Université de Lausanne
Lausanne, Switzerland • Founded 1537 • World Rank #326
Updated May 2026
Overview
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
Planning a visit to Université de Lausanne or following up with admissions? Location and contact details are listed below. Admissions email typically replies within 5–10 business days during peak season.
Academic Details
Scale, staffing, and recognition figures for Université de Lausanne are summarised below. These numbers help you size the institution against your shortlist and weigh academic depth alongside programme fit.
Academic Structures
Université de Lausanne's teaching organisation from faculties down to institutes. Faculty websites typically list their own programme catalogue, faculty bios, and contact information separately from the central site.
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
Degrees
Explore the degree tracks available at Université de Lausanne — from foundation routes through to doctoral programmes. Each level prepares graduates for distinct career or research trajectories.
Bachelor's 34 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Ancient Civilizations
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Biology
- Classical Languages
- Computer Science
- Cultural Studies
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- English
- Film
- Forensic Medicine and Dentistry
- French
- German
- Greek (Classical)
- History
- Italian
- Latin
- Law
- Linguistics
- Management
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Religion
- Slavic Languages
- Social Sciences
- South Asian Studies
- Spanish
- Sports
- Theology
- Tibetan
Master's 63 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Accountancy
- Actuarial Science
- Architecture
- Archiving
- Art History
- Asian Studies
- Behavioural Sciences
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Cinema and Television
- Civil Engineering
- Classical Languages
- Commercial Law
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Criminal Law
- Development Studies
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- Education
- English
- Environmental Studies
- European Union Law
- Finance
- Forensic Medicine and Dentistry
- French
- Geography
- Geology
- German
- Government
- Health Administration
- Health Sciences
- Heritage Preservation
- History
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- International Business
- Italian
- Law
- Leadership
- Library Science
- Management
- Medicine
- Modern Languages
- Molecular Biology
- Museum Studies
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Postal Services
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Rehabilitation and Therapy
- Religion
- Social Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Spanish
- Sports
- Theology
- Town Planning
- Transport Management
- Urban Studies
Doctoral 25 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Applied Mathematics
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Criminology
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- Educational Sciences
- Fine Arts
- Forensic Medicine and Dentistry
- Information Technology
- Law
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Medicine
- Natural Sciences
- Neurosciences
- Nursing
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Law
- Religious Studies
- Social Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Sports
- Theology
- Tourism
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
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Theology and Religious Studies (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Religious Studies
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Pharmacist
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Search the Université de Lausanne programme catalogue or scan it by degree level. The catalogue updates periodically; recently added programmes may not yet appear in some search-engine results.
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
Showing 10 of 15.
Master's Degree 44 programmes
Showing 10 of 44.
Doctorate 11 programmes
Showing 10 of 11.
How to apply to Université de Lausanne
What applying to Université de Lausanne typically involves — research, eligibility check, document prep, submission, and follow-up.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 the key facts most prospective students ask 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 10,000-14,999 students.
Where does Université de Lausanne stand in university rankings?
It ranks #326 globally and #6 in Switzerland.
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 European University Association (EUA) members offer mobility and exchange compatibility with Université de Lausanne. Exchange compatibility is one of the more practical benefits of shared network membership.
Faculties at nearby universities
Students considering Université de Lausanne often compare it against universities in the same region. Below are nearby institutions with comparable academic departments and student support structures, useful for cross-shortlisting.
Universities Compared with Université de Lausanne
Looking at Université de Lausanne through a comparison lens? These universities share similar academic positioning and are commonly considered against Université de Lausanne during the application process. Cross-comparison helps clarify the institutional fit beyond ranking signals.
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