The internship can take place in Switzerland or abroad. Internship in countries assessed as “Not recommended” by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) are not allowed (Travel risk map ‒ Safety, Prevention and Health ‐ EPFL).

An organization qualifies as an internship host if it operates outside the higher education sector. This includes companies, non-profits, start-up, spin-off and government agencies or public institutions. However, internships must not be carried out within schools, universities, or any institutions that grant academic degrees.

The access is granted to the students from BA6 (spring semester).

Masters in Microengineering, Robotics, Energy Science and Technology, and Materials Science and Engineering:

As a general rule, the internship must be undertaken after two semesters of the Master’s cycle but before the Master’s project. Upon request and on a case-by-case basis, your section may authorize internship to be undertaken immediately after successful completion of the Bachelor’s degree.

Master in Electrical Engineering:

As a general rule, the internship must be undertaken after two semesters of the Master’s cycle but before the Master’s project.

Upon request and on a case-by-case basis, your section may authorize internship credited with the Master’s project (STAP) to be undertaken immediately after successful completion of the Bachelor’s degree.

The internship with separate credits (SCS) may only be undertaken after two semesters of the Master’s cycle.

Master in Mechanical Engineering:

The internship must be undertaken after successful completion of the Bachelor’s degree but before the Master’s project.

Unless required by the company, the School of Engineering doesn’t require you to write a report for the Internship credited with the Master’s project (STAP).

The section of Electrical Engineering requires you to write an “Internship Activity and Transversal Skills Analysis” report for the internships for separate credits (SCS).

The internship is evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis and does not receive a numerical grade. The evaluation is made by your section.

In case of failure, a second attempt is permitted (in another company), just as with an exam.

A written evaluation from your internship supervisor, as well as your evaluation of the internship is mandatory for the validation of the internship by your section. The evaluation form to be filled out is sent automatically by e-mail two weeks before the end of the internship to your supervisor and yourself.

The Swiss authorities (service de l’emploi) expect an internship to be paid about CHF 2’000/month in Switzerland. This will be a requirement to deliver the work authorization for students from third countries (non-EU/EFTA countries).

Abroad, practices and amounts vary widely.

No, you are responsible for obtaining the appropriate insurances covering illness, accidents and personal liability whether the internship is carried out in Switzerland or abroad.

Typically, an internship is formalized through the signature of a bipartite contract between the student and the company.

In addition, EPFL requires the use of its standard tripartite internship agreement, which must be signed by the company, the student, and EPFL (represented by your section). This document addresses all key aspects of the internship (tasks, remuneration, start and end dates, etc.) and is generally accepted by most companies. The content of the EPFL standard internship agreement cannot be edited or modified.

If a company is not willing to sign this agreement and instead proposes an alternative, please contact the STI Internship Coordination (internships.sti@epfl.ch).

Yes, retroactive validation of an internship can exceptionally be granted and is subject to the following conditions:

1. The internship has not been completed as part of another program at another university/school.
2. The subject and duration of the internship comply with the EPFL academic regulations and the criteria for internship validation.
3. The internship contract and/or the work certificate must be provided.

Request should be sent to your section with STI Internship Coordination in copy (internships.sti@epfl.ch).

If validation is granted, the student is exempt from completing the mandatory internship.

Typically, the internship is full-time only.

Part-time work is allowed only in exceptional cases, subject to approval by your section. In such instances, the internship duration must be extended to ensure the minimum required time is fulfilled.

Request should be sent to your section with STI Internship Coordination in copy (internships.sti@epfl.ch).

Taking courses during the internship must be approved by your section as well as your host company. The semester counts toward the 6-semesters limit for completing your Master’s cycle (excluding the PDM semesters) and the full tuition fee is due.

The primary goal of the internship program is to immerse students in the professional world. Therefore, remote work is neither recommended nor desired by EPFL and the School of Engineering.

Exceptions may be considered, allowing for a limited amount of remote work, not exceeding 40%, at the company’s request. Justification is required and the section reserves the right not to allow it if it is not consistent with the school’s training objectives.

In any cases, the company must ensure that remote work does not compromise the student’s overall internship experience and that it continues to add value to their professional development. Adequate supervision and a suitable remote work environment must be provided to maintain the quality of the internship.

Working remotely from Switzerland for a company abroad is forbidden.

In accordance with Art. 39 OASA, foreign students who are enrolled at EPFL with a valid residence permit may complete a paid full-time internship, provided that the internship is a mandatory part of their studies. However, they must obtain authorization from the relevant competent authorities.

For students from third countries (non-EU/EFTA countries), the company must apply to the relevant labor competent authorities for permission to employ the student as an intern and submit the working conditions to this authority. Upon request (form), the STI Internship Coordination issues a certificate stating that the internship is a mandatory part of the student’s studies and that the student will remain enrolled as an EPFL student during the internship. Authorization is granted if the working conditions are valid. The company and the student must wait for the positive decision of the authorities before starting the internship.

Students who are EU and EFTA citizens are granted the principle of mobility and the opportunity to work for the duration of the internship. However, the internship must be announced to the “contrôle des habitants” of the student’s town or the canton in which the internship will take place. The internship can begin as soon as the announcement is made.

Master Projects in a company do not require a working authorization provided there is no monthly remuneration since they are done under the supervision of an EPFL academic supervisor.

For further information, please contact the relevant cantonal authorities.