Detailed introduction of the University of Lausanne:

Introduction and Overview

Nature of the institution: The University of Lausanne is a public research university located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Student size: Currently, it has about 16,000 students, of which about a quarter are international students. The student population comes from more than 120 countries and is highly internationalized.

Geographic location: It is mainly located in Dorigny on the shore of Lake Geneva outside the city of Lausanne, adjacent to the Lausanne Federal Institute of Technology, together forming a vast campus.

History and establishment time

The University of Lausanne was founded in 1537. It was originally a Protestant theological school with the purpose of training pastors for the church. It officially became a university in 1890. It is the second oldest university in Switzerland and one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world.

School strength

Faculty: It has about 1,457 faculty members, nearly half of whom are from countries outside Switzerland. The strong international faculty provides students with a broad international perspective and rich academic resources.

Teaching resources: The school provides 167 Different professional courses, covering all levels from undergraduate to doctoral, including theology, law, art, social and political sciences, economics and business administration, biology and medicine and other disciplines.

Research achievements: The University of Lausanne has invested heavily in scientific research and has achieved a series of important scientific research results, especially in the fields of life sciences, medicine, social sciences, environmental sciences, etc. For example, there are internationally leading research projects in neuroscience, cancer research, climate change research, etc.

Educational philosophy

The University of Lausanne focuses on the quality and innovation of teaching and emphasizes interdisciplinary teaching methods. This concept is reflected in the organizational structure and curriculum setting of its colleges, aiming to cultivate students with innovative thinking, interdisciplinary literacy and global vision, so that they can better adapt to the complex and changing social and workplace needs.

Key laboratories and disciplines

Key laboratories:

The University of Lausanne has a number of advanced research centers and laboratories, such as the Center for Integrated Genomics, which has carried out cutting-edge work in the field of genetic research and made important contributions to the development of life sciences.

The Criminology Research Laboratory is also one of the school's important scientific research institutions. It has conducted in-depth research in criminological theory, crime prevention, crime analysis, etc., providing important theoretical support for judicial practice.

Key disciplines:

Biology and Medicine: This discipline is one of the advantageous disciplines of the University of Lausanne, covering multiple fields such as biology, medicine, and pharmacy. It has achieved remarkable scientific research results in gene therapy, neuroscience, cancer research, etc., and has cultivated a large number of outstanding medical and biological professionals.

Social and Political Sciences: It has a profound academic accumulation in the fields of sociology, political science, international relations, etc., and its research results have an important impact on the formulation of social policies and international cooperation, providing students with an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of social and political phenomena and cultivating their social analysis and policy-making capabilities.

Economics and Business Administration: As one of the top business schools in Switzerland, HEC Lausanne provides high-quality economic and business administration education. Its courses cover multiple fields such as accounting, finance, marketing, and management. It focuses on the combination of theory and practice and has cultivated many innovative and internationally competitive business leaders.

Department Settings

The University of Lausanne has a total of seven colleges, as follows:

College of Arts: Covering disciplines such as literature, language, history, philosophy, and art history, it cultivates students' humanistic qualities and artistic appreciation.

Biological and Medical School: including biology, medicine, pharmacy, nursing and other majors, dedicated to the research of life sciences and the cultivation of medical talents.

School of Economics and Business Administration: provides professional courses in the field of business, such as accounting, finance, marketing, management, etc., focusing on cultivating students' business thinking and practical ability.

School of Earth Sciences and Environment: involves disciplines such as geology, geography, environmental science, ecology, etc., focusing on changes in the earth's environment and sustainable development.

School of Law, Criminal Justice and Public Administration: including majors such as law, criminology, public administration, etc., cultivating professionals in the fields of law and public administration.

School of Social and Political Sciences: covers disciplines such as sociology, political science, international relations, psychology, etc., studies social and political phenomena, and cultivates professionals in the field of social sciences.

School of Theology and Religious Studies: focuses on research and teaching in theology, religious history, religious philosophy, etc.

Ranking

In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, the University of Lausanne ranks 224th.

Expenses

Tuition fees: Tuition fees for undergraduate programs are approximately CHF 633 per semester, and tuition fees for master's programs are approximately CHF 783 per semester. Doctoral programs usually have no tuition fees, but some registration fees and other fees may be required.

Living expenses: The cost of living in Lausanne is relatively high, with monthly living expenses of approximately CHF 1,500-2,000, including accommodation, food, transportation, etc.

Campus

Teaching facilities: The main campus of the University of Lausanne is located in Dorigny. The campus environment is beautiful and the teaching facilities are advanced. It has modern teaching buildings, libraries, laboratories, sports facilities, etc., providing students and teachers with a good teaching and research environment.

Campus life: Campus life is rich and colorful. The school has various student clubs and organizations, such as the Student Union, academic clubs, cultural clubs, sports clubs, etc. Students can participate in corresponding club activities according to their interests and hobbies. In addition, the school often holds various academic lectures, cultural activities, sports competitions, etc., which enriches students' extracurricular life.