Education

Master of Science in Sustainable Management and Technology (SMT)

Frequently asked questions

How can I apply to the Master in Sustainable Management and Technology?

Applications have to be filled online only. The application process can be found here.

Is the GMAT/GRE test required for application?

In conformity with EPFL requirements, such diplomas are well received, but not compulsory.

What are the requirements in terms of grades to be eligible for the SMT Master Program?

As required by EPFL admission rules, candidates from Swiss universities must have a minimum average grade of 4.5 over their entire Bachelor’s program.

In addition, as the program is demanding in quantitative disciplines, we ask candidates with an Eco/Management background to have average grades of 5.0 in the quantitative areas mentioned in the next question.

What courses are recommended for the Master SMT?

It is highly recommended to have previously taken courses in the following quantitative areas as they are necessary preparation for the content of the Master SMT:
– Probability and statistics
– Data analysis
– Programming, in particular with the programming languages Python and STATA
– Econometrics
– Operations Research
– Operations management
– Decision sciences
– Macro- and micro-economics

I come from a University of Applied Sciences. Am I eligible?

Holders of a degree of a Swiss University of Applied Sciences are not eligible to apply for the SMT Master.

⇒ EPFL general admission requirements

Are references (i.e. letters of recommendation) required?

References are required only for candidates external to UNIL-HEC or EPFL. Candidates who obtained a Bachelor from UNIL-HEC should send an email to freivprf.rghqvnagf@rcsy.pu asking for the validation of their application without the reference letters.

Is there an application fee?

EPFL and UNIL-HEC graduates do not pay any application fee. Candidates from UNIL-HEC should send an email to freivprf.rghqvnagf@rcsy.pu asking for the validation of their application without the fee. Candidates from other Swiss universities should pay an application fee of 50 CHF. Foreign candidates should pay a fee of 150 CHF in accordance with the EPFL conditions.

What is the tuition fee?

Since students will be enrolled at EPFL, the tuition fee is 780 CHF per semester according to the EPFL study taxes.

Is there a limit number of students who will be accepted for this Master?

Since the specificity of this Master program is having mixed teams of students with both engineering and economics/management profiles, the number of students enrolled in the program will depend on the number of applications. There is no set limit of number of students but we aim at maintaining cohorts of small size.

Where will students be enrolled?

Candidates who will be accepted to the program will be officially enrolled at EPFL.

Is there any scholarship opportunity?

Along with the application procedure for the Master program, candidates can apply for an excellence scholarship or needs-based scholarship in accordance with the EPFL guidelines.

Will students have access to the three campuses?

The Master students will have complete access to facilities on UNIL and EPFL campuses. A number of activities will also be organized on the IMD campus.

Is the presence compulsory?

This Master is designed as a full time program. Courses will be mainly given during the week days (even if external interventions could be scheduled in the evening or during weekends). Also, this is a program which requires a lot of project team work so frequent interactions with peers will be expected. There is no such option as following the program part time.

What type of diploma will graduates receive?

Graduates will receive a Master of Science in Sustainable Management & Technology degree delivered jointly by UNIL, IMD and EPFL. Please note that this degree is not equivalent to an Engineer degree.

There are a lot of interesting topics covered in the curriculum around technology and sustainability. However, there is no specialization as in other HEC Master programs. Is this something that is appreciated by the industry?

This is a Master program in management that seeks to anticipate the future directions of the economy, particularly in terms of technology and sustainability. This is its strength! On the other hand, it is true that it is designed to have a generalist orientation less specialized than some of the other Master programs offered by HEC Lausanne.

What will be the typical professional opportunities at the end of the Master’s program?

Due to the generalist nature of the program, we are aiming for a wide range of career opportunities in industry. Graduates will be trained in management with a focus on the world of tomorrow. They will have acquired interdisciplinary skills enabling them to navigate and be creative in all sectors impacted by technological change and requiring sustainable models of development.

Who will provide career services?

Career services will be provided by the Career Orientation Office at UNIL and the Career Center at EPFL.

Will graduates be alumni of all three institutions?

Yes, they will.

Are there several application deadlines?

Yes there are 2 deadlines: December 15th & March 31st – both are for the September start.

  1. 15 December: applications are open from the beginning of November to the 15th of December
  2. 31 March: applications are open from the 16th of December to the 31st of March.

The SMT Master’s degree cannot begin in the Spring semester. You can find more information about online applications here.

We recommend that applicants from abroad apply at the first deadline in order to have more time for all the administrative procedures.

When will I get an answer?

Applicants of the 1st deadline (15/12) will receive an official answer from EPFL by the end of March of the following year.
Applicants of the 2nd deadline (31/03) will receive an official answer from EPFL by the end of June.

Is it possible to do an exchange program during the SMT Master?

No. The program is already designed to attend courses on 3 different campuses. SMT Students cannot go abroad during the Master.

Can we have a part-time job during the Master?

The curriculum is intense, as it includes many group projects and regular assignments. We therefore do not encourage SMT Students to have a job outside of the program.

Do you conduct interviews?

We usually don’t, but this is not a set rule. Interviews may be conducted.

Are the ECTS credits obtained through courses followed during exchange programs abroad eligible?

The Admission Commission will analyze case by case the eligibility of ECTS credits obtained abroad.