Language of instruction
Generally available as a second or third preference.
The University of Lausanne is a higher teaching and research institution where an emphasis is placed on close cooperation between students, teaching staff and professors. With a history stretching back 450 years, UNIL is today ranked within the Top 200 universities in the world.
UNIL boasts a green and spacious lakeside setting. An excellent public transport network links the campus in Dorigny to Lausanne, the smallest city in Switzerland. Lausanne’s undulating contours afford residents and visitors spectacular views over Lake Geneva and the Alps. The wealth of its cultural life is exceptional, while its modest size keeps it on a human scale.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 (Spring) | February–July |
| Semester 2 | Semester 1 (Autumn) | September–January |
View the UNIL academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
UNIL has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
- UNiL Factsheet (PDF, 127.5 KB)
- Student Association, including exchange student support and buddy system
Campuses
UNIL has 3 campuses:
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Extended Deadline: 28 Nov 2024 (for exchange in Sem 2, 2025)
Student testimonials
- B International StudiesSemester 1, 2023
Exchange has probably been the best experience of my life.
- B Science/ArtsSemester 1, 2019
I'd do it all again in a heartbeat!
- B International StudiesSemester 1, 2019
Savoir se quitter pour mieux se retrouver - to know how to leave oneself to better find oneself
Full-time study load
20 ECTS credits per semester at UNIL is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
If a course is part of a set 'module' and has no individual ECTS value, then students should study 80-100 hours of courses per semester.
Host university requirements
GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at UNIL.
Language
Students wishing to take courses taught in French will require at least a B2 level of proficiency (CEFR)R.
Study Options
Not applicable to this university. You can choose any courses which are open to exchange students.
Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
Search the UNIL course catalogue or the list of courses taught in English. To find courses taught in English, select your desired faculty and then filter by teaching language.
French as a foreign language courses.
Crosscheck the courses you found in the host course catalogue with the Credit Precedent Database to see if UQ credit has previously been granted. The database should be used as a general guide only. Few courses from each host will be in the database and many course precedents in the database may have expired. Note, the credit precedent database does not replace the host course catalogue. If a course is not listed in the CPD, you can still ask for it to be assessed on your study plan.
Study areas taught in English
Academic restrictions
Additional academic information
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Extended Deadline: 28 Nov 2024 (for exchange in Sem 2, 2025)
Accommodation
There are multiple accommodation options for UNiL students. The Social Affairs and Student Mobility (SASM) Office at UNiL will reserve a room for UQ exchange students in one of the student halls of residence, but places fill up quickly.
If you miss out on a place in the halls of residence, the SASM Office provides a number of resources to help you in your search, including an accommodation database which you can access once enrolled.
Please note that the private housing situation in the region is particularly difficult.
Cost of living
UNIL recommends students budget around CHF 1950 per month while on exchange in Lausanne. The university provides a breakdown of average living expenses to help you plan your budget.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
There are multiple scholarships on offer by University of Lausanne for UQ exchange students. Each scholarship will consist of CHF 500 per month, for a maximum of five (5) months for a one-semester stay, and ten (10) months for a two-semester stay at University of Lausanne. The scholarship is designed to assist with the costs associated with studying in Switzerland. You will be considered for a scholarship upon application to University of Lausanne.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in a Semester-based Exchange are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
All exchange students are required to purchase the compulsory Swiss insurance after they have arrived at Lausanne. The University of Lausanne reccomends international students to purchase the 'Swisscare- studentpass' plan that is noted under the 'Health inusrances for international students' section.
Exchange students may be eligible to waive compulsory Swiss insurance if they have additional cover that meets Lausanne's minimum waiver requirements. The UQ Corporate Travel Insurance does not cover all Benefits of the Swiss Insurance as outlined in the Waiver form offered by Lausanne (specifically maternity and legal abortion), so cannot be used as an Equivalent/Alternative form of insurance.
Before purchasing an additional policy, students should confirm that the policy meets Lausanne's minimum waiver requirements. Please note that the waiver of the compulsory Swiss health insurance is not guaranteed and subject to approval from the University of Lausanne.
A waiver is not automatic. Do not assume that a waiver will be approved or that you will receive a waiver based on the experience of a friend from UQ who studied at the same institution on exchange.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Extended Deadline: 28 Nov 2024 (for exchange in Sem 2, 2025)
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
UNIL provides visa and immigration information for incoming exchange students/
Contact the Swiss Embassy for more visa information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Extended Deadline: 28 Nov 2024 (for exchange in Sem 2, 2025)