University of Lausanne

About: 

The University of Lausanne (UNIL) is a higher teaching and research institution composed of seven faculties with approximately 15,600 students. Its research activities focus on three main areas: human and social sciences, life sciences and medicine, and environmental sciences. On the shores of Lake Geneva, the main campus is located in a beautiful green landscape with splendid views of the Alps. 

Highlights: 

Given that approximately one-quarter of students and one-third of the teaching staff come from abroad, the University of Lausanne is a fantastic study destination for international students, who wish to learn more about Swiss culture, but also other cultures from around the world. There are many sporting and cultural activities on offer on campus, including underwater diving at the sports centre and theatre at the Grange de Dorigny. Such activities are also extended to the rest of the city, ranging from museum visits, a stroll in the parks and gardens or along the floral quays, excursions on the lake, sporting and cultural activities, shopping to nights out. With excellent transport links to the rest of Europe, you can explore also other cities and cultures extremely easily - the Olympic capital has it all! 

Location: 

Lausanne, Switzerland

Courses / Modules: 

Academic information about course programmes and the conditions for admission to a faculty at UNIL can be found on the faculty websites. For links to the different faculties, visit this link.

Credit (Full-time Load per semester): 

You must take a full credit load while on exchange. UNIL uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to show credit values.  30 ECTS is the equivalent to 60 York credits, and 60 ECTS is the equivalent to 120 York credits.

Teaching Periods: 

Autumn semester tends to begin in September, with the semester ending in January.   Spring semester tends to begin in February, with the semester ending in early July.  

Language: 

UNIL is a French-speaking university and the main teaching language is therefore French. However, several undergraduate classes are taught in English, including in the English Literature department For more information about the courses taught in English, visit this link.

Intensive French courses

UNIL also offers intensive French courses, for which there is a fee. For more information about the intensive French courses, visit this link.

Accommodation: 

The University of Lausanne does not currently have a hall of residence on campus. However, it works closely with the Fondation Maisons pour Etudiants Lausanne (FMEL) hall of residence, which welcomes over 2,500 students at 14 locations, mainly within the Lausanne urban area. 

This is the primary residence for exchange students, but places cannot be guaranteed. If you have not been able to secure accommodation with FMEL, the University of Lausanne and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) run a joint accommodation database reserved exclusively for their students. Advertisements are published by individuals who want to let their accommodation or are looking for another tenant to share with.

For more information about finding accommodation at UNIL, visit this link.

Support Services: 

Erasmus Student Network (ESN)

ESN is an international students’ association, whose aim is to provide exchange students with support as well as cultural and sporting activities and excursions to help them explore the region where they are going to be living for a few months.

Buddy program

The UNIL section of ESN offers a buddy program for exchange students to help them settle into Lausanne and integrate into the UNIL community. The programme is run free of charge by UNIL students who are keen to help their peers from other countries.

For more information about ESN and the buddy program visit this link.

Visas: 

You may need a visa to study in Switzerland.  If you are a UK National you must refer to the  Gov.uk Travel Advice page for Switzerland and its Living in Switzerland guide to check on any visa requirements, and raise any queries directly with the relevant embassy/consulate.  If you are not a UK national you should check equivalent advice for your home country.

Travel insurance:  

If you complete the Travel Authorisation process and are approved by the University of York to participate in this programme, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries.  You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange. 

Health insurance: 

Students travelling to Europe may be able to apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or in some circumstances a new UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU. You are strongly recommended to obtain a GHIC / EHIC if eligible. To check your eligibility and find out how to apply if you are eligible, go to the NHS page on Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC).

For more specific information about health insurance provided by the University of Lausanne, visit this link.

Have a look at some more student stories on the Global Opportunities website!  

• Numbeo - cost of living comparison site

• Expatistan - cost of living comparison site

• Foreign travel advice: Switzerland  

• The University of Lausanne official website 

• University of Lausanne social media links

  • Facebook: @unil.ch https://www.facebook.com/unil.ch/  

  • Instagram: @unilch https://www.instagram.com/unilch/  

  • Twitter: @unil https://twitter.com/unil 

If you find any broken links, please email us at global-opportunities@york.ac.uk

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