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Université de Lausanne brand identity

Université de Lausanne

Lausanne, Switzerland • Founded 1537 • QS 2027 #233 =

Updated May 2026 · Source: unil.ch

Overview

English Name: University of Lausanne
Local Name: Universität Lausanne
Acronyms: UNIL
Founded: 1537
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #233 = Times Higher Education 2026 #125 = ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #151-200 CWTS Leiden 2025 #182 SCImago 2026 #326
Motto: Le savoir vivant
Colours: Blue
Université de Lausanne brand identity

Founded in 1537, the Université de Lausanne (University of Lausanne) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the small city of Lausanne (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Vaud.

Officially recognized by the Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation, Schweiz (State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation of Switzerland), Université de Lausanne (UNIL) is a large-sized coeducational Swiss higher education institution. Université de Lausanne (UNIL) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. UNIL also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Mailing address, phone, email, and social channels for Université de Lausanne are listed below.

Address: Unicentre
Postal Code: 1015
Phone: +41 (21) 692 1111
Fax: +41 (21) 692 2615
Social Media:

Academic Details

Université de Lausanne's academic profile in numbers is listed below.

Academic Year: September to July (autumn semester: September-February; spring semester: February-July)
Recognition: Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation, Schweiz
Accrediting Agency: Swiss Center of Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education (OAQ), EQUIS
Admission Requirements: Secondary school certificate (baccalauréat, maturité) or a qualification recognized as equivalent
Total Students: 16,951
Academic Staff Range: 1,000-1,499
Full-Time Academic Staff: 2,423
Campus Setting: Suburban
Memberships & Networks
European University Association (EUA) Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA)

Academic Structures

The academic units of Université de Lausanne are listed below.

Unit 7 items
  • Faculty of Arts
  • Faculty of Biology and Medicine
  • Faculty of Business and Economics
  • Faculty of Geosciences and Environment
  • Faculty of Law, Criminal Justice and Public Administration
  • Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
  • Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation, Schweiz.

Arts (Faculty) 26 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Archaeology
  • Archiving
  • Art History
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Asian Studies
  • Cinema and Television
  • Classical Languages
  • Communication Studies
  • Comparative Literature
  • Computer Science
  • English
  • Foreign Languages Education
  • French
  • German
  • Heritage Preservation
  • History
  • History of Religion
  • Italian
  • Linguistics
  • Medieval Studies
  • Museum Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Slavic Languages
  • South Asian Studies
  • Spanish
  • Translation and Interpretation
Biology and Medicine (Faculty) 16 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Behavioural Sciences
  • Biology
  • Business Administration
  • Cardiology
  • Computer Science
  • Ecology
  • Immunology
  • Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Neurosciences
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Health
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacy
  • Sports Management
Business and Economics (Faculty) 19 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Actuarial Science
  • Administration
  • Business Administration
  • Criminal Law
  • Economics
  • Engineering Management
  • Finance
  • Health Administration
  • Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  • Information Sciences
  • Information Technology
  • International Business
  • Law
  • Logic
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Public Administration
  • Tourism
Geosciences and Environment (Faculty) 12 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Development Studies
  • Earth Sciences
  • Ecology
  • Environmental Studies
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Government
  • Physics
  • Town Planning
  • Urban Studies
Law, Criminal Justice and Public Administration (Faculty) 14 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Commercial Law
  • Comparative Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Economics
  • European Union Law
  • Fiscal Law
  • Information Technology
  • International Law
  • Labour Law
  • Law
  • Modern Languages
  • Private Law
  • Public Law
  • Welfare and Protective Services
Social and Political Sciences (Faculty) 16 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Education
  • Educational Sciences
  • Human Resources
  • Mathematics
  • Neurosciences
  • Physical Education
  • Political Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Public Administration
  • Religion
  • Social Psychology
  • Social Sciences
  • Sports
  • Teacher Training
  • Tourism
  • Town Planning
Theology and Religious Studies (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Religious Studies
  • Theology
Public Administration (Graduate School) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Public Administration
Criminal Justice (School) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Criminology
  • Forensic Medicine and Dentistry
  • Information Technology
  • Protective Services
French as a Foreign Language (School) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Foreign Languages Education
  • French
Pharmacy (Unit) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Pharmacy

Programs Offered

The full set of programmes Université de Lausanne offers is searchable and grouped by level below.

70 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Switzerland

Bachelor's Degree 15 programmes

Bachelor's Degree in Economics
Economics

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Letters (Humanities)
Humanities & Cultural Studies

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Management
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 15.

Master's Degree 44 programmes

Showing 10 of 44.

Doctorate 11 programmes

Doctorate in Letters
Humanities & Cultural Studies

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MD-PhD in Medicine and Sciences
Medicine

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD in Earth Sciences
Earth Sciences & Geology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD in Environmental Sciences
Environmental Sciences

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD in Geography
Geography

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD in Humanities and Social Sciences of Medicine and Health
Health Sciences

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD in Life Sciences
Biological Sciences

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD in Neurosciences
Neuroscience

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

PhD in Nursing Sciences
Nursing

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 11.

Scholarships in Switzerland

Scholarships and grants accessible to students attending Université de Lausanne or other universities in Switzerland are below.

How to apply to Université de Lausanne

What applying to Université de Lausanne involves, in five steps.

  1. 1
    Find a programme that fits your goals

    Université de Lausanne's catalogue includes 70 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Confirm you meet the requirements

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Université de Lausanne's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Assemble your application package

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Submit your application

    Submit your completed application through Université de Lausanne's official website at www.unil.ch. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.

  5. 5
    Contact admissions and follow up

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +41 (21) 692 1111. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about Université de Lausanne

Below are key facts about Université de Lausanne, drawn directly from institutional records.

How old is Université de Lausanne?

The institution opened in 1537 (approximately 489 years ago).

What city is Université de Lausanne in?

Université de Lausanne operates from Lausanne, Switzerland.

Is Université de Lausanne public or private?

Université de Lausanne is a public institution.

How big is Université de Lausanne's student body?

Université de Lausanne serves approximately 16,951 students.

Where does Université de Lausanne stand in university rankings?

It ranks QS 2027 #233 =.

What qualification levels does Université de Lausanne offer?

Université de Lausanne offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

How many faculties does Université de Lausanne have?

Université de Lausanne has 7 academic units.

Is Université de Lausanne officially recognised?

Université de Lausanne is accredited by Swiss Center of Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education (OAQ), EQUIS.

How do I find Université de Lausanne online?

The institution's website is www.unil.ch.

Top-Ranked Universities in Switzerland

The institutions topping Switzerland's rankings give national context for Université de Lausanne. Context matters because employer perception in Switzerland often correlates with national rankings.

Members of European University Association (EUA)

Other members of European University Association (EUA) are listed below.

Faculties at nearby universities

These universities are located near Université de Lausanne, listed below for students comparing options by location.

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