CHF 10,000 per semester (CHF 20,000 per academic year)
Duration
Up to 4 semesters (2 years) for a 120-credit Master or 3 semesters (1.5 years) for a 90-credit Master
Deadline
December 15 (Main deadline) and April 15 (Secondary deadline)
Level
Master's Degree
Acceptance
Estimated < 5% of Master's applicants
Difficulty
Extremely High
Quick Summary
EPFL Excellence Fellowship is a fully funded scholarship offered by cole Polytechnique Fdrale de Lausanne (EPFL) for students pursuing studies in Switzerland. The award covers Successful candidates receive a financial package of CHF 10,000 per semester and a full tuition fee waiver for the duration of their Master's program. and is open to master's degree students studying all master's programs offered at epfl (engineering, basic sciences, computer science, architecture, life sciences, management of technology). The scholarship runs for up to 4 semesters (2 years) for a 120-credit master or 3 semesters (1.5 years) for a 90-credit master and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic results, belong to the top of their graduating class, and be applying for a full-time Master's degree at EPFL. The application deadline is December 15 (Main deadline) and April 15 (Secondary deadline), with an acceptance rate of approximately Estimated < 5% of Master's applicants. Students can compare this opportunity against similar scholarships below to find the best fit for their profile.
✨ Should I Apply for EPFL Excellence Fellowship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
8%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
Very Low
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
CHF 10,000 per semester (CHF 20,000 per academic year)
⏳
Duration
Up to 4 semesters (2 years) for a 120-credit Master or 3 semesters (1.5 years) for a 90-credit Master
📅
Deadline
December 15 (Main deadline) and April 15 (Secondary deadline)
🔬
Fields
All Master's programs offered at EPFL (Engineering, Basic Sciences, Computer Science, Architecture, Life Sciences, Management of Technology)
🏆
Awards/Year
Limited (Approximately 3% of admitted Master's students)
🌏
Study Country
Switzerland
🏛️
Provider
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
📊
Acceptance
Estimated < 5% of Master's applicants
The EPFL Excellence Fellowship is a highly competitive program designed to support the brightest students from around the world to pursue their Master's studies at one of Europe's top technical universities. It covers living costs and tuition, allowing students to focus entirely on their research and academics.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic results, belong to the top of their graduating class, and be applying for a full-time Master's degree at EPFL.
🤝 Sponsor
EPFL and various private foundations
🔬 Fields of Study
All Master's programs offered at EPFL (Engineering, Basic Sciences, Computer Science, Architecture, Life Sciences, Management of Technology)
✨ Key Benefits
Successful candidates receive a financial package of CHF 10,000 per semester and a full tuition fee waiver for the duration of their Master's program.
Varies (Thousands of applicants for EPFL Master's programs)
Applicants Last Year
Approximately 30-50 per year
Winners
Estimated < 5% of Master's applicants
Acceptance Rate
Very Low
Competition Level
Win Probability
8%
Match Score
75%
Competition
50%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes (Full tuition fee waiver included)
Living Stipend
CHF 10,000 per semester
Total Award
CHF 10,000 per semester (CHF 20,000 per academic year)
✈️ Travel: No (Not specifically provided as a separate allowance)🏠 Accommodation: No (Stipend is intended to cover housing and living costs)💊 Health Insurance: No (Students must cover health insurance from their stipend)🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: CHF 150 (Standard EPFL Master's application fee)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (Full tuition fee waiver included)
🏠 Living Stipend
CHF 10,000 per semester
🏡 Accommodation
No (Stipend is intended to cover housing and living costs)
✈️ Travel Allowance
No (Not specifically provided as a separate allowance)
💊 Health Insurance
No (Students must cover health insurance from their stipend)
🎁 Other Benefits
Access to specific networking events, potential priority for student housing, and specialized mentoring.
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Subject to satisfactory academic progress and maintaining a high GPA throughout the first year.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Open to all students (domestic and international) applying to an EPFL Master's program with an outstanding academic record.
🎓 Academic Level
Master's Degree
📊 Minimum GPA
Equivalent to 3.7/4.0 or top 5-10% of graduating class
🗣️ English Requirement
Proficiency required (TOEFL or IELTS typically expected for non-native speakers)
💼 Work Experience
Not required
🏆 Leadership
Valued but not mandatory
💰 Financial Need
Not a primary selection criterion (Merit-based)
🎯 Target Students
International and Domestic Students
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Statement of Purpose)
Rec Letters
Yes (Three letters of recommendation)
Interview
No (Selection is based on the application file)
Application Fee
CHF 150 (Standard EPFL Master's application fee)
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Three letters of recommendation) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Proficiency required (TOEFL or IELTS typically expected for non-native speakers)
Interview: No (Selection is based on the application file)
Min GPA: Equivalent to 3.7/4.0 or top 5-10% of graduating class
📋 Application Process
Highlight your research experience, focus on academic excellence in your statement, and ensure your referees can provide specific examples of your brilliance.
💡 Insider Tip: Submit your application by the December 15 deadline, as the majority of fellowships are awarded during the first round of admissions.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
September
⏰ Deadline
December 15 (Main deadline) and April 15 (Secondary deadline)
🎤 Interview
No (Selection is based on the application file)
🎓 Study Starts
September
September
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
December 15 (Main deadline) and April 15 (Secondary deadline)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
No (Selection is based on the application file)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic excellence, ranking in the undergraduate class, quality of the motivation letter, and strength of recommendation letters.
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
EPFL Excellence FellowshipCurrent
Switzerland
Full Funding
Master's Degree
—
🇨🇭 ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic results, belong to the top of their graduating class, and be applying for a full-time Master's degree at EPFL.
This scholarship covers: Successful candidates receive a financial package of CHF 10,000 per semester and a full tuition fee waiver for the duration of their Master's program.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is December 15 (Main deadline) and April 15 (Secondary deadline). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Very Low. Acceptance rate: Estimated < 5% of Master's applicants. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Proficiency required (TOEFL or IELTS typically expected for non-native speakers), Yes (Three letters of recommendation) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.