individuals who have left more than one University stream of study, regardless of the fields of study, without graduating cannot be accepted.

Individuals who cannot be accepted after having left one or several University stream(s) of study also cannot register for the entrance exam.