Université de Lausanne (University of Lausanne), Switzerland

Before arriving at the University of Lausanne, you will discuss and get approval for your research plan from your supervisor and your School’s study abroad coordinator.

Each academic year at Lausanne is divided into two semesters:

• Semester 1: middle of September to middle of  December
• Semester 2: middle of February to middle of May.

Based within the Faculty of Arts, the History of Art department at Lausanne investigates art from late Antiquity to the contemporary period, working across media types and between disciplines. The department has a regular programme of visiting lecturers and guest speakers, and organises events for doctoral students in collaboration with the Universities of Western Switzerland (CUSO). The city of Lausanne also has a number of high-quality museums.

Much of the life of the department takes place in French, and an intermediate level (B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is recommended by the University. French language lessons are also available from the university.

As an exchange student, you will not pay tuition fees to your host university, and will only be liable for your normal St Andrews tuition fees.

Research Council students should make sure that they have their funding body’s permission to study abroad, notifying them particularly for any mobility grants that they may be receiving.

Most students are eligible for Swiss European Mobility Placement (SEMP) grant – provided by the Swiss Government – which contributes towards the extra costs arising from studying or working abroad for credit. For 2021-2022, students going to Switzerland were eligible for 1900 Swiss Francs (CHF) for a single semester exchange, or two payments of CHF 1900 for an exchange lasting two semesters. SEMP grants are externally funded, and therefore the University of St Andrews cannot guarantee funding will be available in any given year.

The University of Lausanne provides information about insurance and finance. The average budget a student needs to live in Lausanne is around CHF 1900 per month. You will be responsible for meeting any additional costs accruing from accommodation, food, travel, etc. As an exchange student, you will need to allow around CHF 100 per month for health and accident insurance if your foreign insurance is not recognised in Switzerland. More generally, note that on arrival in Switzerland, you will have to pay various administrative costs, which can be fairly significant (visa and residence permit costs, local taxes, a rent guarantee for your accommodation, etc.). It is therefore important to allow for these in your budget.

There are excellent train links to Lausanne from Geneva airport. The trip takes about 45 minutes. The university campus is well-connected to Lausanne by the m1 metro train and several bus routes.